We know that the expression is “Christmas in July,” but it might as well be “Halloween in March” with this early spring collection of new Oculus releases. From murder mysteries to madness to ravening dinosaurs, this week’s top five Oculus Rift and Gear VR games may well require a change of underwear.
Island 359
from CloudGate Studio, Inc.
A number of games, including the maligned ARK: Survival Evolved, have attempted to bring the Jurassic Park milieu into the VR survival game. So far, Island 359 comes the closest.
Beyond the obvious – beautiful graphics, immersive tropical jungle environments, and freakin’ dinosaurs – this release from CloudGate Studio brings some additional innovations, including “Virtual Self,” a new solution for full-body view in VR, as well as multiple movement and interaction mechanics for a more accessible overall experience.
Oculus Rift | 11 GB | $24.99 from Oculus or from Steam
Galaxy Race
from Magic VR
With Sprint Vector getting so much attention, this other futuristic racing game fell beneath the radar, but Galaxy Race combines hoverboard racing at breakneck speed with a unique, head-driven motion control mechanic that many players have described as hard to pick up at first but extremely satisfying with a bit of practice.
We also enjoy the cartoon-inspired character designs and the fact that you can throw discs – we call them “death Frisbees,” though that’s probably not their official title – to take out competitors.
Oculus Rift | 2 GB | $14.99 from Steam
A Most Curious Murder
from Simon Hultgren
A bit like Her Story in VR, A Most Curious Murder is a VR experience within a VR experience, encouraging the player to explore a police station – and the station computer’s VR video recordings – to solve a murder.
The motion detection for locomotion is an interesting idea – it detects head motion from walking in place – that didn’t entirely work for us in practice, but this is still a well-designed free experience for mobile VR users.
Gear VR | 567 MB | FREE from Oculus
Rise of Insanity
from Red Limb Studio
This horror experience from Red Limb Studio was already scaring the pants off of people in Early Access. Set in the ‘70s, Rise of Insanity garners high praise for its VR implementation, well-realized setting, and especially its atmospheric sound design.
Oculus Rift | 10 GB | $9.99 from Steam
Speak of the Devil
from Light Sail VR, LLC
An interactive movie with 13 possible endings, Speak of the Devil reminds us of a cross between The Blair Witch Project and the original Evil Dead, which is to say its deliciously frightening in spite of its occasional campy moments.
Gear VR | 1.2 GB | $2.99 from Oculus