November 2023

November 30, 2023 ,

Unity is considering allowing Quest passthrough in the splash screen instead of a black void.

Currently when you launch a Unity mixed reality app on Quest you'll see two sequential black void loading screens, effectively temporarily blindfolding you, even if you were in passthrough in the home environment.

It's an issue we pointed out in our Quest 3 review as a rough edge of its mixed reality functionality. It feels unpolished and clunky, especially for anyone who bought the headset because it's marketed for "mainstream mixed reality".

The first of those black screens is on Meta's end, and at its Connect 2023 conference Meta told UploadVR it plans to replace this with passthrough in a Quest system software update slated for December.

The second black screen is on the engine side, the splash screen. For VR the developer specifies the logo to show, but the background is currently a black void controlled by Unity.

The proposal on Unity's AR/VR Roadmap.

On Unity's AR/VR Roadmap, Splash Screen support for Quest Passthrough is now listed as 'Under Consideration'. Signed in Unity developers can voice their support for it by marking it 'Important' or 'Critical', and providing reasoning when prompted.



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November 30, 2023 ,

Prepare To Dive turns your room into a mixed reality submarine on Quest App Lab.

Developed by Beagle Reality, Prepare To Dive marks a new contender for one of the best mixed reality games on Quest 3. Setting up a submarine reminiscent of the Nautilus from 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,' you're tasked with reaching the Lagoon of the Sirens to find Atlantis. That involves exploring the sea, collecting treasures and fixing leaks, all while fending off pirates and sea creatures.

On the Quest Store, Beagle Reality outlines its upcoming plans for Prepare To Dive. Future updates will introduce more quests and treasure, alongside an in-game store for selling treasure and upgrading your submarine. However, a release window for these updates remains unconfirmed.

Prepare to Dive is out now on Quest App Lab for $4. Free open beta access is also available through the official Discord server, though spaces are limited to the first 100 people.



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November 28, 2023 ,

Mecha Force marks the latest VR mech game, arriving next year on most major platforms.

Developed by Ming Studio, the team describes themselves as lifelong fans of classic Japanese robot anime, citing Shin Getter Robo, Gunbuster and Gurren Lagann. Combining mech action and roguelike mechanics, you're thrown into a chaotic future as you fight towering foes, using customizable mechs with different weapon combinations. Here's the trailer:

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It also marks the first game globally published by MyDearest (Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate, Brazen Blaze), who previously announced a publishing initiative to bring more VR games to Japan. Earlier this month, it also closed a fundraising round that raised $7.8 million to expand existing IP on Quest and PSVR 2.

Mecha Force may find a crowded field at release and it joins a growing list of upcoming VR mech games. Though Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom is described as an interactive anime film, Big Shots takes cues from roguelike and wave shooters with co-op support, while UNDERDOGS uses arm-based locomotion for a gritty arena fighter.

Mecha Force targets a 2024 release window on the Meta Quest platform, Steam and Pico. While it's not currently available, a pre-release demo will soon become available on App Lab.



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November 28, 2023 ,

Tactical shooter Breachers is delayed on PSVR 2, as Triangle Factory state PlayStation QA has taken "longer than anticipated."

Released in April, Breachers is a 5v5 multiplayer team-based shooter that takes inspiration from Rainbow Six Siege and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Developed by Triangle Factory (Hyper Dash), the game splits you between attackers breaching a bomb site or defenders trying to stop them. Since launch, the studio's added new options like an additional map Control Point and more. Previously announced for November on PSVR 2, that's been pushed back without a new release window.

On PSVR 2, Triangle Factory confirms Breachers includes new upgrades like adaptive trigger support and enhanced visuals. Crossplay support is also included, though the PlayStation Store page doesn't confirm if further changes like haptic feedback or eye-tracking are planned.

We praised Breachers in our recommended review this April on Quest, calling it a "polished tactical shooter" that delivers "satisfying gunplay."

Breachers is a fine effort that delivers on its promise, offering a thrilling tactical VR shooter with satisfying gunplay. Securing victories with carefully planned strategies feels immensely satisfying with friends in co-op... If you’ve been seeking a Rainbow Six: Siege or Counter-Strike experience in VR, I believe Breachers has a strong future ahead.

A new Breachers release window on PSVR 2 remains unconfirmed. Elsewhere, it's available now on the Meta Quest platform, Pico and PC VR.

Breachers Review - Straight Shooting
Breachers brings a new 5v5 team-based FPS to Quest, Pico and PC VR. Offering a polished tactical shooter reminiscent of Rainbow Six Siege, here’s our full review:
UploadVRHenry Stockdale

Notice: This article, originally published on October 16, 2023, was updated on November 28, 2023, to reflect the release date delay.



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November 27, 2023 ,

Don't expect a price cut or direct discount on Quest 3 this holiday season - or any time soon.

In an Instagram AMA (ask me anything) session last week, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth was asked whether there would be on sale for Black Friday. Bosworth responded:

"The plan is to stay the course when it comes to Quest 3.

We did everything we could to get this device out at the price that it is. That's the honest truth. So the price that it's at is the price it's going to be at going forward, for the foreseeable [future]."

Quest 3 starts at $500 for the 128GB model, markedly higher than Quest 2 launched at, even when adjusted for inflation.

While Quest 2 was recently cut to $250 and has a Black Friday weekend deal giving you $50 credit until the end of today, the only deal on Quest 3 was a Quest Store gift card with your purchase from Newegg.

Meta is giving Asgard's Wrath 2 free to all Quest 3 purchases until January 27 though, and six months of the Quest+ subscription VR games service if you get the 512GB model.

Quest 3 Black Friday Deal Gives A Quest Store Gift Card
Newegg’s Quest 3 Black Friday deal gives you a Quest Store gift card with your purchase.
UploadVRDavid Heaney

A Chinese supply chain analysis startup recently estimated that the total cost of Quest 3's components and assembly is around $430. When factoring in R&D costs and other indirect fixed costs like staff salaries, Meta is likely making no profit, or even taking a loss, on the 128GB Quest 3 model.

Bosworth's comments and this analysis suggest Meta simply doesn't have the headroom to cut the price of Quest 3 any time soon without incurring significant losses.

With Quest 3 stuck starting at $500, Meta is seemingly planning a cheaper headset with less expensive components to directly replace Quest 2 in its lineup.

A leaked Meta roadmap from earlier this year revealed Meta planned to release a new headset after Quest 3 in 2024 "at the most attractive price point in the VR consumer market". Reports from The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and a Chinese analyst who has been reliable in the past suggest this headset will use Quest 2's fresnel lenses but feature the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset from Quest 3. XR2 Gen 2 has a more than twice as powerful GPU, which some developers are already using to achieve dramatically better "console quality" graphics.



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November 27, 2023 ,

Kayak VR: Mirage gives Australia a Christmas makeover on PC VR and PSVR 2.

The Kings Canyon's Christmas variant will be a familiar sight for Kayak VR: Mirage users on PC VR. Available once more for a limited time, it marks the first time PSVR 2 users can get festive in the Australian environment and checking it out unlocks a Santa Hat in the shop. Developer Better Than Life told UploadVR you can play this variant until January 17th.

Alongside this update, Better Than Life also addressed what's been happening behind the scenes with its Kayak VR roadmap. Speaking candidly, the studio explained how launching for two platforms "took its toll" on the three-person team.

As much as we wanted to keep firing through at the same speed we had been, we are at the core still very mortal. We’ve gotten things mostly back on the rails now, but this year has not been as productive as we would have liked it to be. In our enthusiasm to make the game better, we spread ourselves thin trying to (unsuccessfully, for now) port the game to Unreal Engine 5, work on your most requested features from the roadmap and a new environment.

We previously recommended Better Than Life's sim in our Kayak VR: Mirage review this February. Calling it "a simple premise with a solid execution," we considered it a quiet highlight of the PSVR 2 launch window, praising the "visually stunning" physics-based sim and relaxing gameplay.

Kayak VR: Mirage is available now on PSVR 2 and PC VR, and it's currently discounted across both platforms.

Kayak VR: Mirage PSVR 2 Review – Calm Waters Ahead
Following its PC VR release last year, Kayak VR: Mirage now arrives on PlayStation VR2. Developed by Better Than Life, how does this visually stunning physics-based sim fare on the new PS5 headset? Here’s our full review. Kayak VR is my biggest surprise among the PSVR 2 launch titles.
UploadVRHenry Stockdale


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November 27, 2023 ,

A new gameplay trailer from Vertigo Games gives a good indication of the visual fidelity players can expect with Arizona Sunshine 2 on Quest 2.

Announced back in May, Arizona Sunshine 2 is the sequel to one of VR's most notable early releases. Coming to PSVR 2, PC VR and Quest, a new gameplay trailer (embedded below) features footage entirely captured on Quest 2.

Alongside previous footage, you can clearly notice the visual downgrades when comparing directly, however the Quest version still looks impressive nonetheless.

Even more interesting is that the trailer notes gameplay was captured on Quest 2 – not Quest 3. Vertigo Games previously announced that Quest 3 players will benefit from an increase in resolution over Quest 2 on release date, but further enhancements won't arrive until later. Scheduled for later in December, a post-launch update will add real-time shadows on dynamic objects on Quest 3, according to Vertigo.

There's been increasingly more Arizona Sunshine 2 gameplay reveals over the last few weeks as we get closer to the December 7 launch. The Quest footage follows on from a gameplay showcase just over a week ago, embedded above, which gave players a new extended look.

Vertigo shows ways to use your new canine companion, Buddy, who can help attack zombies or solve environmental puzzles, as well as the new realistic weapon reloading and melee options.

Arizona Sunshine 2 will also feature full cross-platform multiplayer, with support for a two-player co-op campaign mode and an endless 2-4 player Horde mode, with additional horde maps arriving post-launch. It launches December 7 for PSVR 2, PC VR and Meta Quest headsets.

Arizona Sunshine 2 Hands-On: Killing Zombies With Man’s Best Buddy
Buddy is a real good boy ready to take out VR zombies for you in Arizona Sunshine 2.
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November 23, 2023 ,

Wallace & Gromit Jamtastic! merges mixed reality shooting galleries with jam toast making, and it's coming this Winter on Quest.

Releasing as part of the upcoming Wallace and Gromit in the Grand Getaway experience, Jamtastic! sees you being guided by Wallace through a projection while he's on holiday. Tasked with testing his new ‘jam-to-toast delivery system,’ creators Aardman described this MR experience as being "part shooting gallery and part joyful mess maker."

Detailed further on Aardman's website, here's the official description:

With the assistance of his ‘helping hands’ that takeover and transform their real-world space, and regular check-ins from Wallace as he beams into your home live from his Grand Getaway, players will be guided through 30 unique levels of jamtastic fun. The more they test the more they unlock,  taking delivery of new, wonderfully chaotic challenges testing jam-firing timing, accuracy and speed.

This isn't the first look we've had at Wallace & Gromit: Jamtastic!, though we've only just learned its name. You may recall it very briefly appeared during September's Meta Connect keynote, and Atlas V subsequently confirmed its inclusion within the Grand Getaway.

The Grand Getaway received a new trailer alongside the Jamtastic! announcement, which you can check out above. Both The Grand Getaway and Jamtastic! are now listed under one experience on the Quest Store, set for a "Winter 2023" release.

Until then, you can check out our developer interview and hands-on preview to learn more.

Hands-On: Wallace & Gromit VR Feels Just Like The Films
Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway is shaping up to be as funny as the classic Aardman films. Our preview: Our preview:
UploadVRHenry Stockdale


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November 23, 2023 ,

Flatscreen vs. VR, which side would win? That’s what Davigo hopes to find out next week.

Developed by a three-person team, Davigo is a 4v1 “cross-reality” multiplayer game. As the Giant, one VR player embodies a giant head with floating hands and your goal involves killing the four Warriors, using “full-body gestures to crush their opponents and avoid incoming fire.” As for the flatscreen team on PC, you’ll fight the Giant by building up an arsenal ranging from bomb throws to flamethrowers.

Previously available for alpha build testing for the studio’s Patreon subscribers, Davigo's current release plan starts with an early access launch on Steam and Quest App Lab. That includes four game modes, seven maps and official modding support. Come full release, Davigo Studio promises improved map art and "general improvements" for balancing and performance.

Davigo arrives on November 29 on Steam and the Meta Quest platform via App Lab. The full version currently targets an early 2024 release window.

Notice: This article, originally published on December 30, 2022, was updated on November 23, 2023 to reflect the release date announcement.



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November 22, 2023 ,

The Steam Autumn Sale 2023 is live, and we're highlighting the best PC VR discounts available.

Listing over 1400 PC VR offers, it's once again the older PC VR games with steep discounts like A Fisherman's Tale (80% off), Assetto Corsa (80% off) and Skyrim VR (75% off). Star Wars: Squadrons is the major highlight, reaching its lowest discount on Steam yet at 95% off. With Arizona Sunshine 2 launching in two weeks, Vertigo's also discounted the first game by 80%.

While a few of our picks might not have the most eye-catching sale prices, we're aiming to highlight recent PC VR games with decent price drops. It's worth noting both Humble and GMG also have various SteamVR games on sale, so it may be worth shopping around.

You can find the full selection here but for now, these are our immediate Steam Autumn Sale highlights:

The Steam Autumn Sale 2023 remains live until November 28, ending at 10am PT. Elsewhere, over 30 PSVR 2 games are on sale in the PlayStation Black Friday deals, Pico has widespread discounts and Meta's hosting a Quest Store Black Friday sale. More on that below:

Quest Store Black Friday Deals: 40% Off Many Games
Quest Store Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are here, offering 40% off many big games. More details:
UploadVRHarry Baker


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November 22, 2023 ,

Gazzlers' latest free update introduces new weapons and regular challenges, and it's out now on all major VR platforms.

Developed by Bolt Blaster Games, Gazzlers is an on-rails arcade VR shooter that was initially released this September. Following previous post-launch patches adding a left-handed mode, Quest 3 upgrades and Halloween-themed items, Update 1.3 adds daily and weekly challenges while also expanding your available weapons.

With the three new weapon components, 'Desk Splitter' fires horizontal bullet sprays, 'Bouncy Hunter' uses electrical bolts that bounce off enemies, while 'Timey Wimey' buffs your ammo clip with a well-timed reload. A new 'Faulty Mods' category also provides a stat increase at the expense of your HP. The patch notes also detail bug fixes, balancing adjustments and more.

Gazzlers is out now on the Meta Quest platform, Steam and Pico with a 40% discount until November 28. The game is also available on PSVR 2, though Bolt Blaster Games informed us that the 40% offer isn't available on that platform.



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November 21, 2023 ,

Everslaught Invasion receives a Quest 3 upgrade and gameplay overhaul through the "Resurgence Update."

Available now, Everslaught Invasion's update moves away from round-based waves with a new 'Survivor Mode,' where you fight an onslaught of continually spawning enemies. That comes with a new 'Weapon Ability System' for upgrades like magical damage, blood vials unlock permanent upgrades and there are five difficulty settings available. You can see gameplay footage below:

Detailed in a press release, Everslaught Invasion's latest update adds support for seven new languages, including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese, and Russian. Visual upgrades are included with new VFX & shader effects, alongside higher resolution support on Quest 3.

We enjoyed MobX's multiplayer action game in our Everslaught Invasion review this May. We considered it an "entertaining hack-n-slash" with "enjoyable co-op" that builds upon the original game well. However, we also criticized its lack of comfort options for such an intense experience and said Invasion's "repetitive elements" made it "better suited to short sessions."

Everslaught Invasion is available now on the Meta Quest platform. We've asked Fast Travel Games if the Resurgence Update is also coming to the Pico edition and we'll update this article if we get a response.

Everslaught Invasion Quest 2 Review - Fun In Short Bursts
Everslaught Invasion brings intense two-player co-op to Quest 2, but it’s best experienced in shorter sessions. Our review:
UploadVRHenry Stockdale


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November 20, 2023 ,

SteamVR's latest update adds render models for Meta's Touch Plus and Touch Pro controllers, and a new Theater Screen for 2D games and applications.

Update November 20: these beta updates have now graduated to the stable channel. This article, originally published November 6, has been updated to reflect this.

When using Quest 3's new Touch Plus controllers or last year's Touch Pro controllers (which come with Quest Pro and are compatible with Quest 2 and 3) SteamVR has until now shown Quest 2's Touch controllers. The new update adds models for each.

Right now this only works with Link and Air Link, but Touch Plus should also appear with Virtual Desktop after its next update.

Quest 2's Touch controllers have rings, whereas Touch Plus and Touch Pro are ringless, so you'll no longer see those virtual-only rings clip into each other when you bring your controllers close together.

the new SteamVR Theater Screen

The other major change in the update is the new SteamVR Theater Screen. You can now undock windows into a huge virtual cinema screen, ideal for watching videos or playing games. Valve says this is the official replacement for the old separate Desktop Game Theater app, which has been removed from SteamVR.

Valve recommends exiting any running VR app before launching a non-VR app in Theater Screen, and notes the following known current issues:

  1. "Sometimes the entire desktop is shown rather than just the launched app’s window. Relaunching the application typically resolves the issue."
  2. "Apps with VR and non-VR launch options can only be launched in non-VR mode via the desktop Steam interface. However, doing so switches the dashboard away from the Desktop tab to the Steam tab showing the app’s details page with no indication that the desktop Steam interface is waiting for you to select a launch option still."


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November 20, 2023 ,

Ubisoft tells UploadVR it is working with "a new partner“ on Just Dance VR.

Announced last September as Pico's first major exclusive, Ubisoft's since been quiet on Just Dance VR, which was scheduled for this year. Following news that Pico cancelled its Beat Saber-style competitor, Blitz Rhythm, as part of wider layoffs, UploadVR asked Ubisoft if Just Dance VR is still in development and if it remains Pico exclusive. Ubisoft responded to UploadVR over email today:

We are working with a new partner for Just Dance VR and we’ll have more details, including the release date, at a later time.

While the comment doesn’t name the new partner, there are a few obvious candidates. Meta would be the likeliest to fund the project considering Ubisoft's recent Assassin's Creed Nexus is currently Quest exclusive. However, the title could have been picked up by Sony or an unexpected partner like Apple.

Not much is known about this VR adaptation for the popular annual rhythm series. Platforms and a release window are obviously still unconfirmed, but the fact that Ubisoft committed to giving those details at “a later time” gives hope to players looking forward to seeing this adaptation on headsets.



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November 20, 2023 ,

nDreams has been acquired by Aonic Group in a deal close to $110 million.

Today's acquisition news follows the $35 million investment from Aonic in March 2022, a Stockholm-based group that set up its gaming division last year. Following 2023's releases for Synapse, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord and PowerWash Simulator VR, nDreams now joins Warren Spector’s OtherSide Entertainment, Milky Tea, Exmox and TutoTOONS within Aonic.

In the announcement, nDreams reaffirmed its commitment to VR and MR gaming and says its "core focus will remain unchanged." The studio also confirmed its co-founders, CEO Patrick O’Luanaigh and Tamsin O’Luanaigh (Chief People Officer) will remain in their positions alongside the rest of the company's executive team.

Founded in 2006, recent years have seen major expansion for the Farnborough-based studio. A second team, nDreams Orbital, opened in July 2021 with a third, nDreams Elevation, following several months later. Last December, nDreams added a fourth team by acquiring Shooty Fruity's developer, Near Light.

As for what's next, nDreams hasn't revealed its upcoming projects yet, though announcements are lined up "for 2024 and beyond." Projects are being worked on across all four studios alongside partnerships with third-party developers. A press release suggested the acquisition will facilitate "future investments in third-party publishing and, potentially, more studio acquisitions."



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November 18, 2023 ,

Vacation Simulator becomes Owlchemy's second platinum-selling game, and it's also received a Quest 3 update.

Vacation Simulator marks the studio's second game to sell one million units, after Job Simulator reached this milestone in 2020. In a prepared statement, CEO Andrew Eiche claims this makes Owlchemy “the first studio to have multiple platinum VR exclusive titles.”

The news also coincides with Quest 3 visual updates for both Vacation Simulator and Owlchemy's latest game, Cosmonious High. Adding real-time shadows to the former, both are available now and here's a direct comparison with the Quest 2 version:

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With Cosmonious High, where you play as a student in an alien high school, the Quest 3 update adds a more substantial boost. Alongside real-time shadows, this also increases the framerate to 90fps. You can see the comparison footage below:

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As for what's next from Owlchemy Labs, the veteran VR studio has recently pushed for greater accessibility through two Cosmonious High updates. We've also seen demonstrations of its work with hand tracking, the primary control scheme in its upcoming multiplayer VR game. So far, we've only had a brief teaser for the currently unnamed project and you can find out more below.

Gamescom: Owlchemy Labs Teases New Multiplayer VR Game With Hand Tracking
Owlchemy Labs’ next VR project will feature multiplayer and hand tracking support. Owlchemy Labs is a veteran VR studio and one of the industry’s best developers, known for some huge titles such as Job Simulator, Vacation Simulator and, most recently, Cosmonious High. At Gamescom tonight, the…
UploadVRHarry Baker


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November 17, 2023 ,

Richie's Plank Experience gets a major upgrade with enhanced visuals, mixed reality support and more on Quest.

While Max Mustard might be Toast Interactive's next project, it's not yet done with Richie's Plank Experience. First up is the Canyon's Edge DLC, the only premium aspect of this update. Priced at $4, this adds a rocky mountain-themed plank walk across a horseshoe gorge. Inspired by the giant gorges in Australia and famous US canyons, Toast states they created this using photoscan assets.

Second is the free Mixed Reality Update, a Quest exclusive that adds a virtual elevator into your real-world environment, letting you step inside to choose your next environment. "Players will now be able to summon the VR elevator into their living room, step inside, and choose their adventure," says Kylee Kay, Toast Interactive CEO in a prepared statement. You can watch that in the trailer above.

Finally, Richie’s Plank Experience also receives significant visual enhancements on Quest 2, Pro and Quest 3. Toast confirms it's now running at a higher resolution with reworked textures, enhanced lighting, more visible reflections across buildings and an improved skybox with "more dynamic and realistic clouds." You can see the comparison picture below.

Richie's Plank Experience - Top half of image shows realism update visuals on Quest 2, Pro, 3. Bottom half shows visuals before update

Richie's Plank Experience - Canyon's Edge DLC is available now for $4 alongside the free update on the Meta Quest platform. Though the base game currently retails at $14.99 on Quest, Toast Interactive states "the price is set to increase early next year."



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November 17, 2023 ,

AVO Escape Space takes VR escape rooms to outer space, arriving next week on Steam.

Created by Game Cooks, AVO Escape Space is described as a "dystopian, story-driven" escape-the-room puzzle experience. Designed in collaboration with real-life escape-the-room games, you play as PatientZ, the last surviving passenger aboard a doomed spaceship heading through a meteor storm. Following October's App Lab release, PC VR is next. Here's a gameplay trailer:

Assisted by the spaceship's AI system, AVO, you must escape this doomed vessel and secure your freedom by solving puzzles, with Game Cooks advising this may take you "more than four hours to complete." You can read the official description below:

Assisted by AVO, the spaceship's AI system, you embark on an extraordinary journey, striving for freedom from the doomed vessel and the prospect of another day. To do so, you must engage your mind with a series of intricate and mind-bending puzzles. As you progress through the game, uncover the unsettling truth behind the spaceship's purpose, but remember, this revelation is only the start of your adventure. 

AVO Escape Space arrives on November 22 on SteamVR. Elsewhere, it's available now on the Meta Quest platform via App Lab.

Notice: This article, originally published on October 11, 2023, was updated on November 17, 2023 to reflect the SteamVR announcement.



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November 16, 2023 ,

Terra Alia wants to teach you new languages through a VR fantasy RPG this month on Quest.

Developed by 30 Parallel Games, Terra Alia begins in a magical academy and your journey involves investigating Professor Esperanto's disappearance. Achieved by completing quests and puzzles, it's promising a multilingual adventure that teaches English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Brazilian Portuguese. Here's the Quest Store trailer.

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While Terra Alia previously released for flatscreen platforms, the VR adaptation looks considerably different. The store page mentions "tactical, crafted-for-VR combat" that involves spell-casting across these 10 languages, while dynamic leveling sees you become stronger through learning new words, unlocking magical items and powering up your character with magical statues.

Terra Alia arrives on November 30 on the Meta Quest platform for $20, offering a 25% pre-order discount at $15. We've contacted 30 Parallel Games to ask if a multiplatform release is planned, and we'll update this article if we learn more.



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November 16, 2023 ,

Ironstrike promises momentum-based physics in a new VR co-op fantasy roguelike, arriving today on Quest.

Created by E McNeill (Ironlights), the lead developer describes Ironstrike as being “all about capturing the power fantasy of classic role-playing experiences.” Playable solo or in co-op with up to four players, this roguelike adventure involves fending of waves of challenging foes. With environments ranging from wind-swept canyons to a "mirage-laden" oasis, these house over 50 enemy types.

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You can choose between three classes - Fighter for close combat, Ranger for ranged attacks or Arcane Mage for magical spellcasting. Using physics-based combat, Ironstrike aims to simulate the weight and momentum of each weapon and there's over 40 unlockable skills.

That includes Storm Arrows, which lets Rangers trigger lightning strikes after hitting enemies with an arrow. Fighters can eventually double jump and deflect projectiles back into enemies. Finally, Mages can cast over 20 spells through a gesture-based system that detects specific movements.

Ironstrike is available today on the Meta Quest platform for $20 with a 10% pre-order discount.



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November 15, 2023 ,

Smash Drums adds Bon Jovi, R.E.M and more with the '1980s Rock Legends' song pack available today on Quest. Available in solo modes, Smash Drums' latest update follows the similarly themed '1970s Rock Legends' DLC last month, the game's first premium song pack. Celebrating US National Drummer Day, that introduces five new songs and you can watch that in action below:

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Here's the full tracklist:

  • Bon Jovi – Livin' On A Prayer
  • Mötley Crüe – Kickstart My Heart
  • R.E.M. – It's The End of the World as We Know It
  • Scorpions – Rock You Like A Hurricane
  • ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin'

“The passionate Smash Drums community has been vocal about wanting more renowned songs, and I’m thrilled to deliver this salute to the trailblazing artists and hits of the 1980s," says Potam, CEO of PotamWorks SAS in a prepared statement. "Believe me when I say, we're just hitting our stride.”

The 1980s Rock Legends DLC arrives today on the Meta Quest platform for $6. Both DLC packs are also planned for Pico, though release dates remain unconfirmed.



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November 14, 2023 ,

We Are One receives a level creator, letting you build your own challenges through a free update on Quest and Steam.

Developed by Flat Head Studio and published by Fast Travel Games, We Are One is a time loop puzzle shooter that was released this June. Now the new 'Level Creator Update' lets you create and share your own challenges by picking enemy types, level themes and course duration. A new Level Editor tutorial is also available for guidance.

This isn't the first major update We Are One has received. Shortly after launch, Flat Head Studio dropped the 'Ghost Replay Update' that lets you record prior attempts, letting you rewatch these moments and share them with others.

We enjoyed this puzzle shooter in our We Are One review on Quest. Though we considered the puzzles to be "on the easier side," we praised the art style and "surprisingly intuitive" gameplay mechanics.

While the game's storyline lacks depth and explanation regarding the machines' origins and motivations, the gameplay mechanics using cloning and time loops are surprisingly intuitive, offering a refreshing and unconventional puzzling experience. The puzzles are on the easier side, but remain fun to solve nonetheless and should challenge players to think outside the box. The shooting elements complement the puzzle-solving nicely, providing a satisfying physical challenge beyond the intellectual one.

We Are One is available now on the Meta Quest platform and SteamVR for $20.

We Are One Review: Flower Power In A Puzzling Adventure
We Are One is a unique puzzle shooter where players create cloned chaos in an epic battle to save mother nature. Read our full review:
UploadVRTony Mowbray


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November 13, 2023 ,

Meta cut the entry price of Quest 2 to $250 in a "limited-time festive deal".

The discount appears on Meta Store and all Meta's supported retailers. The 128GB model is down from $300 to $250 while the 256GB model is down from $350 to $300.

Meta hasn't publicly announced how long the deal is on for. We reached out to ask and will update this article if we get a response.

Quest 2 launched over three years ago at $300 for 64GB or $400 for 256GB. The base model saw a storage bump to 128GB in 2021, but the price of each model was raised to $400 and $500 last year, which tanked sales.

In March this year Meta cut the 256GB model price to $430, and when announcing Quest 3 in June it cut the 128GB model back to $300 and the 256GB model to $350, lower than it originally launched at.

The current discount means Quest 2 is available for just half the price of Quest 3, with the same storage. But even at this attractive low price, you may want to hold off on buying a Quest 2.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy A New Quest 2 Anymore
Meta is still selling Quest 2, starting from $300. But here’s why you shouldn’t buy one anymore:
UploadVRDavid Heaney

A leaked Meta roadmap from earlier this year revealed Meta planned to release a new headset after Quest 3 in 2024 "at the most attractive price point in the VR consumer market". Reports from The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and a Chinese analyst who has been reliable in the past suggest this headset will replace Quest 2 in Meta's lineup and feature the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset from Quest 3.

XR2 Gen 2 has a more than twice as powerful GPU, which some developers are already using to achieve dramatically better "console quality" graphics. As Quest 3 and the cheaper headset gradually transition the active user base of the standalone VR market to the XR2 Gen 2, developers may put less focus on making their games look good and run well on Quest 2.

Still, if you absolutely want a VR headset for this year and don't want to wait, Quest 2 currently plays all the same games as its successor, and $250 is the lowest price we've seen yet for a non-refurbished standalone headset with positional tracking and tracked controllers.



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November 13, 2023 ,

Track Craft turns your home into a racing circuit through mixed reality, and it's coming to Quest this week.

Developed by Brainz Gamify, Track Craft offers track design elements like portals, moving platforms, wild loops and more, and these designs can be shared online with friends and the community. Previously announced for October, it's now receiving a full release this November. A free demo is out on AppLab and SideQuest with 20 tracks, and you can watch Quest 3 gameplay below.

Two curated Track Packs are promised at launch. 'Razzle Dazzle' is described as an "abstract geometric adventure with an edgy cyberpunk twist," while 'Surfer Rock' is a "paper-style-inspired pack featuring a relaxed atmosphere of sandy beaches and rolling waves." In a press release, Brainz Gamify confirms a real-time multiplayer update will be introduced "in the coming months."

We've seen some strong contenders for the best mixed reality games on Quest 3 since Meta's latest headset launched last month. Alongside fellow upcoming MR racer Micro Machines: Mini Challenge Mayhem, many games received MR updates including Espire 2, Drop Dead: The Cabin, Smash Drums and Broken Edge.

Track Craft arrives on November 18 for the Meta Quest platform, followed by a Pico release in early 2024.

This article, originally published on September 24, 2023 was updated on November 13, 2023 to reflect the new release date.



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November 12, 2023 ,

Islanders VR receives a free mixed reality update, letting you build cities inside your own home on Quest.

Released earlier this year, Islanders VR is described as a "minimalist strategy game about building cities on beautiful islands." Joining a growing list of mixed reality games on Quest 3, a new passthrough update lets you create islands across your home environment. You can see this being demonstrated below.

Speaking with Meta, Coatsink programmers John Peart and Richard Ashby revealed this update took three months to develop. Explaining that MR was "something we had been thinking of since the start," Ashby describes playing in MR as evoking "the same type of feeling as building a model world out of LEGO bricks."

Originally released for flatscreen platforms in 2019, Islanders takes a different approach to city builders by not imposing a cost on building resources. Instead, you have an inventory with limited buildings to place and you'll earn points based on their placement. Building up enough score then progresses you onto the next procedurally generated island.

Islanders VR is available now on the Meta Quest platform and Steam, though the MR update is Quest exclusive.



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November 11, 2023 ,

MyDearest, best known for the Chronos Universe, raised $7.8 million to expand existing IP on Quest 2 and PSVR 2.

Following a previous publishing initiative to bring more VR games to Japan, MyDearest recently closed its latest funding round at 1.2 billion yen ($7.8 million USD). This was led by SBI Investment Co., Ltd with further investors including NetEase Games, DG Daiwa Ventures Inc., Wing Capital Partners, Ltd., OLM Ventures Inc., Samurai Incubate Inc., Dentsu Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital.

“Until now, MyDearest has been a frontrunner in VR games representing Japan, but with this round of funding, it will become a frontrunner in VR games representing the world," said Kento Kishigami, MyDearest CEO in a prepared statement. "The technology of VR holds the potential to create entertainment experiences that will become the common language in a new world."

Outlining the studio's plans further, Kishigami states the challenges ahead include further global expansion of its original IP. That notably includes Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate, the latest Chronos Universe game. Following its episodic release on Quest and PSVR 2, it's now coming to PC VR with optional flatscreen support and Nintendo Switch.

MyDearest is also developing Brazen Blaze, a melee-focused "smack & shoot" 3v3 multiplayer game inspired by Overwatch and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In our TGS preview, we noted "the game’s potential to become an essential multiplayer VR experience." Launching next year on Quest and Steam, an open beta test is planned for February and you can read our impressions below:

Brazen Blaze Hands-On: Thrilling Character Brawler Zooms Into View
We’ve gone hands-on with MyDearest’s ‘smack and shoot’ 3v3 multiplayer brawler Brazen Blaze. Here are our impressions.
UploadVRAlicia Haddick


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