Following last month's reveal, Crimen - Mercenary Tales now secures a May 25 release date on Quest 2 and Pico.
Developed by Carbon Studio, the developers behind Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Tempestfall and The Wizards series, Crimen - Mercenary Tales is a new VR arcade slasher set in the 17th century. Featuring cel-shaded visuals mirroring comic books, the game takes place across "eight hilarious escapades narrated by a cast of eight charismatic personalities" as you explore castles, pirate ships, ancient temples and more. Here's the new release date trailer:
You can find an official description from Carbon Studio:
Hunt a vampire through an army of spawn; fight off undead Spanish conquistadors in a haunted Aztec temple; invade a Saxon fortress; steal an aristocrat’s fortune (for love!).
Take up historically accurate 17th century arms in Arcade-style combat and puzzles, presented in eye-catching cel-shaded art and cheeky narration. Explore towering castles, ancient temples, derelict pirate ships, and an idyllic countryside through these eight compelling character-driven tales.
Crimen - Mercenary Tales arrives on May 25 for Quest 2, Quest Pro and the Pico platform.
X8, a 5v5 multiplayer shooter from Thirdverse, arrives today in Early Access on Steam for PC VR and App Lab for Quest.
Note: This article was first published on May 4. It was updated and republished with a new headline, lede and minor edits to reflect the game's release.
Available as a free-to-play title on both platforms, X8 features teams of five fighting against each other, with a "diverse cast of heroes" to choose from. Each hero will have three special abilities and hero-specific items to experiment with, offering unique "strategical advantages." Here's more on X8, directly from Thirdverse:
Players can build an extensive loadout of weapons, armor and items to equip their heroes during each round and use the funds they earn to purchase more armaments. The objective is to deploy ‘The Syphon’ at specific sites on the map during an attack or deactivate it within 30 seconds using ‘The Defuser’ during defense. The team that eliminates all attackers or disrupts the deployment process determines the round's winners. Lasting 14 rounds, a play session draw occurs at 7/7 or the first to 8 (subject to change) are victorious.
Yesterday, Thirdverse shared a showcase on YouTube featuring more information about the game's inspiration and content roadmap. It also confirmed details about an upcoming X8 esports tournament with Virtual Athletics League, which offers a $10,000 prize.
F1 23 is officially revealed, and EA Sports is bringing PC VR back to its annual racing series this June.
Note: This article was updated on May 10 to reflect EA's statement about plans to support PSVR 2, Quest 2 and other VR platforms. The original piece, published May 3, continues below.
After supporting PC VR in F1 22, it's little surprise to see Codemasters confirm that it's back once again. Unveiled earlier today after severalpreviousteases, F1 23 features the usual roster updates you'd expect from an annual sports series, alongside two new tracks; the Las Vegas Street Circuit and the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar. That includes "legacy circuits" like Circuit Paul Ricard, Shanghai International Circuit, and the Algarve International Circuit.
There's a few larger changes, too. Braking Point returns with a new narrative-driven story mode, this time based around the fictional Konnersport Racing Team. F1 World streamlines online elements into one hub, while a new vehicle upgrade system awards "Tech Points" for improvements after hitting set criteria. Red flags during races, a new 35% racing distance and handling upgrades are also promised.
Codemasters is keeping busy in VR recently. Alongside F1 22 and Dirt Rally 2.0, January saw GRID Legends become Codemasters' first native Quest 2 release, though we weren't terribly fond of this port in our review. As for F1 22, we enjoyed it in our Recommended review, believing it offered an enjoyable VR update for the annual series but conceded it needs further work.
Codemasters has captured Formula 1’s more thrilling aspects brilliantly in VR for F1 22 and I’ve never felt so immersed in a racing game before... While I’m sad to see the story mode go and didn’t care hugely for F1 Life, I can see F1 22 appealing to both long-term series fans and newcomers seeking a fresh racer.
F1 23 arrives on June 16 for PC VR or June 13 if you pre-order the Champions Edition. When asked if there are any plans to support PSVR 2, Quest 2 or other VR platforms, an EA representative told UploadVR that "F1 23 will only support VR on PC."
Less than three months before Echo VR shuts down, Ready At Dawn is granting free access to Echo Combat on PC VR.
Previously sold for $10 as an in-app purchase, Meta-owned Ready at Dawn never brought Echo Combat over to Quest headsets like Echo Arena, remaining a PC VR exclusive via Rift. Announced in a new blog post, the studio confirms it's granting free access to Combat from May 2nd, available until the upcoming shutdown. As for Arena, the Season 7 rewards event is now live, granting rewards from Echo Pass: Into the Knight.
Sadly, anyone hoping for Ready at Dawn to reconsider its shutdown plans will leave disappointed. Within a brief FAQ, it reconfirms "the plan is still to take down Echo VR servers on August 1st." It's a move that remains contested, seeing comments and questions from John Carmack, the esports community and the game's fanbase, who previously staged an aerial protest over Meta's HQ in Menlo Park.
Back in January, Ready at Dawn announced it was shutting down Echo VR to shift focus onto its next project. “We can’t say anything about it yet, but we are all excited and need all hands on deck,” they confirmed. Last month, Meta layoffs affected multiple employees alongside Onward studio Downpour Interactive. It's unknown if these layoffs have impacted development, but we might learn more during next month's Meta Gaming Showcase.
Cloudhead Games confirmed Pistol Whip will not receive further support on PSVR 1, nearly three years after arriving on Sony's older VR headset.
Yesterday saw the Overdrive Season launch with Shred, one of 5 monthly scenes releasing from now until September. Advising this is coming to Quest 2, PSVR 2, Pico 4 and PC VR, developers were asked why PSVR was omitted. Stating they've made the "tough decision" to end future support, Cloudhead confirms it's "one of the big reasons" why Pistol Whip supports crossbuy with the PS5 VR headset.
Hi! All content up to and including Contracts are still available; however, our team has made the tough decision to end future support for PS VR1. This was one of the big reasons why we ensured Pistol Whip would be free on PS VR2 for anyone who already owned it on PS VR1.
🚨! NEW SCENE ALERT !🚨 Are you ready to fly high and shred the sky?? ✈️ The Overdrive Season starts TODAY – Shred is now available in Arcade for heroes on Quest2, PSVR2, Pico4, and PCVR 💥 More details here 👉 https://t.co/XUQIQbGcCL#pistolwhipoverdrivepic.twitter.com/WaUSm0uRdg
— Pistol Whip 💥 The Essential PSVR2 Game (@PistolWhipVR) May 1, 2023
This isn't the first game we've seen dropping PSVR 1 support recently. Back in March, Ramen VR confirmed VR MMO Zenith: The Last City will do the same on September 15, placing existing PSVR players into an isolated server. Back when Overdrive was first announced the team advised the update would be "available on all supported platforms upon release.”
This means Pistol Whip's last major content update on PSVR was the Contracts update last June and that should still be available to PSVR 1 owners. Meanwhile, modded scenes from the upcoming in-game level editor, Pistol Mix, are playable on Steam, Rift and Quest. When asked about PSVR 2 support last month for Pistol Mix, Cloudhead told UploadVR "we don't have anything to announce regarding the availability of Remixed Scenes on PlayStation VR2 at the moment."
PlayStation VR2 arrived back in February, but with no backwards compatibility for Sony’s older VR headset, we’re looking at PSVR games that need PSVR 2 ports.
In no particular order, these are our top five choices for PSVR games that we’d love to see on PSVR 2.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil Village was one of the major PSVR 2 launch games, so we’re hopeful that Resident Evil 7 will eventually follow. While official VR support remains PSVR exclusive for RE7, Capcom remastered the flatscreen version of this acclaimed survival horror for PS5 last year, adding ray-tracing support, improved framerates, haptic feedback and resistance triggers. This remains one of VR’s scariest games, and we’d love to see it back with further enhancements.
Blood & Truth
PlayStation VR Worlds might have been little more than a PSVR demo disc, but the London Heist minigame remains a standout. Sony London expanded this into a full release with Blood & Truth, which sees you saving your family from a London crime boss. With its high production values and entertaining set pieces, we believe London Studio’s hit FPS deserves a second chance.
Wipeout Omega Collection
As the remake of a remake, Wipeout Omega Collection can feel overfamiliar for long-term fans, but it’s one of the best entries in this beloved sci-fi racing series. Elevated further through its optional PSVR support, Wipeout’s campaigns for HD, Fury and 2048 are all playable alongside multiplayer, and you can access three VR-exclusive ships. Omega Collection is highly polished, thrilling, and easily worth a second look.
Astro Bot Rescue Mission
Astro’s Playroom is an enjoyable showcase for the DualSense controller’s abilities on PS5, and we would love to see Astro Bot Rescue Mission back on PSVR 2. Initially featured in Sony Japan’s The Playroom VR mini-game compilation, Rescue Mission took this petite and adorable robot on a 3D platforming adventure to save his friends. It’s an absolute joy that remains the no.1 pick in our best PSVR games list.
Star Wars: Squadrons
Star Wars is already on PSVR 2 in Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition, but we’d never turn down more adventures in a galaxy far, far away. Alongside Vader Immortal, EA Motive’s Star Wars: Squadrons also released on PSVR and provided something completely different. Swapping lightsabers for X-Wings and TIE Fighters, this space dogfighter comes with a full campaign, online multiplayer, and optional VR support. Considering EA ported Jedi: Fallen Order to PS5, we hope Squadrons will follow one day.
Realities.io announced that Puzzling Places on Pico 4 and Pico Neo 3 Link will add support for DLC packs and passthrough.
An update for Puzzling Places will bring all existing DLC content from other platforms over to Pico headsets, including the paid DLC puzzle packs. This means that Puzzling Places on Pico will offer 101 total puzzles, bringing it in line with other platforms. As with other headsets, new content will continue to be released on a monthly basis as well.
The Pico update will also add support for passthrough mode in-game. This means that Pico 4 users will be able to solve puzzles in a representation of their environment using color passthrough, while Pico Neo 3 Link users will be restricted to black and white – akin to differences in passthrough offerings between Quest Pro and Quest 2.
Realities.io also says that Puzzling Places will be "featured as a launch title for the Pico 4 Pro, utilizing new features such as eye tracking."
Puzzling Places' ongoing monthly paid puzzle packs include ~6 new puzzles, each between 200 and 400 pieces. There's also the premium puzzle packs, which offer ~4 puzzles based around a certain theme and feature premium audio soundscapes with regional sound effects.
Meta announced today that its third Meta Quest Gaming Showcase will take place on June 1 at 10am PT.
Meta broke the news today in a blog post, alongside the short teaser trailer embedded above. In the last few seconds of the teaser, it transforms into a barren sandy landscape with a horned helmet lying on the ground nearby – no doubt a teaser for an announcement to come.
Meta says the showcase will feature 40 minutes of content, including a new pre-show featuring game updates and trailers, as well as a post-show developer roundtable. In terms of the actual main show content, Meta says to expect "new game announcements, gameplay first-looks, updates to existing games" and more. As we've written about before, many of Meta's big Quest games remain missing in action, so here's hoping we get some updates on those.
The main show kicks off at 10am PT on June 1, hosted once again by Oculus Studios Executive Producer Ruth Bram. It will be available to stream on Twitch, Facebook, YouTube and in Meta Horizon Worlds, with the pre-show beginning at 9:45am.
This new date marks a shift for the showcase, which in previous years took place in April. The move to June puts it in the same calendar ballpark as many other planned showcases across the gaming industry, including our very own UploadVR Summer Showcase set for mid-June. We're partnering with IGN once again to bring you a showcase packed full of exciting new VR announcements – we're responding to prospective participants this week and have already glimpsed some exciting things lining up for the show. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to June.
Here’s a rundown of all the big upcoming VR releases arriving on Meta Quest 2, PC VR, PSVR 2, Pico 4 and more in May 2023.
Propagation: Paradise Hotel - May 4 (Quest 2, PC VR)
Developed by WanadevStudio, Propagation: Paradise Hotel is a sequel to Propagation VR. A survival horror game, this new story focuses on Emily, who will infiltrate this zombie-ridden hotel to find her twin sister, Ashley. WanadevStudio confirms a PSVR 2 version is also coming "soon."
Survival Nation - May 4 (Quest 2)
Following a PC VR release in February, Survival Nation now makes its way to Meta Quest 2. An open-world online RPG, you must co-operate with your fellow camp members. Survival involves killing zombies, scavenging resources across this world and crafting new weapons.
This roguelike VR shooter will feature procedurally-generated levels with a sci-fi flair. The game uses hand tracking on Quest 2 and Quest Pro, so you'll control the action and gun down enemies using a range of hand gestures. You can check out our initial impressions right now.
Organ Quarter - May 8 (PSVR 2)
Organ Quarter is a VR survival horror game that draws inspiration from 90s horror franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Originally released for PC VR in 2017, it's now available on PSVR 2.
Transformers Beyond Reality - May 9 (PSVR 2)
After releasing for the original PSVR headset last September, Transformers Beyond Reality surprise dropped onto PSVR 2 on May 9. For those who previously owned the game for PSVR, a free upgrade to this new PSVR 2 version is available.
PokerStars VR - May 9 (PSVR 2)
Get your best virtual poker face ready, because PokerStars VR deals its way onto PSVR 2 on May 9.
Walkabout Mini Golf - May 11 (PSVR 2)
Walkabout Mini Golf is available across many platforms like Quest, PC VR and Pico with cross-platform multiplayer, so it's no surprise to see a PSVR 2 version follow. If you're unfamiliar, check out our walkthrough tour videos with Mighty Coconut to learn more.
Another Fisherman's Tale - May 11 (Quest 2, PSVR 2, PC VR)
Developed by Innerspace, Another Fisherman’s Tale is a direct sequel to 2019’s A Fisherman’s Tale. Continuing the story of Bob the Fisherman, you play as Nina, the original protagonist's daughter who begins investigating her father’s past. If you're curious to know more, you can check out our hands-on preview from GDC 2023.
Windlands - May 11 (Quest)
Windlands 2 swung onto Quest earlier this year, and now its predecessor is making its way over as well. While the original Windlands previously launched on App Lab for Quest, it's now listed for release on the official Quest store from May 11.
Unlike its sequel, this Windlands release supports the original Oculus Quest headset, alongside Quest 2 and Quest Pro.
Humanity - May 16 (PC VR, PSVR, PSVR 2)
A surrealist platformer where you play as a Shiba Inu, Humanity marks the latest game from Tetris Effect and Rez Infinite publisher Enhance. Guiding humans through various puzzles in a Lemmings-esque premise, any PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium subscribers can play it at no additional charge on day one.
Firmament - May 18 (PC VR)
First revealed back in 2018, Myst developers Cyan confirmed that its next puzzle adventure game arrives this month. Set in an abandoned steampunk world, Firmament sees you exploring three realms, joined by a clockwork companion and mysterious apparition. While the PSVR port was canceled last year, an upcoming PSVR 2 will follow at an unknown date.
X8 - May 18 (PC VR, Quest)
Thirdverse confirmed that upcoming tactical 5v5 shooter X8 arrives in Steam Early Access and Quest via App Lab this month. Available as a free-to-play title, a digital cataclysm causes heroes from fictional shooters to unite, splitting into 5v5 online teams with up to 14 rounds. A PSVR 2 release is also planned, though as PlayStation doesn't support early access, this likely won't arrive for a while.
Red Matter 2 - May 18 (PSVR 2)
Vertical Robot confirmed that Red Matter 2 lands on PSVR 2 this month, featuring native 120fps support (so no reprojection), remastered 4K textures, enhanced lighting and shadow effects, and foveated rendering. Given this is one of the best-looking VR games on Quest 2 and Pico, we're excited to see how the game stacks up on PSVR 2.
Paranormal Hunter - May 22 (PC VR)
Developed by EALoGames, Paranormal Hunter is a new multiplayer horror game where you hunt supernatural spirits as a team, similar to Phasmophobia, Featuring optional VR support, full PC cross-play is supported between VR and flatscreen players, that arrives through Steam Early Access.
Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue - May 25 (PSVR 2, PC VR, Quest 2)
After initially being slated for a February launch on PSVR 2 and PC VR, Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue's release was later pushed back on both platforms. The PSVR 2 version is now set to release later this month on May 25. However, the PC VR release date remains unconfirmed.
Back in February, a spokesperson for developers tinyBuild confirmed to UploadVR that the PSVR 2 release was set for May 25, but said that the release dates for "other versions" of the game would be confirmed later down the line. We've reached out for any further updates and will update the post if we receive any news.
Crimen - Mercenary Tales - May 25 (Quest 2 and Pico)
Developed by Carbon Studio, the developers behind Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Tempestfall and The Wizards series, Crimen - Mercenary Tales is a new VR arcade slasher set in the 17th century. Featuring cel-shaded visuals mirroring comic books, the game occurs across "eight hilarious escapades narrated by a cast of eight charismatic personalities" as you explore castles, pirate ships, ancient temples and more.
Everslaught Invasion - May 25 (Quest 2)
If you read our April 2023 list, Everslaught Invasion will be a familiar sight. Previously scheduled for last month, Fast Travel Games and MobX Games delayed the two-player co-op experience until May, citing "unforeseen circumstances." At the time of writing, the Quest Store page lists May 18 as the game's "expected" release date.
HTC Vive XR Elite and Pico ports are also planned after the Quest launch, though a release window is currently unknown.
Hubris - May (PSVR 2)
Following a PC VR release last December, developer Cyborn confirmed that Hubris arrives on PSVR 2 this month. A sci-fi action-adventure game where you traverse a new alien world, and Hubris quickly gained traction for its high-end visuals. A Quest 2 release is also planned, but no release date has been provided.
Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station - May (Pico Neo 3 Link, Pico 4)
A rare timed exclusive for Pico, upcoming Metroidvania sequel Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station sees you vaulting through a space station at high speed, solving puzzles and avoiding hazards. It's also coming to Quest 2, PC VR and the Vive XR Elite, though a release window for these additional platforms remains unconfirmed. Specific timing for this month's Pico release has also yet to be confirmed.
Hubris, Cyborn's VR action-adventure, brings the game's "definitive version" to PSVR 2 and Quest 2 today.
This original sci-fi adventure first appeared on PC VR in December. You play as a space marine, traversing this alien world to find a missing member of the OOO (Order of Objectivity) while taking down enemies. Cyborn previously revealed more about the PSVR 2 port alongside the release window, discussing haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, 3D audio and foveated rendering.
Dive into Hubris, a sci-fi adventure coming to #PSVR2 next month.
Cyborn claims they've adjusted the weight of your guns, letting them simulate "an impactful feel" that complements the adaptive triggers. Gun reloading and aiming are also revamped, new enemy variations have been introduced, while balancing has also been refined between difficulty settings. New voice-overs for Lucia, an adaptive soundtrack and "several bug fixes to enhance stability" are also included,
We enjoyed Hubris in our PC VR review last year. Though we enjoyed this action-adventure and highly praised its visuals, we criticized the enemy AI and lack of combat variety. Some of these issues were later addressed in Update 1.2.
The game shines in some areas, such the visuals and well thought out mechanics, but is average in others, like the combat and storyline. Beyond the eye candy, Hubris probably won’t leave a huge lasting impression, but it’s still a standard action-adventure shooter that’s enjoyable enough to keep you playing through to the end.
Hubris is available now on PC VR, PSVR 2 and Quest 2. Speaking to UploadVR, Cyborn advised the Steam version "might be updated next month," citing extensive testing required for compatibility with different headsets. DLSS implementation for RTX cards and "additional iimprovements" on PC VR are also promised.
Update: This article, originally published on April 30, was updated on June 22 to reflect the game's release on additional platforms and new information about the planned PC VR updates.
