DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles game screenshot courtesy Steam

Top 5 Oculus Releases – September 22rd-29th – Spaceships and Spells

Whether you dream of blasting off in a virtual outer space dogfight or wielding your wand in a battle of wizards, we’ve got you covered with this week’s new Oculus Games:

DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles

by Digital Domain

DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles game screenshot courtesy Steam
DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles – screenshot courtesy Steam

We’re pretty excited about this, and we think every fan of the Netflix series Voltron: Legendary Defender will be, too (not to mention those of us old enough to remember the original ‘80s cartoons). Featuring multiple locations, puzzles and the voice actors from the television series, DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles has a lot to offer fans of giant robots in general and the Voltron series in particular.

Much of the game consists of logic puzzles set between gorgeously animated cut scenes telling a new story within the Voltron universe. But the answer to the question we know you’re asking is yes: you do in fact get to pilot one of the legendary Lions.

Oculus Rift | 4 GB | $14.99 from the Oculus Store or from Steam

EVE: Valkyrie – Warzone

by CCP

EVE: Valkyrie - Warzone game screenshot courtesy Steam
EVE: Valkyrie – Warzone – screenshot courtesy Steam

Technically, this isn’t a new release, as EVE: Valkyrie – the VR space dogfight sim based on EVE Online – has been out for some time, but the Warzone expansion and update is major enough that it’s practically a new game.

In terms of content, there are new maps, a new progression system and a new ship, but more importantly, EVE: Valkyrie – Warzone is now a cross-platform game, meaning that VR and non-VR players can blast each other within the same space (pun intended).

Oculus Rift | 29 GB | $29.99 from the Oculus Store or from Steam

Wands

by Cortopia Studios

Wands game screenshot courtesy Oculus
Wands – screenshot courtesy Oculus

Once again, not a brand new game, but Wands, originally released for Gear VR and winner of the VR Game of the Year at the International Mobile Gaming Awards, is out now for Oculus Rift. The game of wand-wielding, dueling sorcerers has been completely overhauled to take advantage of PC graphics, and it was pretty impressive-looking to begin with.

Like the EVE: Valkyrie update, the new version of Wands offers cross-platform support, so mobile and Oculus Rift players can compete against each other. As one of mobile VR’s early break-out hits, Wands has already built itself a solid little community with regularly scheduled tournaments, complete with spectators. With the addition of Rift support, we expect that community to grow exponentially.

Oculus Rift | 812 MB | $14.99 from the Oculus Store

RuneSage

by George Gilbert

RuneSage game screenshot courtesy Steam
RuneSage – screenshot courtesy Steam

Another game about wizards, wands and whatnot, RuneSage takes a different approach, eschewing violence – despite the fact that the NPCs look like the magicians from the explosively madcap Magicka series – in favor of what the developer describes as a “magical scavenger hunt.” You still get to wave your controllers around to cast spells, though, which is the important thing.

With 20 different areas to explore, multiple NPCs, puzzles to solve, spells to learn and loads of quests to complete, RuneSage boasts at least 10 hours of gameplay. We could get lost in this one for a while.

Oculus Rift | 2 GB | $9.99 from Steam

Dimension Hunter

by Pocket Money Games

Dimension Hunter game screenshot courtesy Steam
Dimension Hunter – screenshot courtesy Steam

It wouldn’t be a week of new VR releases without at least a handful of shooters, and Dimension Hunter is definitely the standout this time around. In addition to both free-roaming and on-rails mode, it’s got a pulpy, over-the-top style inspired by vintage horror comics. We don’t always prefer shooters, but when we do, we like them with tongue firmly in cheek.

Oculus Rift | 1 GB | $18.99 from Steam

Other Noteworthy Oculus Releases:

Bending the Light

by Deeperbeige Games

Bendng the Light game screenshot courtesy Oculus
Bendng the Light – screenshot courtesy Oculus

Bending the Light brings the venerable laser logic puzzle genre to VR. Besides the added challenge of manipulating lasers via mirrors and prisms and three dimensions instead of two, we also enjoy the game’s visual approach, which combines eye-scorching neon beams with ominous-looking scientific implements.

Oculus Rift | 611 MB | $9.99 from the Oculus Store

2MD VR Football

by Truant Pixel LLC

2MD VR Football game screenshot courtesy Steam
2MD VR Football – screenshot courtesy Steam

A two-minute drill quarterback game, 2MD VR Football is more arcade action than ultra-realistic football simulation – don’t expect a VR version of the Madden NFL series – but aspiring Peyton Manning types will enjoy the virtual pigskin-tossing as well as a virtual whiteboard that lets them draw and run their own plays.

Oculus Rift | 2 GB | $12.99 from Steam

Apart from this week’s forays into space piloting and magic, Oculus also announced a new refund policy. Taking a page from Steam, the policy lets Oculus Rift owners return any interactive downloads within a two-week period, so long as they played for less than two hours (the policy for Gear VR is a bit more time-limited: three days and 30 minutes or less of play time). The policy doesn’t extend to films or in-game purchases.

While we are impressed with the new Oculus return policy, it’s our goal to cover only the best new Oculus releases, so be sure to check back next week for more games that won’t make you ask for your money back.