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.

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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.

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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.

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Sony's PlayStation State of Play May Showcase 2024 may have been announced at short notice, but packed within its 35-minute presentation we got a look at a whole host of brand-new PS5 games coming in 2024 and beyond. There were also two new PSVR2 games announced here, as well as the surprise return of one of PlayStation's most beloved mascots, Astro Bot.

Whether you missed the showcase or just want a handy round-up of all the trailers again, here's everything that was announced in Sony's State of Play May Showcase.

First up, we got a long-awaited look at Concord, Firewalk's upcoming PvP shooter, both in the form of a cinematic vignette and a proper gameplay trailer (embedded below). Big Guardians of the Galaxy energy, this one. Lots of big guns, lots of colourful moons and planets, and a very chatty cast. Could this be the perfect second course after Helldivers earlier this year? We'll find out when it launches on PS5 and PC on August 23rd 2024.

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Sony has certified a PlayStation VR2 PC adapter in South Korea, as the company readies its plans to make its latest VR headset compatible with computers.

The gadget was approved by South Korea at the end of March for use in the country. As yet, however, Sony is yet to announce it publicly.

A report on the device by UploadVR speculates that the gizmo will allow the headset to simply plug into your PC via the adapter device.

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We are so excited to announce that Spin Rhythm XD is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and the first-ever VR version on PlayStation VR2!

Spin Rhythm XD is a kinetic rhythm-action game where players move, tap, slide, scratch, and spin to the beat all while traveling through incredible reactive backgrounds. Made by a team of three friends from Australia including the original creators of Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, the game’s simple combination of color matching and physical gestures (spinning a wheel) combine to put players in a deep flow state.

We have assembled a huge variety of 60+ tracks from artists including Camellia, Anamanaguchi, Hyper Potions, Haywyre, Lena Raine, 2 Mello, Teminite, Tokyo Machine, Moe Shop, Au5, Meganeko, Akira Complex and many more. There’s also a 10-track DLC available from music label Monstercat, plus will be launching our second DLC when the game is released on PlayStation with 10 tracks from Chillhop music – something a bit different with a mellow vibe to chill and relax to.

Spin Rhythm XD is designed to be accessible to those new to rhythm games while providing a unique challenge to veterans of the genre. Our 60+ tracks each contain 5 difficulties that each introduce new mechanics.

Conquer the global leaderboards and level up to unlock new tracks, wheel skins and more. We have also included a full suite of accessibility features including custom colors, low motion options for every background element, custom track speeds and more.

PlayStation’s awesome DualSense wireless controller provides a truly unique gameplay experience. Players can use motion controls to move the wheel and even use the touchpad to flick and scratch like a DJ.

This release will be the first-ever VR version of Spin Rhythm XD on PS VR2. The PS VR2 Sense controllers provide a perfectly smooth motion input that turns the play area into a kind of interdimensional drum kit. Move your main hand pointer inside the wheel to rotate, flick to spin and smash down to hit tap notes, keep your off-hand ready to hit the green beat notes.

We have included more than 40 Trophies to achieve and Challenge Activities so you can compete directly with your friends.

We hope you can join us in the Rhythm Dimension. If you’re new to the genre we hope you find something fresh and fun, and if you’re a veteran rhythm gamer you will experience a unique and challenging game with an incredible sense of flow.

We are so excited to announce that Spin Rhythm XD is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and the first-ever VR version on PlayStation VR2!

Spin Rhythm XD is a kinetic rhythm-action game where players move, tap, slide, scratch, and spin to the beat all while traveling through incredible reactive backgrounds. Made by a team of three friends from Australia including the original creators of Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, the game’s simple combination of color matching and physical gestures (spinning a wheel) combine to put players in a deep flow state.

We have assembled a huge variety of 60+ tracks from artists including Camellia, Anamanaguchi, Hyper Potions, Haywyre, Lena Raine, 2 Mello, Teminite, Tokyo Machine, Moe Shop, Au5, Meganeko, Akira Complex and many more. There’s also a 10-track DLC available from music label Monstercat, plus will be launching our second DLC when the game is released on PlayStation with 10 tracks from Chillhop music – something a bit different with a mellow vibe to chill and relax to.

Spin Rhythm XD is designed to be accessible to those new to rhythm games while providing a unique challenge to veterans of the genre. Our 60+ tracks each contain 5 difficulties that each introduce new mechanics.

Conquer the global leaderboards and level up to unlock new tracks, wheel skins and more. We have also included a full suite of accessibility features including custom colors, low motion options for every background element, custom track speeds and more.

PlayStation’s awesome DualSense wireless controller provides a truly unique gameplay experience. Players can use motion controls to move the wheel and even use the touchpad to flick and scratch like a DJ.

This release will be the first-ever VR version of Spin Rhythm XD on PS VR2. The PS VR2 Sense controllers provide a perfectly smooth motion input that turns the play area into a kind of interdimensional drum kit. Move your main hand pointer inside the wheel to rotate, flick to spin and smash down to hit tap notes, keep your off-hand ready to hit the green beat notes.

We have included more than 40 Trophies to achieve and Challenge Activities so you can compete directly with your friends.

We hope you can join us in the Rhythm Dimension. If you’re new to the genre we hope you find something fresh and fun, and if you’re a veteran rhythm gamer you will experience a unique and challenging game with an incredible sense of flow.

Remember last summer, when Pistol Whip got five new breakneck Scenes and one of them had soaring castle towers, trebuchet battles, and not one, but two dragons?

Here at Cloudhead, we looked at that Scene (the illustrious Majesty) and said “This rules, and we’re gonna make a whole Collection out of it, and no one can stop us.”

And of course, we added yet another new music genre to the game: power metal.

Welcome to Voidslayer: A frenzy of three new Pistol Whip Scenes that charge headlong through raucous villages, cataclysmic fields of battle, to the place where Earth and the cosmos blur together. Each Scene is an act within an epic journey. In the first act, Hero’s Dawn, you shall awake to the call of destiny, and follow it through a world of fire and darkness, with an endless stream of enemies to crash through as you go.

For our seasoned Pistol Whip players, we’ve got a couple of new Modifiers to check out, too.

Colour Match forces you to think quickly, as your weapons will be colour-coordinated to enemies on the field. Only the shots from matching-coloured guns will hit. This is one of those Modifiers that, as soon as you’ve mastered it, will make you want to go back and replay every single Scene just to see how much it changes the groove.

Meanwhile, the Deflector modifier gives you the ability to send bullets ricocheting back at your foes. And if you’re also wielding the Metal Gauntlet, remember to throw up the horns with every deflection. You won’t get any extra points or anything, but you’ll feel extremely cool, and our dev team will all cheer.

As a bunch of metalheads ourselves, we can’t wait to unleash our three chosen music tracks on you. With wailing guitar solos and furious kick drums from the likes of Bloodbound, Brothers of Metal, and Firewind, these are some of the most unstoppable, fist-in-the-air Pistol Whip songs yet.

Ready thy broken sword on June 6, when Hero’s Dawn, the first of Voidslayer’s three new Scenes, will arrive on PlayStation VR2, with the second and third Scenes following in the weeks after!

Remember last summer, when Pistol Whip got five new breakneck Scenes and one of them had soaring castle towers, trebuchet battles, and not one, but two dragons?

Here at Cloudhead, we looked at that Scene (the illustrious Majesty) and said “This rules, and we’re gonna make a whole Collection out of it, and no one can stop us.”

And of course, we added yet another new music genre to the game: power metal.

Welcome to Voidslayer: A frenzy of three new Pistol Whip Scenes that charge headlong through raucous villages, cataclysmic fields of battle, to the place where Earth and the cosmos blur together. Each Scene is an act within an epic journey. In the first act, Hero’s Dawn, you shall awake to the call of destiny, and follow it through a world of fire and darkness, with an endless stream of enemies to crash through as you go.

For our seasoned Pistol Whip players, we’ve got a couple of new Modifiers to check out, too.

Colour Match forces you to think quickly, as your weapons will be colour-coordinated to enemies on the field. Only the shots from matching-coloured guns will hit. This is one of those Modifiers that, as soon as you’ve mastered it, will make you want to go back and replay every single Scene just to see how much it changes the groove.

Meanwhile, the Deflector modifier gives you the ability to send bullets ricocheting back at your foes. And if you’re also wielding the Metal Gauntlet, remember to throw up the horns with every deflection. You won’t get any extra points or anything, but you’ll feel extremely cool, and our dev team will all cheer.

As a bunch of metalheads ourselves, we can’t wait to unleash our three chosen music tracks on you. With wailing guitar solos and furious kick drums from the likes of Bloodbound, Brothers of Metal, and Firewind, these are some of the most unstoppable, fist-in-the-air Pistol Whip songs yet.

Ready thy broken sword on June 6, when Hero’s Dawn, the first of Voidslayer’s three new Scenes, will arrive on PlayStation VR2, with the second and third Scenes following in the weeks after!

I don’t know about you, but I think the 1980s are awesome! Big hair, big shoulder pads, and huge hits. So we put together a mixtape: Synth Riders 80s Mixtape – Side A… and it’s coming to the PlayStation VR2 on April 23.

We picked five favorites from the 80s, then created dancy beat maps inspired by the era. So, whether you came up in Gen X, or just learned about this stuff from YouTube videos and Stranger Things, we’ve got some new Synth Riders add-on tracks for you to take on.

80s Mixtape – Side A features:

• a-ha – Take on Me
• Starship – We Built This City
• Devo – Whip It 
• Phil Collins – Sussudio
• INXS – New Sensation

and….

• Free 1980s-inspired Endless Cafe Stage for all Synth Riders owners

The only thing that screams, “Totally 80s” more than the music is the looks of the era. I was talking with Esteban Meneses, 3D Artist on Synth Riders, about what it’s like recapturing a party from 40 years ago:

“It’s like trying to capture a melody that everyone remembers a bit differently. Some might remember the neon glow of arcade games, others the revolutionary sound of synth-pop, or the emergence of digital culture. Our challenge is making sure it feels authentic whether you lived through the ’80s or experienced it secondhand.”

That’s why the team took inspiration from the ’50s café vibes with the fun of ’80s bowling alleys, then sprinkled in some retro-futuristic flair. Kind of like how in Back to the Future II people looked back at the 1980s (from 2015!).

Of course, it wouldn’t be the ‘80s without lots of pink, light blue, and chrome shine. “We wrapped these colors around the stage for that classic ’80s pop. It’s all about mixing these unique elements – colors, luxury, and design – into the game’s world to spark that retro feel.”

Alright, enough talk. It’s time to slip on some bangles (or your controllers) and get ready to relive five totally awesome 80s tracks on Synth Riders 80s Mixtape – Side A!

The new Add-Ons will be available for download as a pack ($7.99) or as individual tracks ($1.99/song) on April 23..

P.S. As you gathered from the name of the pack, this is just side “A.” We’re working on assembling another Mixtape, but we’d love to hear from you. What are YOUR favorite things that came out of the 1980s?

I don’t know about you, but I think the 1980s are awesome! Big hair, big shoulder pads, and huge hits. So we put together a mixtape: Synth Riders 80s Mixtape – Side A… and it’s coming to the PlayStation VR2 on April 23.

We picked five favorites from the 80s, then created dancy beat maps inspired by the era. So, whether you came up in Gen X, or just learned about this stuff from YouTube videos and Stranger Things, we’ve got some new Synth Riders add-on tracks for you to take on.

80s Mixtape – Side A features:

• a-ha – Take on Me
• Starship – We Built This City
• Devo – Whip It 
• Phil Collins – Sussudio
• INXS – New Sensation

and….

• Free 1980s-inspired Endless Cafe Stage for all Synth Riders owners

The only thing that screams, “Totally 80s” more than the music is the looks of the era. I was talking with Esteban Meneses, 3D Artist on Synth Riders, about what it’s like recapturing a party from 40 years ago:

“It’s like trying to capture a melody that everyone remembers a bit differently. Some might remember the neon glow of arcade games, others the revolutionary sound of synth-pop, or the emergence of digital culture. Our challenge is making sure it feels authentic whether you lived through the ’80s or experienced it secondhand.”

That’s why the team took inspiration from the ’50s café vibes with the fun of ’80s bowling alleys, then sprinkled in some retro-futuristic flair. Kind of like how in Back to the Future II people looked back at the 1980s (from 2015!).

Of course, it wouldn’t be the ‘80s without lots of pink, light blue, and chrome shine. “We wrapped these colors around the stage for that classic ’80s pop. It’s all about mixing these unique elements – colors, luxury, and design – into the game’s world to spark that retro feel.”

Alright, enough talk. It’s time to slip on some bangles (or your controllers) and get ready to relive five totally awesome 80s tracks on Synth Riders 80s Mixtape – Side A!

The new Add-Ons will be available for download as a pack ($7.99) or as individual tracks ($1.99/song) on April 23..

P.S. As you gathered from the name of the pack, this is just side “A.” We’re working on assembling another Mixtape, but we’d love to hear from you. What are YOUR favorite things that came out of the 1980s?

Few artists have been more requested by our community than our latest release, Daft Punk. The wait is over, we are excited to announce the Daft Punk Music Pack is now available on Beat Saber for PS VR and PS VR 2!

Play Video

Formed in Paris in 1993, the duo quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most influential electronic music artists of all time, spanning genres and inspiring the global music industry for many years. The iconic helmets and robot personas they adopted allowed more focus on their music and craft, and became an undeniable part of Daft Punk’s image and brand.

The Daft Punk Music Pack brings 10 of the band’s top hits so we can all celebrate their work through their almost 30-year history. We’re sure that everyone will find their favorites in our packed selection.

The tracklist includes:

• Around The World
• Around The World / Harder Better Faster Stronger (Live 2007)
• Da Funk / Daftendirekt (Live 2007)
• Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers)
• Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
• Lose Yourself to Dance (feat. Pharrell Williams)
• One More Time
• Technologic
• The Prime Time of Your Life (Live 2007)
• Veridis Quo

What’s even more exciting is that for the very first time ever, we’re launching live music in the game, bringing select high-energy tracks from the legendary live show Alive 2007. If you’re up for a challenge, this music pack features the longest song ever released on Beat Saber – The Prime Time of Your Life (Live 2007) – it’s 10 mins and 23 seconds long!

The music pack is accompanied by a new custom in-game environment in gold/silver color palette,  inspired by the band’s iconic triangle stage look from their live shows. We took it to the next level and created a beautiful space-y environment, surrounding the player with stars (some even orbit around you). The environment brings captivating new tech for lasers like physics and length.

Beat Saber players can get the 10-song Daft Punk Music Pack for 12.99 USD / 12.99 EUR, or if they don’t have Beat Saber just yet, they can jump in with a discounted bundle that includes the Beat Saber base game plus a full music pack for 39.99 USD / 39.99 EUR.

Let’s lose ourselves to dance!

Few artists have been more requested by our community than our latest release, Daft Punk. The wait is over, we are excited to announce the Daft Punk Music Pack is now available on Beat Saber for PS VR and PS VR 2!

Play Video

Formed in Paris in 1993, the duo quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most influential electronic music artists of all time, spanning genres and inspiring the global music industry for many years. The iconic helmets and robot personas they adopted allowed more focus on their music and craft, and became an undeniable part of Daft Punk’s image and brand.

The Daft Punk Music Pack brings 10 of the band’s top hits so we can all celebrate their work through their almost 30-year history. We’re sure that everyone will find their favorites in our packed selection.

The tracklist includes:

• Around The World
• Around The World / Harder Better Faster Stronger (Live 2007)
• Da Funk / Daftendirekt (Live 2007)
• Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers)
• Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
• Lose Yourself to Dance (feat. Pharrell Williams)
• One More Time
• Technologic
• The Prime Time of Your Life (Live 2007)
• Veridis Quo

What’s even more exciting is that for the very first time ever, we’re launching live music in the game, bringing select high-energy tracks from the legendary live show Alive 2007. If you’re up for a challenge, this music pack features the longest song ever released on Beat Saber – The Prime Time of Your Life (Live 2007) – it’s 10 mins and 23 seconds long!

The music pack is accompanied by a new custom in-game environment in gold/silver color palette,  inspired by the band’s iconic triangle stage look from their live shows. We took it to the next level and created a beautiful space-y environment, surrounding the player with stars (some even orbit around you). The environment brings captivating new tech for lasers like physics and length.

Beat Saber players can get the 10-song Daft Punk Music Pack for 12.99 USD / 12.99 EUR, or if they don’t have Beat Saber just yet, they can jump in with a discounted bundle that includes the Beat Saber base game plus a full music pack for 39.99 USD / 39.99 EUR.

Let’s lose ourselves to dance!

We’re excited to announce a new free addition to Hubris, now available at PlayStation Store for PlayStation VR2. Introducing a thrilling Arena mode where you’ll encounter multiple rounds of Uron invaders and have to navigate through a closed combat map, all set in a never-before-revealed environment. 

Players will have to shoot, jump, climb and move through a map, set in a training ground deep in OOO (Order of Objectivity)-controlled territory. While you’ll encounter diverse combinations of enemies familiar from the game’s core experience, the revamped setting and enemy encounters provide an entirely fresh gameplay experience. And if you want to challenge yourself even more the new game mode has three different difficulty tiers to play through.

But that’s not all – we’ve dialed up the gameplay by adding some weapon powers and upgrades which can be earned by completing waves. 

This adventure unfolds outside the main storyline and enables us to push the boundaries. This game mode gives players access to upgrades that would typically break the game’s balance. Grenades are also newly added to this game mode so you have a better way to deal with grouped enemies, and let’s be honest – there is no better feeling than throwing a well-placed grenade to blow up a huge amount of enemies in one blow.

New mode details from developer Hubris

“We recognized the potential in the mechanics we integrated into Hubris and seized the opportunity to offer our fans something new, exciting, and fresh. When designing the levels for Hubris, our focus was on ensuring they were understandable and accessible. Our goal was to guide the player from point A to point B in an engaging manner, with a clear flow, while also maintaining a balanced level of challenge.

But this custom-built level forces players to move, climb and jump in all directions, reach a defence point and eliminate enemies before succumbing to their attacks. The new game mode starts off relatively easy but quickly escalates with Uron threats emerging from various directions. Only the most skilled players will survive more than a couple of waves especially on hard difficulty. This level is designed with numerous pathways and options for maneuvering between points A and B, emphasizing the importance of strategic movement in overcoming the obstacles posed by the Uron forces.“

– Elie Van Ravels, Game Designer, Cyborn BV

Looking ahead, we’re looking into ways to further expand this game mode, allowing players to experiment with combining upgrades, adding more maps and possibly more enemy types. However, our primary focus right now is gathering player feedback to refine this new gameplay experience, which stands alongside our current, multiple-hour story-driven campaign.

In addition to introducing the new game mode, we’ve fine-tuned existing features based on player feedback. From tweaking weapon mechanics, aim and knockback to ironing out gameplay flows and resolving some last remaining bugs, we’ve strived to enhance the overall gaming experience.

As we roll out this update, we’ll closely monitor player reactions to determine the course for future expansions. 

Hubris is just the beginning of a grand narrative, and we’re committed to unraveling the mysteries of the OOO, the Uron, and special agent Cyana.

Furthermore, we’re thrilled to announce that, in partnership with Perp Games, players can now also purchase a physical copy of Hubris for PS VR2.

Hello! I’m Josef, one of the creators of Beat the Beats VR, coming out February 27 on PlayStation VR2. It is a rhythm VR game you play with your fists and all about learning actual boxing moves like jab, dodge, and uppercut.

In this article I would like to share with you how the natural feeling boxing moves in our game came to fruition.

At Parallel Circles, we’re huge rhythm game fans. And VR? We love it. It immerses you like nothing else. I’ve always been captivated by the agility, coordination, and precision of boxers. So, blending these passions felt like a no-brainer. Thus, Beat the Beats VR was born.

Boxing greenhorn to boxing champion

Pulling off energetic boxing moves in real life takes years of training. But in Beat the Beats VR, we wanted players to feel like pros from the get-go. Jabs, hooks, uppercuts — they should all flow naturally. 

After lots of experimentation, we realized the traditional rhythm game approach didn’t quite fit boxing’s fluidity. So we switched it up. Instead of the “notes” (we call them beats) coming straight at you, they come from different directions in arcs challenging you to move exactly in the same way you would in a boxing fight.

You can’t help but make perfect jabs for beats from the front, hooks from the side, and uppercuts for ones coming from above.

Punching through the whole game

As soon as we nailed the boxing punches we brought other aspects of the sport into the game. You can also evade (called a “roll”) and block beats.

You can also unlock new levels/albums by punching them.

Mix all of the boxing action with some exhilarating music and you have a rhythm game that’s the best of both worlds: a fun experience for casual players and a full-throttle workout for the ones that want to go the extra mile.

We hope you have as much fun with our game as we had creating it. Maybe you’ll sweat as much as we did, too. Beat the Beats comes to PS VR2 on February 27!