APEX Tournament
This is an early access game that’s been compared to Overwatch by the developers because it’s a fast-paced and competitive game. Teams will face off in a 4 vs 4 Team Death Match where players race around arenas with Hyper Dash as they zip past players and attack them with guns and melee weapons to win.
Fitness Potential
The rapid-fire arena play is great for elevating the heart rate while using futuristic guns for an extended time will push your upper body. Squatting, lunging, and maneuvering in room scale will focus more on your lower body. Hyper Dashing is a locomotion solution that’s supposed to cut out motion sickness in VR that will also make your entire body move.
If you like team-based, competitive and multiplayer VR games for exercise try playing: Echo Arena and Elven Assassin.
Developer/Publisher: Douglas Liang, Gorge Quan Li/Fantom Fathom LLC
Release Date: March 29, 2018 (Vive Released February 2018)
Compatible with: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, with tracked controllers
Price: $14.99
Link: APEX Tournament
NeverBound
As a first-person shooter with a dash of puzzles, NeverBound will have players launching off of platforms within various forms of gravity, as well as hiding and shooting opposing players before they hit their target: you. Scale up walls, walk upside down or downside up as you out sneak and outmaneuver other players.
Fitness Potential
We’re not sure how much of this game is combat vs. puzzles, but the fast pace of the action in gameplay lends itself to a mid to higher energy workout. Shooting for extended periods will activate the upper body while sneaking around, squatting and even crawling will rely on the strength of your legs.
If you like VR games that are fast-paced and competitive, play: Hyper Arena VR and Sprint Vector.
Developer/Publisher: Enthusiast Games
Release Date: March 26, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers, Vive Trackers
Price: $19.99
Link: NeverBound
NetStars – VR Goalie Trainer
Whether you’re on a sports team and are in the offseason or you just really like hockey, playing NetStars – VR Goalie Trainer will help you prep, train and play as a goalie. Block shots against AI opponents, practice your goalie skills and get drill data to help you become a better goalie.
Fitness Potential
Goalie movement relies on upper and lower body strength for lunging and fast reaction times. Catching, blocking, and shutting down various puck shots will give your full body a workout. If you have a Vive and Trackers to go along with it, you could attach it to a real hockey stick or gloves for more immersion or add them to your shoes and feet for full body tracking.
Do you like sports sims and hockey? Play: VRFC: Virtual Reality Football Club and VR Hockey League.
Developer/Publisher: Josh Beatty, Mike Casto/Anchor Reality
Release Date: March 29, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers
Price: $29.99
Link: NetStars – VR Goalie Trainer
HeadON!
This is an early access soccer and sports sim that uses your head to hit soccer balls into a goal. Make it past obstacles and put extra force behind your headers for max points. Gain power-ups and then use them to make things interesting. Aim for numbered targets that are spread out along the net or other training games for more replay time.
Fitness Potential
HeadON! utilizes upper body, neck and head strength as well as agility and precision to hit soccer balls into a goal. People with neck problems shouldn’t play this game because it relies on fast reaction times and higher intensity movements that not every neck can handle. Play Score Mode for faster play time and to rack up points! Play Goal Mode for a more concentrated effort to get 5 goals past the goalkeeper.
Are games that utilize upper body and head movement what you’re looking for? Play: HeadSquare – Multiplayer VR Ball Game and Goalkeep.
Developer/Publisher: ZREALITY/ZREALITY GmbH
Release Date: March 30, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers
Price: $14.99
Link: HeadON!