The VR rhythm-fitness game PowerBeatsVR looks to combine boxing and music game mechanics into an all-new type of virtual reality experience. If that sounds up your alley, you can play the game on Steam Early Access today.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
PowerBeatsVR takes the workout potential of boxing-focused VR games and combines it with obstacle-dodging. Rhythm game mechanics are layered on top of it, and each track is designed specifically for a corresponding course. This means you’ll be more engaged in your workout, and no two courses are alike. Some focus heavily on offensive maneuvers with your fists or a hammer, while others will have you dodging to the left and right of giant obstacles.
The game includes several different environments, such as an Egyptian desert filled with sand and pyramids, as well as outer space and a medieval castle. The obstacles you must avoid and smash are themed around the locations. The castle, for instance, will send flaming rocks your way. There are multiple difficulties to choose from, with the first offering a less-intense workout. It’s designed to be learned as you play, with intuitive controls using tracked motion.
PowerBeatsVR is available on Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. It also supports mixed reality using LIV or SteamVR quadrant few, and MixCast support will be coming in the future. While playing the game, you’ll need at least 3.75 square meters of clear space.
Fitness first
It has been in the works since January 2018. The game initially came about as a change of pace from the development team’s two previous escape-room-themed titles.
“We wanted to do something totally different after finishing the second one — something where the player had to be physically active,” Five Mind Creatons’ Niklas Weber told VR Fitness Insider.
The fitness component is crucial to PowerBeatsVR, with a focus on a full-body workout that allows for success based on punch strength and speed. Look forward to read a review of PowerBeatsVR on VR Fitness Insider in the future. If you want to stay up to date on the game’s latest announcements, you can join the official Discord channel. You can also use it to discuss the game directly with its developers. Features planned for the future include an endless mode, custom challenges, custom music, heart rate monitoring, and a direct multiplayer mode.
