Operation: Polarity Hook
Polarity Hook is a single person FPS set in the year 3077. You’ll be fighting with a gun using one hand and propelling onto walls with the other. There is no teleporting in this game but you can run and jump in it! Your goal is to fight to save humanity from an attack on Earth called The Event.
Fitness Potential
Shoot enemy drones and punch through walls to make your way through corridors and varying structure levels. You’ll walk or jog (in real life!), jump and squat to escape the oncoming fire, and will be grappling and using the momentum to fly. The swinging motions may be intense to some gamers, but the other locomotion movement of the game should help with that and double as cardio. Your arms will surely get a workout from having to shoot and grapple using both hands.
Developer/Publisher: Cronoforge Studios, Inc.
Release Date: November 20, 2017
Compatible with: HTC Vive, with tracked controllers
Price: $19.99
Link: Operation: Polarity Hook
VR Squash 2017
Located inside a four-wall court, you’ll be wielding a racket and competing against an AI challenger. Hit the ball at a slow pace with Sam the Slow or amp it up by playing against Chad the Champion. Use your controller to move, teleport, or get head tracking.
Fitness Potential
To get the best athletic experience you will want to jog in place to keep your heart rate elevated and your feet ready to move. The best squash players know they need to expect the ball coming at them from all angles and at varying speeds. So, keep your eyes, hands, and feet ready. If you want to get a better upper and mid-body workout then make your swings purposeful.
Developer/Publisher: David Cseh
Release Date: November 20, 2017
Compatible with: HTC Vive, with tracked controllers
Price: $18.99 to $17.09
Link: VR Squash 2017
REGENESIS Arcade Lite
You’ve got a second lease on life after you wake up from a long hibernation period as the last person on Earth. Too bad there are robotic villains who want to capture or murder you. Fight the robot takeover by shooting various automatic weapons, including a Gravity and laser gun, and using a shield to block at incoming attacks. Build up your weapons by finding elements as you complete stages. A great free introduction to the soon to be released full REGENESIS Arcade DELUXE Game.
Fitness Potential
Play on Action Arcade mode for endless waves to this single person wave shooter. You’ll be accompanied by a friendly robot so you’ll have some company while you’re fighting robots and drones. During any downtime, you’ll want to jog, sidestep, or squat in place for more lower body exercise. Challenge yourself by working hard to level up your character and fun upgrades to your weapons.
Developer: Hyperbook Studio
Publisher: Blue Technology Sp. z o.o.
Release Date: November 20, 2017
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers
Price: Free
Link: REGENESIS Arcade Lite
Hopalong: The Badlands
Video Credit to: SteamTrailers via YouTube
On horseback, you’ll be galloping around The Badlands as a single player outlaw in a first-person shooter. This is a low-stress shooter game with elements of comedy so things don’t get too serious. Ride your trusty steed through old-timey towns and dusty canyons as you shoot at members of the Dynamite Gang who are looking to surround and kill you. Level up your horse and get it up to Pigasus level. Bounce or jog in place quickly to outrun a flying boss and bad guys with bigger guns than you.
Fitness Potential
The locomotion system in this game will have you hopping and skipping to move your horse. If you stop, the horse will too, making you a vulnerable target. This is great for cardio and stamina, and will work your calves, quads, and hamstrings like no other. Try bouncing up and down for 10 mins and you’ll see what we mean. Your upper body will get an uneven workout due to using one to control the horse and the other to use various guns and explosives. So, you might want to switch arms to even things out or play upper body dominant games after you play this one.
Developer/Publisher: From the Future LLC
Release Date: November 21, 2017
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers
Price: $24.99
Link: Hopalong: The Badlands