In Death
In Death is now fully released! The rogue-like archery game has procedurally generated levels and the challenge of permadeath. Get killed by a knight or creepy monk? Start over at the beginning. The better you aim and shoot arrows into monstrous enemies and guard with a shield, the better chance you have at picking up specialty arrows.
Fitness Potential
Archery games are typically what you want to play for a major upper body workout. In Death uses range attacks to pick off unsuspecting foes from afar. But it also requires the player to squat away from incoming attack arrows. Aiming with one foot forward one foot back in a position that looks like a lunge is also a frequent and useful lower body position. This game got a 6.1/10 fitness review rating when it was tested by VRFI.
Developer/Publisher: Sólfar Studios
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, with tracked controllers
Price: $29.99
Link: In Death
BARDO
This is an early access game. BARDO is another archery game for this week’s lineup of VR games. Players embody a Tibetan archery master and shoot their way through groups of Tsen demons and beasts. Aim and quickly shoot at hostile targets as they swarm and bring in some big beasts to test your arrow mastery.
Fitness Potential
Again, archery games are an upper body igniting type of game to play if you don’t mind switching between arms for balance. Move in room scale and quickly step around the play space to get the legs in on the action. This doesn’t look like a long game and is in early access, so add a weighted vest for a more extreme workout.
Developer/Publisher: Apache
Release Date: October 1, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers
Price: $8.49 to $9.99
Link: BARDO
Racket Fury: Table Tennis
PS VR ping pong fans have a game to look forward to this week. Racket Fury: Table Tennis has realistic physics that simulates how actual table tennis balls would spring on and off the table top. Play against 16 different robotic challengers with a mighty backspin. Play in Cups like Rusty Challenge and Carbon Fury, with 2 more Championship Modes to play through.
Fitness Potential
Whether in Practice or Championship Mode, this is a 7/10 coordination game and a full body game, according to our PC VR fitness review. The harder the opponent the more intense it is for exercise. Being light on your feet and shifting left and right will keep legs active when you’re reacting to quick corner shots.
Developer/Publisher: Cmoar Studio
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Compatible with: PS VR, with tracked controllers
Price: $18.99 to $19.99
Link: Racket Fury: Table Tennis
Drunkn Bar Fight on Halloween
This is a single player grab-anything-and-fight-with-it VR game. Pick a fight and don’t get arrested in this ghoulish version of Drunkn Bar Fight. It’s almost Halloween and what better time to celebrate than hitting zombies in costume and masks with baseball bats, barstools, and bottles!
Fitness Potential
Take objects off the wall, break things, to beat down zombies at a bar. Letting that crazy side loose is a full body workout and you won’t have to spend time in the slammer to do it. If you want to switch things up, drop everything and start punching. No need to yell “get off my lawn” or hand out candy to celebrate this festive time of year. VRFI rated this a fitness review score of 6/10.
Developer/Publisher: The Munky
Release Date: October 1, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, with tracked controllers
Price: $2.99
Link: Drunkn Bar Fight on Halloween
Siege – Battle of Ashington
Wizards have unleashed revenge against humanity by breaking an ancient oath. The seal of the Skeleton King has been broken and now there’s an armored skeleton cavalry coming after you. Fight and defend over 10 waves of attack from archers, catapults, an army of the living dead.
Fitness Potential
Brandish your mighty double handed swords to vanquish these enemies up close and get an arm workout while you’re at it. Use full swings to keep the core engaged. Move in room scale to maneuver around and to sidestep or block rocks, arrows, and sword strikes.
Developer/Publisher: MECHREVO VR/TongFang HongKong LTD
Release Date: September 30, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, with tracked controllers
Price: $1.79 to $2.99