UploadVR’s 2023 Showcase featured over 60 games for various VR platforms, including SteamVR, PlayStation VR2, and Meta Quest.
The nearly 2-hour-long event included updates on highly-anticipated sequels such as Espire 2 and Pixel Ripped 1978 as well as new games like Throwback and Battle Bows. And the best part is each game mentioned is currently available or coming this year.
Here are 10 games that stood out to me during the event (in no particular order):
Battle Bows (Meta Quest 3, SteamVR)
Battle Bows is a colorful-looking VR game that tasks you with defending your castle from a swarm of evil balloons using a bow and arrow. Yes, you heard right: evil balloons… Use your skills to blow stuff up and stop them from invading your castle.
You can play by yourself or compete against other players in both private lobbies and quick play. I can already tell I’ll be spending more than a few hours playing this one.
Available July 13th on the Meta Quest Store and Steam.
Pixel Ripped 1978 (Meta Quest, SteamVR, and PS VR2)
This game has been on my radar for some time now. Pixel Ripped 1978 is the latest addition to the Pixel Ripped series. You once again take on the role of the hero of the series, Dot. This time, however, you’ll be traveling back in time to the days when the Atari 2600 was on everyone’s wish list. And this time you’ll receive help from Barbara Rivers AKA Bug (creator of Pixel Ripped) who will assist you in defeating Cyblin Lord, a notorious royal a-hole.
Pixel Ripped 1978 is available now.
Inverse (Meta Quest)
Fans of Stranger Things should enjoy this one. Inverse is a multiplayer VR horror game that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat as four players go toe-to-toe with a horrifying creature, played by another player. Restore power to the control terminals as an Agent or hunt them down as the creature.
Inverse is available now in Early Access on Meta Quest via App Lab.
Paint the Town Red (Meta Quest, Steam VR, and PS VR2)
This blocky-looking VR brawler has you painting the town red, literally! Based on the trailer, the over-the-top fighting game features plenty in the way of action. There are guns, swords, chairs, and even barbells! There’s even the occasional dance party, though odds it will eventually turn into another brawl.
Paint the Town Red will be available in early 2024.
Outta Hand (Meta Quest)
This game looks absolutely bizarre and I’m here for it. As one of the Hand-People, you have some amazing physical capabilities. Jump high, leap great distances, and even shake hands from really far away.
In Outta Hands you need to use your hands…errr feet, to escape from a laboratory run by the incredibly nasty Dr. Vendelvom. This guy is a world-class jerk and he wants nothing more than to see you gone. Use your hands to defeat his henchmen as you battle your way through multiple levels and boss fights.
Outta Hand will be available in the Autumn of 2023.
Dead Hook (Meta Quest)
This VR shooter looks absolutely sick. Battle your way through this space hell odyssey filled with different monsters and demons to battle using a unique grappling hook mechanic. The game promises plenty of action-packed gunplay, not to mention gore. There’s even a bit of puzzle-solving.
Dead Hook will be available in July on the Meta Quest Store.
Floor Plan 2 (Meta Quest and Steam VR)
The original Floor Plan was a lot of fun with its comically muppet-like approach. Floor Plan 2 promises even more virtual shenanigans. But bigger and better. Each floor is an escape room with unique objectives to solve! This time around there are even more elevators, levels, and characters.
Floor Plan 2 is available now on the Meta Quest Store.
Espire 2 (Meta Quest 3 and Quest Pro)
Meta Quest 3 is going to revolutionize the mixed reality gaming market by allowing players to mix virtual content with the real world. We’ve already seen what the technology is capable of with games like I Expect You To Die: Home Sweet Home on Meta Quest Pro.
Now it appears as though the popular stealth-action game Espire 2 will be getting the mixed reality treatment in a free update coming soon to Quest headsets. Based on the trailer, it looks as though we’ll be sneaking around enemies and dodging traps around our own homes.
Mixed reality mode is expected to launch later this year. Check out the official game page for more information.
Throwback (Meta Quest and Steam VR)
Have you ever dreamt of delivering the news while battling UFOs? Then Throwback is the game for you! Completing a paper route is hard enough, and now you have space aliens and angry neighbors to worry about. Ride fast and work on your throw. Your life depends on it.
Throwback will be available this July.
Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station (Meta Quest and Steam VR)
I have a weakness for stylized games that have you swinging around a space station while battling deadly robots. Yupitergrad 2 is the sequel to the popular space station adventure game. If you’re a fan of the first game, odds are you’ll want to pick this one up.
Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station will be available this July.
For more information on all of the announcements from the UploadVR Showcase check out the full event here.
Feature Image Credit: ARVORE, Atari