A moonrise from 2016 is photographed from the space station with the Earth’s limb, the atmospheric glow and the aurora below.
The six residents aboard the International Space Station kicked off the workweek today exploring microgravity’s long-term impacts on biology and physics. The Expedition 59 crew is also ramping up for a fourth spacewalk at the orbital lab this year.
NASA is planning to send men and women to the Moon in 2024 and life science on the station will help flight surgeons keep lunar astronauts healthy. The space physics research will also provide critical insights to engineers designing future spacecraft and habitats for exploration missions.
Several dozen mice and their immune systems, which are similar to humans, are being continuously observed in specialized habitats. Flight Engineer Anne McClain tended to the mice today cleaning cages and restocking food in Japan’s Kibo laboratory module. Doctors are testing the hypothesis the immune response decreases in space and exploring advanced vaccines and therapies benefiting both astronauts and Earthlings.
NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Nick Hague also researched a variety of space biological phenomena. Koch wrapped up a pathogen study today seeking to understand why virulence increases in microgravity. Hague cleaned up Veggie Ponds botany hardware in Europe’s Columbus laboratory module where small crops of edible plants are grown. He then photographed protein crystal samples in the afternoon for a student-designed investigation as Koch assisted him.
David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency recorded a video demonstrating Isaac Newton’s Second and Third Laws. The video will help young students understand how force and acceleration influence air and space missions. He also transferred data captured from tiny internal satellites exploring space debris cleanup technology.
Commander Oleg Kononenko and Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin are getting ready for a spacewalk planned for May 29. The cosmonauts are resizing their spacesuits, inspecting the components and checking for leaks today. The duo will remove experiments, sample station surfaces and jettison obsolete hardware during their six-hour excursion.
The latest iteration of Glass features an improved camera and a more powerful CPU for $999.
Earlier today, Google announced the latest addition to its Google Glass hardware line-up with Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2. The company promises the new AR headset will help businesses increase the efficiency of its employees by offering them hands-free access to a world of information in real-time.
Available exclusively for enterprise use, this newest iteration is built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR1 platform and features a new AI engine, offering users a noticeably more powerful hardware experience. This has resulted in considerable improvements to power and performance—including an improved camera for higher quality video streaming and collaborative features—and opens up the possibility of computer vision and advanced machine-learning.
To help protect all the delicate technology stuffed into the sleek device, Google teamed up with Smith Optics to create a set of Glass-compatible safety frames capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of working environments such as manufacturing floors and maintenance facilities.
Here’s a detailed spec breakdown of the Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 headset:
SoC — Qualcomm Quad Core, 1.7GHz, 10nm
OS — Android Oreo
Memory & Storage — 3GB LPDDR4 / 32GB eMMC Flash
Wi-Fi — 802.11ac, dual-band, single antenna
Bluetooth — 5.x AoA
Camera — 8Mp, 80 DFOV
Display — 640×360 Optical Display Module
Audio Out — Mono Speaker, USB audio, BT audio
Microphones — 3 beam-forming microphones
Touch — Multi-touch gesture touchpad
Charging & Data — USB Type-C, USB 2.0 480Mbps
LED — Privacy (camera), power (rear)
Battery — 820mAH with fast charge
IMU — Single 6-axis Accel/Gyro, single 3-axis Mag
Power Saving features — On head detection sensor, and Eye-on screen sensor
Ruggedization — Water and dust resistance
Weight — 46g (pod)
Image Credit: Google
Thanks to multiple improvements to hardware, Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 allows employees to collaborate remotely in real-time via live video streaming, reference helpful documentation, and safely access specific applications using hands-free voice commands.
Those interested in bringing incorporating this technology into their own workplace will be delighted to hear that Glass Enterprise Edition 2 features a much simpler development process; due in large part to an Android foundation and support for Android Enterprise Mobile Device Management.
Reach EDU looks to expand science, tech, engineering, arts, and mathematics through AR robots.
Reach Robotics, the creators of the world’s first AR gaming robot, MekaMon launched the next generation of EdTech with a new coding platform – Reach EDU.
If you’re not familiar with Reach Robotics line-up of kid-friendly robots, MekaMon are programmable machines which players can control via a smart device to battle digital opponents—both real and AI—in an augmented space; adding an additional layer of visual excitement to the conventional playtime experience. Now the company is adding even more educational value in the form of STEAM-based learning with Reach EDU.
Learning through play is a key part of the Reach EDU experience. Originally announced at CES 2019, the Reach EDU app has officially launched and now works alongside the existing MekaMon augmented reality gaming app, bringing together creative STEAM learning and advanced robotics in one approachable package.
The World Economic Forum recently listed problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity as the top three skills that children need for success. ReachEDU Missions have been created using gamification techniques to reward and challenge students in ways that encourage creative problem solving and deeper engagement with coding concepts.
The Reach EDU app incorporates engaging storytelling to guide learning. Led by Ivy, the Head Engineer at the Mekacademy, students learn to code their MekaMon in a series of game-like challenges in preparation for a mission to Mars.
The app is structured around four core features which can be used independently of the missions to encourage creative play and experimentation:
Free Drive: Freely to experiment with MekaMon’s fluid movement and lifelike animations.
MekaDraw: Trace a line across the screen and MekaMon will follow.
MekaMotion: Code directly on the MekaMon robot by moving each of its limbs to build up a series of commands through stop motion animation.
MekaCode: Code direct commands in Scratch-based block coding.
Additionally, Reach EDU is designed with a range of learners and experience levels in mind.
For those just getting started Draw, MekaMotion and MekaCode help get familiar with coding concepts. Experienced learners can unlock a world of new programming potential with further applications such as Swift Playgrounds.
For students further along in their studies, including those at degree and postgraduate level, third-party educational platforms are being developed to work MekaMon in addition to existing Swift Playground integration.
These will include a Reach Raspberry Pi processing module and a browser version of Reach EDU incorporating Python to support KS3 and 4 curriculums and open the platform up to advanced experimentation.
Reach EDU is the realization of the primary inspiration behind MekaMon. Reach Robotics CEO, Silas Adekunle, created the first prototype while teaching in schools. He quickly learned that robotics and gaming captured students’ attention, making learning infinitely more engaging.
“There’s a huge amount of creative potential with MekaMon, due to the scope of its expressive movement and personality. Reach EDU is about delivering the tools to take advantage of this, by creating a versatile, accessible, and fun platform for effective STEAM education and ongoing innovation”. – Silas Adekunle, CEO Reach Robotics.
Reach Robotics is exploring how their AR advances with MekaMon will evolve the Reach EDU experience. Reach EDU will have ongoing updates with new missions, content and supporting materials continually being developed.
The ReachEDU app is available for free on the Appstore and Google Play. MekaMon are available via Apple (in-store and online), Amazon among other retailers. Schools can order multiple units at a discount via edu@reachrobotics.com.
Image Credit: Reach Robotics
According to Change the Equation, the number of STEM jobs will grow 13 percent, compared to 9 percent for non-STEM jobs between 2017 and 2027— computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing are leading the way.
With platforms like Reach EDU, our present-day learners will be prepared to be future leaders through the power creativity, problem-solving, advanced robotics and fun learning experiences, advanced robotics all around.
Wahrscheinlich einer der wichtigsten Neuigkeiten im AR-Bereich in den letzten Monaten. Wenn wir in Zukunft in unserer Google-Suche AR-Inhalte angezeigt bekommen und diese dann in den Raum platziert bekommen wäre dies, für das Thema AR ein sehr sehr wichtige Entwicklung und macht die Tragweite für Aktivitäten in Unternehmen sichtbar in das Thema 3D-Modell-/3D-Welten zu gehen und Kompetenzen/Skills hier aufzubauen. Upskilling ist das Thema, Mitarbeiter FIT machen für AR und 3D.
Ist Ihre Organisation 3D-ready?, Torsten Fell
Ich habe einmal zwei Artikel zu diesem Thema zusammen hier eingestellt, viel Spaß.
Neue Informationen lassen sich am besten veranschaulichen, indem man sie – wie es das Wort schon sagt – direkt sichtbar macht. Wir haben heute auf der I/O neue Funktionen für die Google-Suche und Google Lens vorgestellt. Mithilfe der Kamera, maschinellen Sehens und Augmented Reality (AR) können auf diese Weise bestimmte Inhalte in der realen Umgebung abgebildet werden – und so euren Alltag weiter erleichtern.
AR in der Google-Suche
Ein fliegender Weißer Hai? Google Lens macht’s möglich
In den nächsten Wochen werden wir eine neue Funktion in der Google-Suche veröffentlichen, mit der Nutzer 3D-Objekte direkt aus der Suche in ihrem Umfeld platzieren können. So ist es nicht nur möglich, gewisse Dinge genauer zu betrachten – ihr bekommt außerdem ein besseres Gefühl für die eigentliche Form und Größe. Es ist zum Beispiel eine Sache, zu lesen, dass ein Weißer Hai bis zu fünfeinhalb Meter lang werden kann. Einen wirklichen Eindruck davon erhaltet ihr aber erst, wenn ihr ihn dann in seiner tatsächlichen Größe vor euch seht. Wenn ihr künftig in der Suche nach bestimmten Tieren sucht, könnt ihr einige direkt im Knowledge Panel in 3D und AR ansehen.
Animiertes 3D-Modell von als Suchergebnis für „Muskelanspannung“
Wir arbeiten außerdem mit Partnern zusammen, um auch ihre Inhalte künftig in 3D in der Google-Suche darstellen zu können. So erweckt ihr bald viele weitere dreidimensionale Objekte direkt aus der Suche vor euren eigenen Augen zum Leben – ganz egal, ob es sich dabei um anatomische Modelle des menschlichen Körpers oder um ein neues Paar Sneaker handelt.
Neue Funktionen für Google Lens
Über eine Milliarde mal haben Menschen Google Lens schon genutzt, um mehr über die Dinge in ihrer Umgebung zu erfahren. Für eine möglichst präzise Antwort greift Google Lens dabei auf maschinelles Lernen (ML), maschinelles Sehen und Milliarden von Fakten im Knowledge Graph zurück. Ab sofort arbeiten wir daran, noch visuellere Antworten auf diese visuellen Fragen zu finden.
Stellen wir uns einmal vor, ihr seid in einem Restaurant und könnt euch nicht entscheiden. Google Lens hebt die besonders beliebten Gerichte auf der Speisekarte automatisch hervor. Wenn ihr dann auf ein Gericht tippt, könnt ihr anhand von Fotos und Rezensionen auf Google Maps sofort sehen, wie es tatsächlich aussieht – und wie es den anderen Gästen bisher geschmeckt hat.
Was soll ich bloß essen? Google Lens hilft bei der Entscheidung.
Doch wie funktioniert das genau? Als Erstes erkennt Google Lens die ganzen Gerichte auf der Karte und unterscheidet anhand der Schriftgröße, Schriftart und Farbe diese von der Beschreibung. Dann werden die Namen der Gerichte mit den dazugehörigen Fotos aus der Restaurantbewertung in Google Maps abgeglichen.
Google Lens ist vor allem dann besonders hilfreich, wenn ihr im Urlaub seid und die Landessprache nicht versteht. In diesem Fall könnt ihr ganz einfach die Kamera auf den zu übersetzenden Text halten. Google Lens zeigt dann die Übersetzung direkt über dem Ausgangstext an – und das in mehr als 100 Sprachen!
Google Lens übersetzt den Text und zeigt ihn direkt über dem Original an
Doch wir arbeiten an noch mehr Möglichkeiten, um hilfreiche digitale Informationen mit der realen Welt zu verknüpfen. Im De Young Museum in San Francisco erhaltet ihr mithilfe von Google Lens beispielsweise versteckte Hintergrundgeschichten von den Kuratoren zu den Bildern. Oder wenn ihr ein Rezept aus einer Kochzeitschrift nachkochen möchtet, richtet einfach eure Kamera auf das Rezept und schon könnt ihr loslegen.
Mit Google Lens erwachen Rezepte zum Leben
Lens für Google Go
Weltweit haben über 800 Millionen Erwachsene Schwierigkeiten, alltägliche Dokumente wie Busfahrpläne oder Bankformulare zu lesen. Mit Google Lens werden jetzt diese und andere Texte ganz einfach vom Smartphone vorgelesen.
Dazu müsst ihr eure Kamera nur auf den jeweiligen Text richten. Die einzelnen Wörter werden dabei hervorgehoben, sodass ihr den Text mitverfolgen und in seinem gesamten Zusammenhang verstehen könnt. Außerdem könnt ihr auch einzelne Wörter antippen, um nach ihrer Bedeutung zu suchen. Diese Funktion ist zunächst für Google Go verfügbar – die Such-App für Smartphone-Neulinge. Die Lens-Funktion für Google Go ist nur 100 KB groß und funktioniert sogar auf Smartphones, die 50 Euro kosten.
Im Rahmen der Google I/O hat Google heute einige neue Features für die Suche aber auch die Google Lens vorgestellt. Die Neuerungen wurden dabei sogar auch für unsere Breitengrade bestätigt. Ausrollen will man die neuen visuellen Funktionen schon innerhalb der nächsten Wochen. So peppt man die Google Suche und die Google Lens um neue visuelle Gimmicks auf.
Etwa zeigte man, wie über die Google Suche nun beim Stöbern nach bestimmten Themen oder auch Produkten 3D-Modelle und AR-Inhalte eingebunden werden. Beispiel: Ihr sucht nach einem bestimmten Tier oder auch einem Turnschuh und könnt jenen in der Augmented Reality direkt in eurer Umgebung erblicken.
Im Falle eines Tieres hilft das dessen Größe einzuschätzen, bei einem Kleidungsstück seht ihr direkt, wie es zum Rest eurer Garderobe passt. Das neue AR-Feature für die Suche will man noch innerhalb dieses Monats ausrollen. Als Partner nennt Google dafür bereits Organisationen bzw. Unternehmen wie die NASA, New Balance, Samsung, Target, Visible Body, Volvo und Wayfair.
Die Google Lens wiederum erhält eine Funktion, die über die Kamera Texte auf etwa Schildern erkennen und direkt vorlesen kann. Während des Vorlesens markiert die Google Lens sogar die jeweils gerade vorgelesenen Wörter. Das erleichtert es nachzuvollziehen, was einem die Lens gerade berichtet. Es soll sogar möglich sein, bestimmte Wörter anzutippen und dann weitere Erklärungen zu ihnen zu erhalten. Auch Übersetzungen werden auf diese Weise möglich. Dabei übersetzt die Google Lens den jeweiligen Inhalt dann sowohl visuell, also im Bild als auch verbal, also beim Vorlesen.
Zusätzlich kann die Google Lens etwa in Restaurants auf Speisekarten beliebte Gerichte hervorheben und dann etwa zu den Speisen Rezensionen und Bilder aus Google Maps hervorzaubern. Wer also in einem Restaurant nicht weiß, was er bestellen soll, erhält so neue Unterstützung. Das kann natürlich besonders bei Reisen im Ausland durchaus sinnig sein – etwa wenn ihr die Speisekarte vielleicht aufgrund japanischer Schriftzeichen sonst nicht einmal lesen könnt.
Für Museen wiederum ist angedacht, dass die Google Lens zu Gemälden oder anderen Kunstwerken direkt zusätzliche Informationen anzeigen kann – die direkt von den Betreuern des Museums eingestellt worden sind. So erhaltet ihr quasi direkt vor Ort eine kostenlose, digitale Führung. Letzte neue Funktion: Ihr studiert ein Magazin mit Rezepten, richtet die Kamera darauf und erhaltet direkt zum Kochen des Rezepts eine Videoanleitung.
Speziell für die Übersetzungen nannte Google als verfügbare Sprache ganz direkt auch Deutsch, dieses Feature für die Lens will man bei uns in den nächsten Wochen verteilen. Seien wir einfach mal gespannt. Die Funktionen klingen definitiv extrem spannend und könnten auch für Menschen eine Hilfe sein, die z. B. unter Beeinträchtigungen beim Sehen oder Lesen leiden.
Everybody’s Golf VR is the type of game that shouldn’t work as well as it does. The PS Move controllers ae archaic by modern technology standards and they have significant issues in terms of jitter, tracking consistency, and tracking coverage compared to the competition but somehow Sony and its stable of developers continue to make things work.
To be clear: Everybody’s Golf VR is not a super-accurate golf simulation. This is not a replacement for actually practicing and should not be treated as a 1:1 golfing experience — but it’s damn fun. Maybe it’s the bright, colorful visuals, cheery voice over and animations, or just the fact that it makes me feel like I’m better at golf than I really am, or maybe it’s a combination of all three that make me feel this way, but this is an excellent example of how to adapt a sports game for VR.
Everybody’s Golf VR can be played with either a single PS Move controller or the DualShock 4. When playing with Move it works a lot like you’d expect with you swinging the controller wide to hit the ball and actually having to pay attention to your wrist rotation and placement. The biggest issue was just drift with the PS Move controller, which is something that has plagued PSVR since launch.
Like I said earlier, tracking is good enough and better than it should be but is still far from ideal. A game like this would shine even more with better tracking, but it gets the job done. I found myself really getting into things after a few courses and played standing up with my body turned to the side just as I would on an actual golf course. This isn’t a sports simulation so I didn’t mind if the shot was a bit wonkier than I intended or thought it would be based on my swing. As it stands, there’s great “pass the headset” style multiplayer appeal here even if that isn’t actually supported. The lack of multiplayer in general feels like a major missed opportunity.
You don’t need a PS Move controller to play Everybody’s Golf VR though, at least not technically. Since the DualShock 4 has a light bar you can hold it and swing it like you would the PS Move but it just feels awkward and since the light bar is flat and not rounded on top the tracking is even worse. Playing with a DualShock 4 left a lot to be desired and felt like a very tacked-on feature. I wouldn’t recommend anyone to play the game this way.
Between the practice range for hitting, a practice green for putting, a handful of course (it looks like there are four from what I can see) there is a good amount of content. Each course can be mirrored to offer a different experience and there are 3 hole, 9 hole out, 9 hole in, and 18-hole variations. There is very good variety between the courses available. You can also unlock new tees, holes, clubs, and caddies as well as outfits for each caddy.
At the end of the day it just feels like there needed to be a bit more to round things out. The reception area is finely detailed and has a good county club vibe, but I was left hoping for a more robust campaign of some kind rather than single courses.
Visually it looks great. The art style lends itself very well to the PSVR and the bright colors look excellent, especially on a PS4 Pro. Replaying holes to do better is extremely addictive, especially with all of the unlocks built into the game.
Final Score:7.5/10 – Good
Everybody’s Golf VR is a solid adaptation of the franchise for the PSVR. The gameplay is extremely fun and engaging, even if lacking in terms of accuracy a bit due to the limitations of the PSVR as a platform. I was left wanting multiplayer support and more courses to pick from, but the variety offered within each course and amount of unlockables available provides plenty of goodies for fans to dig into.
Everybody’s Golf VR releases tomorrow on PSVR for $29.99. Read our Game Review Guidelines for more information on how we arrived at this score.
Do you know what day it is? It’s the day before the Oculus Quest releases. Tomorrow the Oculus Quest standalone VR headset finally releases on May 21. So naturally we are back with some more wireless, standalone roomscale streaming for all of your beautiful eyeballs to see.
Last week we had a ton of fun showing off lots of new games we hadn’t played before and today we’re back with the same setup. The visuals will be a fisheye view of the right eye, but we can now stream the entire library not just what’s available via Chromecast. And now we have finally decided to just stream directly to YouTube since that’s where the vast majority of our audience is located. This way we can focus specifically on that platform.
The stream is planned to start around 2:00 PM PT and we’ll aim to last for about an hour or two. We’ll be livestreaming to the UploadVR YouTube directly. You can see the full stream embedded right here down below once it’s up:
You can see our most recent past archived streams over in our YouTube playlist. There’s lots of good stuff there so make sure and subscribe!
And please let us know which games or discussions you want us to livestream next! We have lots of VR games in the queue that we would love to show off more completely.
Oculus Quest units are beginning to slip out into the wild ahead of official launch tomorrow. One of the coolest uses of the standalone VR headset we’ve seen thus far? Someone playing an entire level of Apex Construct… using only their legs. That’s right, their actual legs, not their fake virtual ones.
YouTuber Jugon Virtual just posted this video of the Quest port of Fast Travel Games’ debut. In it, he tackles an entire level of the game by physically walking through it. Jugon runs around a football field covering a 6050m squared area, battling robots and dodging projectiles.
It’s pretty cool to see. Jugon is able to skip backward when he’s rushed by exploding enemies and jump around cover to avoid incoming fire. At one point he’s even brave enough to roll onto his back. Quest’s inside-out positional tracking is able to handle all of this with the help of four onboard cameras. The tracking isn’t quite as extensive as, say, the original Oculus Rift, but it’s close enough.
Of course, most of us won’t have an entire field to play Apex Construct in. We’ll have to make do with the teleport and artificial locomotion options the game provides. The quest port consists of the entire original game and includes recent updates too.
Oculus Quest launches tomorrow and Apex Construct will be one of the first games you can buy for it. If you already own it on Oculus Rift via Oculus Home then you’ll get it for free. We thought the port of the game was first-rate.
Despite the fact that the Oculus Quest standalone VR headset is primarily a gaming device, plenty of people anticipated using it for media streaming as well. After all, that’s one of the most popular use cases for the Oculus Go. Now we’ve finally got confirmation that Netflix will be coming to Quest and it’s slated as a day one launch app alongside Oculus Video, Sling TV, FOX Now, Red Bull, and various other video streaming portals.
Obviously you still need an active Netflix subscription to use the app, but it’s great to know that people will be able to watch their favorite shows and movies from a virtual theater inside their headset. We don’t believe there will be multi-user support so you can’t invite friends over in VR to watch along with you, but multiplayer theater apps like Bigscreen can be used as a workaround.
On the Oculus Go you can watch videos from Facebook and a few other select sources in Oculus Rooms with your friends, but sadly that and other social apps aren’t announced for launch on Quest.
Oculus announced YouTube VR was also officially coming to Quest, offering a dedicated way to view VR and 360 content without needing to open the Browser. The dedicated Netflix app on Quest should offer a similar functionality, although we don’t expect support for downloading content for later viewing. You would have to sideload the Android version of Netflix to do that.
Are you excited about having Netflix in VR on a wireless, standalone, 6DOF VR headset? Let us know down in the comments below!
“SUPERHOT VR is a pure, distilled, injection of unadulterated adrenaline that will get your blood pumping just as quickly as time stops in the game itself. With every movement you make, time creeps forward ever so slightly, and everything from the level design to the way it feels to dodge a series of bullets in slow-motion is orchestrated to reinforce the core ideals of the experience.”
It’s a testament to those ideals that, in mid-2019, Superhot remains arguably the best first-person shooter in VR. In fact, on Oculus Quest, it’s even better than it ever was. It’s somewhat fitting that time has been so kind to a game that’s all about manipulating it.
As with most Quest ports, Superhot’s development team managed to squeeze the entire original game onto Oculus’ new standalone. Unlike most others, though, it’s survived the transition with barely any noticeable concessions. Save for a few inconsequential lighting drawbacks and slightly slower loading speeds, Superhot VR is just as crisp and striking as the PC VR versions. Granted this was never the most visually-pressing game, but it arguably looks even better than the 2017 PSVR port.
More importantly, though, Quest’s tether-free tracking provides a more open, liberating version of the game than what’s come before. Previously Superhot was a game of two battles; one inside the headset and one outside. All of your moves had to consider the physical limitations of the cord connecting you to a PC or console. On Quest, that simply isn’t an issue. The game’s dystopian narrative often asks you to ‘Prove Your Devotion’ and now you can by throwing yourself to the floor and spinning around behind you without the worry of tangling yourself up or yanking a PC off of a desk.
My Quest playthrough was my third time running through Superhot (it’s the only VR game I’ve completed twice, let alone a third time). It’s nothing short of remarkable how fresh, relevant and immediate the game still feels in 2019. Every element of Superhot feels organic in VR, from the way it commands your body to bend and twist with slow-motion precision to the stylish flair of catching a gun mid-air and shooting a blank-faced goon seconds before his knife reaches your eyes. It’s a game about being in control, a game in constant pursuit of empowering the player. There’s nothing else in VR that articulates these emotions as consistently.
It’s just a shame there still isn’t anything ‘new’ to speak of here. While Superhot’s post-game is more robust than it used to be, with speedrun and skill-based modes, we’re way past due for extra levels. If you have already played through the game, it probably isn’t worth reinvesting (the game doesn’t support cross-buy with Oculus Rift) unless you’re jonesing for another playthrough.
Final Score: 9/10 – Amazing
Superhot VR’s hypnotic blend of physical, cinematic action is just as entrancing as it’s ever been on Quest. In fact, the lack of wires truly allows you to devote yourself to its endlessly entertaining levels. It might not be worth a second purchase for existing owners but, for those that haven’t played it already, this is the best version of a genuine classic.
Superhot VR launches on Oculus Quest on Mau 21st for $24.99 and is already available on Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Windows VR and PSVR headsets.Read our Game Review Guidelines for more information on how we arrived at this score.
There are plenty of great games out there for Oculus Rift and Rift S; the Oculus Store and Steam feature a number of top titles certainly worth your hard-earned money. But before you crack that wallet too wide open, you may want to take a look at some seriously cool free content out there right this second and download it for the big day when your headset finally arrives.
High production value, engaging VR mechanics, native Touch support: the games below have it all. Without further ado, here are our top five free VR games for Rift.
Note: We didn’t include tools or experiences below, only games!
5 – PokerStars VR
Synopsis: Platforms like the Oculus Store and Steam don’t allow real cash gambling, but that hasn’t stopped the world-wide online poker site PokerStars from developing their own free-play VR poker casinos spanning locations such as Macau, a Monte-Carlo yacht, and a wild west saloon. So while you can’t play Texas Hold’em with this month’s rent, you’ll be able to polish your live poker game, replete with the ability to stack your chips and handle cards just like in Vegas. Just make sure to hide those tells.
Synopsis: The Lab is an oldie, but it’s very much a goodie. If you’re looking to jump into free VR games, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on Valve’s first VR title. It’s really supposed to be more of a glorified tech demo than a proper game as such, but there’s something about the simple, but insanely polished mini-games Valve whipped up that has us coming back even two years after it was released.
Synopsis: Epic Games knows Unreal Engine—after all, they created it. Undoubtedly costing a few million, Robo Recall definitely boasts some of the highest production value on the store right now. As a single player game, Robo Recall uses Oculus Touch to its fullest; you’ll be grabbing battle bots and twirling your six shooters just as if you had your hands in the game.
Synopsis: Rec Room isn’t really a bespoke game, but rather a social VR app that contains a number of engaging and fun games within it. You’ll get swept up in the multiplayer adventures, casual sports, and the newest addition Rec Royale, a battle royale-style shooter. The team at Against Gravity are always updating too, so there’s typically always a fresh co-op Quest to conquer.
Synopsis: Echo VR first started out on the Oculus Store as Echo Arena, a futuristic team sport that features a unique zero-G multiplayer matches. The impetus for the rebranding: Echo Combat, a $10 VR shooter expansion to the free game that puts you in the chassis of a battle-ready bot armed with an array of weapons and abilities. Echo Combat pits you against another team in either payload mode or point capture. While Echo Arena has taken somewhat of a backseat to its trigger happy little brother, it’s still free and definitely worth your time.
Store description: Step into a world full of gunslingers and ghosts in Dead and Buried. Grab your Touch controllers and become the best gunslinger in the wild west in this multiplayer action shooter. Battle it out in the old saloon. Rob a runaway train. Team up with other bandits and defend against hordes of ghastly creatures. Finally, you can live out your wild west fantasies thanks to virtual reality.
Store description: Lucky’s Tale is a delightful platforming adventure game designed exclusively for the Oculus Rift. Join Lucky as he runs, jumps, climbs and spins his way through a bright, colorful world filled with thrilling challenges, wacky creatures, and all the shiny things a little fox could ever want!
Store description: Play head-to-head online or in Conquest story mode from your Oculus Rift, Gear VR, or Facebook Gameroom account on desktop. This immersive collectible card-battler mixes high fantasy with World War II on a 4×4 grid battlefield that is alive with rampaging giants, intimidating war-machines, and soaring projectiles.
Store description: Pilot massive weapons of destruction and fight over post-apocalyptic lands in this free-roaming shooter: It is an explosive clash of god-like mech weaponry and team deathmatch gameplay.
Store description: Play head-to-head online or in Conquest story mode from your Oculus Rift, Gear VR, or Facebook Gameroom account on desktop. This immersive collectible card-battler mixes high fantasy with World War II on a 4×4 grid battlefield that is alive with rampaging giants, intimidating war-machines, and soaring projectiles.
