The HTC Vive, like many of the VR ecosystems on the market, is in desperate need of a big, new, killer app. With the end of September quickly approaching and the big rush of holiday season on the radar, now is the time for a big new game to hit that will draw people in for an extended period. Several games are on the horizon, but something needs to release soon in order to help draw the attention away from the launch of Oculus Touch, PlayStation VR, and Google Daydream all presumably coming before the end of the year.
In the meantime, if you missed last week, you can see those new releases here. And don’t forget that UploadVR has a Steam community group, complete with a curated list of recommendations so that you don’t have to waste any money finding out what’s good in the world of VR.
We also have a top list of the absolute best HTC Vive games — which is updated every few months with the latest and greatest options.
Oniris Basket VR, from Oniris Studios
Price: $3.99 (Currently Discounted)
You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to playing basketball in VR, but not many of them provide the complete experience — Oniris Basket VR is no different. You’ll have some basic shootout options, but that’s about it.
Recommendation: For the price, it’s actually not bad. But you’ll get bored fast.
Golf Pro VR, from Marklar
Price: $19.99
We’re still waiting on a full-featured professionally made golf game for VR that uses motion controls, but in the meantime Golf Pro VR will have to do. It’s got the basics down, but the litany of bugs and the simplistic visuals while in Early Access are a bit off-putting.
Recommendation: $20 is a lot to ask for an unfinished game that doesn’t work that great. Wait and see if it gets better.
Egg Time, from Dalibor Bartoš
Price: Free
This is a weird little mini game compilation that was likely a project made in a short amount of time just as a test. Catch eggs and complete basic puzzles. That’s about all there is to it. You’ll need quick reflexes.
Recommendation: It’s free, but it’s also completely worth skipping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEv5dpXspCA
Richie’s Plank Experience, from Toast
Price: $7.99 (Currently Discounted)
This one is part “fear of heights” simulator and part “make you wet your pants” simulator. This is a short little experience that simulates standing on a plank up really, really high in the air, with a few extra game modes that enable flying or writing in the sky.
Recommendation: Obviously not for everyone, but it’s a clever concept.
Pong It! VR, from Mergin Studio
Price: $4.99 (Currently Discounted)
Brightly colored VR ping pong with obscure sci-fi visuals. A few game modes, no multiplayer. Sound familiar?
Recommendation: Pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6IaUMRoQ4M
Six Feet Under, from David Nestoruk and Karl Binder
Price: Free
Another wave shooter for the HTC Vive, but this one has a relatively decent assortment of creatures, from zombies and spiders and a few more. You’ll stand your ground in a creepy tomb-like environment.
Recommendation: It may be free, but still not really worth a download.
Escape Station, from Paul Thornton, Luke Meppem, and Owen Badham
Price: $6.99
Escape room puzzle games are gaining traction in VR and it makes a lot of sense. This is chapter one of what is planned as a series of puzzle room experiences. Since it’s Early Access, it’s also unfinished.
Recommendation: Lots of bugs right now, pass and wait to see how it develops.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-5EeN2zbd0
Candy Kingdom VR, from Crovax Studios and GameplaystudioVR
Price: $14.99 (Currently Discounted)
Shooters on the Vive are pretty common, but this one takes the cake (pun intended.) The bright, pink visuals are more than sufficient at helping this one stick out from the pack. There is a lot of content here and it holds up well for players of all ages.
Recommendation: This one isn’t bad at all. Check out the video and see if it looks like it’s for you. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Edge Guardian, from Hypothermic Games
Price: $6.99
The creepy sci-fi aesthetic and nice visuals make this one a bit of a surprise stand out. Instead of being a wave shooter, it’s more of a wave-based beat ’em up that has you punching and fending off oppressive little robotic creatures.
Recommendation: This isn’t something you’re gonna spend a ton of time playing, but it’s a solid little game from a new developer.
Pierhead Arcade, from Mechabit
Price: $9.99 (Currently Discounted)
A large (over one dozen) selection of classic arcade/fairground games, online multiplayer, a great immersive setting, and even a bunch of toys and prizes you can redeem with your tokens all add up to Pierhead Arcade definitely being worth your time. It’s been in Early Access for a while, but now it’s finally fully released.
Recommendation: If you like stuff like Rec Room and Pool Nation VR, then definitely check this one out too.
Awesome Obstacle Course, from VRoximity
Price: $7.99
Early Access games are always a bit of a risk to spend money on and Awesome Obstacle Course is no different. It’s a cool idea, tasking you with dodging and progressing through a series of increasingly difficult obstacles, but it’s just so buggy and unfinished right now.
Recommendation: Pass for now.
Quick Draw, from Playing With Matches
Price: $4.99 (Currently Discounted)
We’re still waiting on the Old West street duel game that would be perfect for VR, but in the meantime, you can duel against the AI in this Western shootout. There are a few different game modes and the gameplay is satisfyingly fun.
Recommendation: Worth a look for sure.
PITCH-HIT: FULL GAME, from JJ Castillo, Greg Tamargo, and Fox Buchele
Price: $10.99 (Currently Discounted)
Instead of just recreating what it’s like to play an actual game of baseball, this team took the concept of hitting a ball with a bat and put you into a ton of different minigames. You’ll break stuff, smash it for huge distances, catch fly balls, and a bunch more.
Recommendation: Fun little physics game, can be entertaining at parties.
Bitslap, from Master Indie
Price: $6.99 (Currently Discounted)
Another action wave game, this time with incredibly simple visuals that evoke a very calming aesthetic. There isn’t much to it, but it works well enough. Destroy cubes as they appear and rush towards you.
Recommendation: Not bad, but only worth it if you’re just dying for content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-UUBlp1DqQ
The Walk, from SmartVR Studio
Price: $9.99 (Currently Discounted)
I find it interesting that two “go up really high and confront your fear of heights” games have released the same week on Steam. This is a lot like the plank one from earlier in this list, except it takes a much grittier and darker visual style. Then you jump.
Recommendation: Not much to it, feels overpriced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBtkJPOpQG4
Containment Initiative, from Gwyn Games
Price: $6.99 (Currently Discounted)
We’ve seen roughly one billion different zombie shooters since the Vive released, but this one does have a slight wrinkly of originality. You’ll actually have to fumble around with and use relatively realistic weapons here, not just simple point and click guns.
Recommendation: Early Access is risky, but it’s far from the worst game on this list. Try it if you like zombies.
Tribocalypse VR, from Totemic Entertainment
Price: $6.99 (Currently Discounted)
The HTC Vive needs more bow and arrow shooters and luckily Tribocalypse is here to save the day. Fight off waves of enemies with your bow and defend your totem. The tribal aesthetic lends a touch of originality as well. Still waiting on a game to use these mechanics well in a vast, open-world adventure RPG.
Recommendation: If you love Quivr or the Longbow game in The Lab, then you should check this out.
Storm VR, from TeamStormVR
Price: $2.99
Narrative-based adventure games might be my personal favorite genre in VR right now. This is still in Early Access and only features Episode 1 that’s just roughly 20 minutes long, but it’s gorgeous and really well done. There isn’t a lot of interaction, but it’s a great example of how immersive VR can be, even when it isn’t exactly a traditional game.
Recommendation: Episode 1 of a much larger project, only 20 minutes long. If that doesn’t bug you, then get it. You’ll love it.
SLIVER.tv, from SLIVER.tv
Price: Free
An eSports streaming app that lets you watch matches from inside games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends. Next month it’ll even be live streaming an ESL match for the former.
Recommendation: If eSports are your thing this is a good bet.
TwinForce, from ETI
Price: $4.99
Hats off to ETI; they’ve managed to put VR support into their scrolling shooter and it doesn’t look terrible. In fact, TwinForce’s retro shoot ’em up campaign looks like it could be a nice diversion from the VR sandboxes and wave shooters we’re so used to.
Recommendation: If the genre appeals to you, then we’ve suggest checking this one out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-ywOY7_irM
Thrills & Chills – Roller Coasters, from VRisch
Price: $4.99
The Oculus Rift and HTC Vive have been out for just under six months now and people still think it’s a good idea to release VR roller coasters for them. In most cases, it’s not a good idea. It’s a bad idea. Please, if you do, at least make it interesting in some way or try to combat the motion sickness.
Recommendation: Not really recommended.
ShowdownVR, from Frontseat Studio
Price: $14.99
Bit of a weird one. You play as various ships, teleporting between them and dodging fire in naval warfare. You initiate counter attacks to defeat opponents and gain high scores. It looks pretty unique but it’s a risk at $14.99
Recommendation: Maybe get a friend to buy it first, and then laugh if it’s rubbish.
