Lot’s of new VR stuff to get through this week, though there isn’t anything especially standout in and of itself. If you’re a fan of 360 videos, then you’re in for a treat; Gear VR is absolutely littered with them, and a lot of them are actually quite compelling. There’s some good stuff for both Rift and Gear on the gaming side too, so it’s not been a bad seven days to be a VR fan in the Oculus ecosystem.
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. Let’s get to it.
Galaxy Golf, from Liftoff Labs
Price: $4.99 (Oculus Rift, Gear VR)
Play mini-golf in a massive galaxy. That’s a pretty neat idea, no? Galaxy Golf asks what if the classic sport was mixed with Super Mario Galaxy, and the results look promising. Navigate over lava planets and other hostile terrain as you try to score that all-important hole-in-one.
Recommendation: Cheap, clean fun for either your Rift or Gear. Go for it.
Maze Roller, from Meerkat Gaming
Price: $9.99 (Oculus Rift, currently discounted)
Optional VR support for a game where you control a mouse in a ball navigating its way through a series of mazes. Played from a third-person perspective and packed with different game modes across over 20 levels.
Recommendation: Hardly inspiring, but an amusing little game for sure.
Tank Hero VR, from Edougame
Price: $19.99 (Oculus Rift, currently discounted)
Jump into the cockpit of a tank and take on the enemy. Tank Hero could be fun, but it seems to be a little skimpish on the content side with two levels and no multiplayer. We’d probably advise waiting for something like Battlezone, or an update on this one.
Recommendation: There are better VR tank games on the horizon.
Mount Wingsuit, from Ninja Whale Studios
Price: $14.99
A first-person wingsuit simulator for VR. Because that doesn’t sound like it won’t make you throw up at all, right? Choose from different courses and suits and try and make your way through checkpoints as accurately as possible. If you dare.
Recommendation: We’d suggest the easily sickened stay away from this one.
Shiny, from Ateo
Price: $3.99 (Gear VR)
I actually played Shiny all the way back at Gamescom 2015. Colorful blocks fly in front of you and you try to catch them all with head-tracked controls. It’s not exactly groundbreaking, but the ability to import your own music to enjoy with the game is appreciated.
Recommendation: A harmless distraction for Gear VR fans.
Through the Ages: President Obama Celebrates America’s National Parks, from Felix and Paul Studios
Price: Free (Gear VR)
This one we’ve already written about. It’s Felix and Paul’s latest 360 degree video, this time starring none other than the POTUS himself as he celebrates the 100th anniversary of the US National Park Service by visiting Yosemite Park.
Recommendation: Show your patriotism by downloading this well-produced 360 degree video.
Coastiality, from Mack Media
Price: Free (Gear VR)
Oh god, a VR coaster. Burn it, burn it! In fairness to Mack Media, this does seem to have connections to real amusement parks. We’d probably recommend this type of experience for when you’re actually at those parks, though.
Recommendation: Pass.
Joan Jett VR, from Sveer
Price: Free (Gear VR)
If there weren’t so many 360 videos released this week I would try hard to make a Bad Reputation pun here. As it is, I’ll just say that if you’re a Joan Jett fan then you’ll probably want to take a look at this 360 degree performance.
Recommendation: I don’t give a damn about your… oh just watch it.
Scopic, from Scopic
Price: Free (Gear VR)
A new set of 360 degree documentaries awaits you here. There looks to be some pretty incredible experiences on display, including one that follows a Hindu pilgrimage of faith held once in 12 years, and another showcasing other tribes.
Recommendation: Ready to do some VR learning? Take a look.
“Teen Wolf” from TURBO SUPER NOW, from Moth + Flame
Price: Free (Gear VR)
A teen wolf VR film but not the one you’re hoping for. Still, this changes the story based on where the viewer looks, which is a relatively unexplored concept. Just don’t expect Jason Bateman to pop up all of a sudden.
Recommendation: Harmless fun for cheesy horror fans.
Städel Time Machine, from STÄDEL MUSEUM
Price: Free (Gear VR)
Now this is interesting. It’s a visit to Frankfurt’s Städel Museum, only how it was set up in the nineteenth century. You can take tours around the building, viewing its collection as it would have been presented well over 100 years ago now.
Recommendation: A positive use of VR, make sure to give it a go.
https://youtu.be/yqKbyQmqQbU
Fearless, from Fearless
Price: Free (Oculus Rift with in-app purchases)
Another app for helping you tackle phobias, though it’s only in an early state right now. Teach yourself to deal with spiders and other fears, though you’ll have to purchase add-on content to access it.
Recommendation: Try the free level before deciding if it’s for you.
