The 2016 edition of E3 left its first official day behind, and the amount of material to explore is simply enormous. As expected, virtual reality holds a privileged spot on the expo floor, thanks to exclusive demos, side projects, special versions, and full games that should soon hit the shelves. Want to know more? Here’s our selection of what’s coming for the Rift, the Vive, and the PlayStation VR.
The press previews already set the general tone of E3 2016, but if we try to focus on specific content, the first mandatory stop is undoubtedly virtual reality. The two main headsets, the Rift and the Vive, are already among us (the PlayStation VR debuts in October), and what they need now is a group of high-level titles that allow users to squeeze their full potential. The big problem is that it’s much easier said than done. Some games have had a very bad transition to the virtual world, and essentially there isn’t a single deficiency that escapes the critical eye of players. Then we’ve seen official stores covered with titles of quality deserving of the ’80s consoles. In other words, we’re still looking for those games that should blow our minds. Will it be one of these...?
Fallout 4 VR
That’s right: Bethesda confirmed that Fallout 4 will receive three additional DLCs between the rest of June and the month of August, but also anticipated that it is preparing a special edition of the game compatible with the HTC Vive, available starting next year. Besides a demo at E3, the only thing Pete Hines, Bethesda’s marketing head for Fallout 4 in virtual reality, delivered was this: “If you think survival mode is an intense way to experience Fallout, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
Serious Sam VR
One thing is to see the decapitated kamikaze running toward you, and another is to see it in virtual reality. Serious Sam VR’s trailer hasn’t been very well received due to suspicion that it could affect the development of Serious Sam 4, but the people at Croteam confirmed to exhaustion that they are two parallel projects. Sam “Serious” Stone killing everything that moves in virtual reality. It cannot be left out of our list. It cannot.
Superhot VR
Superhot took more than one by surprise with its curious, addictive, and brutal mechanic that forces the user to calculate every move, becoming an almost instant success. Now, it’s Superhot VR’s turn, a “completely new” game according to its creators, though repeating the magic of the original Superhot to the letter. So far, everything seems to indicate that it will be exclusive for the Oculus Rift. We’re not sure yet how that will work, but we’ll wait to find out.
Star Wars Battlefront: X-Wing VR Mission
I think the best way to describe X-Wing VR Mission is as a DLC for Battlefront, but from what we know so far it’s not a general package that adds virtual reality to the game, but rather an isolated mission where we can pilot an X-Wing against Imperial forces. Two things are definite: this “mission” is exclusive to PlayStation VR, and it will arrive at no cost to all Battlefront owners on PlayStation 4.
Batman: Arkham VR
In one of the most ambiguous press releases we’ve read in a long time, both Warner and Rocksteady managed to leave it unclear whether Batman: Arkham VR will be a sort of tech demo, or a full game. The idea of “putting on the mask” and assuming the role of Batman in first person has a certain appeal, especially considering some of the previous adventures of the most famous masked night wanderer in the world. Exclusive to PlayStation VR, it arrives in October.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Beyond some comments like “Do we really need another Resident Evil?” or “How much can you steal from Silent Hills without anyone noticing?”, the most relevant detail about Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is that it can be played from start to finish with the PlayStation VR. Perhaps Sony’s secret plan is to kill as many players as possible with a heart attack, but at least we’re glad to know it won’t be a simple demo, and that support will be there in full.
Farpoint
A routine mission that goes down the drain, an alien desert, unknown technology, open combat, and a giant spider-crab hybrid that spits... who knows what. Personally, I think Farpoint is one of the strongest cards in the official PlayStation VR lineup, starting with the fact that it’s an experience specifically designed for virtual reality, and not a patch of half-mutant support.
Final Fantasy XV
Did I say “half-mutant support”? Well, let’s say we’ll see a bit of that in the endless, inexhaustible, ceaseless Final Fantasy saga. The main way to play will be just as the trailer shows, but apparently there will be a special mode that will allow us to use the PlayStation VR during some battles. Honestly, I don’t think it’s the brightest implementation, however, doubts will be cleared on the next September 30.
Doom VR
If we started the list with a Bethesda title, why not end it the same way? Fallout 4 wasn’t the only title with a confirmed VR mode. In fact, several of those present at E3 2016 had the chance to play a very early and very experimental demo of Doom VR, to such an extent that the company refused to confirm a date, platform, or compatible headsets. Press silence.
And that’s all so far. Some bets seem too small and conservative, relying on established titles with a solid fan base. Others, like those of Superhot and Farpoint, suggest that maybe it’s better to take risks and implement new ideas. It’s the dawn of virtual reality, and the best is supposed to be yet to come. Our wish is that it doesn’t take long. Want to see more games? Don’t miss the excellent list that Matías prepared for us. Good luck!
