This week, the HTC Vive sees a diverse collection of new releases ranging from a paradise simulator to medieval egg catching. There are some games with great potential like Ninja Theory’s DEXED, but this time around non-gaming apps like Virtually Live’s event simulator and Cmoar’s interactive cinema impress the most. There’s certainly some promise in a few of the Early Access titles, though.
In the meantime, 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 absolute best HTC Vive games — which is updated every few months with the latest and greatest options.
File 9, from Cypress Inheritance, LLC
Price: $14.99
With their first VR game, Cypress releases a single player wave shooter. Lead character Lorna runs a security program to train for future conflicts, shooting down a variety of security drones. Decent visuals but seemingly repetitive sound effects.
Recommendation: Doesn’t seem worth the cost of entry.
Paradise Island VR, from Tomilano
Price: $4.49 (Currently Discounted)
Take refuge on a private island surrounded by nothing but beautiful women. If you’re feeling lonely and want a bit of a vacation, may be worth it at the discounted price, but even then this one might make you a little uncomfortable.
Recommendation: You know if this is for you or not.
Beyond Power VR, from Unparalleled Games
Price: $13.49 (Currently Discounted)
Essentially become a Dragon Ball Z character as you teleport around an arena and shoot energy waves. It’s in Early Access and could improve over time to add even more powers.
Recommendation: Cool concept, but pass for now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP0SFTv8BgU
Ghost Pursuit VR, Raf1 Dev
Price: $5.99 (Currently Discounted)
Imagine a more intense Pac-Man in a VR maze with significantly less cute ghosts and you’re on the right track. Plus there’s even a level editor already!
Recommendation: Worth giving a shot in Early Access.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bkU1tj4nVc
PitchFork, from Jacob Velez
Price: $11.99 (Currently Discounted)
A first-person, single player horror adventure with cornfields and a screaming child you have to save.
Recommendation: Pass, kind of pricey in its current state.
Demon Hunter, from Touch Art Technology Co
Price: $29.99
Dark fantasy wave shooter with massive boss fights and pretty good looking monsters.
Recommendation: With a few updates this could be a solid game. Pass for now.
Cmoar VR Cinema, from Cmoar Studio
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Watch your HD videos in a variety of virtual spaces, including a flooded theater while on a small boat.
Recommendation: Limited scenarios for now but quite pretty. Go for it.
Soldiers of Heaven VR, from Filmtyme
Price: $0.84 (Currently Discounted)
You play the role of journalist during a war conflict. Capture the story your way and output to YouTube.
Recommendation: Interesting concept and fairly cheap. Could grow significantly during Early Access. Worth the shot.
Ahros: One Warrior Chronicle, from 4 I Lab
Price: $19.99
You can ride on the back of dragons in this game. DRAGONS. I don’t need to tell you any more. Okay, but seriously, this looks like a pretty compelling VR adventure game, you’ll just have to wait out its Early Access period to see if it reaches its full potential.
Recommendation: Maybe wait until full release.
Soundboxing, from Maxint LLC
Price: $7.99
Get a cardio workout in while punching orbs to the beat to climb up the leaderboards. Also features user created challenges. Desperately needs a few UI updates to clear a few bugs though.
Recommendation: Solid purchase.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUk_pRDDU0
Thread Studio, from Shopify
Price: Free
Create t-shirts and model them on fully poseable mannequins. Take pictures of your products to share and get the shirts printed/delivered or sell them through Shopify.
Recommendation: Grab this free, responsive tool and see what you can put together.
Blue Effect VR, from DIVR Labs
Price: $15.99 (Currently Discounted)
Horror-survival FPS with impressive visual effects and sound. A wave shooter that keeps you on your toes with some jump-scares in a dark warehouse. Already one of the better wave shooters on the market and it’s just in Early Access.
Recommendation: Give it a shot.
Offroad: VR, from bcInteractive
Price: $7.99 (Currently Discounted)
If DiRT Rally isn’t thrilling enough for you, then maybe Offroad: VR will scratch and itch. This is a full on exploration game from the seat of your car in which you’ll trample over wildlife and generally ruin mother nature.
Recommendation: Something different. Thumbs up from us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoV74Xz70ZU
Asteroid Blaster VR, from Senomix Research
Price: $9.99
Thrust around in zero gravity and shoot asteroids to pieces. Simple and executes, but not worth the price really.
Recommendation: Wait for a sale.
BitShift: BattleGrid, from Animate Objects
Price: $14.99 (Currently Discounted)
4 vs 4 arena brawler with a variety of movement styles and matches. VR users compete against non-VR players with arsenals unique to each. We need more games like this.
Recommendation: Grab it.
Balls! Virtual Reality Cricket, from Karl Binder and David Nestoruk
Price: $11.69 (Currently Discounted)
Cricket in VR with leaderboards and a variety of pitch types for you to try to hit. Is currently in Early Access. Still needs a bit of work we think.
Recommendation: . Pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPQ6P_x9Pvo
Angels & Demigods, from 7 Key Studios
Price: Free
On Enceladus in the distant future, experience a science fiction visual novel from the VR perspective. An Angel has woken up from a hatch pod, is on the run, and you’re listening to her story.
Recommendation: Not a bad way to spend $0. Check it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M2Yx1UfSuE
Formula E Season Two Highlights, from Virtually Live
Price: Free
Experience virtually recreated live events with real audio and visual broadcasts from the event. We took a closer look previously. This could be a groundbreaking new way to experience live sporting events.
Recommendation: Grab it.
Slider Quest, from Tir na nOg Games
Price: $6.99 (Currently Discounted)
Engage in growingly intense puzzles as you guide a ball to a basket in a fantasy setting. Move blocks and panels and use weapons to knock down obstacles in the path…even dragons and golems.
Recommendation: Pull the sword from the stone and jump in.
Ceggtcher VR, from Funny Twins
Price: $4.99
In a medieval town setting, test your dexterity by catching as many falling eggs as you can with two hats. Sounds weird but it’s actually a lot of fun.
Recommendation: Good luck convincing friends to beat your high score.
City VR, from Amber Garage Inc
Price: $10.99 (Currently Discounted)
Take a Godzilla-like tour through virtually recreated cities. Only includes San Francisco currently but is in Early-Access and will be adding Chicago and New York City. Inspired by aerial filming, you can get neat perspectives on the city and take snapshots.
Recommendation: Not enough to it to warrant the price. Pass.
BowMage, from Fusion Labz Corp
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
The Skeleton King approaches and you take the role of a talented…BowMage. Use your bow to attack skeletal invaders and defend yourself with a magical shield as you take wave after wave. It’s passable, but there are better options out there already.
Recommendation: Cool name. No dice. Pass.
Dexed, from Ninja Theory
Price: $9.99
In this on-rails shooter, travel through incredibly beautiful worlds and shoot down enemies. The fire/ice mechanic of your weapons and enemies requires a focus on dexterity as you progress.
Recommendation: In our review we gave it a 7/10 and enjoyed it, although it’s a short experience.
Chernobyl VR Project, from The Farm 51 Group SA
Price: $14.99
Experience Chernobyl and Pripyat from the safety of VR in an interactive tour. It’s gorgeous and downright breathtaking at its best and a bit shallow and buggy at its worst. Honorable attempt with a format that will likely be explored again in the future, but poor execution right now overall.
Recommendation: Wait for a sale or price cut.
VR Photo Viewer, from SprocketVR
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
In this Early Access software, use VR to look at your 360 degree panorama photography through a minimalist interface. Maybe wait a while to see if a few more features are added.
Recommendations: Not really enough here to warrant a purchase quite yet.
