During our first VR Game Roundup of 2021, we saw an extremely slow week headlined by a port of Rhythm ‘n Bullets and a rhythm shooter called Cosmic Disco. While there aren’t many virtual reality games launching this early in the year, this week is busier than the last one. This week’s most notable releases are Holodia’s Holofit coming to the Oculus Quest, Battle Arena VR arriving on the Oculus Store, and a game about eating sushi that tests your reflexes.
Battle Arena VR
Kicking off this week’s VR Game Roundup is a familiar face in Battle Arena VR, which is new to the Oculus Store. This deathmatch shooter is free to download, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a match. Multiplayer matches are on the smaller side and are best played with two to five players. Expect snappy gameplay and quick matches.
Fitness Potential
You’ll be using your arms to swing around the environment and to aim your gun at enemies, but other than some slight arm movements, you won’t really be getting much of a workout in here.
Developer and Publisher: DreamTeam Mobile
Release Date: January 7, 2021
Compatible With: Oculus Rift
Price: Free
Link: Oculus Store
Holofit by Holodia
The best fitness title of the week is Holofit by Holodia, a great fitness app that can work with Bluetooth-enabled fitness equipment (such as ellipticals, rowing machines, and bikes). If you don’t have a machine, you can still use your bodyweight for rowing, running, and cycling exercises, but it won’t be the optimal experience. There’s a seven-day free trial for you to check it out, but it must be noted that this is a subscription-based service.
Fitness Potential
We were big fans of Holofit in our review, and it delivers an intense full-body workout for your arms, legs, and core. With a subscription and use of exercise equipment, it’s definitely more for fitness enthusiasts rather than those just starting their fitness journey. However, if you already have the equipment, you should give the free trial a try and then see how you dig it.
Developer and Publisher: Holodia
Release Date: January 7, 2021
Compatible With: Oculus Quest
Price: Free to download, and there’s a seven-day free trial, but the full experience requires a subscription.
Link: Oculus Store
Mare
One of this week’s most interesting new releases is Mare, which is an Ico-inspired adventure game. Players will explore an unknown world and help their companion fulfill their destiny. It promises eight chapters of content and has been getting positive reviews (although they note that it’s on the short side and relatively passive).
Fitness Potential
As noted above, this is a more passive title and has the player figuring out puzzles. As such, it’s not realistic to expect a quality workout from it. So, pass if you are trying to exercise, but if you dig games like Ico, this might be worth the purchase.
Developer and Publisher: Visiontrick Media
Release Date: January 7, 2021
Compatible With: Oculus Quest
Price: $19.99
Link: Oculus Store
No Sushi, No Life
Ending this week’s VR Game Roundup is No Sushi, No Life. As the name suggests, this game is all about testing your reflexes and eating as much sushi as is humanly possible. It’s a hilarious premise for a game, but it will have you constantly moving as you attempt to stuff sushi into your virtual mouth.
Fitness Potential
The game starts pretty mild in intensity, but the sushi conveyor belt speeds up over time. So, if you can keep up with it, you will wind up getting a decent arm workout in as you are picking up dishes, scarfing them down, and then tossing them away. It’s a goofy reflex test and one at a low price as well.
Developer and Publisher: DMM VR lab and DMM.com LLC
Release Date: January 7, 2021
Compatible With: Oculus Rift
Price: $4.99
Link: Steam
That does it for this week’s VR Game Roundup. Let us know if you are checking out Holofit and if you have any VR fitness-related resolutions or goals this year!
