While virtual reality gaming has been somewhat more accessible and generally cheaper than it was before, it’s still quite hard to find major titles and AAA experiences.
That said, it’s been quite refreshing to see some VR games break into the greater market, what with the recent success of Blood & Truth, a PlayStation VR title from Sony Interactive London that managed to become the first ever VR game to debut at the top of the UK Charts. Now, Oculus and developer Insomniac is looking to score another win for VR, this time with a title exclusive to the Oculus Rift.
It’s called Stormland, and, judging by a recently released E3 trailer, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest releases for VR this year. Check it out below and see for yourself.
You play as an android, destroyed by something called the ‘Tempest;’ your journey will bring you in direct conflict with other androids to reclaim a land you once owned with your android friends. The setting is quite amazing, set high atop a cloudscape filled with an astounding weave of nature and technology. The trailer shows off some of the places you will play in, and they look very diverse from each other. The shown gameplay is pretty smooth, too, with some first-person shooting elements as well as platforming through the use of climbing mechanics.
Stormland can be played in both single-player and co-op, allowing you to team up with a friend (also playing an android) as you explore the expansive locations set within the game. Traversal is pretty neat, too, as you actually need to move from one place to another via movement, and not through instantaneous jumps (or 'lilypadding'). What I hate the most about some VR titles is how they tend to teleport you instead of allowing you to move by yourself, which can break the immersion quite a bit.
It will also be interesting to see Insomniac Games’ return to VR, following the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man, which earned the developer critical acclaim. Insomniac’s previous VR projects include three titles released in 2016, including Edge of Nowhere, which received positive ratings.
Stormland is set for release some time in 2019, exclusively for the Oculus Rift. Expect the title to be at Oculus’ show floor during June 11 to 13, the details of which you can check out here.
