Over the last few weeks VRFocus has looked at some of the Best HTC Vive Games that have arrived over the past year as well as the Best Games You’ve Never Played. Now it’s time to look at what’s to come over the next 12 months, a brief rundown featuring some of the most interesting and exciting looking videogames developers have in the works for HTC Vive.
With the headset due to celebrate its second anniversary in a few months studios are now settling into the hardware, coming up with evermore inventive, and engrossing virtual reality (VR) experiences, and below VRFocus has picked some of the best.
Sprint Vector – Survios
First revealed during the Game Developers Conference 2017, LA-based virtual reality (VR) developer Survios took a different approach to its next title after the success of first-person shooter (FPS) Raw Data. Sprint Vector is a obstacle course style videogame where you have to race to the end by using a system which the studio calls Fluid Locomotion, essentially swinging your arms back and forth just like you would when running.
Those interested in getting an early look at Sprint Vector ahead of launch can signup for the free beta at the Sprint Vector website. The beta is slated to start in January 2018 with an official release still to be confirmed.
The American Dream – Samurai Punk
Samurai Punk, the studio behind the popular multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) Screencheat revealed its next project, The American Dream, at PAX West 2016. Described by the studio as a: “Look down the barrel of a future where all your everyday needs are solved with guns,” The American Dream is a satirical trip through a 1950’s world’s fair.
No exact date has yet been confirmed, just that The American Dream will launch in 2018.
Vacation Simulator – Owlchemy Labs
Announced during the recent Game Awards ceremony, Vacation Simulator is the next project from Job Simulator developer Owlchemy Labs. Few details were revealed about the videogame other than a teasing trailer showcasing more fun and frolics, just this time you’re on holiday.
Vacation Simulator has been slated for release at some point in 2018.
Anamorphine – Artifact 5
Anamorphine focuses on pure environmental storytelling, with no dialogue, text, UI or action buttons to speak of. Instead, you move through the story purely through movement and sight, learning about Tyler who struggles with guilt and post-traumatic denial after his wife Elena falls victim to an accident leaving her unable to play the cello.
Having previously been confirmed for a Winter 2017 release, Artifact 5 delayed the launch until 16th January 2018.
Apex Construct – Fast Travel Games
Fast Travel Games’ first VR title in the form of Apex Construct, a first-person shooter (FPS) set in a futuristic sci-fi world of robots. With synthetic creatures on the prowl its up to you to save the human race using your trusty bow and arrow.
The studio will be bringing Apex Construct to PlayStation VR first, followed by PC releases including HTC Vive, although dates have yet to be confirmed.
Bebylon: Battle Royale – Kite & Lightning
Kite & Lightning’s Bebylon: Battle Royale has appeared numerous times on VRFocus although the last time was way back in 2016. The videogame’s core gameplay revolves around a multiplayer combat arena where you control babies who fight it out for supremacy. There’s more to the experience than just fighting however, with the studio an entire virtual world.
It’s been a long time coming but Bebylon: Battle Royale should be appearing early 2018.
In Death – Sólfar Studios
EVEREST VR developer Sólfar Studios revealed just last month that its next VR experience would be somewhat different to the educational, mountaineering videogame. In Death is a first person shooter (FPS) with roguelike elements and a distinctly medieval flavour, with a game world that’s procedurally generated.
Currently In Death only has a release window of 2018.
Alice’s Lullaby: Albino Lullaby Episode 2 – Ape Law
Last September Ape Law announced a slight re-brand of its horror videogame Albino Lullaby, calling it Alice’s Lullaby instead. Whilst keeping the same weird and wonderful design as before, the second episode will see improvements such as player driven pacing – so no cut scenes, more objects to interact with, five new characters, and ‘Buck’s Clicker’ which bends time and space.
Ape Law has confirmed that Alice’s Lullaby will launch on 22nd March 2018.
Space Junkies – Ubisoft
Continuing Ubisoft’s support of VR, the Star Trek: Bridge Crew studio announced during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2017 a low-gravity multiplayer VR shooter called Space Junkies. Described as a fast-paced arena shooter that lets players put on jet packs to fly around destructible environments so the arena can change and react to player actions.
The multi-platform shooter is currently running a beta in preparation for launch in Spring 2018.
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars – Konami Digital Entertainment
Lastly there’s Konami’s Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars, a remastered version of the original title released for PlayStation 2 in 2002 where VR players will be able to enter JEHUTY’s cockpit for some first-person combat action.
The videogame is due to launch in Spring 2018 worldwide.
via Mint VR