Tonight brings a first look at the next game in the legendary Batman: Arkham series - the upcoming entry coming to Meta Quest 3.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is a prequel story set before Rocksteady's Arkham Asylum, though after existing prequel entry Arkham Oranges.
In first-person, you'll be able to do many of the things you could in those entries - including boshing your enemies in the face with your fists, grappling across gaps and using various other bat-gadgets, plus switching on Detective Vision.
nDreams, the developer behind one of my all-time favourite VR titles, Synapse, has announced a new shooter game called Vendetta Forever during this week's VR Games Showcase.
If that wasn't cause for celebration enough, nDreams also released a short, Quest-exclusive demo for the game that I played through for this week's episode of VR Corner. In the video, you can see me play the Quest 3 version, but it will also be available on the Quest Pro, Quest 2 and the PS VR2 at some point in October.
So what is Vendetta Forever? Well the easiest way to describe it is a mash-up of Superhot and Pistol Whip, with some of the best aspects of both games cherry-picked and given a little twist to make them feel fresh and unique. The monochromatic-but-not-quite visuals are definitely more Pistol Whip-y, but the title screen is just full of those iconic Superhot reds, whites and blacks. Then there's the main menu, which is almost a carbon copy of Pistol Whip's, with mutator and level select options, alongside online leaderboards and a nice little shooting gallery area which is something Pistol Whip does lack.
Back in June, developer IO Interactiverevealed it was resurrecting and reworking Hitman 3's VR mode, first released for PSVR in 2021, exclusively for Meta Quest 3 - and the studio has now shared first gameplay, showcasing this Reloaded edition's various enhancements.
On a basic level, Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded is the same game that earned itself a Eurogamer Recommended badge back in the day, meaning players can don goggles and immersively sneak through likes of Dubai, Dartmoor, Berlin, Chongqing, and Mendoza.
However, Reloaded - which is being developed with XR Games - is more than just a straight port of Hitman 3 VR's scrappy but enjoyable previous release. It also introduces a new flat-shaded artstyle, more "fluid and natural" movement options, an overhauled UI, and - perhaps most notably - dual-wielding, so players can use a different weapon or item in each hand.
Meta has launched the Meta Quest HDMI Link app, enabling users to connect their headsets to HDMI and DisplayPort devices.
The app supports Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro headsets and offers 1080p resolution content with low latency.
Setting up the feature requires an additional UVC and UAC-compatible capture card.
Meta has rolled out a new app, Meta Quest HDMI Link, designed to extend the functionality of its VR headsets. The app is available for Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro models. It allows users to connect their headsets to various HDMI or DisplayPort-equipped devices, such as gaming consoles, laptops, and even smartphones, effectively turning the headset into a virtual display. (via The Verge)
The Quest headsets have traditionally been positioned as standalone devices for VR experiences. With HDMI Link, the company is acknowledging users’ desire to access content from other devices within their VR environment.
HDMI Link supports 1080p content with low latency, providing a customizable virtual screen experience. Users can resize and reposition this screen within the VR environment, making it suitable for gaming, watching movies, or even working privately.
Setting up HDMI Link, however, isn’t as straightforward as plugging a USB cable into your phone or gaming console. It requires a compatible capture card — a small device that connects your HDMI source to your headset via USB — adding an extra layer of complexity and cost. Meta acknowledges this in its blog post, cautioning users that it’s not quite as plug-and-play as they might expect.
Another important drawback to HDMI Link is its inability to display content protected by HDCP, which is common with many streaming services. This limitation means that while the feature is versatile, its utility for streaming movies and TV shows might be limited.
Meta emphasizes that HDMI Link is not meant to replace existing features like Air Link or Xbox Cloud Gaming, which offer wireless streaming options under ideal network conditions. Instead, it’s intended to provide a solution for situations where Wi-Fi is unreliable or unavailable or when users want to connect devices that aren’t supported by other methods. The app is currently available on App Lab, which indicates that it’s still in development and might need some work to iron out some kinks.
Fast Travel Games has revealed Action Hero for Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro, an action-packed FPS that will throw you onto movie sets to battle ninjas, punch dinosaurs, and race along speeding trains.
The gameplay seems to take a leaf out of Superhot VR’s book, with everything happening in slow motion and then only speeding up as you, the player, physically move. It’s a clever way of helping to make things more manageable, and will no doubt be a pretty cool effect in this setting.
Action Hero will present you with five different movies to play through – so there’s no need for Fast Travel to concoct a story to explain how ninjas and dinosaurs are coexisting, as fun as that might be.
It’s coming soon exclusively for Meta Quest 2 and newer, which will no doubt be a bit of a disappointment for PSVR 2 diehards and PC VR enthusiasts.
The studio had a bunch of other announcements during the VR Games Showcase this week, confirming that they’re bringing CM Games’ Into The Radius to PSVR 2 next month.
They’re also bringing their hide-and-seek shooter Mannequin out of Early Access, with a full launch on Quest 3 and PC VR on 12th September.
And they’ll publish Smartmelon Games’ Rock Band-alike VR game Band Space later this year for Quest and PC VR.
I've got a real soft spot for Trombone Champ, a rhythm game about tooting along to music that works perfectly with the mouse. I'm also a huge fan of Beat Saber, a rhythm game in which you slice at blocks that whizz towards you in VR.
You can see where this is going. Trombone Champ: Unflattened transports that 2022 tooting into 2024 virtual reality.
I've got a real soft spot for Trombone Champ, a rhythm game about tooting along to music that works perfectly with the mouse. I'm also a huge fan of Beat Saber, a rhythm game in which you slice at blocks that whizz towards you in VR.
You can see where this is going. Trombone Champ: Unflattened transports that 2022 tooting into 2024 virtual reality.
INVERSE, a survival horror VR game from developer MassVR, drops on the Meta Quest today. We’ll have a full review soon, but we got a sneak peek at the game and mechanics. We’ll give you the rundown on what you’ll be in for with this twist on the innovative asymmetric gameplay genre.
INVERSE is not just a simple solo or multiplayer VR game. While yes, it does offer players the choice to embark on their own as either a lone monster hunter or to play as a team, the agents you play must survive defenseless until power control terminals throughout the creepy facility are activated.
All the while, a twisted, monstrous entity called the Nul attacks at every opportunity. But who is this destructive creature… could it be one of your own?
Game design by those who love the genre
MassVR is a team of horror and sci-fi enthusiasts, so INVERSE offers a ‘spine-chilling and cinematic experience’ that immerses players in a relentless fight for survival. In a press release, Chris Lai, CEO and co-founder of the company, said: “INVERSE brings the essence of survival horror to VR, offering players an unmatched experience of fear, thrill, and strategic gameplay.”
The game makes a solid bold claim that ‘horror enthusiasts’ and ‘virtual reality aficionados’ should prepare themselves for a ‘chilling journey into the depths of fear and discover what awaits in the shadowy realms.’ And the visual setup certainly delivers. The look and feel of the abandoned station is quite creepy and just enough of a maze to keep players looking over their shoulder.
Agent… or monster?
The game supports up to four players working together as agents locating and unlocking weapons terminals and defeat the evil Nul. But that’s where the fun twist comes into play. One player actually assumes the role of the Nul, using unique abilities to hunt down and eliminate the agent!
But don’t worry if you don’t know enough people to fill a team. AI players can seamlessly fill in to make sure the experience is immersive regardless of the number of human players.
Players begin by completing tasks and surviving Nul attacks. Once your weapon is unlocked, it’s time to go on the offensive in Monster Hunt mode. INVERSE is unique in that all players play offense and defense in each match. This ensures that you must master both offensive and defensive tactics to succeed.
Don’t fear being alone
The solo player experience has been quite well thought out, too. During single-player matches, INVERSE presents players with plenty of challenges that test players’ skills. But they also offer a deeper exploration of the game’s lore and terror-filled world. The story the game is built around takes center stage.
Plus, the progressive leveling system allows players to unlock new skills and perks. These added bonuses keep the game interesting and allow players to be better equipped when facing the growing challenges as well as enhancing survival chances.
Face the ever growing darkness
MassVR has stated that they’re going to provide a “continuously evolving experience for players.” INVERSE is expected to receive bi-annual content updates to ensure players have new experiences. This will keep the game from getting monotonous, hopefully. Since the company started out in the physical VR space, console games certainly seem to be adding more versatility and the ability to grow to their repertoire.
Lai says, “We wanted to create a game that captures the intense emotions of playing a horror game with friends in real life while still delivering engaging gameplay for both solo and cooperative play styles in VR.” Time will tell if they succeeded, but INVERSE is certainly off to a good start.
The game is available on the Meta Quest today, Sept. 7. We’ll have a full review shortly.
Are you excited for this new horror multiplayer experience? Let us know in the comments.
Attack on Titan follows these soldiers who use their equipment to go soaring through the skies to take down colossal enemies. Seems like a good game premise, right? It’s happened before, and they can be fun! When it comes to an Attack on Titan VR game, it seems like the sort of thing to go into more cautiously due to all the movement and the concerns about VR sickness or handling it right, but the execution Univrs used almost makes it feel like a Spider-Man sort of game.
I just really wish the titans' models weren’t so hideous and weird-looking.
Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable is an early access game, so it isn’t all there yet. The concept is that titans are again attacking the cities and getting inside the walls, just like they did in the iconic opening parts of the manga and anime. In the two chapters you have access to, you can see what it’s like to fight back against them.
I was incredibly worried going into Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable. All of the early details and videos made it seem like a very active game. After all, it focuses on the Omni-Directional Mobility (ODM) gear and zipping around the map. You’re even, ideally, supposed to be attacking while swinging too. The funny thing is while walking on the ground sometimes did feel a little uncomfortable, I didn’t feel uneasy or ill at all while actually using the ODM to fly around. It is really accommodating! It’s always the main reason why Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable felt like a Spider-Man game.
See, Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable actually gets really in-depth about movement, and the actions used to soar seemed like ones Peter Parker or Miles Morales would use. If you want to quickly scale in one set, defined direction, you aim both the left and right controllers in such a way that their reticles line up together and look like a diamond. Then, you pull back on them. (Like how Parker or Morales would probably pull back on webbing.) After that, you then sort of pull and swing toward areas. Even the nature of swinging the blades that you can pick up, replace with new blades, and use to swipe at the back of titans’ necks or appendages feel like maybe a certain friendly, neighborhood superhero might with a weapon. It’s really neat and feels good.
So the gameplay is strong. But, in some cases, the depictions of characters isn’t? It’s weird. As part of the introduction and tutorial, Levi saves you as you’re being eaten by a titan. (Like as in you actually see yourself going over the lips, past the gums, look out stomach…) It looked like a 3D model, from what I saw, and it was great! But then when story segments with Armin came up, he very clearly looked like an unmoving, 2D figure. Like instead of animated segments setting things up, you’d see him static and flat in one position, the game would cut to black, you’d see him static in another position, things would cut to black again, and so on. I’d have preferred static images like the used for the introductory and expository segments instead.
But I would take the Paper Mario version of Armin any day over the ugly titans. They look so bad in Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable that they aren’t even scary. They’re just disgusting. It made me appreciate the Koei Tecmo Attack on Titan games more, as at least there these fearsome foes actually seem scary and menacing. In the VR adaptation, they’re too dopey and goofy to feel like a threat. I mean, yes, you will die in only two hits if one manages to actually swat at you before you get in the right position to attack them. But the enemy models and designs just look bad.
I mean, look! Gross.
Screenshot by Siliconera
I will say that even though these are goofy and abominable, at least it is easy to see the neck for attacks. Also, the arms and legs are easy to swipe at and attack, so there are no hitbox issues when striking at them.
I am genuinely curious about how the final version of Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable is going to turn out, as the ODM mechanics are surprisingly fun! Like it really offered a sense of freedom, without making me feel queasy. Well, unless I was looking at a titan. Or needing to really quick spin and maneuver in circles to get around a titan to attack it. You know what I mean. There are some rough spots, which honestly could be due to it being an early access title. But it may prove to be an interesting Attack on Titan game, or at least a fun not-Spider-Man game with Spider-Man-like mechanics.
Batman is one of the most iconic superheroes in comics, and one of the most complex, with almost a century of accrued lore behind him by this point. With that Marianas Trench of mythology to explore, adaptations have always made perfect sense. From early film serials to TV shows and onwards, we live in a world where Batman is always being remade and reimagined by someone.
One of the most successful reimaginings is Batman: The Animated Series, created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. In stark skyscraper canyons dropping away beneath menacing red skies, this cartoon introduced a new generation of viewers to Batman and his rogue's gallery. The art was stellar, as was the noir-infused storytelling, but the casting was just as important. Here was Mark Hamill as the Joker, and the late Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn. And holding it all together was Kevin Conroy, stern and perfectly unknowable, and bringing just the slightest trace of grim humour, as Batman.
I've been thinking about Conroy a lot these past few days. A fan favourite, his death in 2022 devastated the community, and it underlined something that had been felt for a long time: here was truly a Batman for the ages. This summer has brought news of a new Batman game, Batman Arkham Shadow, with Roger Craig Smith returning to the character after his turn in Batman: Arkham Origins. New Arkham games are always welcome, and I'm sure Smith will do a great job. But it's been a perfect opportunity for me to think of Conroy again and be thankful for what he brought to the role, regardless of the medium.
After a flurry of licensed expansion's PowerWash Simulator doing something a bit different for its next DLC, plopping down the rabbit hole for an adventure inspired by Lewis Caroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. That much we knew already, but developer FuturLab has now knocked back a 'drink me' and splurted out a release date: it's coming to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC, on 2nd July. Meta Quest will follow on 11th July.
Alice's Adventures is PowerWash Simulator's fourth paid expansion, following on from Warhammer 40K, Back to the Future, and SpongeBob SquarePants crossovers. It features five new stages - taking seasoned squirters to a "a topsy-turvy, swizzy, whirly world of psychedelic colours, maximalist décor and larger than life locales" - plus a couple of other bits too.
On the new stage front, there's Wonderland Entrance Hall, White Rabbit's House, Caterpillar's Mushroom, Mad Tea Party, and Queen of Hearts' Court- all of which can be admired in FuturLab's release date post - and those arrive alongside an all-new outfit, gloves, and power washer skin. Oh, and there are two new achievements.
With the Batcave-sized caveat that we're still yet to see gameplay, Batman Arkham Shadow - on paper at least - sounds hugely promising.
It's a new chapter in the Arkham series where you actually play as Batman, crafted with a clear desire to build on the foundations of Rocksteady's iconic trilogy. It's built to a scope reminiscent of the original - and perhaps best - Arkham Asylum. And it lets you do all of the things you really want to do as the Dark Knight - pounce, glide, investigate and biff baddies on the chin.
Batman Arkham Shadow is also a VR game, of course - exclusive to Meta Quest 3 when it arrives this autumn, and unlikely, it sounds, to launch elsewhere. Built by Camouflaj , the talented team behind Iron Man VR, it has been several years in the making, in close collaboration with Warner Bros. Games, and veterans of Rocksteady itself.
PowerWash Simulator - gaming's premiere squirt-'em-up - is poised to expand once more, this time venturing forth into Wonderland with a paid DLC inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic tales.
The Alice's Adventures Special Pack features five new stages to hose down with gleeful abandon - Wonderland Entrance Hall, White Rabbit's House, Caterpillar's Mushroom, Mad Tea Party, and Queen of Hearts' Court - and there's a new story, told through text messages as is PowerWash Simulator's way, to bind things together.
"The whimsical special pack captures the essence of Alice in Wonderland by showcasing iconic visuals and quirky designs," explains publisher Square Enix in its announcement. "Players will enjoy the beautiful environmental art, vivid colours, and unique looks depicted in each level."
Několik posledních dní se na oficiálním Meta Horizon Store objevují aplikace a hry, které byly dostupné pouze skrze App Lab. Jednou z takových je i WeldVR, které uživatele nepřekvapí jen svým zaměřením, ale především svou cenovkou, která se pohybuje okolo 23000 Kč.
WeldVR je tak nejdražší aplikací, kterou na oficiálním obchodě můžete najít. Do této chvíle byla nejdražší apkou Fetal Heart VR, která sloužila pro trénink mediků.
$1000 je také nové maximum, které lze v obchodě objevit. Dražší hry Meta prostě nedovoluje. Jak ale možná tušíte, tak zcela jiné podmínky platí u společnosti Apple. Ta ve svém App Store dovoluje hry a aplikace s cenovkou až $10 000.
Co tedy WeldVR nabízí? Jedná se o program, jenž slouží k výuce základů svařování. Je cílena na uživatele, jenž si nemohou dovolit pořízení drahých svařovacích souprav, na kterých by se toto „umění“ naučili. Ačkoliv se tak může cenovka zdát přepálená, mohlo by se jednat o vskutku užitečnou aplikace s vypovídající hodnotou pro koncové uživatele.
K dispozici jsou tréninkové programy pro MIG, TIG a CO2. Trénovat lze v různých pozicích a situacích. Uživatelům jsou následně nabídnuty bohaté statistiky a reporty, díky kterým se pak mohou virtuální svářeči snadněji zlepšovat. Samotná aplikace stojí $1000, ale zájemcům mohou vývojáři ze studia Cythero nabídnout také kompletní balíček, ve kt.erém je kromě WeldVR také Meta Quest headset, pouzdro a další bonusy včetně online poradenství. Takové kombo vyjde na $6000.
Pokud se vám z takové cenovky zatočila hlava, tak nezoufejte. Na Meta Horizon Store naleznete Trial verzi, díky které si můžete svařovat bezplatně celých 20 minut.
A new game in the Batman: Arkham series is on the way, exclusive to the Meta Quest 3 VR headset.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is being developed by Camouflaj (Iron Man VR, Republique VR) and Oculus Studios, in partnership with Warner Bros and DC.
Promising a new story set in the Batman: Arkham franchise canon, it's set for release "late 2024" with more details expected at the Summer Game Fest in June.
Skvělá zpráva! Byla oznámena nová hra Batman: Arkham ! Možná-ne-tak skvělá zpráva- je, že je to VR titul.
Společnost Oculus Studios ve spolupráci s WB Games oznámila hru Batman: Arkham Shadow. Arkham Shadow, nový díl uznávané série vyvinuté společností Rocksteady Studios, byl oznámen exkluzivně pro Meta Quest 3. Krátký oznamovací trailer naznačuje, že Batman se tentokrát postaví proti Krysaři, přičemž je ukázáno, že se Křižák v kápi utká s hordou krys. Podívejte se na něj níže.
Další podrobnosti o hře – například kdy přesně bude v časové ose Arkhamu umístěna nebo co můžeme očekávat od jejího boje, stealthu, designu světa a podobně – jsou v současné době skoupé. Bylo však potvrzeno, že k úplnému odhalení hry dojde 7. června na Summer Game Fest 2024.
Hru Batman: Arkham Shadow vyvíjí studio Camouflaj, které stojí za hrou Marvel’s Iron Man VR z roku 2020. Studio Camouflaj získala společnost Meta již v roce 2022 a přibližně ve stejné době se objevily zprávy, že studio pracuje na Batman VR titulu.
Meta Quest owners have a little over three weeks to make sure they've migrated their old Oculus accounts to a Meta one.
On 29th March, Meta will delete any remaining Oculus accounts and all apps, associated store credits, achievements, and friend lists. Past that date, it'll be lost unless users migrate to a Meta account using the email address on their Oculus account.
Meta has been sending emails to Meta Quest owners to remind them of the deadline (via The Verge), following a gradual shift from Oculus accounts, which are linked to Facebook accounts, to email-based Meta accounts.
Arcade Paradise was a charming management/simulation game set in an old laundrette. In it, the player had to complete menial tasks in order to earn enough cash to build an awesome 90s video game arcade at the back of the building in an attempt to prove themselves to their cranky dad.
The wonderful Chris Donlan, who reviewed the game for us in 2022 called Arcade Paradise a "quirky slice-of-life that will transport you back into the past", which is totally spot on, but, thanks to the magic of VR, that feeling of transportation will get even stronger this Spring when Arcade Paradise VR releases for the Quest 2 & 3!
While there's no set release date for it yet, eager arcade owners can watch me take a preview build of Arcade Paradise VR for a spin (geddit?) on the Quest 3 in this week's episode of VR Corner. And it all kicks off with a close up of a massive poo smear in the bowl of a toilet. You're welcome!
V listopadu franšíza Assassin’s Creed od Ubisoftu skočila do virtuální reality s Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, akčním dobrodružným titulem vychvalujícím typické stealth a parkour mechaniky této série, převedené do VR zážitku.
A i když hra určitě obdržela solidní recenze (momentálně má na skóre Metacritic 78), nezdá se, že by to vedlo k solidním prodejům.
Během nedávné čtvrtletní zprávy investorů společnosti, když byl dotázán na platformy VR, jako jsou náhlavní soupravy Meta Quest a nedávno vydaný Apple Vision Pro, a také na to, jaké jsou plány Ubisoftu v budoucnosti, generální ředitel Ubisoftu Yves Guilletmot řekl, že společnost nemá v úmyslu zvýšit své investice do VR hraní. Může za to Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, který si podle Guillemota vede „dobře“, ale nedokázal se prodat na úroveň, v kterou společnost doufala.
“Byli jsme trochu zklamáni tím, čeho jsme byli schopni dosáhnout ve VR s Assassin’s Creed,” řekl Guillemot (přepsáno VGC). „Bylo to v pořádku a stále se prodává, ale mysleli jsme si, že se prodá více, takže v tuto chvíli nezvyšujeme naše investice do VR, protože se musí rozjet.
“Byli jsme velmi ohromeni tím, co Apple přinesl, a myslíme si, že je to fantastický hardware, ale nadále se na tento VR obchod díváme jako na něco, na co se musíme dívat, ale neinvestovat do něj příliš mnoho, dokud dostatečně nevyroste.”
Na základě Guillemotových slov se určitě zdá, že Ubisoft udělal krok zpět od VR prostoru, takže i kdybychom viděli, že společnost vydává více zážitků z VR, je nepravděpodobné, že by byly v rozsahu něčeho jako Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR.
V roce 2020 Ubisoft řekl, že také pracuje na hře VR Splinter Cell, ale o pár let později společnost oznámila, že projekt byl zrušen.
Meta emailed Meta Quest headset owners to announce it would begin collecting “anonymized” data after the next software update.
The data will include information on hand and body movement, eye tracking, your physical environment, and more.
The company claims it will use the data to build better experiences.
Update: February 27, 2024 (5:00 PM ET): A spokesperson for Meta has reached out to Android Authority and provided the following statement:
A user can choose to share identifiable data with us to help us improve Meta Quest products. But we are constantly evolving our privacy models to maximize the use of anonymized data over identifiable data where we can, so we began collecting anonymized data to help us improve Meta Quest products. Anonymized data is more privacy-protective for our users because it does not identify them. This is one way we’re continuing to deploy privacy-enhancing technologies for people who use Quest. You can learn morehere.
Original article: February 27, 2024 (1:38 PM ET):Meta’s Quest headsets are some of the most popular VR devices on the market. However, privacy concerns have kept some people away from the brand. Meta’s latest announcement won’t do anything to assuage those feelings either.
Meta already makes it known that it collects certain types of data on its Quest platform on the company’s help center. This data is said to be used to “ensure your Meta Quest products work as intended, to implement your settings, and to maintain safety, security and integrity.” However, it appears there will be some changes in the near future.
According to Ars Technica, Meta sent Quest owners an email about incoming data collection changes. After the next software update rolls out, Meta will reportedly start collecting and aggregating “anonymized data” related to device usage — including hand and body movement, eye tracking, your physical environment, and more. The social media giant says this data will be used for “building better experiences and improving Meta Quest products.”
On its help page, which was also updated on Monday, the company lists the kind of data it typically gathers. This includes things like your Bluetooth connectivity status, errors and crashes, hardware performance, and credentials.
There are some types of data collection you can opt out of, like feature and product performance analytics. But it’s unclear if you’ll be able to opt out of any of the new data collection that will be implemented in the next update.
Meta emphasizes that this data is anonymous, so you won’t be identified by it. However, anonymous information has been linked back to personally identifiable information before.