The stealth-slash-action VR game Espire 1: VR Operative has just unveiled its launch date. Publisher Tripwire Interactive and developer Digital Lode revealed that it will make its way to multiple VR platforms on September 24.
Describing itself as the “Definitive VR Stealth Experience”, Espire 1: VR Operative aims to set the new gold standard for the stealth genre in virtual reality. It Introduces a unique solution to the challenge of VR Motion sickness for first person titles, which is called “Control Theatre”. The technology behind this is that anytime the player performs any artificial locomotion, the game world shrinks down to the size of a floating tablet, with the Control Theatre visible in the player’s peripheral vision. This is what they call a “VR within VR system” that allows for precise and full freedom of movement, while maintaining immersion, and elimination “VR motion sickness” for almost everyone. In the game’s official announcement trailer, we can see snippets of the Control Theatre mechanic in action.
Other mechanics seen in stealth games are displayed in the trailer, such as silent takedowns (lethal or not), distractions, immobilizing enemies at gunpoint, and bullet time. Also, as the player’s role as an Espire model 1 operative, they are given access to dozens of unique gadgets and weapons including a tranquilizer pistol and deployable spy cameras.
Espire 1: VR Operative focuses solely on the single-player experience including individual story missions and challenge missions with specific objectives. The game claims that they use a Smart AI that responds to sight, sound and other stimuli, and will react accordingly depending on the level of disturbance and based on the players’ stance, movement speed, cover, and relative location. A Global Leaderboard is present in-game for a chance to compare scores based on mission time, movement, stealth, ammo conservation, takedowns, and other factors.
Espire 1: VR Operative is an ambitious leap for Digital Lode and Tripwire Interactive, especially for a genre that is hard to perfect, even without the VR aspect added. For those who are looking forward to its release, Espire 1: VR Operative will launch for the PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive, Valve Index, and Windows Mixed Reality on September 24.
