Insomniac Games, the devs behind the Rachet and Clank and Resistance franchises, announced that they have two VR titles coming to the Oculus Rift. The two games are The Unspoken, multiplayer-focused magic game, and a third person combat adventure game called Feral Rites.
The Unspoken takes place in Chicago, and it’s about the Occult Underground that duel using an ancient magic. The game is something like a multiplayer arena shooter, with two players fighting against each other in a magical arena. Using the Oculus Touch controls, players will draw up magic spells to attack your opponent or defend yourself. The trailer shows many different spells the player can use, including throwing fireballs, holding up magic shields, and summoning a giant monster.
Players can perform some more complicated motions to use more powerful spells. In the trailer, the player uses a hammer and anvil to create a spectral javelin to throw at their opponent. According to Gamespot, players can use the touch’s analog sticks to teleport to different areas, which can give you a territorial advantage in battle.
Despite its darker tone The Unspoken has Insomniac’s unique sense of humor, like having a paper airplane transform to a B-52 Bomber. We are unsure whether The Unspoken will have a bigger campaign or story, as for now the game is mostly multiplayer focused.
The other game announced was Feral Rites, a third-person action adventure game for Oculus. The game is described as mixing the adventure elements of the later Zelda games (like Ocarina of Time) with the combat of God of War. The main character has the ability to transform into a feral beast (much like Altered Beast) and explore exotic locales while fighting dangerous enemies.
The story of Feral Rites follows a warrior returning to his homeland to avenge his father’s death. Insomniac’s creative director Marcus Smith elaborated on how the team was going to handle a third-person adventure game in VR. Smith said that the game uses a camera cut system where “…you basically are cutting the camera in certain areas; so you walk through a doorway, you cut to the other side. So that way you’re not transitioning the camera anymore, so there’s pretty much zero discomfort, and your camera position is your head.”
Insomniac Games is breaking some traditional gaming conventions with Feral Rites, and it will be interesting to see how a third-person adventure brawler handles in VR. Both Feral Rites and The Unspoken are set to release for Oculus in Fall 2016.