4A games, the makers of the critically acclaimed Metro: 2033 and Metro Last Light revealed upcoming post-apocalyptic VR shooter, ARKTIKA.1 is now available for pre-order. Coming in at $26.99, a 10% discount off of its planned post-release price of $29.99, the Oculus Touch exclusive will hit the Oculus store on Oct. 12, nearly a year after it was announced last year.
ARKTIKA.1’s blasted-looking Eastern European setting should be familiar to Metro fans, though it’s not part of the developer’s signature series. Set in Vostok, a region of Russia ravaged by climate change, you play as a mercenary contracted to defend a remote settlement.
Weapons take center stage in ARKTIKA.1. The campaign will introduce players to a range of guns, from the utilitarian revolver to the high-tech electromagnetic pistol, complete with enemy-seeking bullets.
Since the game’s debut, we’ve had three hands-on experiences. The first, at last year’s Oculus Connect 3, impressed us with its use of the then-unreleased Oculus touch controllers. The action-heavy first taste had us testing and modifying weapons, and the ability to actually reach behind oneself and pull out a new gun felt badass.
Our second crack at ARKTIKA.1 came during this year’s Game Developer Conference. 4A opted to tone down the action of this demo in favor of establishing the game’s narrative. We remarked on the incredible graphical fidelity and world-building.
Finally, we had another chance to check out 4A’s shooter in May of this year. We expressed concern that ARKTIKA.1’s teleportation-based movement system might suck the fear and tension out of an otherwise-suspenseful action shooter.
As one of only a handful of AAA VR action games coming out this year, we’re excited to spent more time with ARKTIKA.1 next month. What do you think? Will 4A’s first push into VR live up to its promise, or are we setting ourselves up for disappointment?
