During our last VR Game Roundup, it was quality over quantity as we focused on PowerBeatsVR, a new Star Wars title, and a game based upon Tarzan. This week is once again on the slower side, which is to be expected on a holiday week due to Thanksgiving. While there aren’t that many games to show off, there are a few titles that will help you burn off some of those calories you gained eating turkey. These include a drumming-based rhythm game, a self-defense title, and some budget VR workouts.
Monolith
Kicking off this week’s VR Game Roundup is Monolith, which is a new sci-fi combat title that will test your reflexes. Players have plenty of different weapons to pick from, including weapons from mythology like Thor’s epic hammer and Zeus’ shield. The gameplay is on the basic side as you will have to take out foes and deflect projectiles with your shield while standing in place.
Fitness Potential
At such a cheap price point of under $5, Monolith looks to deliver a pretty fun time. As far as a workout goes, it will definitely keep your arms busy as you block incoming bullets and take out enemies. It won’t be the greatest VR workout, but it’s a solid one that can be added to your workout playlist for quick sessions at a low price.
Developer and Publisher: 202-N Studios
Release Date: November 27, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift
Price: $4.99
Link: Steam
Dual Guns Fantasy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJpDcwiYcjE
Another budget-priced release this week is Dual Guns Fantasy, a fast-paced virtual reality shooter for just $1.99. Inspired by arcade classics like Time Crisis, you’ll have to take out plenty of fantasy-themed enemies such as orcs. While it is graphically plain, you are getting what you paid for here.
Fitness Potential
You’ll get some arm movement in as you aim your guns, but this doesn’t seem to be nearly as dynamic as some Time Crisis-inspired titles that have the player constantly ducking into cover and is a lesser workout as a result. If you’re looking for a deeper virtual reality game in the vein of Time Crisis, I recommend the Crisis VRigade series instead.
Developer and Publisher: hlink and Kijin Taisha
Release Date: November 21, 2020
Compatible With: Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $1.99
Link: Steam
DruMidia
Out in early access is DruMidia, a drumming game that uses MIDI files to create custom drum charts. It won’t be fully out until next year and only supports room-scale play right now. There’s a definite learning curve as you will have to hit hi-hats in addition to traditional drums.
Fitness Potential
This will definitely give your arms a major workout if you pick a fast-paced song as drumming can work up quite a sweat. While it looks basic and you might not have a ton of MIDI files at your disposal (additional formats will be added in the future), this is certainly a great way to burn some calories.
Developer and Publisher: TeaLovers and zAwA
Release Date: November 21, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift
Price: Free
Link: Steam
SETVR
New to Steam is SETVR, which describes itself as an app focusing on self-enhancement. The game is all built around teaching players self-defense techniques and helps them train for hand-to-hand combat scenarios. It’s a great way to keep your hand-eye coordination up. There are also user metrics that will keep track of your training and a calendar that lets you compare your results with the past.
Fitness Potential
While it’s more focused on arms than your full body, you will still be moving around plenty as you take on foes and practice your self-defense techniques. With tech that allows you to track your progress and a real-life reason to keep training, this could easily become a daily workout for players.
Developer and Publisher: DVNC Tech and SETVR
Release Date: November 23, 2020
Compatible With: Valve Index and HTC Vive
Price: $9.99
Link: Steam
Battle Arena VR
Wrapping up this week’s VR Game Roundup is Battle Arena VR. This multiplayer shooter is free to download and has players competing in deathmatch battles. Graphically, it’s on the simple side but it comes at a price that you really can’t complain about. Maps go up to 10 players and matches are meant to be quick.
Fitness Potential
You’ll be swinging around the environment and shooting foes, but other than some slight arm movements you won’t really be getting much of a workout in here. This is a virtual reality title to play for fun rather than an intense workout.
Developer and Publisher: DreamTeam Mobile
Release Date: November 26, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift
Price: Free
Link: Steam
That will do it for this week’s VR Game Roundup. Let us know in the comments if you are picking up any of the titles and if you had a great Thanksgiving!
