Strings
Strings may just have the most interesting movement systems we’ve seen in a VR shooter to date. The fast-paced game has you destroying enemies with stylized weapons, but you won’t just be walking from point to point. Instead, to move you throw special movement orbs that teleport you to the new location. You’ll have items to help you during your battles and will even go up against powerful bosses that have weaknesses to exploit.
Fitness Potential
You’ll be using the tracked motion controllers constantly in Strings. Not only will you fire weapons with them, but you’ll do a throwing motion whenever you want to teleport. Depending on the battle or boss you’re facing, you can end up throwing one of the teleportation orbs every few seconds. After a few minutes, that will get your blood pumping.
Developer/Publisher: HNZK
Release Date: January 6, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: $9.99
Link: Strings
The VR Canyon
If you want to explore a canyon and climb mountains without the threat of falling to your death, The VR Canyon has you covered. Part exploration game and part climbing simulator, you’ll discover gorgeous areas with foliage, water, and natural structures. To move, you’ll occasionally have bridges. Elsewhere, however, you’ll have to get a little more creative in order to make it to your goal.
Fitness Potential
You’ll be using the tracked motion controllers to climb on rock faces in The VR Canyon, moving one arm above the other to grab onto the holds. You will also have sections where you will need to swing between two ropes like Tarzan. There are more traditional ladders, to climb, as well, and you can attach yourself to carabiners when approaching more dangerous areas.
Developer/Publisher: Wild Monkey Games
Release Date: January 7, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: $13.99
Link: The VR Canyon
Fighting Moore
If you’re looking for something a little more action-oriented, and with melee combat, try Fighting Moore. The game is built around a mixture of melee and magic attacks, and it lets you execute combination attacks for maximum effectiveness. You’ll need to be at your best, because you’ll be taking on multiple enemies at once. The gorgeous art style seems to have colors bleed into each other. The enemies are just as trippy as the environments, too.
Fitness Potential
Fighting Moore is a very active VR game, as you’ll be swinging your arms to do attacks the entire time. You’ll be able to destroy the environment around you, as well, and you’ll have full control over your weapons. There is also a bow option, for those looking to practice their archery skills. Once you’ve beaten the game, you can try the sandbox survival mode for a more intense workout, too.
Developer/Publisher: complicatedAloofness
Release Date: January 6, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $13.49 to $14.99
Link: Fighting Moore
Free Company VR
Can’t choose between a strategy game and an action game? In Free Company VR, you don’t have to. In this medieval combat game, you’ll build up every soldier in your company and equip them with gear and skills. When you go into combat, all of this will matter, and you’ll fight in battles with 100 people. There are ambushes as well as set arena battles, and the enemies you face will certainly be challenging.
Fitness Potential
You’ll be fighting alongside your soldiers in Free Company VR. That means making use of a bow, as well as using a sword to take down enemies directly. When fighting an enemy who is guarding, you’ll smash your weapons together and hear a satisfying “clang” noise. Only with proper technique and a little patience can you prevail in combat.
Developer/Publisher: Pomshine Games
Release Date: January 8, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: $16.99
Link: Free Company VR
2MD: VR Football Unleashed
American football is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. If you want to know what it’s like to be a professional quarterback without the risk of irreversible brain damage, then 2MD: VR Football Unleashed is for you. You get to draw plays and make decisions on the field. In a room-scale experience you can even feel like you’re actually in the passing pocket. There are multiple modes to choose from, and you can customize up to eight plays.
Fitness Potential
You’ll be throwing the virtual football just like you do in real life when playing this game. The motion controls are designed to be as realistic as possible. This means you’ll need to use proper form and have great timing in order to complete your passes. Can you do that, or are you going to leave your team hanging pack at its own 20-yard line?
Developer/Publisher: Truant Pixel
Release Date: January 9, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Quest
Price: $14.99
