Looking for a relaxing VR experience that still has actual game mechanics? Australian developer Stirfire Studios has something you might be interested in.
Symphony of the Machine is a new puzzle game coming to PlayStation VR and HTC Vive. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world, but rather than scavenging for supplies and fighting raiders, you’ll be using the weather to restore the planet. To do this, you’ll travel to a mysterious tower located in the middle of a scorching desert, and manipulate lights to change the scene from baking sunlight to rainy thunderstorms and more.
The idea is to use the elements to naturally rebuild the planet, creating the ideal climate for resources to thrive. To help plants grow, for example, you might need a mix of sunlight and water. To activate different weather types the player places panels that direct beams of light to certain switches. You pick up and place items using the Vive wands and PlayStation Move controllers.
Though it may hold some challenging puzzles, Stirfire Studios wants this to be seen as a serene, peaceful puzzler that doesn’t get players frustrated. Think Cubicle Ninja’s Guided Meditation mixed with something like VR Bits’ GravLab. You certainly get that feeling from the uplifting trailer. The game actually started out as an entry into the 2016 Global Game Jam but seems to have come some way since then.
Symphony of the Machine will be out in Q1 2017. The developer’s Vee Pendergrast told UploadVR that Oculus Rift support may be possible once it gets access to the Oculus Touch controllers, which are due out on December 6th. With any luck, a Rift version will join the Vive and PS VR editions next year.
