During our last VR Game Roundup, there were several intriguing titles featured including the Oculus Quest version of In Death, a virtual reality adaptation of squash, and more. This week’s VR Game Roundup is also filled with some interesting releases. There is a Pistol Whip PSVR port, Onward comes to Oculus Quest, a kung fu rhythm game, and a virtual reality adaptation of Zuma. Check out all the games you should keep an eye out below!
Pistol Whip
Kicking off this week’s VR Game Roundup is the PlayStation VR port of our Best New VR Fitness Game of the Year winner for 2019. Pistol Whip is a fantastic first-person shooter with rhythm game elements that allows you to feel like an action movie star while you play. You automatically move through levels and are encouraged to shoot enemies to the beat of enjoyable songs. It features a number of gameplay variants such as dual wielding, turning off aim assist, infinite ammo, and even no ammo if you want to focus purely on dodging.
Fitness Potential
Cloudhead Games’ excellent title has already proven itself as one of the best virtual reality workouts and Pistol Whip PSVR is a must-own for anyone with a PlayStation VR headset that is trying to get fit. The VR Institute of Health and Exercise awarded it a fitness rating comparable to playing tennis and it has a Yur.fit rating of 6.7 calories per minute, which is comparable to rowing. In addition to it winning the Best New VR Fitness Game of the Year, it also was our Best Action VR Fitness Game of the Year last year.
Developer and Publisher: Cloudhead Games Ltd.
Release Date: July 30, 2020
Compatible With: PlayStation VR
Price: $24.99
Link: PlayStation Store
Onward
New to the Oculus Quest is Onward, which has become one of the most competitive virtual reality titles. This military shooter is quite realistic and has a great array of different modes. From solo to cooperative and competitive play, playeres will get to test their tactical skill. From tackling waves of enemies while trying to evacuate or hunting down enemies, there’s a ton of variety.
Fitness Potential
This shooter will keep you moving and takes full advantage of room scale play. You’ll be aiming down sights, using cover to gain a tactical edge, and be on edge as you play against others. If you’re looking for a realistic shooter with replay value then you can’t go wrong here.
Developer and Publisher: Downpour Interactive / Coatsink
Release Date: July 30, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Quest
Price: $24.99
Link: Oculus Store
BattleGroupVR
One type of game we don’t see a ton of in virtual reality is real-time strategy titles. However, BattleGroupVR has players stepping in the shoes of a space commander to direct an army on his spaceship bridge. It’s a really cool idea and looks to have a ton of depth and a high learning curve as well.
Fitness Potential
While there will be intense battles, don’t expect to burn a lot of calories during them. As a commander, you will be away from most of the action and instead it will test your mind rather than any reflexes. While you move around to operate controls, this isn’t a fitness-oriented game.
Developer and Publisher: SpaceOwl Games
Release Date: July 31, 2020
Compatible With: Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift
Price: $24.99
Link: Steam
Virus Rush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaVcwqK6GTo
Virus Rush is essentially a virtual reality version of PopCap Games’ Zuma, a classic color matching game where players try to eliminate balls that roll around the screen before they reach the end by lining up several balls of the same color. The cool thing about it being in virtual reality is you have full aim and the balls’ trajectory spans all around the player.
Fitness Potential
You will be spinning around to look at the full area and using one arm to aim your shots, but this isn’t intense enough to be a great arm workout. It’s a great VR title for kids, though, and will offer a lot of replayability. It’s in Early Access right now, so expect a two-hand mode, bosses, and even more coming to the title in the future.
Developer and Publisher: VRobot
Release Date: July 30, 2020
Compatible With: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $4.24 ($4.99)
Link: Steam
Kongfusion
Ending this week’s VR Game Roundup is Kongfusion, which looks like the best new fitness game release of the week. This rhythm game has players using kung fu skills to take on hordes of enemies using a variety of weapons. As you can see in the trailer above, you will constantly be using your arms to take out enemies and moving out of the way of obstacles as well. While you’re not shooting, the way you move through levels is quite like Pistol Whip PSVR.
Fitness Potential
Kongfusion looks like a genuinely great workout. You’ll work your legs and core ducking out of the way of obstacles while constantly moving your arms to take out enemies as well. Early reviews are positive and there’s a solid amount of variety as you use your fists, a staff, and a sword and shield to battle foes.
Developer and Publisher: ZMVR / Leka Games
Release Date: July 28, 2020
Compatible With: Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift
Price: $11.99 ($14.99)
Link: Steam
