Gameplay and Features
In Mythic Realms, players embark on procedurally generated expeditions, gathering resources, fighting enemies, and expanding their kingdom after each run. The game offers:

• Room-Scale Mixed Reality Combat – Enemies can move around furniture and emerge from walls, while boss fights take over the player’s space, including battles against a fire-breathing dragon.
• Kingdom Building – Players return from expeditions with resources to improve their kingdom and develop new gear.
• Multiple Playstyles – Three classes—Knight, Ranger, and Mage—each wield a variety of weapons, including swords, bows, staves, and shuriken.
• Dynamic Expeditions – Players choose how to approach each adventure, whether through combat, exploration, or gathering.

Mythic Realms is available for pre-order now on the Meta Store for $17.99 with a 10% discount.

About the Developer
Petricore, an independent studio founded in 2015, specializes in immersive experiences across VR and AR platforms. The team has worked on projects for Meta, Apple Vision Pro, and Pico, in addition to creating original IPs.

From enhancing comfort and convenience to improving audio quality or adding a touch of realism to your favorite games, this list is packed with accessories that will help you or your loved one get the most out of the Meta Quest 3/3S. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or hunting for the perfect gift, there’s something here for every type of VR enthusiast.

Let’s dive into the best Meta Quest 3 accessories we recommend you add to your VR setup!

1. BOBOVR S3 Pro Battery Strap

A premium head strap for the Meta Quest 3, designed for comfort and extended playtime.

This strap is a must-have for gamers who want to extend their play sessions without worrying about battery life. With its ergonomic design and built-in cooling system, it’s perfect for long VR sessions and ensures maximum comfort for casual and hardcore users alike.

Key Features:

• 10,000mAh hot-swappable battery.
• Integrated cooling system for extended sessions.
• Ergonomic design to reduce facial pressure.
• Adjustable auxiliary bracket.

Preview	Product	Price
	BOBOVR S3 Pro Battery Strap Accessories,Head Air Cooling System and 10000mah Hot-swappable Battery…	$89.99	Buy on Amazon

2. AMVR Controller Grips with Easy Battery Access

Enhanced controller grips for Meta Quest 3 controllers, offering comfort and quick battery replacement.

These grips are ideal for VR users who value convenience and security during play. The easy battery access makes them a practical choice for anyone who frequently swaps batteries, while the soft grip ensures hours of comfortable gaming.

Key Features:

• Easy battery compartment access.
• Soft silicone for secure grip.
• Adjustable knuckle straps for a snug fit.
• Protective design against scratches.

Preview	Product	Price
	AMVR Upgraded Controller Grips Cover Compatible with Meta/Oculus Quest 3S/Quest 3 Accessories, with…	$24.99	Buy on Amazon

3. VR Optician Prescription Lenses

Custom lens inserts tailored to your prescription for a better VR experience.

This accessory is a game-changer for anyone who wears glasses. Say goodbye to the discomfort of wearing frames under your headset and enjoy clear, sharp visuals tailored to your eyesight.

Key Features:

• Personalized prescription lenses.
• Anti-reflection and optional blue light filtering.
• Easy installation and secure fit.

Price: $69.00 (base price)
Buy on VR Optician

4. BOBOVR B100 Battery Pack

A hot-swappable 10,000mAh battery for the BOBOVR S3 Pro Battery Strap.

Perfect for anyone using the BOBOVR S3 Pro Strap, this battery pack ensures uninterrupted gameplay. Its hot-swappable design makes it easy to replace on the go, making it an essential for serious VR gamers.

Key Features:

• High-capacity battery for extended play.
• Magnetic connectors for easy use.
• Efficient battery management system.

Preview	Product	Price
	BOBOVR B100 Battery Pack for S3 Pro Replacement 10000mAh Hot-Swap Battery Accessories, Magnetic…	$39.99	Buy on Amazon

5. BOBOVR BD3 Charging Dock

A dedicated charging dock for BOBOVR B100 batteries.

This charging dock is perfect for organized VR setups, allowing you to keep multiple batteries ready for action. Great for VR enthusiasts with long gaming sessions or shared headsets.

Key Features:

• Simultaneous charging for up to three batteries.
• Digital display for real-time charging status.
• Compact and organized design.

Preview	Product	Price
	BOBOVR BD3 Charging Dock, Providing Fast Charging for 3*B100, 30W Power, 0-80% in Just 1 Hour	$39.99	Buy on Amazon

6. Cases for BOBOVR S3 Pro and Meta Quest 3

Protect your Meta Quest 3 and accessories with a range of durable cases.

Whether you’re traveling or just storing your gear, a sturdy case is essential. These options are tailored for Meta Quest 3 users who want convenience, organization, and peace of mind.

Options:

• BOBOVR C3 Carrying Case: $39.99
  Buy on Amazon
• Nargos Carrying Case: $35.99
  Buy on Amazon
• DEVASO Large Case: $42.99
  Buy on Amazon
• LXFEIFANTECH Case: $49.99
  Buy on Amazon

Preview	Product	Price
	BOBOVR C3 Carrying Case,Three Versatile Modes, Desktop Stand for Tidy Workspace, Compatible with…	$59.99	Buy on Amazon

7. AMVR Table Tennis Paddle Grip Handle

An accessory for a realistic table tennis experience in VR.

This grip handle is a fantastic choice for fans of table tennis games like Eleven Table Tennis. Its realistic design adds a tactile layer of immersion, making it feel like you’re playing the real sport.

Key Features:

• Realistic paddle design.
• Ambidextrous use.
• Secure fit and non-slip handle.

Preview	Product	Price
	AMVR Upgraded Controller Grips Cover and Table Tennis Paddle Compatible with Meta/Oculus Quest 3…		Buy on Amazon

8. YEZRO Golf Club Attachment

A weighted golf club accessory for Meta Quest 3.

If you’re a fan of VR golf games like Golf+, this attachment is a must-have. It offers the weight and feel of a real golf club, making every swing feel authentic.

Key Features:

• Adjustable weight for realistic feel.
• 90-degree adapter for better tracking.
• Genuine golf club grip.

Preview	Product	Price
	YEZRO Golf Club Attachment for Meta Quest 3S/3 – Adjustable Weighted Aluminum VR Golf Club Handle…	$59.99	Buy on Amazon

9. Soundcore VR P10 Wireless Gaming Earbuds

High-quality wireless earbuds with low latency for VR.

For those who want crystal-clear audio and ultra-low latency, these earbuds are a perfect fit. They’re great for immersive gaming and long sessions with pass-through charging.

Key Features:

• Ultra-low latency (under 30ms).
• Dual connection (dongle + Bluetooth).
• Pass-through charging.

Preview	Product	Price
	Soundcore VR P10 Gaming Earbuds-Low Latency, Meta Officially Co-branded, Dual Connection, 2.4GHz…	$79.99	Buy on Amazon

10. CYBVR Weighted Gun Stock Controller Grips

Enhance your VR shooting experience with weighted controller grips.

Ideal for fans of VR shooters like Onward or Pistol Whip, these grips add weight and realism to every shot, helping you aim better and immerse deeper.

Key Features:

• Realistic weight with customizable blocks.
• Durable ABS plastic build.
• Textured grips for steady aim.

Preview	Product	Price
	CYBVR Weighted Gun Stock Controller Grips for The Meta Quest 3 – VR Gun Accessories for The Meta…		Buy on Amazon

11. Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed Earbuds

Premium earbuds with ultra-low latency audio for VR.

These earbuds are perfect for competitive gamers who need high-quality audio and no delays. With ANC and dual connectivity, they’re also great for multitasking between VR and other devices.

Key Features:

• 2.4GHz dongle for low-latency connection.
• Active noise cancellation.
• Up to 30 hours of battery life.

Preview	Product	Price
	Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Earbuds for VR: Meta Quest 2 & 3 Authorized – 2.4Ghz…	$134.20	Buy on Amazon

The Meta Quest 3 and 3S are incredible devices that opens the door to countless immersive experiences, but the right accessories can elevate your VR adventures even further. Whether you’re enhancing comfort, boosting performance, or adding a touch of realism to your favorite games, these accessories are designed to help you get the most out of your headset.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift for a VR enthusiast in your life, these additions offer something for everyone—from casual users to dedicated gamers. Take the time to consider what you or your loved one needs most, and make the Meta Quest 3 experience truly unforgettable.

Now, it’s time to gear up and dive into the world of virtual reality like never before!

FREDDY FOR THE BIG TIME

I revisit Arizona Sunshine every so often because it’s a great game; it can be enjoyed solo or co-op in ten-minute chunks or as a more satisfying long-form session, and the core conceit of gunning zombies down is still really satisfying. Honestly, there have been so many shooters released in VR since AS, and nearly none of them have nailed the satisfying and substantial feel offered by Arizona Sunshine, still. However, it was never a very good-looking or slick affair and was full of less and less forgivable jank. I was relieved when Arizona Sunshine 2 came along and smoothed out a lot of those rough edges, whilst largely doubling down on everything that made the first game so good to play.

A remake of the original using later tech is a rather great idea, and I’m largely happy to report that Arizona Sunshine Remake does what it promises to. It includes all the DLC for the original release, similarly remastered, and offers tremendous value for money – there’s even a nifty discount if you’ve got the original in your Quest library already. So, before I get into the specifics, just know that if you’ve played and love the original and are looking for a shiny new version to show off your Quest 3 or 3S, then go to it, I recommend it. You won’t be disappointed. But wait – hey – I haven’t fini… Ah sod you. In your impatience to go spend your money you’re missing out on some exemplary videogame criticism and penmanship. Your loss. The rest of you still with me? Ok, let’s get into it.

FRED DEAD REDEMPTION

Players both familiar and new to Arizona Sunshine will find a lot to love. The setting still feels fresh and original, despite the zombie theme having been done to death, resurrected and headshotted more times than can be counted in the past thirty years. Even Resident Evil, whose fault it all is, has been trying to move away from zombies for at least 15 years. However, zombies do provide a gloriously guilt-free way for us all to virtually live out our fantasies of taking our frustrations and loneliness out on the general public with gardening equipment and automatic weaponry.

Arizona Sunshine Remake casts the player as an unnamed, initially slightly dislikable dude who’s been surviving alone in the Arizona wilderness in the wake of a zombie apocalypse. He’s trying to find any living souls to team up with and has been alone for quite a while when the player quantum leaps into his head. He sounds a bit like a bassist, a roadie or a general stoner – in fact, it occurred to me as I played through the remake that my mental image of him is that he’s Neil Fak from The Bear dropped into a zombie survival scenario. This is a Good Thing. His journey in the course of the game is slight, but brilliant and engaging, and as I mentioned in my original review Sky Soleil’s fantastic performance is key to making the whole thing work. A majority of protagonist voiceovers in VR can be grating or off key, making it a chore to literally inhabit their heads as you progress, but here you are completely engrossed in getting the guy where he wants to go and keeping him alive. If you’ve only ever experienced him in Arizona Sunshine 2, then it’ll be an extra frisson to experience him getting to the point where he’s obsessed with keeping his dog alive when the sequel hits the fan. There’s no massive story here, so the narrative sells itself through empathy with its only character, and this has stood the test of time well.

DEAD MAN, FRED MAN

The game offers pretty cool options for customising the feel of the game – from movement and turning to switching between the simple reloading of the original, or the new VR standard of sliding in a clip and cocking the gun. Thankfully you can now hold pistols with two hands. You can calibrate where you’d like your holsters and ammo to sit on your body. All good, as is the improved Half-Life Alyx style wrist inventory and inclusion of tremendously fun bludgeoning melee weapons like crowbars, picks and hammers. These can be balanced on railings or the sides of tables or shelves while you reload or scavenge, and this feels really cool.

FREDDING THE NEEDLE

The level of challenge is pretty good – on the easier difficulties if you’re a reasonable, quick enough shot you’ll be ok. The game has two paces; scavenging for ammo and exploring, popping heads as you go, and then set piece horde rushes where you hope that you’ve stockpiled enough bullets and picked the right weapons to survive. Like the sequel, these horde rushes can be suffocatingly frustrating and stressful chokeholds on progress or exhilarating and rewarding tests of endurance which provide a tremendous rush of relief and accomplishment when you’re through. If this is your first rodeo, I’d advise playing through on lower difficulties first, so you know roughly what to expect, and then have another playthrough where you’ll have to be a lot more sparing with your ammo and inventive with the offered weapons at your disposal. You won’t have to worry about finding crafting ingredients like in the sequel, but supplies get pretty scarce even if you aren’t the sort of person who likes to spray and pray.

This all changes again when playing through in co-op with a friend, which is such a good feature of both the original game and its shiny new incarnation, Arizona Sunshine Remake. Sadly, the same limitations apply, and this is one thing I really hoped would be improved with the new gameplay. There are points where you’d think one player could be running around gung-ho with an automatic amongst the horde whilst the other takes overwatch, but this is often not so. When a player triggers the horde, the co-op partner will be teleported to their side if they’re in a place the game doesn’t want you to be. Sometimes invisible walls will prevent the player from taking a visible path, the game locking off areas of the map that should be accessible just because the designers wanted it that way. It’s pretty lazy and annoying, and it was weak eight years ago. It’s downright unforgivable for such a classy game to be so graceless in its execution, reiterating its mistakes verbatim after eight years of iteration.

LONG AND WASTED YEARS

Whilst we’re on the subject of things that really should have died and stayed dead with the original game, let’s talk about graphics. By and large the graphics in Arizona Sunshine Remake are a remarkable improvement on the original, as one might expect. The bacon wood textures of the original are long gone, thank goodness, but there are still some items of text that are unforgivably pixelated and horrible. The searchable trunks of the police cars, for example, just about say ‘HIGHWAY PATROL’ on them, but I’ve seen better image quality on those Captcha things online when they’re trying to ascertain I’m human. Most egregious of all is the sniper scope section, where distant zombies are rendered with such horrible quality that the graphics don’t match the original release. In fact, in this one instance they don’t even look as good as the original PlayStation. Vertigo Games have done so much to fly the flag for VR as a gaming medium, and all eyes are on this remake to show us all how it’s done. We let some things slide about the original because of the ambition and overall quality of the experience. Don’t let Ed Wood get hold of your Director’s Cut version, because we’re going to mark it down accordingly now.

The same goes for how fiddly things can be. Scavenging is better and drawers and doors have a far more physical interactivity to them, but sometimes picking up stuff can be unnecessarily finicky and sometimes even bugs out. If you’re carrying things when the game loads a new area, these can sometimes disappear.

This is all stuff that absolutely should have been sorted out. Some of it is patchable, some of it ain’t. Let’s see what the next couple of months may bring – but this is a remake of an eight-year-old game, and it should have been slicker. It only takes seven years to train as a doctor or an architect, so I think it’s reasonable to expect Fred to have got his shit together a bit better than this, dead or no.

SUNSHINE DESSERTS

Arizona Sunshine Remake does exactly what it promises to do, and provides great value, great fun and great challenge in one juicily headshottable package. It drips with atmosphere, from the setting and impressive voice acting to the perfectly judged musical score. It still provides the most satisfying gunplay on the Quest and sidesteps the time commitment problem of Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners by being playable in bitesize chunks, and in co-op too. You get the excellent DLC stories as part of the deal, and there’s also the endlessly replayable Horde mode to play with up to 4 friends. It supercedes the original game entirely and provides fans of the original and the sequel plenty of reasons to dive back in, whilst being a very enticing and recommended prospect for new players.

However, be warned that this is a remaster rather than a true remake, and the failings of the original game are often brought along wholesale for the ride.

This dynamic of anticipation and dread, combined with the stark contrast between the agent’s cautious exploration and the alien’s predatory stillness, brings an unsettling atmosphere to the game. It feels reminiscent of certain asymmetrical multiplayer VR experiences like Panoptic, where two sides use different strategies and abilities. Here, though, the tension is cranked up a notch because you never know exactly when danger will strike.

Mannequin Mayhem

Mannequin‘s gameplay offers more depth than it might first appear. What starts as a straightforward hide-and-seek game quickly develops into a mind game where both teams need to rely on strategy and communication. As an alien, one of the most enjoyable elements is setting traps. For example, one alien could purposely get caught moving, luring agents into the open where others are waiting in ambush. The aliens have a short dash ability, so the moment they get close to an agent, it’s usually game over.

For agents, though, it’s not so simple. Their detection equipment can help spot moving aliens, but they have to be careful with their shots—accidentally shooting a real frozen human means their gun jams, leaving them vulnerable to attack. This constant balancing act keeps the stakes high. I found this part of the gameplay particularly satisfying, especially with how easy it is to slip up as an agent if you’re overconfident.

What really makes Mannequin stand out is the emphasis on teamwork. Even after you’re “killed” and turned into a ghost, you can continue helping your team by scouting out aliens or agents and communicating their locations. This keeps the experience engaging even after death, similar to how Echo VR kept stunned players involved with team coordination even when they were out of action. The revive mechanic also adds another layer of strategy, with the potential for thrilling comebacks if your teammates are quick on their feet.

Frozen in Time

Visually, Mannequin does an excellent job at crafting an eerie atmosphere. The stylistic graphics complement the gameplay well, with its frozen humans scattered in mid-movement, as if life just paused around you. This is enhanced by little details like objects suspended in the air as though frozen in time, reminding me a bit of the surreal environments in Into the Radius, where floating objects give an otherworldly feel.

The color palette strikes a balance between vibrant and unsettling, creating environments that feel frozen in more ways than one. That said, the levels can start to feel somewhat repetitive. While the frozen environments are distinct, they don’t vary much between rounds, and the art style, while effective, could benefit from more diverse settings. Hopefully, future updates bring more variety to the maps, which would help keep things fresh for players long-term.

Listen Closely, or Else

If the graphics set the mood, the audio in Mannequin makes it essential to your survival. Spatial and locational audio play a huge role, especially if you’re playing as an alien. Your ears are your best defense, letting you track the movements of agents by listening for their footsteps or the beeping of their detection equipment. There’s a strong sense of tension as you’re frozen in place, relying on sound alone to plan your next move.

On the flip side, agents need to pay close attention to these same auditory cues, using them to pinpoint mannequin movements. The audio design is exceptional here, elevating the suspense and making every game feel like a high-stakes dance of patience and precision. In this regard, it shares a bit of DNA with stealth games like Phantom: Covert Ops, where audio is critical to both tension and gameplay. The way sound influences your decisions adds to the immersive quality of the game, making it as much about listening as it is about looking.

Live by the Community, Die by the Community

Like many multiplayer VR games, Mannequin’s longevity will largely depend on its community. The game has all the tools to be successful—a fun and accessible concept, depth for strategy lovers, and enough tension to keep things interesting. However, whether it thrives or falters will come down to the player base.

During my time playing, I noticed a mix of younger players and casual gamers, which isn’t surprising given the straightforward mechanics. The game doesn’t demand the kind of dedication you’d expect from more hardcore VR experiences like Population: One or Onward. It’s the kind of game you can jump into for a few rounds and still feel like you’ve had a good time. But without a solid community to keep the lobbies full and the matches engaging, it could be tough for Mannequin to sustain long-term appeal.

Memory Lane

For all the positives, Mannequin does have one major flaw that threatens to undermine its long-term replayability: the frozen NPCs aren’t randomized between rounds. Once you’ve memorized where the real frozen humans are, playing as an agent becomes significantly easier. If you have a good visual memory (like I do), you’ll quickly start recognizing which figures are NPCs, making it much harder for aliens to blend in.

This is something I pointed out during playtesting, and I was surprised to see it hadn’t been addressed in the latest update. Randomizing the placement of NPCs seems like a no-brainer for a game like this, where unpredictability is key to maintaining suspense. Until this is fixed, the game risks losing its edge for more observant players, and that could turn away some of its more dedicated audience.

A Mannequin with Potential

Mannequin is a unique and suspenseful multiplayer experience that brings a fresh concept to the Quest’s lineup. The game offers moments of high tension and strategic depth, with its simple yet effective mechanics. The graphics, while not groundbreaking, create a memorable atmosphere, and the audio design is top-notch, integral to the core gameplay.

That said, its future success depends on two key factors: the community and continued updates. If the player base stays active and the developers address some of the current issues—particularly the non-randomized NPCs—Mannequin could become a go-to casual multiplayer experience. For now, it’s an entertaining game with a lot of potential, and with a free trial available, there’s little reason not to give it a shot. Whether you’re a kid looking for some fun or an adult who enjoys casual, strategic gaming, Mannequin has something for everyone.

Note: I’d happily give it a 7.5 if they add NPC randomization! So if you’re reading this at some point in the future when that’s been done, then it’s a 7.5!

Players on Meta Quest 3 can now explore the world of Asgard’s Wrath 2 with improved shaders, updated terrain textures, and more detailed structures. These enhancements aim to make the game’s environments feel more lifelike and engaging. Additionally, several character models, including the Egyptian god Anubis, have received updated textures and details, further enhancing the game’s visual appeal.

Alongside these visual upgrades, the update introduces the ‘Smiter Epidemic,’ a free Cosmic Event where players face off against new enemies called Smiters. These creepy-crawly creatures feature muscular legs, human-like eyes, and mouths on their backs, adding a new layer of challenge and horror to the gameplay.

The event also introduces Duat-themed Uncharted Rifts, allowing players to venture into previously unexplored regions of The Duat and battle various monsters. By completing Cosmic Objectives and Conquests, players can earn unique rewards inspired by Egyptian mythology, including the Sobki Armor set, the Ba Walker Skull, and several Smiter-themed cosmetics.

In a departure from the original game’s fixed turret placements, IRON GUARD: Homecoming allows players the freedom to position their defenses anywhere within their real-world environment, provided it is mapped for mixed reality. This feature aims to deepen the player’s engagement with the game’s strategy and defense mechanics.

IRON GUARD: Homecoming also introduces a versatile superweapon that transitions between four modes: rifle, shotgun, sniper, and blade, offering a range of tactical options. Alongside this, players will encounter two new maps and an enhanced upgrade system. This system permits the strengthening of weapons and access to new turret types, enabling players to optimize their defensive tactics against an onslaught of enemies.

Did you like the first Iron Guard game? Are you excited to play this MR version? Let us know in the comments below!

But wait! JoyWay said, what about we have an actual narrative-driven campaign using Stride mechanics? Wouldn’t that be cool?

Yes, that would be fantastic, said the fan base!

And lo, Stride: Fates was announced, and things quickly got messy. I won’t get into the complex timeline, but JoyWay are better at making games than they are at communicating, and a mixup ensued. Would it be a free update to Stride? A DLC? Would it be a separate game? Confusion! After a poorly received one-hour campaign, JoyWay decided to go back to the drawing board, and flesh out Fates into a separate single-player campaign game. 

So, finally, Stride: Fates is here. How is it? Was it worth the wait? Is the new and improved game engine kicking butt? Let’s find out!

Taking it in Stride

Fates casts you as a slum dog in the dystopian Airon City. You’ve been recruited as a chaser by the elite forces of SkyChase, the blurb claims that your ‘fate’ is bound to various other characters, but that’s not really true. The only character you have any kind of actual connection to is your handler, who shows up a few times as a hologram to guide you, but mainly screams quite painfully whenever you die. 

The narrative, well, the narrative..exists, but it’s not about to win any prizes. It’s mostly there to act as glue between the levels, giving them some sort of context, but it’s not something you’ll get emotional about one way or the other.

But that doesn’t really matter, right? I mean, we’re all here for the parkour and the Shooty Shooty, right?

So let’s talk about the gameplay.

The action in Stride: Fates takes place across 12 levels, and it’ll take you about 7-9 hours to complete. You start off with a pistol, and you’ll soon acquire a shotgun, and finally, a machine gun. All your weapons are upgradable. 

The levels, commendably, offer a good variety of gameplay styles, some are straight-up action shooters, some lean more towards the parkour origins of Stride, and a couple lean more towards stealth gameplay.

The shooter levels are a mixed bag, the early ones are annoying because the starting pistol without upgrades lacks a satisfying punch and the levels aren’t designed in a way that only intermittently encourages parkour, so you end up feeling like you got a middling shooter at the expense of what made Stride so much fun in the first place.

To be fair, though, the action shooter levels towards the later half of the game play, and feel much better. Partly because, by then, you’ve got much better weapons, partly because their design is better at providing flowing traversal, and partly because, by then, you’ve learned how to get around some of the annoyances Stride: Fates comes with, but more on those issues later. 

The stealth levels feel undercooked and out of place, I don’t put on Stride, Fates, or otherwise, to crawl through air vents, dodge security cameras, and sneak up on baddies, especially when I seem to be a disembodied head inside the vents, with my eyes almost level to the bottom of the vents. Remember hand in the Adams Family? Hand, meet Head. Head, meet Hand. Splinter Cell VR, this ain’t.

Then there are the parkour levels, and unsurprisingly, these are the levels that shine, this is what Stride does best, and it shows. You have the parkour flow, shooting people while you jump, duck and weave, wall running, grabbing ledges, and climbing non-stop. These levels can be exhilarating. 

In terms of enemies, there’s a decent, if not impressive variety; regular dudes. Dudes with shields. Long-range sniper-ish dudes, dudes with chain guns, drones, and one final boss. As I write this, I just realized, all the baddies are dudes. Is this sexism or misandry? Who knows, better yet, who cares? Save the city, and ask questions later. 

Airon Aesthetics 

For a dystopian city, Airon looks pretty good and oddly clean. It lacks a distinct style, so it would fare very poorly if compared to Mirror’s Edge, which had a visual signature so distinctive that anybody who’s played it is seeing it in their mind’s eye right now just because I mentioned it, but that’s not to say the reworked Stride doesn’t look good, it does. You have puddles on the floor, reflections on some surfaces, and a decent amount of detail, and the game can throw quite a few enemies on screen for you to face off against when it wants to overwhelm you. 

Airon-Phonics

The audio in Stride: Fates is a mixed bag. The voice acting of your handler is generally alright, but the scream she makes on the radio when you die is so overacted as to be painful, making me wish she just said a tragic, “Oh, No..” If you’re anything like me, the first time you hear it, you’ll laugh, but by the third, you’ll hate it. Hey, if that motivates you to stay alive, that’s a good thing, right?

The sound design is somewhat lacking. The weapons don’t pack much of a sonic punch, not with the shooting, and certainly not with the reloading. The game could use a fuller soundscape, I want the guns to sound powerful I want the reloading to be satisfying, I want to hear my steps a little more, I want to feel my heart pounding along to the action. It’s not quite there. The music, along the same lines, is action-packed, keeping you going and setting the right mood, but it’s repetitive and cliche-ridden. This should be better by release since JoyWay said the next patch would add more music variety.

But the patches have a few more problems to fix. Let’s talk about those.

Chasing Chasers

In some respects, especially during the first half of the campaign, it almost feels like JoyWay have bitten off a little more than they can comfortably chew. The earlier levels, as mentioned feel like they’ve sacrificed what Stride is good at for a second-rate shooter. For a game with parkour in its DNA, you start and stop too much, you pause, you turn around, you spend time looking at nooks and crannies to find upgrade packs for your weapons, the remote grab, and the grab controls often get mixed up, so you find yourself grabbing a table instead of quickly picking up the health syringe that’s on it, all these things nibble away at the flow of the game, making it feel like the Parkour-Shooter is, if you’ll pardon the inevitable pun, shooting itself in the foot. 

One of these is just an example of poor game design. Upgrade packs should be along your path or along alternate paths, not hidden away from your path. Or, more fluidly, should be rewarded for parkour skills and achievements or run completion times.

There are also some mechanical inconsistencies, especially with the Yakuza level clearly inspired by JoyWay’s own Red Flowers, where sometimes you can’t simply run up steps, you have to jump over them, only to sometimes find yourself sliding back down and then have to hop hop to get to their end. This shouldn’t happen, at all. Maybe the assets were ported over from Red Flowers into Fates and not quite adapted properly? I don’t know. 

I also run into some bugs, but I’ll avoid harping on those since one patch has already been released and another should be out by the time you watch this, so hopefully those should have been resolved. One particularly annoying bug made it impossible to continue a level on dying, which meant I had to finish that level in one uninterrupted run. Git Gud, as they say.

Violent Endings

Stride: Fates is the closest you’ll get to Mirror’s Edge on standalone VR, but it’s nowhere near as polished and perhaps should have stayed in the oven just a little bit longer. It needs to be tweaked to make sure that the shooter elements are either much improved, especially in the early levels, or that they don’t impede the parkour elements. Nobody will convince me that the stealth levels belong, and although the narrative promise is fulfilled, the story fails to engage players and does little more than justify the level progression.

Having said that, some levels truly work; the shooting and the traversal and the design all mesh together and it feels like you’re a parkour-gifted demon who’s wall running, grappling, and sprinting as you mow down enemies. In those moments, it rises above its issues and makes you forget all the issues you have with it, and when THAT happens it’s beautiful. 

So, let’s conclude by saying this; Stride: Fates is a parkour shooter that sometimes stumbles into mediocrity while trying to serve two masters, however, it is also occasionally capable of joining them together into the flow-shooter we all imagined it could be, I just wish that it succeeded at doing so much more often.

Screen Resolution

One of the primary focus areas for the update is the screen resolution. The current specs for Hubris on Meta Quest 2 sit at 980×1152 pixels per eye. The update intends to enhance this to 2064×2208 pixels per eye on Quest 3. The change is expected to yield clearer and more detailed graphics.

Texture Quality

The texture quality in Hubris is set to undergo changes as well. Previously, high-quality textures were exclusively available for desktop and PlayStation VR 2 iterations of the game. Cyborn BV aims to include these textures in the Quest 3 version. The intent appears to be standardization of visual experience across platforms.

Environmental Upgrades

The update will also address environmental details. For instance, the density of foliage within the game will increase. Likewise, there are plans to improve the Level of Detail (LOD), allowing for more intricate landscapes.

You can see the differences in this video here:

Industry Context

The update from Cyborn BV follows a broader trend with Quest developers to enhance older titles for performance boosts targetting Meta Quest 3.

Fans of YUKI can look forward to a more dynamic and immersive gaming experience, thanks to the introduction of MRcade mode. This new mode aims to significantly extend the player’s range of movements, requiring mastery of body movement and tactical mobility to effectively deal with new threats that can now approach from virtually any angle. In this new mixed reality layer, obstacles and enemies enter the player’s room, coming from all directions—up, down, front, and back.

YUKI, already a blend of bullet hell and roguelike elements, will introduce MRcade Mode as a free update to those who own the base game. Currently available for $19.99 USD or EUR, the base game has already garnered a strong fan following, which is likely to expand with the addition of this cutting-edge feature.

Enhanced Gameplay Experience

MRcade mode challenges players to battle an alien invasion within their own living spaces, transforming their homes into cosmic battlefields. Using their hands, players can punch enemies and navigate around an array of bullets and obstacles. With 360-degree spatial awareness, the mode aims to create a more engaging and strategically demanding gameplay experience.

Additional Modes

Beyond the MRcade mode, YUKI offers two additional gameplay modes:

• Patrol Mode: This story-driven mode immerses players into the whimsical imagination of a child flying through multi-dimensional worlds. Players can collect power-ups to strengthen their avatar as new levels introduce more surprises.
• Endless Mode: Designed for those who seek relentless action, this mode features never-ending hordes of enemies. Players strive to achieve higher and higher scores to claim a spot on the Global Leaderboard.

YUKI’s Creative Director, Kako, expressed excitement over the release of MRcade Mode, stating that 360-degree gameplay was a dream the development team had harbored since 2020. According to Kako, the new MRcade mode is a fresh approach to YUKI, enabling players to experience the game in their own spaces like never before.

About ARVORE

Established as a force in the XR industry, ARVORE has earned several accolades for its work, including a 2020 Primetime Emmy Award and the 2023 Best VR/XR Game Award at BIG Festival. The studio is known for other successful projects like ‘The Line’, and the ‘Pixel Ripped’ series.

Availability

YUKI’s MRcade Mode will be available for download from the Meta Quest Store beginning October 12.

Resolution Games is set to launch its new strategy game, Demeo Battles, on November 9, taking a distinct route from its predecessor by focusing more on Player vs Player (PvP) online battles. This game, part of the Demeo Action Role-Playing System, invites players to a world inspired by tabletop miniature games.

If you missed it, you can read our review of the original Demeo here, or watch our video review below:

In Demeo Battles, players can look forward to shorter play sessions filled with intensive battles spanning across a variety of maps. The gameplay revolves around buying units and cards to prepare for the battle, allowing players to execute devastating attacks or smart strategies to overpower their opponents. Matches are designed to be concise, usually taking between 15 and 20 minutes, which makes it a perfect fit for players looking for short play sessions.

The new game brings in a series of features including turn-based tactics where players face off in action-packed grid-based combats across ten different maps. Players must be cautious of “The Burn,” a gradually advancing flood of lava that can cause substantial damage.

With a gallery of 37 creatures available at launch, players can assemble a diverse team of minions ranging from rats and goblins to giant slimes, offering a dynamic and ever-evolving gameplay. Players can choose from seven classes of champions — including hunters, sorcerers, and barbarians — each bringing unique abilities to the battleground.

Demeo Battles also introduces a dual champion system, encouraging teamwork by bringing two champions to every match. It offers the flexibility to control both champions directly or to pair up with another player for a cooperative gameplay experience.

The game will be playable on various platforms including Meta Quest 2 and 3, and SteamVR headsets, as well as a non-VR PC version offering a complete flatscreen experience. A PC demo version is slated to be part of Steam Next Fest starting October 9.

The game will retail at $19.99, with pre-orders now open on Meta Quest and wish-listing available on Steam.

For further details, interested individuals can refer to the official website.