There’s a little something for everyone in this week’s Oculus releases, from atmospheric train rides to madcap tank battles, from creepy atmosphere to cartoon violence. Our top picks for the week:
Manifest 99
by Flight School Studio
Innovative in its storyline, its graphical approach and its use of the VR space alike, Manifest 99 is a brief, exploratory experience of a passenger on a train to the land of the dead. With no controllers required, players navigate through gaze alone, looking into the eyes of fellow passengers – or even the ominous crows accompanying them on this eerie voyage – to see things from their perspective. On top of the atmospheric concept and novel control scheme, it looks like something out of a Studio Ghibli film – one of the creepier ones.
While it’s less a game than a 20-minute atmospheric interactive ride through a glass train of emotion, its locomotion (pun intended) mechanic and evocative visuals make it totally worthy of your time.
Oculus Rift | 3 GB | $5.99 from the Oculus Store or from Steam
Duck Season
by Stress Level Zero
Much more than a tribute to the NES light gun classic Duck Hunt, this game from Hover Junkers developers Stress Level Zero is a mix of ‘80s nostalgia and horror a la Stranger Things. Mini-games on a retro console and playable VHS cassettes capture the spirit of the era. As for Duck Hunt, remember the way your hunting dog would laugh at you when you’d miss? In Duck Season he gets to play a more active role…and he’s not happy you keep trying to shoot him.
Oculus Rift | 3 GB | $19.99 from the Oculus Store or from Steam
Bloody Zombies
by Paw Print Games LLC
One genre that hasn’t inundated the VR world yet is the classic brawler. Bloody Zombies aims to fill that void with cross-platform co-op beat-’em-action for VR and standard PC players alike – though the diorama perspective afforded to VR players offers visual access to otherwise-hidden in-game areas. Eye-catching and colorful comic book-inspired characters – as well as British humor – add to the appeal of punching zombies up one side of post-apocalyptic London and down the other.
Oculus Rift | 6.7 GB | $14.99 from the Oculus Store or from Steam
World War Toons: Tank Up!
by Studio Roqovan, Inc.
A single-player prequel to World War Toons, a multi-player FPS for Sony PlayStation 4 and Sony VR, World War Toons: Tank Up! features the same cartoonish action and Axis vs. Allies hi-jinks. We know VR shooters are a dime a dozen, but Studio Roqovan – inspired by classic Looney Toons and Tom and Jerry episodes – gives the genre the comedic kick in the pants it so sorely needs.
Gear VR | 80 MB | $4.99 from the Oculus Store
Seeking Evil: The Wendigo
by Copybugpaste
Stealth and puzzle elements and the use of a monster from Native American folklore look to elevate Seeking Evil: The Wendigo – out of Early Access this week – above the typical VR horror experience. Instead of just wandering through an environment waiting for jump scares, players must find and collect a series of totem objects hidden in the dark woods…but move slowly and carefully, lest they be caught by the fearful Wendigo that stalks them through the forest at night.
Oculus Rift | 4 GB | $9.99 from Steam
Other Noteworthy Oculus Releases:
Masterpiece VR
by Brinx Software
An artistic tool rather than a game or experience, Masterpiece VR might be the biggest Oculus release of the week. Combining 3D painting tools a la Tilt Brush with the sculpting and modeling of Oculus Medium, Masterpiece VR was garnering favorable comparisons to both when it was still in beta. In addition to its numerous graphical tools, this program also allows multiple artists to work together in a single virtual space.
Oculus Rift | 8 GB | $29.99 from the Oculus Store or from Steam
Be sure to check back next week for the latest and best Oculus Rift and Gear VR releases.