It’s another slow week for Rift releases, but there are a good number of new Gear VR titles on Oculus Home this week. The big highlight for the mobile headset is definitely SingSpace from Harmonix, which is a VR-ified Karaoke game that challenges both your vocal cords and your dignity.
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.
Plus — check out our list of the best Oculus Rift games and best Gear VR games for more suggestions!
New Samsung Gear VR Releases on Oculus Home
SingSpace, from Harmonix
Price: $4.99 (Gear VR)
Karaoke bars aren’t as big as they once were and neither is jamming out to your favorite songs in the latest Rock Band entry, but neither of those facts have gotten in the way for Harmonix’s two most recent game releases. Rock Band VR is in full swing and now SingSpace asks you to don a mobile VR headset and sing to yourself (or friends) like never before.
Recommendation: Lots of silly fun to pass around or play online with others. A simple mirroring solution to TVs is desperately needed though.
A Night Sky, from Coatsink
Price: Free (Gear VR)
Some of the best VR experiences are just about taking in your surroundings and letting the feelings of immersion wash over you. That’s exactly the intention behind A Night Sky, the latest from Coatsink and Oculus Studios. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Recommendation: It’s gorgeous and it’s free. Grab it. More info here.
The Great Wall, from Niceberg Studios
Price: $2.99 (Gear VR)
This isn’t based on the Matt Damon movie and is actually meant to be a semi-educational piece of content as you ride a super fast rocket-powered riksha along the length of China’s iconic Great Wall. Buckle up and try not to barf.
Recommendation: Meh. Just venture into Google Earth or check out some hi-resolution photos and 360 videos instead?
Our Dinosaur Era, from Crenovator Smart Technologies
Price: $2.99 (Gear VR)
More semi-educational looks at things, but this time instead of a giant wall it’s dinosaurs and prehistoric stuff.
Recommendation: Pass. Low quality and a bit bland.
SnowEagle, from PangaeaVR
Price: $0.99 (Gear VR)
Take flight as an eagle in a game that isn’t Eagle Flight but instead has you soaring through the airs of snowy mountains. There are a few different game modes and the sense of speed is good even if the experience is a little rough around the edges.
Recommendation: If you don’t get motion sick and like flying then there are worse ways you could spend a dollar.
Annihilator VR, from Legendary Pictures
Price: Free (Gear VR)
This one came out of nowhere but is very much appreciated. In this graphic novel brought to life in VR, you’ll explore the world of Legendary Comics’ Annihilator, from writer Grant Morrison and artist Frazer Irving.
Recommendation: Highly recommended, especially since it’s free.
New Oculus Rift Releases on Steam
The Ruins: VR Escape the Room, from Blue Entropy Studios LLC
Price: $5.99 (Rift, Currently Discounted)
As an archaeologist following in the footsteps of his grandfather, you’ll work through The Ruins to find a way out of an arcane excavation site. Search for artifacts and solve ancient puzzles in this escape the room experience.
Recommendation: Short and sweet escape experience. Add it to your collection if you love these sort of games, pass if you’re meh about them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1A8TpYX96s
Valkyrie Blade VR, from Bluehole, Inc.
Price: Free To Play (Rift)
How are your reflexes? Valkyrie Blade is an intense first-person sword melee game that gets you moving your full body as you defend and attack swift enemies.
Recommendation: It’s a fun way to burn some calories but the movement is a bit glitchy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7hA_o4Eoa8
Minotaur’s Maze, from Sisyphus Games
Price: $9.99 (Rift)
Minotaur’s Maze is your own tactical virtual tabletop dungeon crawler where you guide your character in an overhead view or up close and personal. The game includes random dungeon layouts and gear drops to keep things fresh.
Recommendation: There are some unique control issues to overcome, but a solid grab for dungeon delvers.
AVOlight.Space, from AVOlight
Price: $19.99 (Rift)
AVOlight.Space is a multi-screen media player for multiple flat images and video to be on display at once.
Recommendation: Pass for now but circle back to see what new features are added during Early Access.
Bottle Flip Challenge VR, from Justin Jimmo
Price: $4.99 (Rift, Currently Discounted)
This strange pop culture event had to come to a virtual space. Bottle Flip Challenge lets you test your dexterity in a collection of environments including the moon and a playground. You can manipulate the gravity settings as well.
Recommendation: It’s a cheap way to mess around with VR interaction. Give it a go.
