Make no mistake: if you have an Oculus Rift, then this is Obduction week. Finally, the VR headset is gaining access to one of this year’s most immersive and perplexing titles — a game that we called a “cinematic VR marvel.” Beyond that are a slew of new games on Steam and some Gear VR titles to round out the selections.
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.
Obduction, from Cyan
Price: $29.99 (Rift)
Following a sudden and long delay, the team behind seminal adventure game Myst finally bring their latest project to VR. Obduction is a visually stunning and atmospheric experience in which you explore beautiful worlds and make choices that will affect the overall story.
Recommendation: You shouldn’t definitely give Obduction a go, it’s one of the best games on Rift. Read our review.
Panzer Panic, from Handy Games
Price: $4.99 (Gear)
If you can’t enjoy Battlezone on PlayStation VR, then you might want to consider this colorful little tank battler for Gear VR. With full multiplayer support for up to four players across a range of maps, this is a promising new release for the platform.
Recommendation: For $4.99 this could well be worth it.
Other Worlds, from Turtle Rock Studios
Price: $1.99 (Gear)
With Face Your Fears hitting last week, Left4Dead developer Turtle Rock Studios’ new project, which explores three worlds created by artist Justin Cherry, is now available. There are some truly unique creations here that could be well worth seeing.
Recommendation: For those interested in VR art, this could be great.
Lord Darydikilkil, from GaelDK, Fabien Spiess, Antoine Rigitano, Serge Sentis, Nicolas Billon
Price: $1.99 (Rift)
This game takes its inspiration from Tim Burton films and the darker humor of video games like MediEvil. There’s a variance of play modes, including endless runner and action adventure, with a narrated story mode connecting them.
Recommendation: Seems incredibly disjointed, but has a unique style and flair. It’s cheap, consider checking it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KowxP-oLvwA
MegaRats. From Red Frizbee Studios
Price: $19.99 (Rift)
This title mixes up 3rd-person adventure with 1st-person shooting in an apocalyptic city showdown.
Recommendation: Not much rhyme or reason to the project right now, but multiplayer is planned. Keep an eye on it as it evolves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg4cCsZzfUc
Staircase of Darkness: VR, from bcInteractive
Price: $3.74 (Currently Discounted, Rift)
You’re dropped at the top of a staircase with no light outside of your own flashlight and no idea how far down the exit is…do you have the guts to make it? Staircase of Darkness is an experimental horror title with a seemingly simple premise.
Recommendation: Inexpensive thrill for you and friends.
VRMark, from Futuremark
Price: $14.99 (Currently Discounted, Rift)
Is your PC VR-ready? VRMark is a more rigorous test than the text-based option from Oculus and, even in its free version, can show you how many frames are dropped during tests. The advanced version has a few additional features we covered here.
Recommendation: At the least, grab the free version to test your rig. If you’re shooting for more intense VR play, grab the full version.
VRCapture, from XR Team
Price: Free (Rift)
With VR becoming more and more popular, users will seek out ways to be social and share their experiences. VRCapture embraces that idea and provides a free tool to record your VR footage, edit them, and share.
Recommendation: You should definitely try it.
Siege Hammer, from MyDream Interactive, Inc.
Price: $10.04 (Currently Discounted, Rift)
As the tiny, armor-clad protagonist Blip, players engage in an intimate game of tower defense. You’re able to set up your turrets and react as invaders maneuver through a maze you explore on its outer rim. The game is 100% gaze-based gameplay.
Recommendation: It isn’t even the best looking tower defense game of today’s list alone, but is different and casual. On the fence with this one.
The Journey, from Mugurel-Adrian Enache & Diana Marin
Price: $7.19 (Currently Discounted, Rift)
VR affords us interesting and immersive experiences like no other and The Journey is using the medium to give us an intimate virtual tour of the human body. You’ll search for clues and solve clues as you search throughout of the last known human specimen in that world.
Recommendation: New age Magic School Bus? Sign up.
Project Syria, from Emblematic Group
Price: Free-to-play (Rift)
Project Syria is a project that was developed back in 2013 and is now being released on consumer VR. Commissioned by the World Economic Forum, this work of immersive journalism aims to inform us about the plight of those living in Syria.
Recommendation: A welcomed change of perspective you can get for free.
House of the Dying Sun, from Marauder Interactive, LLC
Price: $17.99 (Currently discounted, Rift)
From the cockpit of your Executor Mk II, take control of this tactical space shooter and hunt the enemies of the Empire. Upgrade your fighter and command other fighters in your fleet as you work toward your goals.
Recommendation: A short experience but a lot of fun. A must have for space shooter fans yearning for single player content.
Breakroom, from MURE VR
Price: $7.99 (Currently discounted, Rift)
With Breakroom, you can turn your VR headset into a multi-monitor unit. Essentially, use it to multi-task in various applications using Windows.
Recommendation: Only worth it if you need a VR virtual desktop. Has a few bugs to work out over time. Bigscreen is already free, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2_9qrXO900
VR RunningJoe, from ELIOT
Price: $4.99 (Rift)
In this endless runner (driver?) you propel Joe through fantastic worlds as you collect coins and diamonds to add to your high score.
Recommendation: Very pretty endless runner, but only one track. Keep that in mind when buying.
Nightfall: Eclipse VR, from Zeenoh, 7 Seals
Price: $6.29 (Currently discounted)
Eclipse in an add-on for Nightfall: Escape, a game that puts you in control of a field journalist who stumbles into a nightmare while researching odd disappearances. Eclipse switches the perspective to a news crew that disappeared, which is one of the events the original journalist was investigating.
Recommendation: Interesting premise at a good price, but be ready for some shoddy voice acting.
