During last week’s VR Game Roundup, we saw a couple of World War games release, a neat spellcasting title, and one of the most unique virtual reality racing games yet. This week is busier with one of VR’s most popular fitness games getting an exciting update that is completely free. Highlighting this week’s new releases are four new songs for Beat Saber, Hoops Madness leaving Early Access, and Swordsman VR coming to additional platforms.
Beat Saber OST 4
Kicking off VR Fitness Insider’s VR Game Roundup is a free update for Beat Saber, which is obviously one of VR’s most popular fitness titles. The fourth original soundtrack update brings with it four new songs to the rhythm game. This includes “Into the Dream” and “LUDICROUS+” by Jaroslav Beck, Boom Kitty’s “It Takes Me,” and “Spin Eternally” by Camellia. Beat Saber has a stacked library of songs ranging from paid DLC by popular artists to great original songs.
Fitness Potential
At VR Fitness Insider, we have been raving about Beat Saber ever since it originally released in 2018 (check out our review). It offers an intense, full-body workout that saw our reviewer burn 378 calories in 35 minutes. It’s one of the best arm workouts in all of virtual reality and you’ll work every area from your shoulders to your chest. Perfect for fitness scalability, veterans and beginners alike can get a great workout in.
Developer and Publisher: Beat Games
Release Date: March 18, 2021
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Valve Index, HTC Vive, PSVR and Windows Mixed Reality.
Update Price: Free
Link: Oculus Store, Steam
Swordsman VR
New to the Oculus Store is Swordsman VR. This sword combat game takes place in the medieval ages and it has a wide range of modes that will see you fighting everyone from knights to samurai. With more than 20 weapons to use and a horde mode that will test your skills, there is a solid amount of content for sword enthusiasts to check out.
Fitness Potential
It should be noted that Swordsman VR previously released last year in a divisive state. Despite having received several patches in the months since release, there are still recent reports of bugs and rough gameplay. However, as far as workouts go, Swordsman VR will provide a solid arm workout. No matter if you’re dual-wielding swords or are using a sword and a shield to fight, you’ll be using both arms to block attacks and do damage to your enemies. Fighting armored enemies provides a great challenge and the swordplay can be quite fun when it all registers correctly.
Developer and Publisher: Sinn Studio Inc.
Release Date: March 18, 2021
Compatible With: Oculus Rift.
Price: $19.99
Link: Oculus Store
Disc Golf Adventure 2 VR
Surprisingly, there is a wide number of disc golf games in virtual reality. The latest addition to the burgeoning genre is Disc Golf Adventure 2, which brings six 18-hole courses into the mix. As far as content goes, you won’t be able to beat this as it features online play up to four players and there is a custom course creator that means endless fun if you are willing to edit your own courses. With plenty of disc customization, you would think it would be a disc golf fan’s dream. Sadly, early user reviews heavily criticize both the disc physics and the lack of terrain impact. While worth keeping an eye on due to its great amount of content, this looks to be a game you should wait for a patch for at the very least.
Fitness Potential
Disc golf isn’t the most physical sport and a virtual version will just have you doing throwing motions with one of your arms. That makes for a light workout that isn’t using both of your arms. From that fitness standpoint, this is also a pass as you’d be much better suited playing something like Beat Saber for an arm workout.
Developer and Publisher: Brian Macumber, Kevin Macumber
Release Date: March 13, 2021
Compatible With: Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift.
Price: $7.49 ($9.99)
Link: Steam
Hoops Madness
Wrapping up this week’s VR Game Roundup is Hoops Madness, a virtual reality basketball game that is exiting early access. This affordable arcade title has been nicely fleshed out during development and features everything from online play to custom matches. Players can even do trick shots, which will make checking out each mode a lot of fun. If you need help fine-tuning your shooting game, there is also a tutorial to check out.
Fitness Potential
Shooting virtual hoops doesn’t quite match the intensity of playing a real game of basketball, but playing online will give you added motivation while working up a solid sweat. Your arms will definitely get a good workout and if you are jumping then your legs will as well. As noted in our review, Hoops Madness is a quality addition to anyone’s library of exercise games. Our reviewer burned 8 calories per minute and was surprised with just how physically taxing it wound up being.
Developer and Publisher: VRstudios, Inc.
Release Date: March 18, 2021
Compatible With: Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift.
Price: $5.99
Link: Steam
That will do it for this week’s VR Game Roundup. Let us know if you are picking up Hoops Madness or playing any of the new Beat Saber songs below in the comments.