There are a ton of educational Vive apps and Early Access games that released this week, but we also have a couple of bigger releases as well. Creative tools have been some of the shining examples of VR interaction since solidifying its place in early 2016 and now we have a new entry that wants to take things to the next level: MasterpieceVR. This program offers all the robust tools you expect but adds in cross-play and multiplayer creativity. You’ll find more info in our write-up from earlier today.
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgt6K3NCh-w
SteamHammerVR – The Rogue Apprentice – London 1892, from GamestormVR
Price: $15.99 (Currently Discounted)
This steampunk shooter equips you with steam-powered weapons so that you can take down the clockwork automatons of an oppressive army in Victorian London.
Recommendation: Another wave shooter, but with a unique steampunk flair. Pick it up if you’re not suffocating in wave shooters yet.
Destination: Pluto The VR Experience, from SkyWorks Digital, Home Run Pictures
Price: Free
Take a walk on Pluto in this new Destination experience. The program pulls from NASA’s New Horizons mission and takes you through the Krun Macula canyon lands, a glacier spill, and the high plains of Sputnik Planum.
Recommendation: A free trip to the stars. What’s not to like?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqUolREbX3s
MasterpieceVR, from Brinx Software
Price: Free To play
MasterpieceVR raises the bar for creative VR experiences by adding in cross-play and multiplayer gameplay that will grow over the life of the program. Choose your realistic or fantasy venue and start sculpting your art with friends.
Recommendation: Free for a limited and a must have nonetheless.
Home Tech VR, from 360 Evolve VR Pty Ltd
Price: $14.99
Home Tech VR is more of an educational experience than a game, showing how near future homes will utilize solar and storage batteries. Users will get a snapshot into how electric appliances pull from the solar energy and the costs a realistic home accrues.
Recommendation: Not really something for gamers but, to a professional that wants to be able to demonstrate the benefits of solar energy, there’s plenty here.
The Physiology of the Eye, from Intervoke
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
This program is another on a more educational slant. The Physiology of the Eye‘s title is pretty self explanatory and users will be quizzed as they work through different educational chapters.
Recommendation: A visually appealing (pun intended) and informative program that could be a boon for educators that have taken the leap into VR.
VRemin (A Virtual Theremin), from Heiko Ihde
Price: $0.89 (Currently Discounted)
VRemin adds to a steadily growing collection of instruments being recreated for virtual spaces. The app is currently in Early Access, but there are 4 oscillators and a virtual concert hall in place with more features to be planned to be added in the future.
Recommendation: A little spare change to add another VR skill to your repertoire.
HVRGUN, from Jonathan Bartram, Thomas Bartram
Price: $5.99 (Currently Discounted)
HVRGUN employs players as assault pilots participating in a grueling training program. Dodge, return fire, and destroy endless enemies while moving around various environments with a collection of weapons.
Recommendation: Since Battlezone is a PS VR exclusive, this could scratch a similar itch for PC VR gamers.
RunVR, from Smoketree Studios
Price: $5.39 (Currently Discounted)
RunVR is described as the ultimate locomotion tech demo that gets users, running, jumping, and climbing around an obstacle course in VR.
Recommendation: Not much to see here for now. Keep an eye on it while in Early Access to see if modes are added. This is a tech demo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6GFJVviewI
VR Amazing Files: Horror Hospital, from Joygo.Stuido
Price: $19.99
This adventure/shooter tasks players with investigating an abandoned hospital, finding missing research notes, and trying to find the zero patient so a serum can be created to combat the shambling inhabitants. There’s realistic shooting and reloading mechanics and physics to supplement the gameplay.
Recommendation: Solid ideas here, but poor execution. Pass on it at this price.
Starship Disco, from Solus Games, Inc.
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Starship Disco brings some space shooting to the rhythm genre with the option to play with 1 or 2 hands and import your own music.
Recommendation: Solid experience with functional imports. If you don’t already have a solid rhythm game, this could be your ticket.
Diesel Power, from Irmas Ibric
Price: $9.99
Diesel Power is a game inspired by classic isometric track racers but it utilizes the unique VR space to hit players with a barrage of gameplay elements while attempting to keep your car on the right path.
Recommendation: A very challenging treat, but lacks some production values. Check out the trailer on the Steam page to see if it interests you.
Puzzle Island VR, from Interaction Ideas GmbH
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Puzzle Island VR offers challenging physics puzzles but drops you on a peaceful island retreat. As you play, other players will appear to help complete the different challenges.
Recommendation: A solid list of features make this a bit different than most escape room VR experiences.
GridVR, from iPOL
Price: $9.99
GridVR is a collection of gaming experiences that all play out on the tiles of a virtual room. You can play classic match games, Simon Says, Snake, and more.
Recommendation: A cool retro arcade experience, but nothing new. Wait for a sale.
Dunk It (VR Basketball), from Shashitha Kularatna
Price: $4.49 (Currently Discounted)
With Dunk It, developers have put together a dynamic basketball sandbox with realistic physics and not-so-realistic rockets on your hands. In this outer space court, play to your heart’s content and multiplayer will be added later.
Recommendation: Currently a motion sickness hazard. Keep an eye on it to see if the developers add any comfort options.
Siegecraft Commander, from Blowfish Studios
Price: $13.99
In Siegecraft Commander, players create sprawling fortresses by placing towers, units, and walls strategically in this strategy game that offers real-time or turn-based gameplay. Strengthen your own defenses while slowly moving to take down your enemy’s fortress and keep.
Recommendation: The VR RTS genre is growing up with another solid entry at an affordable price. VR not required.
Henry The Hamster Handler, from Pocket Money Games
Price: $5.99
You’re one-handed Henry and you must save the mass-produced hamsters from being destroyed by helping them traverse series of dangerous obstacles or whack them with a mallet. Your call.
Recommendation: Very fun collection of levels and mini-games. Here’s our review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwUOUJPnm6g
Wacky Wings, from Pocket Money Games
Price: $5.99
Another game from Pocket Money Games sadly lacking fluffy hamsters is Wacky Wings, an arcade flying game where you use a touch controller to guide your device around collecting coins and fuel in order to stay in the air with one of 11 vehicles. The game also includes two unlockable game modes: Blitz where you shoot down enemy pilots in a black and white world and Endless mode.
Recommendation: Really unique game worth checking out.
Island Getaway, from Frosted Brain
Price: $6.99 (Currently Discounted)
The 2nd island retreat this week infuses the escapist experience with a bunch of activities shaped by community input.
Recommendation: Pass on this.
ToledoVR, from Joël Frutiger, Christof Lüthi
Price: $7.64 (Currently Discounted)
While in VR, oversee this battlefield as if from the perspective of a god while destroying enemy towers and minions. On the PC, fly around in third person using abilities to attack the VR player.
Recommendation: Neat local multiplayer experience. Early Access could evolve well over time.
The table at war VR, from KudaiGame
Price: $14.99
This game gives players access to a vibrant tabletop game that can be manipulated with various trading cards that bring magic, monsters, and more to life. The game includes PvP as well.
Recommendation: Too many technical and glaring design issues to be a viable purchase for now.
