Top 10 VR Game Machines
VR games allow players to interact with virtual environments using a variety of devices and accessories. These may include advanced headsets and goggles, sensor-equipped gloves and hand controllers.
VR has been around for decades, from Albert Ludwig’s magic spectacles in 1935 to Stanley Weinbaum’s Lawnmower Man in 1992. Today, it is becoming popular in arcades and other entertainment venues as a way to attract younger customers.
Beat Saber
Developed by Prague-based Beat Games, Beat Saber is an innovative VR game machine that combines music and movement. It has been an early hit for VR headsets and sold over four million copies by February 2021.
The game involves using handheld controllers to “slash” through virtual reality blocks, which are marked with arrows that indicate one of eight possible directions. Players must cut through the blocks in the correct direction and score points based on the length of their swing and accuracy of their cut.
While it is a simple game, it requires careful practice and patience to master. If you have trouble remembering block patterns, use Practice Mode (activated by tapping the graduation cap icon on a song) to replay certain sections in slow motion.
The music and gameplay of Beat Saber create an immersive environment that can easily make you feel as if you are in a futuristic planet or the middle of a space mission. It also taps into a sense of scale and power that makes it incredibly addictive, motivating you to keep playing until your score hits the global leaderboard.
Moss: Book II
Moss: Book II is a VR game machine that brings you into the world of an adorable mouse named Quill. It’s a puzzle platformer that blends combat, platforming and storytelling in a beautiful setting reminiscent of fairy tales.
The game picks up immediately where the first Moss ended, with a little mouse named Quill rescuing her uncle from a castle prison. But now she’s on the defensive, with an unnamed tyrant hunting her down.
Thankfully, Moss: Book II adds new tools to the mix. You can grab enemies to slow down their attacks or heal Quill from a distance, and you even get two new weapons with special powers.
While the combat in Moss: Book II isn’t as varied or exciting as the original, the game does a great job at fostering an emotional connection between the player and Quill. This feels particularly important when the Reader swings a platform containing Quill to reach a distant ledge, as you feel precarious and intimate in the way that you might with a pet.
Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge
Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge is a VR game machine that’s aimed at Facebook’s Oculus Quest headset. Created by effects studio ILMxLAB, it offers up a mix of Jedi thrills and theme park smorgasbord experiences.
It’s a shooter that takes place on the planet Batuu, which is featured in Disney’s new Star Wars themed attractions. The story follows a droid repair technician who crashed on the planet after a pirate attack.
You’ll play alongside iconic characters like R2-D2 and C-3PO, as well as a nefarious Guavian Death Gang cell leader named Tara Rashin. You’ll also VR game machine encounter unforgettable new characters, such as a boisterous Azumel bartender and Seezelslak, a world-weary barkeep who can tell universe-spanning tales for you to explore.
The main campaign is a series of short levels where you blast away at a variety of enemies, chucking disposable weapons and upgrades along the way. It’s a fun and fast-paced experience that’s sure to get you moving from point A to point B, but it’s not as deep or as rich as other VR titles.
Population One
Population One is a VR battle royale game that attempts to break new ground. Its gameplay is similar to that of Fortnite and PUBG, but its vertical movement system provides players with unparalleled freedom. They can shoot at others from the air or smash a window in a building.
The game launched in October 2020 for the Quest and Rift and Steam VR platforms, and it has received a lot of positive reviews. Meta is going to pull the game out of Quest 1 headsets, and developers BigBox VR are planning to make it free-to-play on March 9.
In addition to the move to free-to-play, BigBox VR has announced a roadmap for future content updates in Population One. They include a new Sandbox map, balance changes, single-player mode, skill-based matchmaking, mod tools and more.
Population One has been a popular game, but with its move to free-to-play, it could really take off. The developers want to make the game as accessible as possible, and this is the perfect way to do that.
Myst
Originally released in 1993, Myst helped pave the way for the advent of graphic adventure puzzle games. It was the first game that truly immersed players in a virtual world.
As a result, Myst is still considered a classic by many gamers. It’s also considered one of the most influential video games ever made.
Myst is a puzzle-based video game that revolves around exploring strange and uncharted islands. Its mysterious world is a mix of steampunk and science fiction, and nothing else can really compare to it in the modern age.
Cyan is reimagining Myst from the ground up for VR, complete with new art and sound. Its re-imagined interactions, optional puzzle randomization, and more make this version the definitive experience for fans of the series.
Myst’s slow-paced exploration and quiet puzzle-solving work well in VR, but it’s not without its blemishes. The obtuse design and challenging puzzles can be frustrating at times, but the immersive feel and tranquility of Myst remains strong, making this version a worthwhile addition to any gamer’s collection.
Eleven Table Tennis
Eleven Table Tennis is a VR game machine that lets you play table tennis against opponents from around the world. The game offers a wide variety of gameplay options, including singles, doubles, team match, tournaments, and multiplayer.
Players can also customize their experience by setting table size, spin, and shot type. This gives them more control over how their matches play out, which is important if you’re looking for a more advanced VR experience.
Both games offer realistic table tennis physics that make each game seem as though you’re actually playing in real life. However, Eleven Table Tennis has more advanced features and player customization than Racket Fury.
In addition, a study by University of Warwick showed that participants’ moods were improved after playing ETT. Additionally, participants’ heart rates were comparable to sports such as badminton singles, ballroom dancing and table tennis (in real-life).
The results of this study suggest that ETT is a healthy activity for VR game machine VR players. It can induce light exercise, comparable to sports such as badminton and table tennis, with a calculated energy cost of 5 METs from %HRR.
3D Jigsaw Puzzles
3D jigsaw puzzles are a great way to pass the time in VR. Not only do they make the game experience more immersive, but they also teach important skills like patience and problem-solving.
3D puzzles come in many different shapes, sizes and themes. Some are just like traditional jigsaw puzzles, while others build replicas of buildings, vehicles or ships in incredible detail.
These 3D jigsaw puzzles can be made out of different materials, including wood and plastic. They are often printed and cut by computer to help prevent pieces from falling out or missing.
They also feature thematic sound effects as you assemble each piece. This makes the whole experience more immersive, and the sounds add another layer to the calming and relaxing feel of the game.
If you’re looking for a new way to spend your free time in VR, check out Puzzling Places. The game puts you in a meditative and soothing atmosphere as you put together hyper-realistic miniatures of beautiful places from around the world.
VR Ping-Pong
VR Ping-Pong is a game machine that brings ping pong into your home. Thanks to VR technology and a pair of SteamVR Controllers, you’re able to plunk down a ping pong table in your living room and play a game without ever leaving the comfort of your couch.
There are several different modes to choose from, including a tournament mode that challenges you to rise up the ranks of the true Ping-Pong pro. You’ll also get to enjoy some pretty fun mini games and a wide array of customisable rackets and balls to test your skills with.
The ping pong physics are impressive, to say the least. The graphical capabilities of the VR headset are put to good use when you throw a ball around, and the fact that your paddle vibrates when you hit it is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a game.
Overall, it’s a well made and fun game. It’s not quite as impressive as some of its competitors and it needs a few patches to make it the next best thing, but it’s still a lot of fun and is worth a look if you’re a fan of the sport or just want to see what the hype is about.
