Sword-fighting rogue-lite Until You Fall is slashing its way onto Oculus Quest and PSVR headsets on September 29.
Until You Fall is the next VR title from Schell Games, the studio behind I Expect You To Die. The release date for PSVR was announced last week on the PlayStation blog, but it’s the same date for Quest too.
The game released for PC VR in early access on Steam last year, which David reviewed at the time. Here’s an excerpt of what he had to say:
In Until You Fall you play as the last remaining Rune Knight that’s tasked with fighting back horrendous monsters and powerful villains that are now crawling across the once wondrous land of Rokar. You can still see the remnants of a previously beautiful world in the aesthetics and designs, but it’s all tainted by twisted creatures that lunge at you at any available opportunity.
Leveraging some rogue-lite influences, every time you die in battle in Until You Fall, you rise again ready to return to the fray. Each time the levels are slightly altered (enemy placement and variety shifts and the available upgrade options are different) which encourages replayability.
David noted that the visuals were great and enjoyed the rogue-lite elements, but ultimately held off his final verdict for the full release.
We’ve known for a while that a full release for PC VR, Quest and PSVR was on the cards for this fall. We had assumed that these ports would arrive when the full version of the game came to PC, but Schell only says that the 1.0 version will be coming to PC ‘soon’. How soon, remains to be seen.
Holding out hope for Until You Fall cross buy support? We’ve got good news.
Developer Schell Games just confirmed that, if you pick up the Quest version of its rougelike sword fighter this fall, you’ll get the Rift version at no extra cost, and vice versa. With that in mind, you might want to be on the lookout for any potential sales on the game between now and Quest launch. Take note you’ll have to buy the game from the Oculus Rift store and not Steam; cross buy isn’t supported on that platform.
Schell confirmed the news over on Twitter this week. We don’t have an exact release date for the Quest version yet, but the Fall launch window means it’s at least a few months out yet.
We also know that Until You Fall is coming to PSVR this Fall, too. Hopefully that means the game is about to graduate from its Early Access phase and we can bring you a full review in the near future, too. We’ve already got impressions of the game’s Early Access. “The replayable rogue-lite elements help keep things fresh and all of the various weapons and augmentations ensure a sense of progression, but it does still feel a bit shallow overall,” David Jagneaux said. “I’m excited to see what all gets added while Schell Games spend the next several months finalizing it in Early Access on Steam.”
Elsewhere, Schell games just launched HistoryMaker VR, a new educational VR app that teaches you about different historical figures. There’s less murder in this. Well, less interactive murder, anyways.
Schell Games released its virtual reality (VR) hack-and-slash Until You Fall for PC headsets almost a year ago building up a positive response from gamers in the process. Now the studio has revealed the Early Access title will soon see an official launch, as well as expanding support to PlayStation VR and Oculus Quest.
Version 1.0 of Until You Fall is now slated for release this Fall, not only adding the new platforms but also performance optimizations, achievements, balance updates, bug fixes, and quality of life updates.
“We develop experiences we’re passionate about at Schell Games, with the goal of continuing to delight players through continuous improvements to our games,” said Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games in a statement. “In the case of Until You Fall, one of the most frequent requests we’ve received is to make the game available on more headsets. So, we are absolutely thrilled to bring the latest, most refined version of Until You Fall to more platforms with the hope of reaching new fans who can soon experience this robust VR hack-and-slash roguelite. Current players won’t be disappointed either. The addition of achievements and quality of life updates will keep them playing again and again.”
When that launch does take place Until You Fall will be priced at $24.99 USD across all platforms. Currently, with the Steam Summer Sale going on Until You Fall is discounted by 40%, coming in at £9.29 GBP for the next couple of weeks.
Until You Fall is a highly stylised sword-fighting experience where you play a knight who has to fight their way through countless magical enemies. Each run-through is randomly generated but the challenge remains the same, to get as far as possible without dying, picking up bonuses along the way.
Should death occur you’re taken back to a hub realm so you can purchase new weapons to try new strategies and mix up your gameplay style. When returning to battle all those previous upgrades will have been lost so you can unlock new randomized rewards and powerups.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Until You Fall, reporting back on newly released details.
The VR hack-and-slash roguelite Until You Fallmay still be in Early Access on SteamVR headsets for a bit longer, however developers Schell Games today announced that a 1.0 version of the game is set to launch later this month on PSVR and Quest.
Update (September 11th, 2020): Until You Fall is coming to PSVR and Quest on September 29th, priced at $25.
Schell Games says the 1.0 version of the game will arrive “soon” for SteamVR headsets and Oculus Rift via the Oculus Store.
Original Article (June 26th, 2020): Once out of early access, both SteamVR and Oculus Rift platform versions of the game will feature performance optimizations, achievements, balance updates, bug fixes, and quality of life updates.
We were impressed with Until You Fall in our early access review for bringing a surprisingly rich melee combat experience, which we think fuses meta-game elements in a unique and interesting way. Of course, as a roguelite it lacks any real narrative beyond a setting and a bit of lore, but it definitely makes up for it in the combat department.
The game, which is normally priced at $20, will cost $25 on all platforms when it heads out of early access.
Until You Fall for SteamVR-compatible headsets is however currently on sale for the duration of the Steam Summer Sale, bringing it down to just $12, or 40% off.
After almost a year in Early Access on PC, sword-fighting roguelike Until You Fall is launching its 1.0 version and hitting PSVR and Quest this Fall.
Watch some gameplay of what the game was like when it first hit PC Early Access back in August 2019:
This update and new platform launch will include performance improvements, an achievement system, balancing fixes, and quality of life improvements. For the most part, the game is already feature and content complete on PC so this sounds like more of a polish phase to prep for the Quest / PSVR release.
“We develop experiences we’re passionate about at Schell Games, with the goal of continuing to delight players through continuous improvements to our games,” said Jesse Schell, CEO of Schell Games, in a prepared statement. “In the case of Until You Fall, one of the most frequent requests we’ve received is to make the game available on more headsets. So, we are absolutely thrilled to bring the latest, most refined version of Until You Fall to more platforms with the hope of reaching new fans who can soon experience this robust VR hack-and-slash roguelite. Current players won’t be disappointed either. The addition of achievements and quality of life updates will keep them playing again and again.”
This game in particular is a great one to have coming to Quest finally because, even though combat takes place entirely in front of you with its intricate parrying and weapon upgrade system, swinging and moving to the flow of battle with a wire present always made me just a bit paranoid. That won’t be the case on Quest.
I was a fan of Until You Fall in my Early Access PC impressions, but worried about its depth. Now that a full release is coming in just a few months, we’ll re-assess and finalize our review based on the launch version once we get the chance to try it out.
There’s no date yet, but expect to see Until You Fall slashing its way onto Quest and PSVR, as well as hitting version 1.0 on PC, later this Fall.
Virtual reality (VR) has proven to be a technology which excels at plenty of videogame genre’s, especially when it comes to physical interaction. One of the best examples of this is melee combat, whether that’s hand to hand or using weapons. And who doesn’t love being embroiled in some fantasy adventure where survival comes down to how well you can swing a sword. So here is VRFocus’ favourite VR sword fighting examples.
This is a list all about bladed combat, going toe to toe with enemies in a battle of wits and endurance. So that means titles like Beat Saber will be excluded as while they do feature flashy swords you’re not dueling in any way.
Until You Fall
A title that’s still in Early Access for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Valve Index, Until You Fallis the latest from Schell Games.
Offering a highly stylized experience that pulls no punches, Until You Fall arms you with a selection of weapons, from short swords to knives and axes. The aim is to get as far as possible without dying, death resetting the areas, enemy locations and more, for a different experience each time.
Schell Games might have added a storyline and magical qualities to enhance various character attributes but the main draw is still the combat. Most areas split enemies up so it’s mostly 1v1, allowing you to charge in and do some serious damage. Opponents attacks are indicated to aid blocking, whilst you can break their guard and unleash powerful specialised blows. One of the most visually arresting titles here.
Swords of Gargantua
While Until You Fall was purely single-player, Yomuneco Inc’s. Swords of Gargantua provides both solo and multiplayer gameplay to keep players entertained.
A fast-paced rogue-lite action experience, Swords of Gargantua focuses on realistic swordplay for one to four players, blocking, parrying, and attacking deadly foes with a mixture of over 30 weapons. You have to fight though101 floors of enemies to reach the colossal end-boss, Gargantua.
Currently supporting PC VR headsets – with PlayStation VR and Oculus Quest in the works – the studio has added and continues to add plenty of content for when you’ve completed the main quest.
Ironlights
A pure PvP dueler, Ironlightsby indie developer E McNeill is one of the more unusual combat titles on this list but shouldn’t be overlooked.
Supporting PC VR headsets as well as Oculus Quest, Ironlights is about thoughtful use of the weapons provided, rather than all-out action and flailing wildly. You can choose from a selection of characters each with a close combat weapon as well as a ranged attack.
The trick with Ironlights is that combat takes place in slow motion and weapons instantly break when they make contact, continually needing to be replenished by swinging them behind your back.
Ironlights is another title which offers both solo and online play, with the single-player campaign providing seven levels to unlock across Bronze, Silver and Gold leagues.
Blade & Sorcery
Another Early Access title which has built a loyal following thanks to its gameplay, Blade & Sorceryis a medieval fantasy sandbox for all your bladed combat needs.
Blade & Sorcery does featureranged and magic combat but its the sheer selection of medieval weaponry, the full-body physics and the way you can be creative in combat that makes the experience so much fun.
Supporting PC headsets like Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Valve Index, Blade & Sorcery is continually updated by developer WarpFrog so you can be sure there’s always something to do.
Gorn
Probably the most ridiculous VR videogame on here, if you’re looking for anime levels of blood and gore then Gornis it.
The opponents might be spongy, rag-doll gladiators but they can put up a fight and in the small arena you need to as well. Weapons wobble all over the place but this ain’t no cartoon, hack arms off, smash skulls in and paint the place red with claret, in this single-player hack ‘n’ slash.
Time for an actual story-driven VR adventure, with castles, knights, ancient evil and of course a sword in Shadow Legend VR.
As the Grand Master of the Knights Templar, it’s up to you to save your kingdom of Anaria from the destruction of Lord Adaroth. Shadow Legend VR is great for those who want more context to their battles, rather than pure brutish arena battles.
With interwoven RPG elements the videogame provides an entertaining medieval adventure across both PC and PlayStation VR headsets. The action isn’t quite as finessed as others on this list but there are still epic boos fights and hidden secrets to find.
Can’t choose which VR game to burn calories to? This new VR Fitness Bundle has you covered.
Now available on Steam for $51.17, the VR Fitness Bundle includes three games to get you moving. First up is BoxVR, a music rhythm game that has you punching orbs to the beat. With a wide range of set workouts and multiplayer support, this remains one of our favorite ways to keep fit in VR.
Also featured is Synth Riders, another stylish music game that has you throwing shapes as, again, you grab orbs from out of the air. Whereas BoxVR is more focused on punching, though, Synth Riders has you moving your arms in different directions. It’s a fun take on the genre.
Take heart, though, the final game is not music-based (sorry, OhShape). In fact it’s a rather curious choice; Schell Games’ Until You Fall. Now available in Early Access, this is a roguelike VR sword battling game with permadeath. We wouldn’t say fitness was the game’s primary focus, but it’s certainly a fun way to spend a little energy.
This bundle is only available on Steam. We think it would make a great fit on Quest but Until You Fall isn’t available on the platform yet. Schell Games does plan to bring it to the headset, though, so maybe we’ll see it one day.
All told these games would set you back $63.97 individually, so you’re making a tidy little saving of $12.80 right now. Act fast, though; Until You Fall is currently discounted itself, so that price will likely soon rise.
What would you include in a VR fitness bundle? Let us know in the comments below!
You’re still burning through Half-Life: Alyx (2020), but if you’re wondering where to go after playing one of the highest-rated VR games to date, you may do well to jump into these five ‘guaranteed fresh’ VR titles next.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a slightly tuned-down RPG that’s just begging to be bigger in size, although it didn’t bite off too much in its quest to deliver an engrossing story, excellent physics-based zombie killing action, and an immersive atmosphere that feels as gritty and deadly serious as The Walking Dead comic books.
It’s a great title to jump into next if you’re looking for more gunplay and zombie-ganking action. Upgradeable weapons are a big plus. Check out why we gave it [9/10] in our full review.
You might think of Boneworks as a Half-Life VR game before any such title was released, at least that’s what it feels like given its zombies, mechanical head crabs and copious crowbar action. Although it’s light on the story and sometimes challenging in the comfort department, this physics-driven game can be truly magical when it works just right.
Detailed weapon interactions and enjoyable slow-motion shooting are a big attraction, with its Arena and Sandbox modes offering up a great opportunity for extended gameplay. Check out our full review here.
Ok, so it isn’t a zombie shooter in the slightest, but Until You Fall’s quality speaks for itself. It’s a pretty impressive hack-and-slash game that will send you through procedurally generated rogue-lite dungeons. You’ll battle your way through a string of rooms populated with enemies of increasing difficulty using your own two hands.
Until You Fall successfully fuses VR sword combat with meta-game elements in a way that no other VR title has yet managed. Check out our early access review here.
In Death is an extremely difficult roguelike bow-shooter that is both extremely well realized and frustratingly hard. If you’re into punishment, the seemingly infinite number of Purgatories that await ought to get you at least a little bit excited, because In Death promises a constantly increasing level of difficulty along with cool unlocks as you die time and time again. Expect to put in a lot of time into your permanent sojourn in Purgatory to get the most out of it.
High visual polish and a varied swath of enemies are sure to keep you on your toes in a way even the most difficult HLA enemies can’t. Check out why we gave In Death [8/10] in our full review.
Too much violence in your life? If you dig the puzzles and rich atmosphere of Half-Life: Alyx, Red Matter will probably be up your alley. As an adventure puzzle set in a soviet-style retro-future universe, there aren’t any enemies to shoot, only puzzles to un-puzzle as it were. Red Matter really does a great job of showcasing impressive worldbuilding that still stands head and shoulders above many of its contemporaries.
Make sure to read up on our review to see why we gave it [8.3/10].
Fallout 4 VR – Enter the Wasteland in VR. Top-tier GPUs only. Menus and looting sucks, but where else are you going to nuke a village in VR?
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR – Fus-Ro-Dah! Melee isn’t as great as it should be, and menus are a complete holdover from the flatscreen version, but the world of Skyrim is breathtaking nonetheless.
Blade & Sorcery – Full-on physics simulator with no story, but awesome array of weapons and ample opportunity to stab people literally through their heads.
Robo Recall (Rift & Quest) – Arcade-style shooter from Epic Games that holds up super well, even three years after being released for Oculus Touch in 2017.
Lies Beneath (Quest) – A new shooter on Quest that definitely delivers on visual polish, atmosphere and shooting fun as you traverse through a dark, comic book-inspired world filled with demons.
What would you suggest to a VR newcomer looking for suggestions after Half-Life: Alyx? Let us know in the comments below!
Schell Games’ current sword fighting rogue-lite title Until You Fall is in Early Access for multiple VR platforms. If you own an Oculus Rift/Rift S and have yet to play the videogame this weekend is your best chance, as it will be completely free on the Oculus Store.
Beginning at 6pm GMT today (10am PT) and running through to Monday 20th January at 8am (12am PT), Oculus Rift owners will be able to play Until You Fall in its entirety, hacking their way through countless magical enemies.
Taking up the role of the last remaining Rune Knight each run-through is randomly generated, where players have to fight their way as far as possible whilst duel-wielding swords, axes and other close combat weapons. As progression is made players will have the opportunity to upgrade their health and other attributes to contend with more hostile foes. At the same time, they’ll also be able to gather currency which can be used upon death.
Should death occur (and it will), players are taken back to a hub realm where they can purchase new weapons, allowing them to mix up their gameplay style. When returning to battle all those previous upgrades will have been lost, enabling each play through to be unique.
When previewing an alpha build of Until You Fall last summer VRFocus found that the melee combat was both intense and rewarding, commenting: “The battles were fun and the gameplay certainly seems to hark back to the 80s and 90s, where you’re given no recourse; you just have to be good, very good at holding your own.”
For those that wish to continue their adventure in Until You Fall the videogame retails for £14.99 GBP/ $19.99 USD on Oculus Store, plus it can also be purchased on Steam. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Until You Fall as development continues with an official launch expected during 2020.
Until You Fall, the melee combat-based game with rogue-lite elements from Schell Games, is available to try for free on the Oculus Store for Rift owners this weekend.
Starting today, Friday January 17, the free period lasts until midnight PST on Sunday January 19, giving you a solid 3 days to try out the game as much as you want. Until You Fall is still in early access, but usually retails for around $20, so if you were at all unsure but had the game on your radar, this is a great opportunity to give it a try before you (potentially) buy.
We reviewed Until You Fall midway through last year, and while keeping in mind that it was still in early access (and therefore withholding a final judgment and score), we were still impressed overall. The VR title is the second from Schell Games, who previously developed the puzzle game I Expect You To Die. Until You Fall is a quite a change in tone from the studio’s first game, going from an escape room-esque puzzle game to hacking and slashing enemies in the name of glory.
The game is scheduled to leave early access at some point this year. It is currently only available on PC VR, and the free weekend is available on the Oculus Store for Rift users only. However, Schell Games previously stated that they’re also looking to bring the game to PSVR and the Oculus Quest later this year as well.
Will you be checking out Until You Fall this weekend on the Rift? Or have you tried the game already? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
