This month I’ve used VR to turn out to be an motion film star in Pistol Whip, discover the brand new Polus Level map in Amongst Us, and entered a VR bowling event in ForeVR Bowl.
June has been a jam-packed month for VR – what with Apple saying its model new Apple Vision Pro at WWDC 2023 simply days after Meta formally announced the Meta Quest 3. However once I’m not writing information and options concerning the {hardware} reveals, I’ve discovered time to get pleasure from a number of VR video games and apps utilizing my Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro headsets, and I wish to spotlight three of them under.
For our picks of the all-time best VR video games you possibly can play proper now take a look at our best VR games record, however learn on to search out out concerning the VR video games and apps I’ve been taking part in in June 2023.
Amongst Us VR: Polus Level
Forward of its launch on July 27, I received to check out Polus Level, the brand new map headed to Among Us VR, free for all gamers.
Polus is my favourite Amongst Us map, so I used to be initially disillusioned to listen to that Polus Level is merely a tribute to it slightly than a whole remake in VR. Having tried the map out for myself, although, I believe it’s a wonderful stage in its personal proper whereas nonetheless honoring the unique that I really like.
Regardless of it being intimidating to newer gamers, I stand agency that Polus is Amongst Us’ greatest map. Mira can really feel a tad claustrophobic with numerous Crewmates operating round, The Airship can really feel too huge as soon as a couple of gamers have been got rid of, and whereas I like Skeld, it’s a bit too simple for folks acquainted with the map’s room and vent format to sus out Impostors.
Polus sits between these choices. It’s large however does not really feel overwhelmingly massive, and its extra advanced format permits gamers to take a number of totally different paths between the identical factors. This implies Crewmates can nonetheless have their suspicions about who may be answerable for a useless physique. Nonetheless, Impostors can retain some believable deniability over the route they traveled, permitting them to doubtlessly survive a couple of conferences even when they’re caught out.
Polus Level isn’t an actual reproduction of Polus, nevertheless it retains its spirit. The sprawling map is one thing of a labyrinth, with a couple of branching paths to take you between totally different sections. This format permits Impostors to get away with murders they may not on the Skeld 2 (Amongst Us VR’s different stage).
The brand new Polus Level map additionally borrows the aesthetics of the unique with Polus’ iconic decorations just like the bridge to nowhere over a pool of lava, Crewmate snowmen (snow-beans?), and the docked Drop Ship. There are additionally new locales to discover, like a crystal mine that includes a claw-machine-like visible job – that means different gamers can watch you full it and know you’re not an Impostor.
I had an absolute blast exploring Polus Level, and if you wish to strive it out early, there’s a beta accessible proper now, from June 29, 1pm ET to July 3, 1pm ET (June 29, 5pm GMT / June 30, 3am AEST to July 3, 5pm GMT / July 4, 3am AEST)
To become involved, Meta Quest gamers want to go to the Amongst Us VR sport’s retailer web page on an internet browser and have a look at the Model part. Within the drop-down menu, change the model from Stay to Beta and your sport ought to replace and take you to the brand new map. It’s possible you’ll have to uninstall and reinstall the sport in your system to get this to work.
Steam gamers ought to right-click Amongst Us VR in your Library and choose Properties. Within the Betas tab, change the drop-down menu choice from None to Beta, after which boot up the sport. If this doesn’t work, it’s possible you’ll have to exit Steam (shut it fully slightly than simply decrease it) after which reopen it for the Amongst Us VR replace to occur.
ForeVR Bowl
This month I used to be invited to participate in a bowling event hosted by developer ForeVR Video games, with its sport ForeVR Bowl being the battleground for the occasion.
ForeVR Bowl looks like a bowling sport made for everybody. Professionals searching for an correct bowling sim with practical physics and totally different ball stats will respect the depth the title can provide. Extra informal gamers, like myself, can dial again the realism and luxuriate in an expertise that harks again to the great ol’ days of Wii Sports activities bowling, albeit with some strong upgrades.
One in every of my favourite enhancements is the sport environments that have you ever bowling in additional typical joints – like a 90s-era alley and a membership that might have been ripped straight out of Brooklyn – in addition to alleys deep underneath the ocean and in area. Very similar to Walkabout Mini Golf’s programs, these are locations the place you and your folks will wish to hang around, and when you go exploring, your crew may be capable of discover hidden ball designs dotted round every location so as to add to your assortment.
My first-round match within the event was in opposition to UploadVR’s Henry Stockdale, a fellow Brit who has beforehand freelanced for various websites, together with this one, to share his ideas on VR, and it was nice to lastly meet him in particular person (nicely, nearly).
The match began off shut, however, after a couple of balls, I may see victory slipping away from me. I used to be doing nicely, however each time I left some pins standing, Henry would be capable of rating a couple of further factors and even safe a spare or strike.
I used to be trailing, and as I stepped as much as take my fourth flip, I used to be satisfied that the primary spherical of the competitors can be my final. Feeling like my again was in opposition to the wall, I grabbed the digital bowling ball, made a fast prayer to the bowling gods, then did what I do greatest – I lobbed the ball as laborious as I may and hoped it will go nicely.
For what felt like an age, I watched the ball roll towards its vacation spot, satisfied I’d solely rating one other six factors or so. It seems the bowling gods had been listening, although, as I noticed each single pin tumble. I had earned my first strike!
Henry was nonetheless forward, however the hole had shrunk, so with my newfound confidence, I attempted the tactic once more, and once more, and once more, getting two extra strikes in a row. I solely managed to win a spare in my seventh spherical, however that was advantageous; my burst of talent (learn: luck) had helped me pull comfortably forward of my competitors. A number of extra good throws and I had received, with 171 factors to Henry’s 130.
On the time of writing, I’m organizing my second-round match. Hopefully, I’ll be capable of report subsequent month that I’ve progressed additional within the competitors – perhaps even made the finals – however we’ll have to attend and see how nicely I do.
Pistol Whip
When you love motion motion pictures and need you may star in a single, you then’ll love Pistol Whip. I usually play Pistol Whip, and with it being one of many first two titles on Meta’s new Meta Quest Plus subscription, that is the proper time to write down about it.
Pistol Whip is an on-rails shooter that has you race by way of ranges armed with a firearm – there’s the basic single or dual-wielded pistol, but in addition a variety of various weapons. You earn factors by blasting the enemies that come your manner, and you may earn bonus factors by taking pictures your foes in time with the beat (like a well-choreographed battle scene in a movie) or pistol-whipping them (hitting them along with your gun slightly than taking pictures them).
@hamishhector
♬ original sound – Hamish Hector
This title sounds pretty easy, however notably on increased difficulties, it may possibly turn out to be an intense VR exercise. You’ll need to contort your physique a good quantity to dodge the rain of bullets the baddies might be firing at you.
Every stage has a novel music observe, and there’s an enormous vary of levels impressed by totally different motion motion pictures. You’ll discover basic Westerns and cyberpunk sci-fi levels, in addition to ranges that take clear inspiration from franchises like John Wick and Mad Max.
If you wish to strive Pistol Whip, you possibly can choose it up for $29.99 / £22.99. When you join Meta’s Quest Plus service for $7.99 / £7.99 per 30 days ($59.99 / £59.99 per yr), you possibly can obtain it at no cost (Meta hasn’t launched particulars but concerning the service’s availability in Australia). As soon as it is downloaded, you’ll have entry to Pistol Whip till you cease paying for Quest Plus – until you purchase the sport individually.
Not liking the look of something on this record? Take a look at the VR games and apps I played in May 2023.
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