Thankfully there aren’t as many new Vive games this week as last. That’s a good thing, because last week we learned that it is entirely possible to have too much VR. Where do you even start when there are two dozen new experiences to choose from? Luckily there are still plenty of new things to sink your virtual teeth and hands into this time around, so don’t be discouraged. But in this case we think less is more.
If you missed last week, you can see those new releases here. And don’t forget that UploadVR has a SteamVR 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. Let’s get to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqezSk5cWhA
VR Boxing Workout by Wenkly Studio
Release Date: 07/10/16 Price: $$7.99 (Currently 15% Off)
Instead of facing off against an AI opponent like Thrill of the Fight, VR Boxing Workout pits you against punching bags and dummies. Considering this is not an Early Access title and is intended to be a standalone, brief, boxing/workout experience, it leaves a ton to be desired.
Recommendation: Pass. Get Thrill of the Fight and enjoy the stream of forthcoming updates instead.
Slam by Aera Studios
Release Date: 07/11/16 Price: $3.99 (Currently 20% Off)
At first glance, Slam looks similar to the classic marble puzzle games you’ve played a thousand times, but it actually has a clever twist: you don’t control the orb. Instead, you control gravity itself. Navigate through over 50 levels in this physics-defying puzzle game.
Recommendation: Actually good puzzle games are a bit of a rarity in VR right now, so I’d say this one is worth a look at that price.
House of Alice by Cuddles and Snowflake
Release Date: 07/11/16 Price: $9.99
This one is intended as a VR-lite experience that should serve as a good introduction, but it ends up feeling too empty of purpose to really be effective. Other slow-paced experiences at least give you a bit more context, but this one feels too unfinished to be worth a purchase, even in Early Access.
Recommendation: It’s visually pretty, but there just isn’t enough substance or direction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dakq54BQYZQ
Orbital Strike: Arena by Sandglass Games
Release Date: 07/12/16 Price: $14.99 (Currently 15% Off)
Multiplayer only games are ambitious in the early days of VR development, but that didn’t stop Sandglass Games from releasing Orbital Strike: Arena. You can currently engage in 3v3 competitive FPS shootouts, fight against AI drones, and use a small collection of different weapons. With dedicated servers, the experience should be smooth.
Recommendation: If you like Hover Junkers, Battle Dome, and other multiplayer standouts, then Orbital Strike: Arena is right up your alley.
Gun Range VR by Jeffrey Cretin
Release Date: 07/12/16 Price: $4.99
I don’t remember exactly which day it was determined shooting ranges were no longer new or interesting, but I feel like it was a long time ago. Gun Range VR is being described as the “ultimate gun range VR sandbox” but it’s actually a relatively bare bones offering.
Recommendation: There are better options, pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2cRh5QWV0
The Path of Greatest Resistance by RealityRig
Release Date: 07/12/16 Price: $2.99 (Currently 16% Off)
Corny trailer aside, The Path of Greatest Resistance is far from the worst on-rails shooter you’ll see in VR. It’s cheap, short, and features a good handful of exciting moments. Since release, it’s already gotten a new weapon in an update, which bodes well for future support.
Recommendation: Worth a download. Early Access, so be warned of course, but there is some fun to be had here.
Beat Ninja by Xelphyre Games
Release Date: 07/12/16 Price: $19.99 (Currently 10% Off)
As a concept, Beat Ninja is actually pretty great. It takes the object-slicing gameplay of Fruit Ninja, and marries it with the rhythm-music gameplay of Audioshield. You can even use your own music. What you get in practice however, is an assortment of muddy visuals, poor hit detection, and lack of variety. It’s not in Early Access either, so who knows if those issues will get worked out.
Recommendation: I’d probably skip this. Just play Fruit Ninja VR or Audioshield instead.
VR Battle Grid by Fred Sauer
Release Date: 07/13/16 Price: Free
So VR Battle Grid is Battleship, the classic tabletop game, played against an AI opponent, in VR. No multiplayer right now, but it’s free and in Early Access, that’s pretty much it.
Recommendation: Download it if you like Battleship.
VReakout by Animate Objects
Release Date: 07/13/16 Price: $7.99
If you took the general block-breaking premise behind the classic Breakout and threw it into VR, you’d be pretty close to what VReakout aims to be. Instead of controlling a paddle, the primary form of gameplay involves shooting balls towards blocks and destroying them as quickly as possible.
Recommendation: Fun in short bursts, but lacks much depth. Worth a look if you enjoy other similar block-breaking games in VR.
VR Funhouse by NVIDIA/Lightspeed Studios
Release Date: 07/14/16 Price: Free
With the advent of VR, tech demos are getting prettier and prettier. VR Funhouse takes all of the cool and impressive things that NVIDIA’s latest line of graphics cards can do and puts the features into one pretty package. Not for budget PC gamers by any means.
Recommendation: Free is great, as long as your PC can handle it. We thought it was so real it was scary in our impressions.
Football VR by Revive Studios
Release Date: 07/14/16 Price: $1.99 (Currently 40% Off)
I was wondering how long it would take someone to make a football-themed game for the Vive, since we’ve already got plenty of other sports on display. Unfortunately, this isn’t the VR version of Madden you may have been waiting for. In Football VR, you’re just throwing the ball through rings and at targets on a field – nothing more, nothing less.
Recommendation: Find some pennies in your couch cushions and give it a whirl. If you like football, you’ll find some novelty here for the price. Don’t expect much, though.
Blasters of the Universe by The Secret Location
Release Date: 07/14/16 Price: $14.99 (Currently 15% Off)
If Tron and Space Pirate Trainer had a baby, it would look an awful lot like Blasters of the Universe. It requires a lot of mobility on the part of the player as you duck, dodge, and shoot your way through hordes of enemies. Visually, it’s simply beautiful. One of the most polished Early Access VR games you can find.
Recommendation: Download this, it’s one of the better games to release this week.
Ultimate Booster Experience by GexagonVR
Release Date: 07/14/16 Price: $4.99 (Oculus Rift, Currently 20% Off)
Long time fans of VR might remember Ultimatte Booster Experience from some other digital marketplaces and distribution services, but now this week it’s finally made its way onto Steam as a full release. While the title doesn’t tell you a whole lot, let me caution you that this isn’t for those prone to motion sickness. It’s designed to simulate riding on a giant 600ft swing in a city. Also known as Motion Sickness Simulator: The VR Game.
Recommendation: It’s cheap so if you like adrenaline rushes that might make you vomit, go for it. Probably best just to stick friends in and watch them react.
Raw Data by Survios
Release Date: 07/14/16 Price: $39.99 (Currently 20% Off)
The wait is finally over as Raw Data, the action-packed cooperative sci-fi VR game from Survios is finally on Steam Early Access. The visuals are top-notch, gameplay is solid, both heroes offer variety, and there is a healthy dose of content already released with a downpour of updates planned. If you have a Vive, you should have this game in your library. Read here for our more detailed thoughts.
Recommendation: One of the most robust and fun VR games on any platform. Definitely get this.
C.S.S. Citadel VR by Winged Minds
Release Date: 07/15/16 Price: $7.99
Equal parts exploration and gun-shooting action, C.S.S. Citadel VR could be one of the hidden gems this week. It’s Chapter 1 of what is planned to be a larger saga and has more polish than most small-scale indie projects you’ll find on Steam for VR devices. One of the most notable things about this one is the absence of a teleportation-based movement system.
Recommendation: Roll the dice on this one and you could be surprised. Don’t let the vague and poorly prepared Steam product page scare you away too much.
