Monster Reapers VR
What better game to play on the day after Halloween than a monster-killing bonanza? In Monster Reapers VR, you must visit haunted locations and defeat the spooky ghouls you encounter. Content is procedurally generated, so you are sure to be scared in a new way each time you play. It isn’t too intense though, so kids can still enjoy it, too.
Fitness Potential
As a reaper, you can use the tracked motion controllers to fire at enemies with guns or use special magic abilities. You’ll also have to dodge attacks to stay alive, so you’ll be active and moving the entire time. With new moves to unlock and upgrade, things will get even more hectic and exciting as time goes on. A crossbow is even at your disposal.
Developer/Publisher: Virtual Uppercut Studios
Release Date: October 30, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive
Price: $7.49 to $9.99
Link: Monster Reapers VR
Root Beer on Tap
Think you can handle the thirst of an entire bar? In Root Beer on Tap, you have to keep the delicious soda flowing, sliding the glasses down the bar. The game’s adorable cartoony art style fits its concept well, and there are 17 different levels to choose from. Anyone can play it in minutes, and you can remap the buttons if you encounter control issues.
Fitness Potential
You’ll be moving the entire time you play Root Beer on Tap. If you’re not turning and moving your arms to fill a glass, you’ll be swinging them to send it to a customer. Your goal is to hit the high score, so playing as quickly as possible is encouraged. Just have something a little less caloric on hand for when you start getting thirsty, but you can drink the in-game root beer!
Developer/Publisher: Hypernoodle Games
Release Date: October 29, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTV Vive, Windows, Mixed Reality, Valve Index
Price: $10.19 to $11.99
Link: Root Beer on Tap
Lodestone
Do you want to be a powerful warlock with the ability to destroy any enemy standing in your path? In Lodestone, you can rain boulders from the sky, destroy men with powerful blasts, and launch projectiles to hit distant targets. Developed by students at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, it’s certainly more impressive than a typical student project, and it’s free to play.
Fitness Potential
Lodestone requires the tracked motion controllers for your spellcasting. Depending on the spell you conjure, you’ll either lift one or two hands into the air, swinging them out to deliver your hit. If you’ve ever pretended you were an “Airbender” on Avatar or a Super Saiyan, then you get the basic movements you’ll be making during gameplay. Of course, it’s always best to give yourself a little extra room so you don’t break anything during your session.
Developer/Publisher: Hirn im Glas/MediaCube Games
Release Date: November 1, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: Free
Link: Lodestone
Synth Riders
One of the best rhythm and music games available in VR, Synth Riders has officially left early access this week. The game features more than 30 electronic songs, and an official beatmap editor lets you have a role in the design process. Cross-platform leaderboard support will also give you a definitive answer as to who is the best player in the world.
Fitness Potential
Synth Riders was designed with fitness in mind, featuring YUR calorie tracking support. You’ll be moving your entire body as you play through songs, hitting objects and the rails to score more points. Depending on the song’s difficulty, you can easily end up sweating bullets by the time you’re done. And since it’s now on Oculus Quest, you can work out almost anywhere.
Developer/Publisher: Kluge Interactive
Release Date: October 31, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, HTV Vive, Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $16.99 to $19.99
Link: Synth Riders
Particulate
The strangest game on our roundup this week, Particulate is part game, part creation tool. You control millions of particles using your tracked motion controllers. With different tools to choose from, you can basically design any “scene” you want and then save it for playback. When you want to relax, you can also watch pre-made scenes in VR.
Fitness Potential
Aside from the mental benefits of relaxing in Particulate’s scenes, you can essentially get the workout you want by choosing to be more aggressive in creation. Waving your arms around more wildly will let you create a different experience than you’d get from a more relaxed motion.
Developer/Publisher: Mike Turitzin
Release Date: October 30, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift
Price: $9.99
Link: Particulate
