Category: VR

Mario Odyssey And Breath Of The Wild Will Feel The VR Love

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Nintendo, Videos, VR

We just had April Fool’s Day, so the revelation that both Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are getting official VR support may come as quite the surprise.

Yes, through the enhanced functionality of the Toy-Con VR Goggles, you’ll get to play both of these games from a new dimension.

Mario Odyssey and Zelda VR

Odyssey is getting a small update in which you’ll be set challenges in three new mini-missions that involve collecting coins and music notes, and will no doubt have you wondering about the future of Mario in VR.

While the bigger surprise is that Breath of the Wild will be fully playable in VR — no, not just a small section of the game, the complete experience.

To get it all up and running you’ll need the Nintendo Labo: VR Kit that’s out on April 12th. The Kit starts at £34.99 for the basic set and £69.99 for the complete set.

The VR updates for Odyssey and Breath of the Wild go live on April 25th.

So, given the relatively weak power of the VR Kit compared to the others out there, it’s undoubtedly going to be of great interest to see how these games translate over. With that said, early hands-on reports indicate that Labo VR is proving to be better than expected, although it’s not clear how comfortable it is for long sessions.

It’s even more interesting to see Nintendo, who was once seemingly unfazed and somewhat distant about the technology, add it to its two flagship franchises.

The idea of the next Mario and Link games on a fully featured VR-enabled Nintendo system suddenly isn’t that implausible. And that would be quite something indeed.

Nintendo Labo VR

Nintendo Labo VR Is Basic VR For Kids (And Bigger Kids)

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Nintendo, Videos, VR

At the start of the month Nintendo decided to announce the ‘Nintendo Labo VR Kit’, and, as you can imagine, explosive energy was immediately felt coursing through the internet.

The energy felt wasn’t just for the strange timing and complete absence of it in their recent Nintendo Direct. It was more: Nintendo is doing VR again.

An Introduction To VR…?

A ‘rival to Sony’s PS VR’ some predicted, while others made sweeping, bold statements about how Nintendo was fully embracing the world of VR. They’re not really.

In fact, I immediately saw it as a basic VR Kit for kids and families, because that’s what it is. It’s the sort of gadget you buy for someone small (and new to VR) but not quite ready for the challenge of a PS VR or HTC Vive.

Nintendo Labo VR
Nintendo does VR?

Nintendo has positioned themselves as such so they can target that younger age bracket to increase the adoption of VR in general. It’s from there, if at all, we’ll see the company fully engage in VR again. Remember the Virtual Boy in ’95? They’re probably not keen to repeat that.

So What Exactly Is Nintendo Labo VR In Reality?

Well, obvious comparisons are being made to Google Cardboard, which served a similar purpose: it was a low-cost system designed to generate initial interest in VR. Couple that with Nintendo’s creative DIY style of Labo products and add in the Switch to the mix.

It’s fair to say that not everyone is overly ecstatic with the idea though — some developers are worrying that it might even limit people’s perceptions of what VR is truly capable of. That’s certainly a moot point.

Not to mention that the Labo VR Kit is the fourth Labo kit, an initiative which hasn’t been doing great for Nintendo and will probably be one of the last if the meagre sales continue.

So, there are two Labo VR Kits available next month: one that includes all the Toy-Con creations, and one that consists of a smaller selection of projects to get started. However, both contain the Blaster.

Nintendo Labo VR
Two options, but the Blaster is in both.

Funds permitting, this writer might pick one up when it launches April 12th out of pure curiosity more than anything else, although, I won’t go in expecting a visually stunning experience. That’s already been taken care of with the Vive et al, and really? I think that’s the point.

PS Store Sale Includes Some Great PS VR Discounts

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Videos, VR

Hold on to your hats because the PS Store’s wintry January sale is already here!

Joining ludicrous ongoing sales across multiple platforms, the PS Store’s sale most notably includes some PS VR discounts that are hard to miss.

VR titles on sale include the following:

  • Creed: Rise to Glory, £19.99 – now £9.99
  • Ultrawings, £17.99 – now £6.49
  • Torn, £24.99 – now £15.99
  • ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission, £34.99 – now £19.99
  • SUPERHOT MIND IS SOFTWARE BUNDLE, £32.99 – now £15.99
  • Killing Floor: Incursion, £24.99 – now £14.99
  • Batman: Arkham VR, £15.99 – now £7.99
  • Déraciné, £24.99 – now £15.99
  • Firewall Zero Hour, £24.99 – now £15.99
  • Moss, £24.99 – now £14.99

More PS VR titles can be found on offer here.

Are you interested in grabbing a sale or two? Or, is the very thought of sales without hesitation already making you feel ill? Let us know below.

PS VR Video - Astro Bot

PS VR Video Highlights What’s On Offer

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Videos, VR

PlayStation Europe has released a video highlighting the range of games and experiences on offer with PS VR.

From Moss to Resident Evil 7, Beat Saber to Tetris Effect, Firewall: Zero Hour to Astro Bot Rescue Mission, the two-year-old platform is shaping up rather nicely — if we do say so ourselves.

You can check out the PS VR trailer here:

Are you hoping to receive a PS VR this festive season? If so, what experiences are you interested in trying out? Or, have you no desire to get one? Let us know below.

VR Adventure Game, A Fisherman’s Tale, Intrigues

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Videos, VR

VR adventure game A Fisherman’s Tale will launch on PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality on the 22nd January next year. Luckily for us, it sounds rather intriguing too.

In A Fisherman’s Tale, you live a cosy, isolated life — until one day, you realise you’re just a little wooden puppet trapped inside the model of a lighthouse.

Worse yet, the model is replicated inside and out on an infinite recursive loop. You quickly find out you can collaborate with none other than yourself to solve the multi-dimensional riddles that pave the way to discovering your true reality. You can check it out here in a 360° video:

A Fisherman’s Tale is developed by Innerspace VR — we’re already loving the premise of this.

Join A Creatively Rewarding VR Experience In Squishies, Available On PSVR

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Videos, VR

The VR tech just got a bit more imaginative with the recently released puzzle platform building PSVR title from Brainseed Factory, Squishies.

Take a look at the clever challenges you’ll find in Squishies in the gameplay trailer below:

Leap Into The Charming World Of Squishies

The puzzle solving adventure is ripe with plenty of features to keep VR players utterly engaged from start to finish.

  • Take on the enduring Story Mode, create your own labyrinth of puzzles in Creative Mode or play through community created levels and discover something fresh and new – there are plenty of inspiring options to explore in Squishies.
  • Real life movement is brought in through the perfect mapping of the PlayStation Move controllers, providing fluid and natural movements across your adventure.
  • Players utilize different elements to make their way through each level. Water, air, fire and ice all play their own part in allowing players to successfully traverse through the 3D puzzle game.
  • Using the environment, multiple power-ups and animated creatures populating the colourful world, players must use keen multitasking to find their way through the unique puzzle platformer.

As a dedicated VR only experience, the creative and challenging world of Squishies awaits for PSVR owners, available now.

Boxing Apocalypse

Put Your Dukes Up And Take On Alien Hordes In The Latest VR Experience, Boxing Apocalypse

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Videos, VR

PlayStation VR is winding up for another pummeling release allowing players to brawl against combat savvy aliens in the upcoming boxing game from Gotham City Films, Boxing Apocalypse.

Check out the punch-packing trailer showing off the alien boxer below:

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble

For all of those looking to take out waves of alien fighters and online friends via fisticuffs, there are a few unique features to be found in Boxing Apocalypse:

  • Players are transported to an isolated alien prison where your sole goal is to brawl your way through alien hordes one after another. Complete all 5 levels and take on the final boss to claim your victory over the entire prison.
  • The VR experience is designed with responsive and instinctual controls for a fluid approach to swinging your fists effectively against your opponents.
  • Players can unlock and equip weapons for a more devastating approach to combat, counter attacks utilizing energy shields, as well as switching out armour upgrades and new gauntlets to give you an advantage when striking down your foes.
  • Taking on alien AI isn’t the only method of boxing mayhem, as players can compete in online matches or tournaments for an all-out, quick-acting, fist-flying brawl.

Square up and prepare for a lively VR boxing experience as Boxing Apocalypse is set to release on the PSVR on December 11th, 2018.

Experience Battle Royale In Virtual Reality With Do Or Die VR, Available Now

by Chris Wheatley, posted in Videos, VR

Fans of the highly popular battle royale genre can dig in a little deeper with an all-new VR experience from Portugal developers, Azimuthstar, with Do or Die VR.

The game has currently been in Early Access, which you can check out the launch trailer below:

Do or Die VR Details

The bold combination of the immersive virtual reality experience with the competitive battle royale genre was practically inevitable, and with it comes a slew of enticing features in DoD VR:

  • Take on a massive map of enemies in the traditional BR experience but with a new twist: aim not to be the last man standing, but the first one to reach the extraction helicopter.
  • Make your way across the map quickly with the new addition of cars and motorcycles to help increase your odds of survival.
  • Competitors can customize their experience with unlockable skins for their weapons giving a much more personal touch to the game.

“We have spent the last year and a half developing this battle royale game, which we like to play a lot, and to which we have added several features that we miss as amateur players. As for example: the driving of vehicles and the customization of weapons.” – Azimuthstar CEO, Vítor Carvalho

Grab your VR copy of Do or Die VR on the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive available now on Steam.

PS VR Multiplayer Game Smash Hit Plunder

PS VR Multiplayer Game, Smash Hit Plunder, Gets Physical Release

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Videos, VR

Triangular Pixels‘ PS VR multiplayer game Smash Hit Plunder is getting a physical release, via Perp Games, this year.

PS VR Multiplayer Game — Smash Hit Plunder

The multiplayer adventure features up to 4-player versus for friends and family while sitting in the same room. While also a solo adventure, Smash Hit Plunder is also the first — officially — ‘co-op narrative campaign adventure game’ for PS VR.

In singleplayer or co-op, you have to help the VR Mage through the main campaign and battle each other in versus modes using an alternate view of the world; specially designed for the TV screen while playing with the DualShock 4 controllers:

Smash Hit Plunder will be available for PS VR in a physical form at some point soon. The first playable public demo will be at this years’ EGX.

Astro Bot: Rescue Mission PS VR

Astro Bot: Rescue Mission Will Be Released October 3rd

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Videos, VR

Astro Bot: Rescue Mission will be released on October 3rd exclusively for PS VR, it has been announced.

Astro Bot: Rescue Mission PS VR

Astro and his kind will be familiar to those that played Sony’s The Playroom VR experience – it contained an impressive VR mini-platformer that reminded us of a certain portly plumber’s adventures. Essentially, that idea has now been expanded into a full game.

Key Features

  • The game takes full advantage of PS VR with gameplay unfolding around you in 360 degrees. In VR, every jump can be judged with accuracy.
  • There are 20 levels, each one populated by traps and enemies. Run over city rooftops, explore dark caves, lush forests and even take a mine cart ride inside a burning volcano.
  • The DualShock 4 controller becomes the host of a bunch of gadgets ranging from a hook shot used to cross ravines, a water cannon, slingshots and even deadly ninja stars.
  • In addition to the main story, you can unlock a further 26 challenge stages that will put your platforming skills to the test.
  • Coins you collect in the game can be redeemed in a crane game to create an interactive diorama of your past adventures.

Here’s the official release date trailer for you:

It could potentially be another great PS VR title for your collection. We’ll find out soon enough.

Killing Floor: Incursion

Killing Floor: Incursion heads to PlayStation VR in May

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Videos, VR

Developer Tripwire Interactive has announced the release date for virtual reality horror title, Killing Floor: Incursion.

When? May 1st. So, not long. It’s going to be playable in the Sony booth at PAX East this weekend and available for pre-order later this month on the PlayStation Store.

Killing Floor: Incursion – Feel The Rage

Killing Floor: Incursion for PS VR will also come with a timed exclusive Holdout Mode map, ‘The Crucible’, which finds players defending locations against increasingly deadly hordes of enemies in a frenetic, arcade-like action experience.

In addition to that, players can expect the PS VR version to include all post-launch content updates released for HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift platforms, including the ‘Hardcore’ difficulty mode, Katana weapon, and leaderboards.

Killing Floor: Incursion charges players with taking on the role of an elite Horzine Security Forces soldier. You can team up with allies to fend off the horrific Zed hordes with a wide array of guns and blades:

You’ll be able to play it for $29.99, €29.99 or around £22 in the UK.

Crisis on the Planet of the Apes

Crisis on the Planet of the Apes out now on PS VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive

by Casey Mcstefan, posted in Videos, VR

Set in the Planet of the Apes universe, specifically in-between the excellent Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes films, Crisis on the Planet of the Apes (continuing the trend of clunky titles) is a first-person adventure game from FoxNext VR Studios.

The better news is that it’s out now – released yesterday – on PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.

Crisis on the Planet of the Apes VR

The title sees you control an ape with advanced intelligence, captured and held prisoner in a heavily guarded scientific facility as mankind desperately searches for a cure to the Simian Flu – which has wiped out most of humanity:

You must climb, jump, arm yourself, and fight your way through the chaos of an apocalyptical world to escape with your fellow apes and return home, all, of course, in virtual reality.

Brendan Handler from FoxNext VR Studio had this to say:

“There’s power in being able to feel both the physical aspects and emotional conscience of an Ape with advanced intelligence. Players will move like an ape while experiencing first-hand, the discrimination and reprehensible treatment of the Apes in this universe.”

You can grab Crisis on the Planet of the Apes VR on PlayStation VR for £11.99, Oculus Rift for £10.99, and HTC Vive for the strange price of £11.39.

As we all know: games sourced from movies, not to mention in vice versa, are generally a cause for concern. It would be nice for this one to finally break that detrimental trend then, wouldn’t it?