Asgard’s Wrath
One of the most ambitious and impressive virtual reality games ever made, Asgard’s Wrath demands every Rift owner’s attention. You play a risen Norse god in a magical land filled with monsters to battle, including a giant Kraken. You’ll make use of physics-based weapon combat to defeat them, and you’ll have plenty of time to master it. There are dozens of hours of gameplay included here.
Fitness Potential
As with most physics-based combat games, Asgard’s Wrath makes heavy use of the tracked motion controllers. You must swing your sword or reach out and grab nearby enemies to defeat them. If one latches on to your arm, you can pull them off with your other hand and then deliver a devastating slash. You’ll also be able to use your hands to cast spells or slam staves into the ground.
Developer/Publisher: Sanzaru Games/Oculus
Release Date: October 10, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift
Price: $39.99
Link: Asgard’s Wrath
The Broken Seal: Arena
Think you can battle against the best players online in a test of swordplay and magic? In The Broken Seal: Arena, you go up against other warriors using a sword, shield, and spells, as well as a bow. It’s up to you to decide how to take down each enemy, and when casting spells, you use your own voice. You can finally live out your dreams of being a wizard at Hogwarts, albeit quite violently.
Fitness Potential
When you’re wielding your melee weapons, you will swing them just as you would with weapons in real life. You will also raise up your arm when casting spells with a wand, and you can essentially attack as quickly as you can swing. This encourages ferocious and aggressive movements, which will get your heart pumping.
Developer/Publisher: XAREA
Release Date: October 8, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $4.49 to $4.99
Link: The Broken Seal: Arena
Bandit Point
If you’ve been looking for a VR shooter with a healthy dose of personality, then Bandit Point should fit the bill. The freedom-fighting adventure lets you control enemy units and battle in a variety of locations, including airships and castle walls. Developer Mantisbite has included different comfort options for those with trouble in typical VR games, so it should be a good option for newcomers, as well.
Fitness Potential
Bandit Point is a VR first-person shooter, but you won’t be limited to standard guns. You can also use giant turrets with the tracked motion controllers, as well as bows. As in most VR archery games, you will pull the string back with one hand. There are even some melee options, if you want to get up close and start bashing.
Developer/Publisher: Mantisbite
Release Date: October 11, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality
Price: $8.99 to $9.99
Link: Bandit Point
Kendo
Kendo – fencing’s cooler cousin – doesn’t get enough appreciation in the United States. You can see what it’s all about in the game of the same name. Kendo is a training application designed to teach you the sport. It includes customizable options, and you can use your own imported music to keep you entertained as you practice your strikes.
Fitness Potential
Kendo is all about striking and deflecting enemy attacks. You’ll be doing this throughout your training and you can increase the intensity once you have become accustomed to the moves. A mask over top of your view makes it difficult to see, mimicking a real Kendo mask, but you’ll still have to swing just as precisely in order to win.
Developer/Publisher: VSTECHNOLOGIES
Release Date: October 11, 2019
Compatible With: HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: TBD
Link: Kendo
Instacalm VR
Once you are done with your workout for the day, it’s important to take care of your mental health, as well. In Instacalm, you’re given several different environments designed to relax you and ease your nerves. If you have just gotten done blasting aliens or slashing soldiers, it’s the perfect way to get your blood pressure back down.
Fitness Potential
Instacalm was designed with the aid of psychologies who aimed to provide a deeper relaxation experience than you’d typically get from traditional techniques. There is a narration playing over top to aid in your relaxation, as well, and the environments are varied enough to offer relaxation no matter what you find relaxing.
Developer/Publisher: Neurotechnology, 42 Interactive
Release Date: October 10, 2019
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: $4.99
Link: Instacalm VR
