This new week of HTC Vive releases welcomes a few deviations from the usual formula. There aren’t as many new games as usual, but this week signals the launch of the Steam 360 library. Give it a go and you can check out Lego Batman, the Amazon rain-forest, and more.
A highlight game for the week is the critically well received Battlezone. It released on PS VR last year as one of its best launch titles and is now available for HTC Vive (and Rift), giving PC players a high-octane tank shooter to experience.
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.
New HTC Vive Releases on Steam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBuPsaCSSyk
Freeze Climbing, from Bottino.Games
Price: $2.99
Plan out your hand placement strategically in Freeze Climbing as you work your way up an icy dreamscape. Throw yourself across gaps and climb quickly, but be careful not to fall.
Recommendation: Look into this one but be careful if you’re quickly susceptible to motion sickness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uN0V3R1ny4
Dali 17 – VR Museum Tours, from Greenfield Workshop
Price: $19.99
Embrace your cultured elements as you explore 18 suites in the virtual museum that is Dali 17. Immerse yourself into the mind of the legendary Salvador Dali via 280+ works. You can also take in the surroundings of the place where Dali lived and worked in the 1940s.
Recommendation: If you’re an art enthusiast, this is for you.
Star Dust: The Book of Earth, from SKYLENS TECHNOLOGY
Price: $5.99
In Star Dust, 21st century humankind concocted a plan to explore into the furthest reaches of space. Science and technology blossomed, but we weren’t ready for our first contact with alien life. Your role in this space action shooter starts after the homeland has been left in ruins and a new star fleet has been built.
Recommendation: Great visuals, but relatively boring gameplay. Worth a shot if you want something pretty, though, at that price.
Domain Defense VR, from Inclusion Studios
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Domain Defense is a table top tower defense with dynamic weather, a table you can walk around fully, special abilities, and bosses that expand outside of the play area. The game includes a few different modes such as an endless rush and an immersive experience where all data is handled on the game board.
Recommendation: Clever premise for fans of board games.
Void Rangers, from Martin Senovsky
Price: $9.59 (Currently Discounted)
Grab yourself a couple blasters and immerse yourself in Void Rangers, an intense shooter with endless waves, weapon upgrades, and a leader-board to be conquered.
Recommendation: This is VR bullet-hell. In a really good way. Purchase this even if you’re bored of wave shooters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxNrOF8JmRw
Dark Mechanism, from Field Of Vision
Price: $1.19 (Currently Discounted)
In Dark Mechanism, take on an infinite amount of levels and obstacles to the tune of upbeat music. Styled after infinite runners, your reaction speed and focus will be put to the test.
Recommendation: If you have an affinity for infinite runners, this is right up your alley.
Battlezone, from Rebellion
Price: $33.99 (Currently Discounted)
Battlezone brings the high-octane Cobra tank battle to VR with a procedurally generated campaign for up to 4 players, a plethora of equipment and power-ups, and tanks to unlock.
Recommendation: The king of tank combat returns in VR. Enough said right?
Speed and Scream, from iNFINITE Production
Price: $4.99
Speed and Scream is a collection of high-speed experiences that take you from the surface of the moon to the realm of the dead. You and your friends can strap in enjoy the virtual rides of your life.
Recommendation: Don’t buy any more VR coasters.
Blastercell, from Robot Games
Price: $0.84 (Currently Discounted)
Blastercell drops you into the cold reaches of space for a twin-stick shooter experience. Shoot down asteroids and other ships, restoring your fuel and raising the score for as long as you can.
Recommendation: Arcade excitement but not an immersive experience. Super inexpensive though for retro fans.
Puppy Doge VR, from Chun Y.
Price: $0.99
The pup simulator you’ve been waiting for has arrived, but not really. Puppy Doge gives you three puppies to choose from so you can pet, feed, or play fetch with them.
Recommendation: Very limited experience. Skip it. Better VR pet simulators are still a little ways away.
CubeBall VR, from Tachyon Factory
Price: $6.99
CubeBall VR taps nostalgia, bringing back classic puzzle toys that many experienced as a child. There are also some concepts developed from scratch with more to be added in the future.
Recommendation: This game isn’t as exciting as other puzzle experiences for a similar price, but could be worth the nostalgic vibes.
Red vs Blue 360, from Rooster Teeth
Price: Free
Experience the classic Red vs Blue series and watch the chaos in Blood Gulch unfold in 360-degrees.
Recommendation: This first episode is part of the Steam 360 beta program. Check it out.
Alien Covenant In Utero, from MPC VR
Price: Free
This Alien Covenant tie-in comes right in time for Mother’s Day. The 360-degree journey takes you through loving and personal experience of giving birth to an alien neomorph. What more could you ask for?
Recommendation: Get this and bring extra underwear.
A CHALLENGE, from Brigantine Films, LTD.
Price: Free
Shot with OZO, A Challenge is a VR thriller is a captivating look into the realities of Stockholm Syndrome.
Recommendation: Another entry for the Steam 360 program. See if it’s to your liking.
Red Cube VR, from Egidijus Bachur, Bartosh Polonski, and Urte Milda Sirvinskaite
Price: $9.79 (Currently Discounted)
Confront your own consciousness in Red Cube as you dive into your deepest fears. The game brings an intense shooter experience to a distorted and imaginative world filled with your inner demons.
Recommendation: The atmosphere and art direction set this game apart and make it a solid addition to any library.
The Hunger Games 360, from Lionsgate
Price: Free
In this 360-degree Hunger Games experience, you’ll be able to journey through key moments in Katniss’ battles across all four films.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of the franchise, check it out for zero dollars.
The Blank Canvas – Hacking Nature, from The Blank Canvas, Lobo
Price: Free
The Blank Canvas is a 360-degree film experience that uses the immersive medium to better express the ideas of some of the most brilliant minds. Some concepts are difficult to express but creators believe this format to be a better way to explain.
Recommendation: Definitely check this one out.
Lego Batman ‘The Batmersive Experience’, from Warner Bros.
Price: Free
The Lego Bat is the best Bat in the business. The Batmersive Experience gives you a 360-degree look into the Lego Batcave and how it feels to be his esteemed sidekick. You’ll also encounter some of his friends and Gotham’s rogue gallery.
Recommendation: It’s Batman. Come on.
Under the Canopy, from Jaunt, Inc.
Price: Free
Under the Canopy is an immersive documentary about the world’s greatest rainforest and how it is under threat. Soar over treetops and plunge into rivers around the Amazon and learn of one of the planet’s greatest and most beautiful treasures.
Recommendation: This is a different flavor for the Steam 360 launch. Watch it.
Pixvana 360 Production Series, from Pixvana Productions
Price: Free
The Pixvana Production Series collects a broad range of content for the 360-degree medium that shows off unique ideas and techniques. Currently, you get soccer, dance, and an inside look into a Seattle artist studio.
Recommendation: Give it a go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQAu3xlFj_w
Cyberdrifter, from UziGames
Price: $9.99
In Cyberdrifter you take on the role of Jack Torrents and take on a rogue AI in a virtual world. The retro design of the game has you infiltrating, shooting, and dodging as you work toward your goal.
Recommendation: Still in Early Access, but not bad so far.
New HTC Vive Releases on Viveport
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgSpKi9vtsU
StarPlayerVR, from OrangeStar
Price: $9.00 (also on Steam)
StarPlayerVR is a virtual media manager that gives you the expected features for a collection of media formats, while also giving you the chance to view within different settings. Once you make your choice of video, you can sit on the surface of the moon, the beach, or even a cemetery for a viewing.
Recommendation: No need to jump on it if you have a media manager you’re satisfied with, but certainly look into it if you haven’t found your favorite yet.
