Category: The VR Game Launch Roundup

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The VR Drop: Time to Crack Some Skulls

The VR Drop - 02072021

After all the virtual reality (VR) excitement last month thanks to E3 2021 July kicks off with a proper assortment of videogame releases. There are long-awaited titles finally surfacing, others getting a SteamVR port and a rather unusual brand tie-in. So as VRFocus likes to do every Friday, here’s our roundup of VR titles arriving next week.

Kelloggs Gut Bacteria Reef

Kellogg’s Gut Bacteria Reef – Nakatomi

It’s not often you see cereal manufacturer Kellogg’s appear in a videogame list but here we are, with an educational VR experience about the gut. Kellogg’s Gut Bacteria Reef enables viewers to “travel into the gut in a virtual submarine to uncover the inner workings of the gut ecosystem for the very first time.”

A.D. 2047 – Leenzee Games

An interactive sci-fi movie where you play a detective who becomes embroiled in a case involving a serial killer. Try to find the killer and stop the next murder in this futuristic tale.

A.D. 2047

Sniper Elite VR – Just Add Water

Certainly the biggest VR title to launch this week considering its available for most headsets, Sniper Elite VR brings Rebellion’s renowned WWII series into VR with visceral bone-breaking realism. Head to Sicily to help the Italian resistance fight the Nazi’s armed with your trusty sniper rifle and a whole host of other weapons. And yes, the notorious X-ray Kill-Cam remains.

Sam & Max: This Time It’s Virtual! – HappyGiant

For a more light-hearted, comic adventure there’s always the return of crime-fighting duo Sam & Max. In Sam & Max: This Time It’s Virtual! you join the team as a new recruit, ready to take on all manner of challenging obstacle courses and monster-slaying to prove you’re up to the job.

Sam And Max VR

Zombieland VR: Headshot Fever – XR Games

Originally released for Oculus Quest earlier this year now it’s the turn of PC VR headsets on Steam. An official franchise tie-in with the films, Zombieland VR: Headshot Fever is an arcade-style shooter testing your aim and speed across a variety of zombie-filled courses. Get two headshots in a row to activate slow-mo, giving you more time to rack up those kills and points to unlock more goodies.

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The VR Drop: Making the Cut

VR Game Roundup

It’s been a videogame packed week thanks to the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2021, serving up plenty of new games and updates for the coming year and into 2022. When it comes to new content arriving in the next week here’s a tasty selection of five titles worth looking out for.

SURV1V3

SURV1V3 – Candymakers

Zombie shooter SURV1V3 has been available via Steam Early Access since 2018. If you’ve been waiting for the fully finished experience then wait no longer, SURV1V3‘s official launch happens this weekend. Playable solo or in co-op with up to four people, the videogame features realistic weapons and attachments, over 40 zombie models and friendly fire, so careful where you’re shooting”

Antiprism – Zero Fun

A single-player title with classic shooter ’em up mechanics, Antiprism puts a spaceship in each of your hands using them to blast an endless stream or enemies whilst avoiding asteroids and other environmental hazards. Complete campaign and side missions to earn resources to customise and upgrade the ships ready for some epic boss battles. Or try your luck on the endless Survivor mode with infinite procedurally generated stages.

Antiprism

Ash of Legends – PcubedVR

Blending tower defence and first-person action gameplay, Ash of Legends is an Early Access title for PC VR headsets. Build a base filled with traps and deadly towers before taking on enemy waves yourself with a variety of weapons. Plus as it’s Steam Next Fest there’s a few demo of Ash of Legends currently available.

The Green Fairy – CONICAL

A 10-minute animated short, The Green Fairy by CONICAL takes viewers on a journey with the titular character. She needs to find a new place to live as she’s been driven from her home by green goblins known as Fairy Catchers, leaving her forest to travel to the ‘Big Little City’. A delightful short that’ll be free on supported platforms.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest and Rift, HTC Vive and Valve Index
  • Launch date: 24th May
The Green Fairy

Sentenced VR – Samuel Gordon

Another title that currently has a free demo available on Steam, Sentenced VR is by far the most gruesome of this week’s selection. Striking in both its art style and subject matter, Sentenced VR is all about mastering the art of beheading, describing itself as: “a game about personal conscience and obedience to authority.” 

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The VR Drop: Drumming to a Multiplayer Cosmic Beat

VR Game Roundup

If you’re a PC VR owner then your next week will likely be filled with playing demos from the Steam Next Fest. For everyone else, including Oculus Quest and PlayStation VR owners, here are a selection of virtual reality (VR) titles arriving over the next seven days.

Smash Drums

Nanoscape VR – 3D Visualisation Aesthetics Lab

Developed by the 3d Visualisation Aesthetics Lab (3DVAL) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Art and Design Nanoscape VR takes you on a microscopic journey. “Using data from high-resolution electron microscopy we have reconstructed a human breast cancer cell in 3D VR in order to better visualise mechanisms of nanoparticle internalisation and trafficking.”

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Rift
  • Launch date: 25th May

Smash Drums – PotamWorks

Being released through Oculus’ App Lab, Smash Drums is a drumming rhythm action videogame featuring 21 songs from up-and-coming indie rock bands. There are destructible environments including a prison, a crypt, and an office as well as 360-degree gameplay to keep you entertained.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 17th June
Larcenauts

Larcenauts – Impulse Gear

From Farpoint developer Impulse Gear, Larcenauts is a 6v6 multiplayer where you can choose from eight specialists to fight it out across game modes such as territory defending Refuel and the classic Deathmatch. This looks set to become one of the big VR launches of the summer, with plenty of cross platform action between Quest and PC VR headsets.

Eternal Starlight – White Noise Games

The first title from indie studio White Noise Games, Eternal Starlight is a real-time strategy (RTS) title putting you in command of a fleet of starships. Featuring a 28 level campaign mode and a skirmish mode to access all the vessels, missions revolve around protecting various alien races from attack. In doing so you gain access to their resources and technology so you can upgrade your flagship. The Oculus Quest edition also features support for hand tracking.

Eternal Starlight

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series – ILMxLAB

ILMxLAB released Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series for PlayStation VR back in 2020 as a digital-only version. Next week sees the arrival of a special retail edition with a few extras added on. Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series takes you to the planet of Mustafar where Darth Vader is searching for a way to bring Padme back. You’ll be able to wield lightsaber’s, use the force and uncover a storyline set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 18th June
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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Frighteningly Puzzling

VR Game Roundup 21052021

With May drawing to a close lets have a look at what’s going to round out the month. There are going to be fights in store for Steam users whilst those on PlayStation VR will be getting a rather excellent Rube Goldberg machine building title. So check out five exciting titles due to arrive this coming week.

Gadgeteer - PSVR

Gadgeteer – Metanaut

If you love puzzles and building things in VR then Metanaut’s Gadgeteer should be right up your street if you own a PlayStation VR. The title has already on most other VR platforms so this week’s launch nicely rounds things out. The core campaign features 60 pre-made puzzles and once you’ve finished them it’s onto the Maker Mode where you can let your imagination run riot. Plus, with an online sharing feature, you can upload and download your and other people’s Gadgeteer creations.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 25th May

Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife – Fast Travel Games

Fast Travel Games’ new horror Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife saw an early exclusive launch for Oculus headsets last month and this week it’s coming to Steam, expanding support to HTC Vive and Valve Index. Set within the World of Darkness universe, you take on the role of Ed Miller, a photographer who dies during a seance at the luxurious Barclay Mansion. Stuck between the living world and the afterlife, you have to roam the hallways looking for clues as to what happened. However, being dead doesn’t mean to say you’re entirely safe. As a wraith, you can walk through walls and pick items up at a distance but you must also avoid Spectres. These are spirits of wrath and vengeance. With no way to defend yourself from them, you must tread carefully and hide.

Open Brush

Open Brush – Icosa Gallery

Google dropped support for its painting Tilt Brush earlier this year whilst opening the software to developers by making it open source. That’s allowed Icosa Gallery to create Tilt Brush derivative Open Brush. What’s even better for Steam users is Open Brush is free whilst Tilt Brush still costs £14.99 GBP. So get 3D painting for free next week.

ForeVR Bowl – ForeVR

Oculus Quest owners looking to get their bowling fix will be able to this week with ForeVR Bowl the first VR title from ForeVR. Practice those bowling skills in single and multiplayer modes, where you can play across six locations with up to four players online. There will be a massive amount of different balls to unlock each with their own stats. The studio has created what it calls Real Feel Throw technology that should provide an accurate experience, all in your own home!

ForeVR Bowl

Boxed In – Red Chain Games

One more puzzle title for PlayStation VR to round the week out. Making you feel like you’re inside the very puzzle you’re trying to solve, Boxed In puts you in a chequered room with colourful cubes to clear. Depending on the mode the difficulty is turned up a notch when the cubes start moving, increasing the chance of crushing you before you’ve managed to clear them all.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Surgical Bubble Extermination

VR Game Roundup

Looking at the week ahead there’s a varied selection of indie virtual reality (VR) titles on their way, from monstrous shooters to tactical, asymmetrical co-op adventures. While more may appear out the blue, here are five videogames who’ve confirmed their release dates.

VAR: Exterminate

VAR: Exterminate – VAR LIVE International

A frantic zombie wave shooter coming to Steam Early Access, VAR: Exterminate will initially offer 12 levels to try and survive, with 3 weapons, 2 drones, and 50 ability cards. You can pick one of 3 abilities at the start of each wave tailoring each run-through. These range from steady hands and medkits to extended mags and improved critical hits. VAR LIVE International will further expand the experience with more weapons, cards, and maps.

Sheriff Exam – ITCStudio

A Wild West-themed shooting simulator, Sheriff Exam has a single-player campaign mode and six mini-games for you to test those skills in: Bottle Range, Flying Cans; Rolling Ducks, Shootball; Darts, and Whack ‘em Moles. As you progress you’ll be able to unlock new items such as revolvers, shotguns, custom gloves, bombs, and whiskey at the shop. There’s also a global leaderboard for everyone to compete on.

Operation Armstrong

Operation Armstrong – Fullbeans Studio

Developed by Australian indie team Fullbeans Studio, Operation Armstrong sees the VR player take on the role of a field operative, having to carefully sneak around a robot base. To aid in this endeavour, up to 12 other players can join for some cross-platform local co-op by logging in through a web browser on their smartphones. The team can then assist by clearing obstacles and disrupting the enemy. 

Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey – Survios

The one non-indie VR title on this list, coming from the studio behind The Walking Dead Onslaught and Creed: Rise to Glory, Survios has teamed up with Taito for Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey. Offering a single-player mode with 100 levels of bubble popping madness, an Infinite Mode for endless fun and an Online Duel Mode where players can go 1v1, Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey brings this classic puzzle gameplay into VR.

Puzzle Bobble VR

Crystal Raiders VR – Nieko

A Steam Early Access release from AR studio Nieko and VRKiwi, Crystal Raiders VR is an action-adventure where you can explore medieval castles either on your own or in co-op with three other players. Like any dungeon crawler you’ll have to fight monsters, customise your loadouts, avoid traps, and solve puzzles to survive until the end.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: A Magical May

VR Game Roundup

Spring 2021 is in full swing and VRFocus has got another crop of VR titles to look forward to in the coming week. There are so exciting VR videogames on their way including Resolution Games’ latest multiplayer and Carbon Studio’s magical adventure expanding its hardware support.

Flow Weaver

Flow Weaver – Stitch Media, Silverstring Media Inc.

Described as a ‘multidimensional escape room’, in Flow Weaver you’re trapped in a single room but are able to control ‘Flows’, a way of moving between dimensions which overlap the material world. You therefore have to navigate between them, solving puzzles which can link across dimensions and hopefully make your escape.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Rift
  • Launch date: 3rd May

Demeo – Resolution Games

Revealed for the first time only a few months ago, Demeo is a turn-based strategy title allowing up to four players to engage in a dungeon quest, exploring the dangerous hallways and rooms whilst working together to defeat any foes they encounter. Players can assume one of four roles, an eagle-eyed hunter, a mystical sorcerer, a deadly assassin or a protective guardian each bringing their own unique skillset to the team. The end goal is to defeat the Mad Elven King.

Demeo

The Wizards – Dark Times – Carbon Studio

Released last year for PC VR headsets, Carbon Studio is now bringing The Wizards – Dark Times’ gesture -based magic to Oculus Quest. Players have to learn and master 11 individually designed spells which can only be cast with their hands, freezing foes where they stand or setting them on fire for example. All the while trying to rid the land of Meliora from a mysterious dark plague sweeping the land.

Imercyve: Living with Intellectual Disability – Valley General

Appearing in last week’s roundup, the launch of Imercyve: Living with Intellectual Disability has been pushed back to this week. “Developed in partnership with support services not-for-profit Mercy Connect, this experience explores the efficacy of an immersive approach to strengthening communication and understanding between advocates and people with a disability by simulating a variety of effects that may be familiar to those with diverse and high care needs.”

The Wizards - Dark Times

Experience the Energy: Take the Challenge – Mammoth

A free app designed to see if you’d like a career in the Canadian energy industry. “Take the challenge to see how your skills align with 10 exciting careers in oil and gas. Try your hand at drilling, adjust valves to maintain pressure, and send one-of-a-kind robot assistant, Appo into the field to look for hazards.”

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Scary, Educational, Sports in a far off Galaxy

VR Game Roundup

April will soon be coming to an end and what a month it’s been for virtual reality (VR) content. The Oculus Gaming Showcase had plenty of updates for current titles plus the likes of Maskmaker and Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife have launched. As VRFocus likes to do every Friday, here’s what you’ve got to look forward to in the days ahead.

Imercyve

Imercyve: Living with Intellectual Disability – Valley General

First up how about an educational VR app. Imercyve: Living with Intellectual Disability has been: “Developed in partnership with support services not-for-profit Mercy Connect, this experience explores the efficacy of an immersive approach to strengthening communication and understanding between advocates and people with a disability by simulating a variety of effects that may be familiar to those with diverse and high care needs.”

Star Wars Pinball VR – Zen Studios

The big IP for next week, Zen Studios return to VR fusing pinball with the iconic Star Wars franchise. Set within a customisable fan cave where you can unlock statues, posters, music and more by scoring big on the tables, there will be 8 pinball tables to master, each based on the films. There will also be two brand new tables such as The Mandalorian.

Layers of Fear VR

Layers of Fear VR – Bloober Team/Incuvo

Originally a standard PC title created by Bloober Team, developer Incuvo over saw the PC VR port in 2019. Now its PlayStation VR owners turn to step into this house of horrors. You play the role of a Victorian-era painter aiming to finish his Magnum Opus. However, as the dark narrative unfolds your character delves deeper into his own madness, experiencing visions that fill the mansion with macabre artwork as well as changing its layout.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 29th April

VR Skater – Deficit Games

An Early Access launch for PC VR headsets, VR Skater is a mix between arcade and simulation gameplay so you can pull a variety of tricks like Flips, Shuvits, Slides, and Grinds across one big map. There are practice and run modes to begin with, with thhe final version set to add a career mode and a least 6 more maps.

Disc Golf Valley VR

Disc Golf Valley VR – Latitude 64

Why bother with a small golf ball when you can utilise a frisbee instead! Another Early Access launch, Disc Golf Valley VR provides 14 courses to complete, unlocking new disc’s in Challenge mode as well as three practice modes to test those skills on.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Masking the Horror

VR Game Roundup

April has been a jam-packed month for virtual reality (VR) videogames and it just keeps getting better. Not only does next week have some big arrivals but there’s the Oculus Gaming Showcase to look forward to, with more details set to arrive for Resident Evil 4 and more. First, take a look at what VR titles are about to keep you busy with their puzzles and creative tools.

Maskmaker

Maskmaker – InnerspaceVR

The next puzzle title from A Fisherman’s Tale team InnerspaceVR, Maskmaker is set to be the studios’ biggest VR title to date. Taking place in a magical world where masks transport you to new locations, you play a mask maker’s apprentice, learning this ancient craft. Part puzzler, part exploration and part crafting, you need to explore 8 regions to uncover the Maskmaker’s secret, picking up new resources on route to create new masks. As you do so you inhabit the inhabitants’ bodies, switching between them via the masks they wear.

Cards & Tankards – Divergent Realities

A Steam Early Access title, Cards & Tankards is a strategy card game set in a pub. With two factions to choose from (4 in the final version) players will have 80 cards to customise their decks from before going into battle, either in the Solo mode against AI or via the cross-platform multiplayer.

Cards & Tankards

Argil – Valkyrie Industries

Not a videogame as such, Argil is a sculpting app for creating organic 3D models quickly and seamlessly. It provides a range of tools so that it almost feels like manipulating real clay. Offering a meditative and relaxing space so creators can focus on their models, they can pinch, squeeze, carve and stretch their designs as they see fit.

Yupitergrad: Sneaki Peaki – Gamedust

Everyone loves free stuff, right? Well, Gamedust’s swinging puzzle title, Yupitergrad, which launched last year is about to offer a slice with Yupitergrad: Sneaki Peaki. The free, standalone edition features a short version of the tutorial as well as selected Time Attack levels giving new players a nice taster of the mechanics. 

Yupitergrad

Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife – Fast Travel Games

Now time for some good old-fashioned horror from Fast Travel Games. Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife is set within the World of Darkness universe, putting you in the shoes of Ed Miller, a photographer who dies during a seance at the luxurious Barclay Mansion. Stuck between the living world and the afterlife, you have to roam the hallways looking for clues as to what happened. However, being dead doesn’t mean to say you’re entirely safe. As a wraith, you can walk through walls and pick items up at a distance but you must also avoid Spectres. These are spirits of wrath and vengeance. With no way to defend yourself from them, you must tread carefully and hide.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Help Friends or Save the World!

VR Game Roundup

It’s time to settle in for the weekend and enjoy some virtual reality (VR) gaming. While you might be stuck on a particular puzzle or grinding out a level to build up your XP more titles are on their way. VRFocus’ Friday roundup contains another five VR videogames which you may want to add to your library.

Alvo

Alvo – Mardonpol Inc.

Alvo is a purely online 5v5 shooter coming to the PlayStation VR next week (other platforms to follow). It’s been in the works for a while, originally slated for release back in 2018. Compatible with the PlayStation Aim controller, Alvo features three gameplay modes: Search and Destroy, Team Deathmatch and Free 4 All, providing players with team-based objectives or just going on a pure killing spree.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 13th April

Carly and the Reaperman – Odd Raven Studios

First released back in 2018 for multiple platforms including PlayStation VR and PC VR headsets, Carly and the Reaperman is built around co-op gameplay where the VR-player controls the Reaperman, helping Carly – the non-VR player – escape the underworld. Players have 50 levels to work through, unlocking plenty of customisable options along the way.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 15th April
Carly and the Reaperman

Altdeus: Beyond Chronos – MyDearest

Another anime visual novel from the team behind Tokyo Chronos, Altdeus: Beyond Chronos is the follow-up set 200 years in the future. There’s a 15+ hour storyline involving giant alien beings called Meteora and humanity’s bid to survive by living in underground cities and fighting them with colossal mechs. With English and Japanese voice-overs and interactive elements to keep you engaged in the experience, Altdeus: Beyond Chronos has a sprawling narrative that offers plenty of alternative routes for multiple endings.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 15th April

Forest Farm – Nic Schubert

If you’ve been after a VR farming sim then look no further. Forest Farm launches as an Early Access title next week, allowing players to grow their own crops, chop down trees, make pots and fish in the river. There will be plenty of other skills to master as you create your own idyllic farm.

Elementary Anatomy

Elementary Anatomy: With Story Mode – Virtual Medicine

Learn about the human body with Elementary Anatomy. “Explore your body down to the smallest detail. Up to 7,000 precisely modelled anatomy structures in your VR device. The application depicts simplified anatomy models suitable for high school students.”

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Swinging Space Bugs Through Traffic

VR Game Roundup

It’s been a good year for virtual reality (VR) videogames so far and it’s only going to get better by the looks of it. April is already gearing up to be an awesome month with the likes of Maskmaker and Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife arriving towards the end. Before that happens here are five new titles to look forward to next week.

VR Nara Park

VR Nara Park – X-climb, Inc.

“Experience the serene and therapeutic ambiance of VR Nara Park, a virtual environment heavily inspired by one of Japan’s most famous tourist destination, the Nara Deer Park.”

Space Slurpies – Starcade Arcade LLC

A multiplayer arcade game re-imagining mobile phone classic Snake for the VR era. Up to four players can each control a snake that follows their hand, collecting food as they go and growing in length while avoiding obstacles and other players. Offering 20 vibrant maps, Space Slurpies supports cross-platform multiplayer and there’s a single-player puzzle mode.

Swarm

Swarm – Greensky Games

Frantic, single-player arcade action, Swarm challenges you to take down hordes of enemy aliens in wideopen arenas with no floor. Dual-wielding pistols with built-in grappling hooks, the gameplay continually swinging between platforms whilst wracking up combo kills, building up to the final boss battles. Swarm will offer 21 levels and 5 dynamic zones to play through.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift
  • Launch date: 8th April

Traffic Jams – Little Chicken Game Company

Keep your wits about you and don’t let the traffic build up or let pedestrians get run over in Traffic Jams, a comedic take on keeping keeping city streets running. Set across a variety of locations around the world including Paris and New York City, its not just wayward commuters and vehicles you need to watch out for, events such as “cheese bowling” will crop up and then there are the spontaneously combusting buildings and the occasional meteorites to deal with.

Speedy Gun Savage

Speedy Gun Savage – Gamitronics

Take on the role of Wolf, an intergalactic bounty hunter and head to several planets to collect your cash. An Early Access release, Speedy Gun Savage has three major planets, each with 2-3 subzones and over 10 different enemy types and three major boss fights.