VR Game

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‘Echo VR’ Players Protest Shutdown by Flying Message Over Meta HQ

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Echo VR’s days are numbered, as Meta announced earlier this year it would soon be pulling the plug on one of its most successful games on Quest. But hardcore players of zero-G sports game Echo VR and its shooter variant Echo Combat aren’t going down without a fight.

Organizers behind a protest group called ‘The Fight For Echo’ are looking to keep their favorite game alive, and they’re apparently ready to take drastic measures.

On Wednesday, March 1st, the group commissioned an airplane-towed message to fly over Meta’s HQ in Menlo Park, California, which then circled the heart of Silicon Valley for over three hours for all to see. The message was directed at Meta founder & CEO Mark ‘Zuck’ Zuckerberg, stating: “ZUCK, DON’T KILL VR ESPORTS FIGHTFORECHO.COM”

You can see the plane in action, courtesy of a YouTube livestream by ‘rev2600’, one such dedicated Echo VR player:

The protest group explained the move on the Fight For Echo website:

While we are extremely passionate about these games and are very supportive of the team at Ready at Dawn and the Echo Games franchise on the whole, we think we can still help Meta and Ready at Dawn by continuing to be the testing ground and supportive community we always have been and provide a place where larger ideas for other VR games can be tested.

We cannot do that however without some kind of game server being provided to the community to host ourselves, or minimal infrastructure to play on and the permission to work with the people required to do it.

We understand that there is a future direction being taken; and that it is tied to regulations and compliance, and our intention is not to hold anything back. We only wish to continue to do what we’ve always done and be the ambassadors of VR that you want us to be.

The Meta-owned developers Ready at Dawn announced in late January that it was shutting down the popular free-to-play multiplayer game Echo VR, which is slated to go dark on August 1st.

At the time, the studio said the decision to shut down the game “was made for many good reasons and chief among them is the studio coming together to focus on our next project.”

Undeterred by the airplane-towed plea, Meta sent out the following message to Echo VR players last night:

We are reaching out to let you know that Echo VR servers will shut down on August 1st, 2023 – 10: 30 AM Pacific. On this date, both Echo VR and Echo Combat will no longer be playable.

Add-ons are no longer available for purchase in the Quest store. Echo Points are no longer available for purchase in the Echo Shop. Any Echo Points currently in your account can be used until August 1st, 2023 – 10: 30 AM Pacific, with items heavily discounted in the Echo Shop.

It has been our pleasure to see this community grow and compete over the years. Thank you for your time and passion. For more information, please read Ready At Dawn’s blog post at https://medium.com/@EchoGames/an-update-on-the-future-of-echo-vr-7f074dca1ed1.

While a reversal of the shutdown seems less likely now that Ready at Dawn has completely neutered the free-to-play game’s in-game currency, the founders behind ‘The Fight For Echo’ initiative have setup a change.org petition so others can show their support. At the time of this writing over 25,000 people have signed.

‘Echo VR’ Players Protest Shutdown by Flying Message Over Meta HQ Read More »

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Top 10 PSVR 2 Games to Download First

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It’s been over a week since PSVR 2 made its big launch, bringing with it 40+ games that let you dive head-first into virtual worlds aplenty. Here we take a look at our top titles you should think about nabbing first.

There’s a good smattering of games here to get you started which span a number of genres, including shooter, horror, adventure, platforming, and more. Here’s our selection of top PSVR 2 games at the moment, listed in alphabetical order.

Demeo

Demo isn’t DnD in VR like some would have you think, but the team-based tactical dungeon crawler certainly takes a bunch of cues from the storied role-playing game with its turn-based fantasy madness. Sit down to the game board with three other players and take on dungeon after dungeon, culminating in module bosses that will truly test your abilities. In the end, Demeo is basically PSVR 2’s premium board game experience truly worthy of an oragnized game night for both your VR headset-owning and flatscreen pals thanks to integrated cross-play.

Store Link

Gran Turismo 7

You don’t need to own a dedicated steering wheel peripheral to play Gran Turismo 7 in its optional VR mode, but you would be highly suggested to do so, as this real-world driving sim lets you go head-to-head online and in an engaging campaign that simply blows Gran Turismo Sport out of the water.

Store Link

Horizon Call of the Mountain

Come for the graphics, stay for the VR native gameplay in this single player adventure as Horizon Call of the Mountain takes players on a fun trek throughout a breathtaking world, showcasing some of the best graphics you’ll find anywhere in VR. Beyond the epic vistas, the game’s smaller details—like rich foliage, an array of climbing gadgets, and interactive props—make Call of the Mountain a very immersive game. There’s also a free demo.

Store Link

The Last Clockwinder

Studio Ghibli doesn’t make VR games, although you’d swear Hayao Miyazaki had a hand in designing this incredibly infectious puzzle game, which arms you with a fleet of your own mechanical clones to compete complex tasks. Save the tree, which holds biodiversity of the whole universe, and stock up on tissue as this narrative-based puzzler may jerk a tear or two.

Store Link

Les Mills Bodycombat

PSVR 2 is so much better geared for room-scale gaming than the original PSVR, which is why you should definitely start thinking of your headset as a piece of workout equipment since you can dive, duck, dodge, and punch your way to the new, fitter you. Coaches take you through 50+ heart-pumping workouts, all set to tracks from artist like Noam Dee, Fas Fash, & more.

Store Link

Moss & Moss: Book II Bundle

You could pick up either, but you really should consider plonking down for the Moss & Moss Book II bundle. The main character is Quill, a young mouse with dreams of greatness beyond the confines of her forest settlement, although you actually play as ‘The Reader’, who not only controls little Quill as she platforms throughout the lush fantasy world, but physically helps her by interacting with environmental puzzle pieces. Between bashing baddies, make sure to look around a bit and take in the universe’s charming and detailed visuals.

Store Link

Pavlov

“Isn’t ‘X shooter’ game in VR yet?” you may ask yourself. Well, Pavlov is a great alternative if you’re looking for competitive Counter Strike-esque gameplay, replete with immersive gun physics and bomb-defusing action. There’s a ton of modes that will give you a good helping of sqaud-based gameplay with modern weaponry, but also vehicle-based WWII battles and zombie horde-shooting modes to keep things fresh.

Store Link

Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village may be a VR-optional game, but this single player horror game truly feels at home on PSVR 2, as the world’s blood-chilling enemies and atmospheric world take hold of you. In our hands-on, Road to VR’s Ben Lang called it “about the best graphics in VR I’d argue the top title is certainly Half-Life: Alyx.” Thankfully, if you already own the game on PS5, you not only get a free PSVR 2 upgrade, but also a PSVR 2-accessible demo.

Store Link

Song in the Smoke Rekindled

Song in the Smoke is an unforgiving survival adventure which challenges the player to get through each day in the face of hunger, cold, fatigue, and plenty of beasts that lurk in the shadows. Visuals get a big upgrade on PSVR 2 version, making it rival the PC VR version, bringing a finer touch to the game’s large and complex levels. Keep your map open, make sure to scrounge basic supplies and craft (re: everything), survive the night, and tango with some pretty epic primeval bosses.

Store Link

Star Wars: Tales from The Galaxy’s Edge

Initially born on Quest as a trilogy, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Enhanced Edition casts you as a Droid Repair Technician who crash landed on Batuu, where you face off against the Guavian Death Gang, infiltrate a First Order facility and travel to other eras in the galaxy. Sure, you’re not a Jedi, but there’s no bigger slice of Star Wars VR action on PSVR 2. Yes, we’re still waiting on Vader Immortal and Squadrons, but at least Galaxy’s Edge has a free demo!

Store Link

Also Consider…

There’s more than 30 VR games (and counting) on the store right now, although here’s a list of 10 mentionable games that may also pique your interest:

Top 10 PSVR 2 Games to Download First Read More »

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Hit Battle Royale ‘POPULATION: ONE’ is Going Free-to-Play on Quest in March

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POPULATION: ONE, the hit battle royale shooter from BigBox VR, is going free-to-play next month on the Quest platform.

Initially released in late 2020, Population: One has essentially become VR’s de facto battle royale, bringing large-scale cross-platform battles to Quest and SteamVR headsets.

Now Meta-owned studio BigBox VR says it’s going free-to-play on Quest 2 and Quest Pro starting on March 9th, which will also include a host of new goodies to previous owners of the game, coming in addition to an update which will include new content.

Notably, it’s not going free-to-play on PC VR platforms; both the Oculus Rift and Steam version of the game will be priced at $20 starting March 9th, which is a $10 discount from the original price.

Those PC versions will include 1,200 ($20) worth of the in-game currency Bureau Gold (BG), something the studio says is being done to prevent potential cheaters from easily making a new account on Steam/Rift platforms.

All owners of the game before the March 9th at 10AM PT free-to-play update will get a bundle, called the ‘Original Banana Bundle Rewards’, which the studio estimates at an $80 value. This includes:

  • Legendary “PJ Potassium” Character Skin
  • Legendary “Prestige” Character Skins (4)
  • Rare “Prestige” Full Gun Set (14)
  • Exclusive Title: “Original Banana”
  • Exclusive Calling Card: “Celebration”
  • Exclusive Spray: “I Was Here”
  • 1,000 Bureau Gold
  • Full Access to the Level Progression Track
Image courtesy BigBox VR

There’s also a host of new content coming to the game to kick off the free-to-play update on March 9th, including a new single player mode with dynamic bots and in-game rewards, new player lobbies, a larger sandbox limit of 12 and 24 players, and an all-new shop featuring over 100 new character and weapon skin. You can check out the full changelog in the Meta blogpost.

As for the upcoming roadmap, BigBox VR says both a Sandbox Battle Royale Mode and Sandbox Battle Royale Playlist are slated to arrive on March 30th. The studio says we should also expect new weapons, updates on the Evolving Map, Sandbox features & modes, and matchmaking improvements in the near future.

Hit Battle Royale ‘POPULATION: ONE’ is Going Free-to-Play on Quest in March Read More »

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Free-to-Play 1v1 Dueling Game ‘Divine Duel’ Launches on Quest Next Month, Trailer Here

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Divine Duel is an upcoming free-to-play fighting game that pits you against celestial foes in 1v1 combat, and it’s coming first to Quest next month.

In Divine Duel you choose from four Celestials, each of which has their own unique powers. The studio says initially there will be over 40 weapons, spells, and creatures to summon—which yes, also includes dragons.

From the looks of it, players select a loadout of spells and weapons before each match, and select them in a sort of tactical turn-based combat during the fight, not unlike the now free-to-play dueling game Blaston.

The full-bodied, room-scale fighting game is similarly a real-time affair, so you’ll need to physically dodge and attack. Developer Immersion Games says it’s offering up multiple game modes at launch too, including classical duels and what the studio calls “card-games-inspired” battle.

Here’s a quick rundown of each Celestial and their two specials:

  • Arvald, the Solid: Frozen Comet, Frost Wyrm
  • Vaya, the Bioalchemist: Biostasis, Forest Spirits
  • Necra, the Underqueen: Ethernal Guardians, Ushabti
  • Ishi, The War Forger: Megaballista, Telekinesis

The team hasn’t revealed what extras it will be offering in order to monetize the game, although if it’s like any of the leading free-to-play dueling game, Blaston, we’re hoping to see a cosmetics-only approach.

The free-to-play game is set to launch on Quest and Quest 2 via App Lab on March 1st, and PC VR headsets via Steam in the coming weeks, developer Immersion Games revealed.

Free-to-Play 1v1 Dueling Game ‘Divine Duel’ Launches on Quest Next Month, Trailer Here Read More »

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Unique Platform Puzzle ‘HUMANITY’ Coming to PSVR 2 & PC VR in May, Free Demo Now Live

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When we first caught glimpse of HUMANITY, it was clear it was going to be a unique experience, although the crowd simulation puzzler was long delayed past the original 2020 launch window. Now Tokyo-based design studio Tha LTD announced HUMANITY is officially coming in May.

It was pretty vague what the hell HUMANITY was all about when it was first announced in 2019, however now the studio reveals its upcoming game is a “unique blend of puzzle-solving and action-platforming,” giving you control over an ethereal Shiba Inu dog who commands a massive crowd.

Like Lemmings, you control the crowd as they jump, turn, push, float, shoot, and climb their way to the end goal. Move past obstacles, enemies, puzzles, and gain unlockable skills in the main game, and upload and try out user-built levels with the in-game Stage Creator.

Image courtesy Tha LTD, Enhance

To create its stark and unique environments, developer Tha LTD is working with creative studio Enhance—founded by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, known as the mind behind Rez and Tetris Effect: Connected—and director and visual designer Yugo Nakamura.

Tha game is considered a VR-optional experience, offering up a fairly straightforward implementation that lets you turn the game’s puzzle-filled levels around and control your Shiba Inu buddy and direct the human horde. While nothing ground-breaking, it’s nice to see VR support from the get-go.

The game is slated to release on PSVR, PSVR 2, and SteamVR headsets sometime in May. What’s more, you can now play a free demo on those platforms from now until March 6th. The demo contains 10 levels, while the full game has “90 plus”, the studio says.

In the meantime, check out the demo gameplay video overview below to learn more:

Unique Platform Puzzle ‘HUMANITY’ Coming to PSVR 2 & PC VR in May, Free Demo Now Live Read More »

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‘Synapse’ is a Telekenetic Shooter Using PSVR 2 Eye-tracking, Coming in 2023

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nDreams, the studio behind Fracked (2021) and Phantom: Covert Ops (2020), announced Synapse, an upcoming action shooter exclusive to PSVR 2 that looks to evolve Fracked’s run-and-cover gameplay whilst making good use of the headset’s eye-tracking capabilities.

There’s still a lot to learn about Synapse, although nDreams says in its PS blogpost announcement that Fracked made a “perfect foundation to build upon with Synapse,” as the upcoming shooter looks to evolves the former’s core gameplay.

As a PSVR 2 exclusive, Synapse however is also slated to use Sense controllers in concert with the headset’s eye-tracking capabilities, something the studio head James Shepard says provides “enhanced aiming which equips players with pinpoint precision when targeting their telekinesis and combines with motion controls to make wielding telekinetic powers a full-body experience.”

In the teaser trailer we get a good look at a few mechanics too; you’ll be able to launch, levitate, and smash enemies through destructible environments.

The fast-paced run and gun style gameplay along with telekinetically moveable cover also shows just how related nDream’s upcoming shooter is to Fracked.

There’s no launch date yet, however nDreams says it’s coming exclusively to PSVR 2 later this year. In the meantime, you can wishlist the game here.

‘Synapse’ is a Telekenetic Shooter Using PSVR 2 Eye-tracking, Coming in 2023 Read More »

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‘Gorilla Tag’ Creator Hints at ‘Echo VR’ Spiritual Successor as Next Project

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Another Axiom, the indie studio behind wildly successful VR game Gorilla Tag, hinted that it’s now pursuing a project inspired by Echo VR.

Kerestell ‘LemmingVR’ Smith, the lead creator of Gorilla Tag, originally started working on the game thanks to his love of Echo VR, the zero-g sports game created by the Meta-owned studio Ready at Dawn.

Late last month though, Meta announced it will be shutting down Echo VR this summer as the team pursues other projects. As you’d imagine, this didn’t sit right with the small but dedicated playerbase, Smith included.

And Smith isn’t just any fan; he’s competed in and won several Echo VR competitions with his team ‘ec.lip.se’, making the loss of the game decidedly more personal.

In a recent tweet, Smith hinted that a new project is on the horizon which will be a zero-g sports game of sorts—undoubtedly a response to Meta pulling the plug on Echo VR.

we won’t let there be zero zero-g vr sports games

more news about our new project soon™

— LemmingVR (@LemmingVR) February 17, 2023

Another Axion hasn’t tipped their hats beyond Smith’s tweet, so we’ll just have to wait and see what’s in store from the creator of Quest’s most-rated game, which has surpassed even the Meta-owned rhythm game Beat Saber in the number of user reviews it’s garnered.

In fact, the game has been so successful it generated $26 million in revenue from in-app purchases. The gorilla-themed game of tag has also reported a staggering (for VR) peak monthly active user count of 2.3 million in December 2022, further stating that over 760,000 users played on Christmas Day.

Thanks to Sven Viking for pointing us to the news.

‘Gorilla Tag’ Creator Hints at ‘Echo VR’ Spiritual Successor as Next Project Read More »

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‘Resident Evil 4’ PSVR 2 Mode is Coming as Free DLC, Now in Development

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Resident Evil 4 is getting a remake for PS5 soon, and although Capcom didn’t state it was bringing full PSVR 2 support when it was announced back in June, the developer now says its VR mode is in the works right now, and it will be offered as free DLC to the flatscreen game on PS5.

Update (February 22, 2023): The Japanese language Capcom Twitter announced that the Resident Evil 4 remake team has now started development on its PSVR 2 mode.

It’s not clear when it will launch, however the studio further confirmed that the “VR mode,” which presumably means we’ll be playing the full game on PSVR 2, will be a free DLC to the flatscreen game on PS5. This comes as contrast to the announcement in June of “VR content,” which left some room for doubt. The original article follows below:

Original Article (June 3rd, 2022): It’s a marked departure from the full-throated PSVR support announcement for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard when it was first unveiled at E3 2016, which lets you play the game start to finish in VR.

This makes it a bit unclear as to what “PSVR 2 content” really means, as it could either suggest full support, or ‘experience-style’ bonus material, which would frankly be a bit of a letdown.

Image courtesy Capcom

After all, Resident Evil 4 is already playable in VR via Meta Quest 2, although there are some key differences to note. The version for Quest 2 wasn’t a remake as such, but rather an uprezzed port of the original game, while the PS5 version is slated to be a ground-up remake ostensibly in the same vein of Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020). 

It seems dubious that all the VR-specific work Armature Studio put into the Quest 2 version will necessarily translate since we’re essentially dealing with an entirely different point of departure in terms of development. What’s more, Capcom had no issue announcing that Resident Evil Village is coming to PSVR 2 with full motion controls.

This could point to two likely scenarios: Capcom is playing coy and will announce that its “PSVR 2 content” allows you to play the full game, either at launch or at some point afterwards, or we’re really actually just getting a PSVR 2 flavored experience. Either way, we’re hoping to find out before the game’s March 24th, 2023 launch date.

Check out the game’s PS5 announcement trailer below:

‘Resident Evil 4’ PSVR 2 Mode is Coming as Free DLC, Now in Development Read More »

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‘I Expect You To Die 3’ Announced for Quest & PC VR, Coming in 2023

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Schell Games, the team behind the I Expect You To Die franchise, announced the third game in the series is slated to arrive on VR headsets this year.

Called I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine, the latest installment of the spy-flavored puzzle-adventure is expected to come to Meta Quest 2 and SteamVR headsets later this year.

The studio hasn’t mentioned PSVR 2 support yet, although it’s likely we’ll be waiting on a bigger announcement surrounding PSVR 2 versions of both the first and second I Expect You To Die games.

In I Expect You To Die (both one and two), the player is confronted with escape room-style puzzles, requiring you to use your wits to defy death as you defuse bombs, solve complex object-oriented puzzles, and maneuver your way ever closer to defeating the evil Dr. Zor and his henchmen.

Here’s how Schell Games describes the upcoming sequel:

Outwit your most cunning adversary to date in the latest installment of this award-winning, spy-themed VR puzzle series. Wield new gadgets, visit action-packed locales, and wear custom disguises as you dive back into the world of espionage in this escape room game.

Your skills, and survival rate, make you one of our most capable agents, and you’ve resurfaced right on time. Zoraxis, our sworn enemy, has something new up its sleeve and we fear dire consequences if we don’t stop its diabolical schemes. We’re counting on you to throw a wrench into whatever evil is brewing. In this escape-the-room VR puzzler, you need to protect the Agency and the world as we know it, without losing your wits…or your life!

In a Meta blog post, I Expect You To Die 3 Project Director Matt Mahon said this:

“We have some unique and exciting locations in I Expect You To Die 3, and we can’t wait to see how players creatively solve puzzles in a race to beat Dr. Zor at their own game,” said Mahon. “Players new to the series can jump right in and have a great time, and returning fans will appreciate some fun nods to the prior games.”

I Expect You To Die 3 is scheduled to launch later this year. In the meantime, you can wishlist the game on Steam.

‘I Expect You To Die 3’ Announced for Quest & PC VR, Coming in 2023 Read More »

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‘A Fisherman’s Tale’ Sequel is Coming to All Major VR Platforms Later This Year, Trailer Here

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A Fisherman’s Tale (2019), the VR adventure from Innerspace and Vertigo Games, is getting a sequel, launching on all major VR platforms this year.

Aptly called Another Fisherman’s Tale, the episodic tale is bringing you back for another round of mindbending VR puzzles which the team says lets you use your own body, detach and control your limbs, and find new attachments to progress.

“Discover the truth as you journey through beautiful and unique locations, brought to life by the makers of A Fisherman’s Tale. Get ready for a captivating VR experience unlike any other,” the description reads in the game’s announcement trailer.

A Fisherman’s Tale puts you in the boots of Bob, a fisherman who lives in a strange, recursive world centered around a dollhouse-sized lighthouse. In the sequel, you return to the story as Bob’s daughter Nina for another round of mind-bending escape room-style puzzles.

We liked the smorgasbord of VR game mechanics in the original, although a big sticking point was its overall playtime, which we clocked in at just around one hour in our review of A Fisherman’s Tale. The sequel is slated to take around five to six hours—promising to offer up plenty of adventure to keep you scratching your head.

Creative Director Balthazar Auxietre of Innerspace VR stated that the goal was “to renew the gameplay and the storytelling [of the first game] while keeping key elements of a universe that has obviously reached the heart of VR gamers.”

He added that the studio’s recent experiences allowed them to “pursue a new level of ambition for the A Fisherman’s Tale franchise, thanks to the multifaceted gameplay and the diversity of the models’ worlds. Everything is in place for a new adventure that will take us across the virtual oceans.”

At the time of this writing, the 2019 A Fisherman’s Tale garnered a user rating of a 93% ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam, and a [4.5/5] star user rating on Quest.

Another Fisherman’s Tale is slated to arrive sometime this year on PSVR 2, Quest 2, and PC VR headsets via Steam and Viveport.

‘A Fisherman’s Tale’ Sequel is Coming to All Major VR Platforms Later This Year, Trailer Here Read More »

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‘Street Fighter VR’ Debuts at Japanese Arcades, Delivering Brawls with Ryu, Zangief & More

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If you’re in Japan right now, you could be the first to play the new, officially licensed Street Fighter VR arcade experience, which pits you against some of the universe’s most iconic warriors.

Capcom released a trailer this week for the single-player arcade game, called Street Fighter VR Shadaloo Enhancement Plan (ストリートファイターVR シャドルー強化計画). It isn’t just a brand engagement vehicle that’s flavored like Street Fighter; hands-on reports suggest it’s actually a pretty solid basis for what might be an honest-to-goodness VR game one day if Capcom really wanted to put the effort in.

According to a hands-on by GAME Watch (Japanese language), Street Fighter VR recruits you as a junior soldier of the evil secret society ‘Shadaloo’, led by M Bison. Matched up against the warriors of Street Fighter V, you battle up the ranks to become the strongest.

The game, which plays on HTC Vive Pro 2, is said to first offer a basic training mode stage which was ostensibly ported directly from Street Fighter V. Although the number of attacks you can do are limited to punches and fist-focused moves like Hadouken and Shoryuken, the rules of the VR game are the same as the original, GAME Watch reports.

Opponents include Ryu, Zangief and M Bison (known as ‘Vega’ in Japan), although another opponent was seen in Capcom’s official art, including what appears to be the shadowy silhouette of Blanka at the end of the trailer. So maybe more yet to come? As it is, if you don’t win a single match, there are actually eight different endings depending on what you play—sounds like a fair amount of replayability.

“To be honest, before playing it, I thought it was just a VR game with a Street Fighter motif,” Hiroyuki Endo of GAME Watch writes, “but when I actually touched it, there were fighting game elements everywhere, and I was surprised that I was able to enjoy a full-fledged Street Fighter in a VR game from a first-person perspective.”

Street Fighter VR kicked off on February 17th at the Plaza Capcom Store in Hiroshima, Japan, priced at ¥1,200 (~$9 USD) per gameplay session. It’s also set to expand on April 17th to Miraino Aeon Mall in Toyokawa, Japan.

There’s really no indication whether we’ll see a release outside of Japan, although we’ve seen similar projects make it across thanks to sustained popular demand, such as the once Japan-only Mario Kart VR racer—so it doesn’t seem too farfetched if Street Fighter fans are vocal enough.

Note: We’ve corrected the name ‘Shadroo’ to ‘Shadaloo’. Thanks go to our reader ‘IIDX’!

‘Street Fighter VR’ Debuts at Japanese Arcades, Delivering Brawls with Ryu, Zangief & More Read More »

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PSVR 2 Horror Shooter ‘Switchback’ Shows Off Unique Eye-tracking Uses in New Video

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Don’t blink, because PSVR 2’s eye-tracking may get you more than you bargained for in the headset’s upcoming on-rails horror shooter The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, which aims to toss some extra scares your way when you least suspect it.

PSVR 2 is releasing on February 22nd, and in its 100+ game content lineup is a unique horror game from the makers of Until Dawn: Rush of Blood which tosses you back into another rollercoaster thrill ride that arms you with plenty of guns to fend off what bumps in the night.

Besides bringing high-quality VR to PS5, Sony’s next-gen headset also packs in eye-tracking, which is many games are using for easier UI selection and foveated rendering—useful, but not terribly exciting stuff.

Some developers though, including Supermassive Games, are integrating the feature into their core gameplay loop, which in Switchback’s case allows enemies to move around specifically when your eyes are closed.

In a new gameplay video, Supermassive shows off the feature as it plays out beyond the big ‘DON’T BLINK’ doors, revealing a room full of grotesque mannequins which only move when you blink—and they’re entirely focused on attacking you if they can.

Alejandro Arque Gallardo, Game Director at Supermassive, says there’s also set to be another mannequin type that works with eye-tracking, but cryptically will work in “a completely different way.”

We’ve linked to the timestamp (above) where Arque Gallardo discusses Switchback’s eye-tracking mechanic. The full video also delves into haptics, adaptive triggers, spatial audio, and the multiple areas you can encounter in the game.

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is launching on March 16th, priced at $40. You can pre-order the game here. In the meantime, make sure to check out our growing list of all confirmed games coming to PSVR 2.

PSVR 2 Horror Shooter ‘Switchback’ Shows Off Unique Eye-tracking Uses in New Video Read More »