SkydiVeR
Eager to give skydiving a try but don’t know if you’ll be able to handle the intensity? In the cleverly titled SkydiVeR, you leap out of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules plane and begin your rapid descent toward the Pacific Ocean. You can turn and look up at the clouds above, or focus on the terrifying water below. Either way, the experience will help you learn how to turn and properly land.
Fitness Potential
SkydiVeR aims to be a VR simulation of actual skydiving. The physics-based gameplay should give you the same elevated heartrate you’d experience in skydiving without the fear of death. You’ll have to carefully plan your descent if you want to land on the ship below. The game supports tracked motion controllers, which should make your parachute descents more realistic.
Developer/Publisher: KR Games/Star Consult S.r.l.
Release Date: February 28, 2019
Compatible With: HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $4.49 to $4.99
Link: SkydiVeR
PlanTechtor
In PlanTechtor, you must defend each level against alien-robot creatures, but how you do so is up to you. The game gives you the ability to create custom weapon loadouts, and you can use everything from bows to guns. There are more than 50 levels to choose from, and the game features upgrades for your skills.
Fitness Potential
PlanTechtor is a fast-paced game that requires quick reactions to enemy movements. In addition to moving your arms as your fire your weapons, the tracked motion controllers can also be used for firing your bow. This requires precision, which you’ll only gain through practice defeating the invaders. With different weapon loadouts, you can even customize the game to focus on more physically-demanding choices.
Developer/Publisher: FunnerSoft, LLC
Release Date: February 27, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $13.49 to $14.99
Link: PlanTechtor
The Tear
A surreal and dreamlike puzzle game, The Tear is not a straightforward VR experience. Filled with multiple parts to one central puzzles, its world can be traversed in several ways, and it reacts based on your actions in the environment. Its mysteries can be discovered in as little as 30 minutes.
Fitness Potential
The Tear requires a room-scale VR setup on the HTC Vive, and you’ll interact with the environment by manipulating objects. It seems to be not just an interesting puzzle game, but also a relaxation and reflection tool to get yourself into a calmer mindset.
Developer/Publisher: Game Gestalt, EntreZ/Game Gestalt
Release Date: February 28, 2019
Compatible With: HTC Vive
Price: $1.99
Link: The Tear
Tahko Alpine Ski
If you’re in the mood to zip down the slopes but don’t feel like spending any cash, then 3D Talo Finland’s Tahko Alpine Ski is the perfect game for you. Played with tracked motion controllers, the free-to-play game has you ride along the titular ski resort and look at the scenery as you make quick turns and jumps. Going through gates properly will raise your score.
Fitness Potential
Tahko Alpine Ski is a very fast skiing game, and using the tracked motion controllers makes it a realistic experience. You’ll have to turn them with precision and make quick decisions as you race down the slope, and if you ever visit the real Tahko Apline ski resort, you’ll be one step closer to finishing the course!
Developer/Publisher: 3D Talo Finland
Release Date: February 24, 2019
Compatible With: HTC Vive
Price: Free
Link: Tahko Alpine Ski
Time Transit VR
Instead of going into a super-futuristic version of the world, what about going back in time to some of its most beautiful periods? In Time Transit VR, you’re sent back to examine periods long before humanity existed. You can come face to face with a dinosaur and travel across overgrown environments, or go swimming in the sea with nautical creatures. Your tour guide promises to keep you safe throughout the adventure.
Fitness Potential
Time Transit VR uses tracked motion controllers for some of its navigation. As you approach groups of trees and vines, you may have to move your arms above your head and pull yourself forward. Lifts in the environment also require you to pull levers downward, and certain puzzles require you to spin object. You’ll even get to paddle a boat going down a calm river or climb a mountain using pre-placed handholds.
Developer/Publisher: Freetime Studio
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Compatible With: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift
Price: $34.99
Link: Time Transit VR
