Here’s how the games new competitive game mode works.
Alongside the launch of the Oculus Quest 2 this past Tuesday came a handful of new games, such as The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners as well as Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing, as well as significant updates to existing titles like Arizona Sunshine, Red Matter, and Trover Saves the Universe.
This week also marked the launch of Beat Saber’s new multiplayer game mode. Available now as a free update to all owners, this new PvP game mode pits up to five players against one another in an intense rhythmic battle. Before you can hop into the action, however, you’ll need to set up your personal avatar.
Upon selecting “Online Mode” you’ll be prompted to personalize your very own player avatar. You’ll have the option of customizing a variety of aspects, including your hair, eyes, complexion, and wardrobe. Once you’re happy with your virtual you, you can then select the difficulty (easy, medium, hard, expert, or expert+) and select which songs you’d like to play. “Built-in” includes the core Beat Saber tracks featured as part of the OST music packs.
“All,” on the other hand, includes every song released on the platform, including third-party releases. If you do not own the song that is selected by your group, you’ll be automatically relegated to spectator mode and forced to watch the action from the sideline. Similarly, if you’re unable to keep up with the track and fail, you will also be transported to spectator mode for the remainder of the match.
Once you’ve selected your settings and joined a match, you’ll be transported to a pre-game lobby with your fellow competitors. Here you vote on which song you’d like to play, view game settings, or just goof around with other players.
Once a song has been selected and everyone has ready up’d (or the timer ends), you’ll then be tossed into the arena. Here you’ll slash bricks alongside your competitors with the goal of achieving the highest score. As previously stated, those who fail the track will be transported to the sidelines. Once the track has finished, scores are tallied up based on total misses, accuracy, timing, etc, and the remaining players are ranked from 1st to 5th.
Even for those who lack the coordination and skill necessary to bring home the gold, such as myself, Beat Saber’s multiplayer game mode is a wonderful change-of-pace from the standard formula, offering an engaging social element that’s as fun as it is frustrating.
Even when you’re hopelessly behind in the scores, slashing bricks in sync with other players is an incredibly satisfying experience. It’s almost like synchronized swimming, only more embarrassing to watch in-person.
Beat Saber is available now on Oculus Rift/Rift S, Oculus Quest/Quest 2, Microsoft Windows, and PSVR.
Image Credit: VRScout
