Waltz of the Wizard: Natural Magic is set to dramatically expand the game’s depth and mechanics with its release on July 6th.
Developer Aldin Dynamics confirmed the release date on the Upload VR Showcase today. Waltz is a cornerstone VR experience that’s been in development for more than five years. It focuses on a Sorcerer’s Apprentice-type workshop that’s a sandbox for hand-controlled magic. Aldin continually updates the game and the Oculus Quest version is one of the few on the platform that’s playable throughout with controller-free hand tracking.
With Natural Magic, huge new areas are being added with a more dynamic magic system based around intuitive controls. There’s a large courtyard sandbox being added to practice with your abilities, as well as a fortress for battling enemies and discovering more of the story behind the magical realm. The update will even include experimental microphone support that will let you place “magic particles in your mouth [which] will modulate your voice and give it power to cause shockwaves that impacts objects and enemies,” according to Aldin. Notably, the new areas of Natural Magic don’t have controller-free hand tracking at launch, but Aldin is continuing to work on the feature going forward.
The update is coming to the SteamVR and Oculus versions of the game on July 6th with the title officially changing its name to Waltz of the Wizard: Natural Magic. The change will accompany a price increase and the new features will be available to everyone who owns it. Put another way, Waltz of the Wizard is effectively discounted ahead of the new update.
You can pick up Waltz of the Wizard: Extended Edition on Steam or the Oculus Store for Quest and it should change names to Waltz of the Wizard: Natural Magic on July 6th with the new content update. While “Extended Edition” is also available on PlayStation VR headsets, updates to the game on that platform are on hold until Sony releases more details around its next-generation headset, according to Aldin.
