It’s not an inspiring week to be an Oculus Rift or Gear VR owner. There’s plenty on both platforms but not all of it is especially exciting. There is some interesting stuff for shooter fans and a few curious experiences, though, and some games are moving out of Early Access.
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 best Rift games and best Gear VR games — both of which are updated every few months with the latest and greatest options.
Mount Wingsuit, from Ninja Whale Studios
Price: $14.99 (Rift)
Was on Steam, now on Oculus Home. 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.
https://youtu.be/nLESw0SfFmI
Space Jones VR, from VikingVRStudio
Price: $9.99 (Rift)
More sci-fi shooting for your Rift. Stare out into a huge space battlefield and blast away incoming enemies. You can steer your ship using head-tracking across a number of single-player levels with an upgrade system keeping things fresh.
Recommendation: Only for those starved for more VR shooting.
Heroes of the Seven Seas, from Mirage Interactive
Price: $6.99 (Rift)
The Gear VR adventure moves over to the Oculus Rift this week. This is a first-person adventure RPG with full naval and land-based battles in which you and a crew of pirates will explore the seven seas. Eyepatch sort of included.
Recommendation: Sadly, we weren’t too keen on Heroes of the Seven Seas on Gear VR.
Free Throw Bomber, from tricol
Price: $2.99 (Gear)
Sadly this is not actually free. Practice basketball shots at varying distances using the Gear VR’s touchpad, though keep in mind that some balls will randomly change to bombs, and you’ll have to get rid of them very quickly.
Recommendation: Pretty uninspiring, we’d leave it.
Casino VR Poker, from Casino VR
Price: Free (Rift)
The Gear VR game moves out of beta on Rift. Full multiplayer support is included, with avatars appearing around the table. It doesn’t look like you can bet real money just yet, though more features have been promised.
Recommendation: If poker’s your thing, then have at it.
https://youtu.be/2crujLXyXcE
Ctrl, from Breaking Fourth
Price: $3.99 (Gear)
A harrowing VR movie that’s won praise throughout the VR community. Follow Liam as he competes in the finals of an online gaming championship with the chance to win some serious money. But Liam’s noble intentions are backed by a harrowing situation.
Recommendation: If there were ever a VR film worth charging for, Ctrl is it.
Magnetique 01, from Oniride
Price: Free (Gear)
The first ever virtual reality comic, with 360 degree panels you look through as you follow the adventures of a young puppeteer named Nero. 3D support brings images to life in what’s intended to be the first in a series.
Recommendation: If you’re a comic book fan, you should definitely check this out.
Diggers, from Frame VR
Price: Free (Rift)
Step into the shoes of one of the ANZAC diggers of World War 1 and immerse yourself in the gritty trenches of the Somme. This is a story-driven experience as opposed to a full game, giving you a taste of what life was like in one of mankind’s darkest chapters.
Recommendation: We haven’t seen much of WW1 in VR yet so we’d definitely recommend it if you’re at all interested.
DreamDesk VR, from We AR VR Pty
Price: $14.99 (Rift)
Another desktop adaptation for VR. Bring the Windows OS into an immersive environment and do pretty much whatever you want with it. Bring up multiple screens to read from several websites at the same time or simply enjoy the likes of Netflix on a big screen.
Recommendation: We’d recommend giving Bigscreen a look instead.
Glider Island, from Joey Sipos
Price: $9.99 (Rift)
A first-person glider game in which you soar about a picturesque island, performing tricks to score points and flying through hoops. Sort of like Pilot Wings VR. Two islands featured now with a third on the way. Sadly, there’s not much to look at.
Recommendation: We’d pass.
Spellbound, from Wobbly Duck Studios
Price: $19.99 (Rift)
Wobbly Duck (great name) offers some magical fun with the Early Access release of Spellbound, a quirky sorcery game. Defend yourself from zombies by conjuring fireballs and other spells. Supports a number of control types to suit your need.
Recommendation: For the Harry Potter fan in you.
https://youtu.be/e7qN9WT401I
GE Neuro, from Kite & Lightning
Price: Free (Rift)
Kite & Lightning’s fascinating, fantastical journey through the human mind has been revamped for current VR headsets and released for free. It’s a brief, but brilliant trip, packed with vibrant sights and sounds. Look for the studio’s Senza Peso to hit there soon, too.
Recommendation: A fast, fun and free experience. Grab it.
RollerGirls From Beyond, from Stonepunk Studios
Price: $14.99 (Rift)
Have we have a side-scrolling beat ’em up in VR yet? If not, then RollerGirls From Beyond has the honor of being the very first. This looks absolutely bonkers and is designed to provide players with a challenge, something that’s been lacking in VR thus far. Moving out of Early Access this week.
Recommendation: The art style is certainly bright and colorful, but I’m not entirely sure why this exists in VR.
Raptor Valley, from Andrew Stout
Price: $8.99 (Rift, currently discounted)
First-person shooting dinosaur madness. Classified as a survival horror game, you have to keep your wits about you in long grass as you’re hunted by vicious beasts that will leap at you from nowhere. It could be quite tense, though it’s not the most original VR experience.
Recommendation: Probably the highlight of a lackluster week.
