Oculus teases new games and several long-awaited updates during its first-ever VR gaming showcase.
Oculus held its first-ever VR gaming showcase earlier today, revealing new games and several major updates coming to Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift headsets this year.
Despite the relatively short 25-minute runtime, there was no shortage of exciting announcements made during today’s showcase, from a new 1080-inspired VR snowboarding game to fresh details regarding Resident Evil 4 VR on Quest.
For those in need of a recap, here’s a brief rundown of every announcement made during today’s jam-packed event.
Pistol Whip ‘Smoke & Thunder’ Update
Developer Cloudhead Games returns with yet another free update for its hit VR rhythm shooter Pistol Whip. Whereas the game’s last update, ‘2089,’ took us on a bullet-soaked science-fiction adventure, ‘Smoke & Thunder’ will have you exploring a western-themed setting as you battle your way through yet another five-part cinematic campaign.
‘Smoke & Thunder’ will arrive later this summer as a free update on Oculus Quest and Rift headsets. Also arriving as part of the update is the Concierge, a new and improved player customization system.
Warhammer 40K: Battle Sister Co-op Multiplayer
Following the release of last month’s ‘Last Bastion’ update on Quest—which introduced a new map, leaderboard, and highly-anticipated horde mode—Warhammer 40K: Battle Sister today added co-op play to Last Bastion. Today’s update also introduces two new maps perfect for slaughtering your enemies; in the name of the Emporer of course.
Warhammer 40K: Battle Sister is scheduled to launch soon on Oculus Rift with support for cross-play and cross-buy on Quest.
Lone Echo II Coming This Summer
After several significant delays and a lot of online speculation, Oculus today revealed that the highly-anticipated sequel to developer Ready at Dawn’s original 2017 sci-fi adventure will be arriving on Oculus Rift headsets later this summer.
Set directly after the events of the original, Lone Echo II has you stepping back into the role of Jack as you join your partner, Captain Olivia Rhodes, on yet another deep-space adventure.
New Resident Evil 4 VR Details
Whereas the original RE4 has you playing from a standard third-person perspective, Resident Evil 4 VR will be a first-person experience, allowing you to interact with the in-game world using your Touch controllers for the first time.
In terms of gameplay, Resident Evil 4 VR will be extremely similar to the original, but with a few tweaks designed specifically with VR in mind. Moving your character, for instance, is done using the analog stick on your Touch controller, similar to a conventional gamepad. There’s also teleportation for those prone to motion sickness, a feature included specifically for VR users.
For more information check out our full coverage of the announcement here.
Star Wars: Tale From The Galaxy’s Edge Part 2 In Development
Originally released back in November of last year, Tales From the Galaxy’s Edge is the latest Star Wars adventure(s) from developer ILMxLAB, the same team behind the critically-acclaimed Vader Immortal series.
Set on the dangerous planet of Batuu, Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge has you playing a lowly repair technician. After a series of unfortunate events, you find yourself on the bad side of a Guavian Death Gang, forcing you into an intergalactic conflict. By chatting with a character named Seezelslak in his cantina, you can unlock additional Star Wars stories that transport you throughout the Star Wars timeline, beginning with the High Republic era.
Today, Oculus revealed that part two of the adventure is currently in development at ILMxLAB. This latest chapter will expand the core adventure and introduce two new legendary tales.
A Closer Look At Star Wars Pinball VR
Set to launch next week on Oculus Quest headsets, Star Wars Pinball VR brings eight VR-optimized pinball tables to your headset, each centered around a different Star Wars film or television show.
We had the chance to go hands-on with the sizable preview not too long ago and were genuinely impressed by the incredible amount of content packed into this addicting arcade experience. VR brings each table to life with captivating animations and virtual effects.
You’ll also have the ability to customize your very own Star Wars fan cave with recognizable memorabilia from throughout the franchise, such as lightsabers, helmets, and other memorable props.
Stay tuned for our full review coming next week.
I Expect You To Die 2 Coming This Summer
A direct sequel to Schell Games’ award-winning spy-themed VR puzzle game, I Expect You To Die 2: The Spy & Liar takes place directly after the events of the third and final DLC, “Death Engine.”
This new adventure sees our hero going undercover to investigate new intelligence received by the Agency in an effort to discover Zoraxis’ latest plans for world domination.
I Expect You To Die 2 launches on Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift headsets later this year.
Creators Of 1080 Snowboarding Working On New Game For Quest
Arguably one of the biggest surprises from today’s event, Oculus today confirmed that the same team behind the legendary Nintendo 64 game 1080 Snowboarding is working on a new title for the Oculus Quest.
Described as a “modern take on a Nintendo 64 classic,” Carve Snowboarding will have you shredding the virtual gnar across a VR mountain packed with rails, jumps, and other rad obstacles. While we’ve seen other attempts at VR snowboarding experiences in the past, such as Powder VR, it’ll be interesting to see what the original 1080 Snowboarding team can bring to the table.
Carve Snowboarding arrives on Oculus Quest headsets this summer.
After The Fall Gameplay Trailer
Developed by the same team behind Arizona Sunshine, After The Fall takes the VR zombie genre to the next level, offering players the chance to battle hordes of the undead throughout a frozen apocalyptic wasteland alongside three of their friends.
Today, we received our first real look at the 80’s inspired action/horror experience, and what we saw has us very excited. Based on the trailer, it looks a though developer Vertigo Games took its time crafting a terrifying experience filled with horrific creatures, atmospheric environments, and unique cooperative gameplay elements reminiscent of games like Left 4 Dead.
After The Fall arrives this summer on Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift headsets with support for cross-play.
Wraith: The Oblivion- Afterlife Launch Trailer
Launching this week on Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift headsets, Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife has you taking on the role of Ed Miller, a mild-mannered photographer who—after being killed during a mysterious seance—now finds himself haunting the living as a ghoulish Wraith.
Using your supernatural abilities, you’ll set off on a terrifying adventure in an effort to solve your murder. Today’s trailer offers a fresh look at the horrifying experience, including the decrepit halls of the Barclay Mansion, your final resting place and primary haunting grounds.
The Climb 2 ‘Freestyle’ Expansion Pack
Free to all existing owners, the Freestyle expansion pack features new environments and additional climbing challenges, such as not using chalking up your hands during a climb.
The Freestyle Expansion Pack also appears to be pulling inspiration from games like Beat Saber, Audio Trip VR, and Supernatural with a cool rhythm-based climbing challenge that has you climbing to the beat of an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack.
The Climb 2 will be launching its Freestyle Expansion Pack in two phases, with six levels being released tomorrow and the remaining six at a later date.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners ‘The Aftershocks’ Update
Wrapping up the Oculus Gaming Showcase was the reveal of a new update for developer Skydance Interactive’s The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners.
Returning to the blood-soaked streets of post-apocalyptic New Orleans, ‘The Aftershocks’ update will have you embarking on a brand new mission set directly after the events of the main campaign, during which you’ll scavenge for new collectables and unique survival tools.
According to Skydance, ‘Aftershocks’ offers multiple hours of new content to explore and will be available 100% free-of-charge to existing owners on Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, and PlayStation VR headsets on May 20th. Now, if only we could get a co-op mode.
Feature Image Credit: Skydance Interactive
