New HTC Vive Releases For The Week Of 11/20/16

It’s encouraging to see bigger brands tackle VR like the actual NBA with their NBA 2KVR Experience, but the new release gets completely outshined by a game obviously better-built for virtual reality even in early access: Nothin’ But Net. Also this week you get to become the beast in your favorite monster movies in King Kaiju and shoot/dodge your way through a fun Vive rail-shooter in The Torus Syndicate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_261K5mz2Ds

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.

Limelight VR, from Virtual Neuroscience Lab

Price: $7.99

Limelight VR is a simulator that puts you into tense public speaking situations so you can practice your skills and/or conquer your fears. The game provides you with different environments like a large conference hall to a small meeting room to better reflect situations you’ll be in yourself.

Recommendation: A niche target audience, but a solid pickup for your needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4k4iELxPaQ

ViveSpray, from ciwolsey

Price: $6.99

Created roughly around 1967 but not considered art until the 80s, graffiti is one of the coolest forms of rebellious expression and Vive users can get to tagging with ViveSpray.

Recommendation: Lacks the features of some other similar programs, but works really well at a low price. Get it.

Star Phoenix, from Blazar Games

Price: $17.99 (Currently Discounted)

In Star Phoenix, you find yourself alone on a downtrodden space ship after a long hibernation. The ship’s original mission has gone awry and you need to restore the vessel’s essential functions and survive.

Recommendation: Pretty solid experience even in early access. Give it a go.

Cosmic Sugar VR, from David Lobser

Price: Free

The digital spaces of virtual reality offer a lot of room for experimenting and Cosmic Sugar VR is one of the more abstract examples. Here you use your Vive controllers to manipulate molecules and create unique nebulas.

Recommendation: A free tool to showcase VR to friends. Get it.

HandPass VR, from Constructive Media

Price: $10.99

The handpass is a crucial skill in Australian football and a pretty cool action that fits well into the VR ecosystem. HandPass VR offers a collection of different environments to practice, even zero-g.

Recommendation: Not a whole lot to it, so look for a sale.

Fatal Gem VR, from Edougame

Price: $12.74 (Currently Discounted)

Fatal Gem VR is a match-3 game similar to many popular casual mobile and browser games. Of course, it takes the experience into a fully three dimensional space.

Recommendation: Not a bad game, but nothing overwhelming for the price. Keep an eye on it.

Magic Tavern, from Cykyria

Price: $1.99

Magic Tavern is a brief experience that has you manipulate arcane energies with your hands to destroy trinkets that appear around you.

Recommendation: Essentially a tech demo for a cool controller interaction style. Keep that in mind when purchasing.

Sonic Hunter VR, from Viriver Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Price: $6.39 (Currently Discounted)

With a interesting music rhythm style of gameplay, Sonic Hunter VR and a casual and fun experience in a low-poly fairy tale. In game you’ll be controlling the melody for 42 different classic piano performances including Beethoven’s “For Elise” and Johann’s “Canon”.

Recommendation: Definitely worth the purchase.

Gary The Gull, from Motional Entertainment, Limitless Ltd

Price: Free

Short animated features aren’t new to VR, or filmmaking in general, but with the added layer of immersion that VR affords, we can finally take things to new levels. You can actually interact with and communicate with Gary in this insightful short about a chatty seagull named Gary.

Recommendation: Charming and crafted by an experienced Pixar alum. Also it’s free! More information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPGgYfGrBzA

The Torus Syndicate, from Codeate

Price: $14.99

As Lucas Lawson, you’ll shoot and dodge your way through a hectic rail-shooter. This room-scale shooter allows you to move freely and take cover as you take down the criminal underground.

Recommendation: Gameplay reminiscent of classic arcade shooters like Time Crisis. Get this.

King Kaiju, from Fire Hose Games

Price: $4.99

King Kaiju is a VR dream come true. Become monsters like Godzilla and King Kong and wreak havoc on the destructible island city.

Recommendation: Light on modes, but high on fun. A steal in early access right now with potential for more.

Hot Squat, from Bean Boy Games

Price: Free-to-play

At Flynn Fitness, you’ll be squatting your way to greatness as you shoot for the top of the leaderboards. Hopefully will add a bit more music and environment content in the future.

Recommendation: A great free way to get a really good workout in.

Beat Boxer, from BeatBoxer LLC

Price: $10.79 (Currently Discounted)

Step into the ring and…bust a move? Beat Boxer combines room-scale, rhythm gameplay, and boxing skills all into one. Players can also stream music from various applications like Spotify and Pandora.

Recommendation: The music app feature sets this apart from other similar experiences. Get it if you like Audioshield.

Skill Master VR — Learn Meditation, from Fletcher Richman & owockitalki

Price: $9.89 (Currently Discounted)

Skill Master VR uses the Vive controller in a unique way, visualizing your breathing in a VR space as you work toward meditation.

Recommendation: Intriguing, but we’re not sure this is enough to warrant a purchase in its current form.

NBA 2KVR Experience, from Specular Interactive

Price: $14.99

This simple collection of mini-games lets you shoot some hoops on the HTC Vive. Aim the shot with your gaze and shoot with your Vive wands. There are a few different game modes to pick from, as well as some local “pass-the-headset-around” multiplayer.

Recommendation: Hard pass. Avoid it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMuBcz5rSOE

SourVR Video Player, from River Twice Co., Ltd.

Price: Free

SourVR aims to provide a streamlined video experience for 360-degree and other media that allows control via Vive controller and an in-app library that accesses your computer’s media.

Recommendation: Free so give it a shot. May not be as good as other options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZfScOnsSq0

Nothin’ But Net, from What Up Games, LLC

Price: $14.99

In this sports simulation, you get an experience built from the ground up for VR with a good collection of customization options and modes. Realistic physics, adjustable basketball goals, online multiplayer, and more make this a major force in the VR sports realm.

Recommendation: A must have that completely outshines another release this week with a bigger name and it’s only in early access.

Lost in the Rift – Reborn, from Enno Gottschalk

Price: $4.99

Waking up in a tent in a forest, you must uncover what brought you there and what’s going on in this horror experience. There are strange lights guiding you along the way, but things may not be as they seem.

Recommendation: An overhaul of one of the very first VR horror games, but still quite scary to this date. Worth the price.

Depression

Price: $2.99 (Currently Discounted)

Depression is a visually impressive narrative adventure following a man dealing with depression.

Recommendation: Pass. Under-realized and empty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVDCAj-LPiU

Robot Incursion, from MobileFusion Apps Ltd

Price: $15.99

Robot Incursion is a room-scale wave shooter where you take on endless waves of enemies. Use your radar and quick reaction speed to survive and work toward the highest score you can.

Recommendation: There are better options for the price and even cheaper.