Each week, the Epic Games Store gives away a title or two as part of the company’s free game program. This week, all those with an Epic account can get their hands on the top-down open world action-adventure comedy Rustler (Grand Theft Horse).
Available to add to your library from now until the 29th of January at 4PM UK time, Rustler (Grand Theft Horse) is a top-down GTA inspired comedy set in a “historically inaccurate medieval setting” in which you play as ‘The Guy’, experiencing “feudal injustice, inquisition, witch-hunting” and much more.
Developed by Jutsu Games (the team behind the indie hit 911 Operator series), Grand Theft Horse is certainly not for everyone, with its focus on humour landing with some but not others.
That said, the game was received well, with its mix of old-school GTA gameplay and a mediaeval setting lending itself to plenty of fun moments – as long as you can tolerate some jank. Either way, for the price of free, there is no reason not to add the game to your library and give it a go.
Rustler (Grand Theft Horse) will be available to add to your library from now until the 29th of January, at which point it will be replaced by the business management sim ‘Definitely Not Fried Chicken’.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this week’s offering? Had you heard of Grand Theft Horse before? What’s your favourite style of humour? Let us know down below.
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In a series of interviews at Davos, Meta's CTO explained why the company is reducing its investment in VR.
If you somehow missed it: last week Meta shut down three of its acquired VR game studios, conducted significant layoffs at a fourth, canceled the Batman: Arkham Shadow sequel, and announced the shutdown of Horizon Workrooms and its Quest headsets for business offering. These actions came a month after the company officially confirmed "shifting some of our investment from Metaverse toward AI glasses and Wearables".
UploadVRDavid HeaneyAt the World Economic Forum in Davos, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth has finally made public statements about the VR layoffs and shutdowns, via a series of interviews.
One of the interviews was with veteran tech reporter Alex Heath. While Heath hasn't yet shared the interview (this is set to happen in the coming days), he has published an article with key quotes wherein Bosworth declares that "VR is growing less quickly than we hoped".
“We’re still continuing to invest heavily in this space, but obviously, VR is growing less quickly than we hoped,” Bosworth apparently told Heath. “And so you want to make sure that your investment is right-sized.”
According to Heath, Bosworth claimed that Meta has seen “really, really positive pickup” in Horizon Worlds on smartphones, and plans to double down on this with continued investment in Horizon on mobile.
“You've got a team that actually has product market fit in a huge market on mobile phones, and they're having to build everything twice. They're building it once for mobile phones, and building again for VR. There's a pretty easy way to increase their velocity: just let them build for mobile. So Horizon is very focused now on mobile — not exclusively, but almost exclusively,” Bosworth is quoted as saying.
Clip from Axios interview with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth.
Another interview, available in full on YouTube, was conducted by Axios' chief technology correspondent Ina Fried.
In it, Bosworth gave a very similar explanation for Meta's shift in strategy.
"It's like any investment, you're gonna look at how you do over the course of years and you're gonna reinvest in some areas and trim your losses in others.
For us, we're seeing tremendous growth of our metaverse on mobile. You know, Horizon is this thing that started on VR headsets. But obviously there's much more users today on mobile phones. We've been pivoting over the last year to focus on the mobile market and it's going really well, and so you kinda wanna double down on that."
Bosworth also seemed to suggest that Meta's significant investment in the VR side of Horizon Worlds, and repeated pushes to convince Quest headset wearers to use it, came at "an expense of user experience".
"We're gonna let VR be what it is, what it does", Bosworth said. "We're gonna have focus a lot more on the third party content library, the ecosystem that's developed there."
That seems to suggest that Meta will pull back on pushing Horizon Worlds for VR users and on making its own content, leaving the content ecosystem to third-party developers and letting headset owners choose the content they want.
California-based Singer has unleashed the Sorcerer, the first customer commission (of 99) for its DLS Turbo program, effectively turning the clock back to the golden era of endurance racing while catapulting the Porsche 911 into a 700-horsepower future. TL;DR, we want one.
The Singer Sorcerer is far more than a restored classic; it's a
I've said this a million times by now (rough estimate) but it bears repeating - never pay full price for an audio product. NEVER! Yes, that's a blanket recommendation and we're sure it can nitpicked to find exceptions, but for the most part, paying full price for headphones or earbuds or speakers and so forth is a fool's game. That's becauseGreedfall was a well-liked though ultimately somewhat janky RPG from studio Spiders which released back in 2019. Selling over 2 million copies, the game was confirmed to be getting a sequel (prequel), with Greedfall 2: The Dying World taking the Early Access approach in September 2024. A year and a bit on, the team have now confirmed that Greedfall 2’s full 1.0 release (and console launch) is scheduled for this March.
Releasing a gameplay overview trailer, the team at Spiders confirmed that Greedfall 2: The Dying World will be leaving Early Access on the 10th of March – coinciding with its console launch on the 12th.
As mentioned, the first Greedfall was far from perfect, with gameplay in particular being a weak point for some. That said, its RPG aspects were well-liked and so having a more refined version of its systems is an exciting concept.
That said, impressions during its Early Access period have been rather mixed, with some of the issues reported by players being hopefully fixable by launch; while others are more systemic in nature.
Regardless, you'll be able to check out the full version of Greedfall 2: The Dying World when it officially launches on the 10th of March for PC (and the 12th on console).
KitGuru says: What did you think of the original Greedfall? Do you have high hopes for the sequel? What’s your favourite game developed by Spiders? Let us know down below.
The post Greedfall 2: The Dying World leaves Early Access in March first appeared on KitGuru.
Researchers have discovered that the same sensors used to detect earthquakes are the key to tracking the growing swarm of space junk plummeting toward Earth.
As the orbital highway becomes increasingly congested, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) 2025 Space Environment Report paints a sobering picture: intact satellites and rocket bodies
Samsung believes it can put a major dent in the screen protector industry with a revolutionary new glass for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. If latest rumors are to be believed, the phone's next generation Gorilla Glass boasts unprecedented scratch and crack resistance, while possessing anti-reflective and screen privacy tech.
Leak！
Samsung
You've heard of Gorgon Point, which emerged as the Ryzen AI 400 series at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, but what about Gorgon Halo? Rumor has those chips are en route too, though they're not yet official. While we wait for an unveiling, a notable leaker has posted to Facebook what they claim are several upcoming GorgonWhile the studio is known almost exclusively for their work on the Pokemon series, Game Freak as a developer has dipped its toes into other waters in the past. That said, by far their most ambitious project is Beast of Reincarnation – a visually impressive action title in the vein of Black Myth Wukong. Initially announced back in June last year, the game is officially set to arrive on PlayStation, Xbox and PC this Summer.
Taking part in the latest Xbox Developer Direct, Game Freak offered a deep dive into Beast of Reincarnation, showing off much more of the game's vibes, narrative, aesthetics and most importantly gameplay.
While it appears to take inspiration from many modern action titles, Beast of Reincarnation features a rather unique blend of real-time combat alongside quick-time events when using skills (almost like a reverse of Expedition 33).
Though we did not get a concrete release date, Beast of Reincarnation has been in development for 6 years and so the team are nearing the finish line, with Game Freak confirming that they plan to launch the game some time this Summer.
Unlike pretty much every other Game Freak releases, Beast of Reincarnation is coming to all platforms except Nintendo – meaning PS5, Series X|S and PC. The full deep-dive can be found HERE.
KitGuru says: What do you think of Beast of Reincarnation? Are you looking forward to the title or does it seem a bit too derivative in your opinion? Let us know down below.
The post Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation launches in Summer first appeared on KitGuru.
Intel's fourth quarter earnings are in and they reflect a 4.1% year-over-year loss to $13.7 billion (same as the previous quarter), bringing the full-year tally to a flat $52.9 billion. According to Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, the company "delivered a solid finish to the year" despite the loss, which along with downward guidance for the currentMSI has expanded its networking lineup with the launch of the Roamii BE Pro, a new WiFi 7 mesh system aimed at high-performance home, or even small office, environments. Built around the latest WiFi 7/802.11be standard, the Roamii BE Pro is available in one or two-unit packs, with the former costing £149.99 and the latter hitting shelves at £279.99.
MSI's new Roamii BE Pro was announced back at CES 2026, with the system using a tri-band design, supporting 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands, while it also includes Multi-Link Operation and 320MHz channel support. MSI quotes combined wireless speeds of up to 11Gbps, with ‘5746 Mbps on 6GHz, 4323 Mbps on 5GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4GHz,' enabling, in MSI's words, ‘smooth 4k/8k streaming and online gaming'.
Each node is equipped with four 2.5GbE ports, allowing for high-speed wired connections or even a wired mesh backhaul if Ethernet is available. Setup and ongoing management are handled through the MSI Router 2.0 app, which provides traffic monitoring, basic QoS controls and other features. MSI also highlights its FortiSecu integrated security features, allowing users to ‘scan and protect' connected devices, setup parental controls or or even setup individual, isolated networks for different users.
The company is focusing on the aesthetics of the units, too, and the nodes certainly don't look like what you'd expect from a manufacturer with a gaming background. Each unit has a triangular shape and even supports RGB lighting in the base, while there's ventilation in the top and rear panels to avoid overheating. Dimensions of 118.5 x 108 x 252.5mm make them fairly compact, too.
We will have a review of the Roamii BE Pro coming soon, so stay tuned for that!
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KitGuru says: Are you looking to upgrade your WiFi setup this year, and would you consider the MSI Roamii BE Pro?
The post MSI introduces new Roamii BE Pro WiFi 7 mesh system first appeared on KitGuru.Following the debut of the CH260 last year, DeepCool is doubling down on the “organic” aesthetic trend by introducing the CH260 Wood Grain Edition. This latest revision builds on the foundation of the original micro-ATX chassis and adds a touch of sophistication with timber-effect accents on the side-mounted I/O cluster. Available in both black and white finishes, the new variant targets enthusiasts who want a compact, airflow-oriented chassis with a more ‘furniture-friendly' appearance.
The “pixel” customisation system from the original CH260 is still available, allowing users to customise the perforated front and top panels with rubber bits to create patterns or logos. Beyond its aesthetics, according to ITHome (via TechPowerUp), the new CH260 variant remains a good option for modern builds, particularly those utilising the increasingly common “back-connect” motherboard designs. DeepCool has provided a generous 29.6 mm of clearance behind the motherboard tray to accommodate the cable management requirements of these rear-mounted headers, designed to ensure a clean interior look through the tempered glass side panel.
Image credit: ITHome
Despite its 30-litre volume, the internal layout looks surprisingly flexible. It comfortably houses full-sized graphics cards up to 388 mm in length with front fans installed, or up to 413 mm if you opt for a more minimalist cooling setup. CPU cooling compatibility is good, with enough vertical space to fit 174 mm-tall air towers or a 360 mm radiator mounted at the top. Power supply support is standardised to ATX units up to 150 mm in length, though builders should note that cable routing becomes tighter when utilising the single 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drive bays simultaneously.
Thermal performance is aided by a wraparound mesh design that covers the front and top, supported by three removable dust filters for easier maintenance. Connectivity is up to modern standards, featuring a 10 Gbps USB-C port, a pair of 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and the expected audio jacks. Currently hitting the Chinese market first, the black version is priced at approximately 399 yuan (£42), while the white model carries a slight premium at 449 yuan (£48). Pricing and availability for other regions are yet to be announced.
Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.
KitGuru says: Do you prefer the new CH260 variant with a wooden accent over the original?
The post DeepCool adds wooden accents to the CH260 mATX case first appeared on KitGuru.As the title of this post indicates, AMD has now announced pricing and availability for its better, faster X3D flagship. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D will be officially available for sale starting January…
Microsoft is making a push to bridge the gap between traditional x86 gaming and the emerging ARM-based Windows ecosystem. The recent release of a dedicated Arm-compatible Xbox App marks a turning point for the platform, with Microsoft stating that approximately 85% of the current Game Pass library is now playable on Arm-powered machines. This shift is largely due to significant refinements in the Prism translation layer, which serves as the intermediary between legacy code and modern silicon.
As detailed in a Windows Blog, a critical component of this progress is the integration of AVX and AVX2 instruction support within Prism. These extensions are essential for bringing Xbox games to ARM systems, allowing titles previously locked to Intel or AMD hardware to run on Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series chips. The hardware evolution continues as well, with the current Snapdragon lineup paving the way for the upcoming Snapdragon X2 and subsequent generations of ARM SoCs.
Compatibility isn't just about raw processing power; security protocols have historically been a major barrier for ARM adoption in gaming. The landscape is changing as developers implement third-party anti-cheat support for ARM, with Epic's solution now enabling titles such as Fortnite and Gears of War: Reloaded to run locally. To help users navigate the varying performance tiers of these devices, Microsoft has introduced the Windows Performance Fit tool. This utility leverages real-world benchmark data from similar hardware configurations to give users a realistic sense of how a title will run.
While the goal is native or translated local play, Microsoft continues to leverage its cloud infrastructure as a secondary option for titles that remain exclusive to x86 environments. This serves as a necessary buffer while the library of compatible games expands. The effectiveness of this approach remains tied to network stability and server proximity, but at least it's a functional alternative for those who meet the requirements.
Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.
KitGuru says: Do you own an ARM-based PC? Do you game on it? Will you do so more now that more Xbox games are supported?
The post Xbox App is now available on ARM-based PCs first appeared on KitGuru.Today's review is certainly unique. We are looking at the AOC Agon Pro CS24A, a monitor designed specifically for Counter-Strike gamers, with an eye-catching stand design and custom themed OSD. It's not just a skin, though, as the panel spec is clearly geared towards esports, packing in no less than a 600Hz refresh rate, using a 24in 1080p TN panel. AOC's MBR+ technology is also present, promising better-than-ever motion clarity, so let's see if this screen really is as good as it sounds.
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:51 CS24A pricing + alternatives
01:57 Design and custom CS skin
02:53 I/O + OSD
04:35 Out of the box testing
06:51 sRGB mode and calibration results
07:26 Backlight bleed, viewing angles, coating grain
08:00 Response time results
09:30 Motion clarity examples
11:14 Real-world gaming experience
12:28 Closing thoughts
Just before we get into the review itself, it is worth clarifying that although we are looking at the AOC Agon Pro CS24A, with the product name identifying this as the Counter-Strike version, there is also the standard Agon Pro AG246FK6 available. It's essentially the exact same monitor but just without the CS2 livery, so if you're interested in an esports-grade screen but play anything other than Counter-Strike, that's something to keep in mind.
The other thing to keep in mind is the pricing. The CS24A is listed at just under £600 here in the UK, which is a little eye-watering considering it's a 24in 1080p screen. In theory the AG246FK6 has the same MSRP, though at the time of writing it's on offer for £500. Either way, it's a lot of money to pay for a FHD screen in this day and age, but considering it also packs in one of the fastest refresh rates we've ever seen, could it be worth buying?
Specification:
Firmware tested: V1.04
The post AOC CS24A Review (1080p/600Hz TN) first appeared on KitGuru.In the lead-up to Microsoft’s Xbox Developer Direct, an in-game pop-up appeared for some uses within Forza Horizon 5 claiming that the upcoming sequel would be launching this May. Sure enough, as part of the latest showcase, Forza Horizon 6 was properly shown off for the first time – alongside confirmation of its release date.
As part of the latest edition of the Xbox Developer Direct, Playground Games offered roughly 10 minutes of new footage for the upcoming Forza Horizon 6, showing off the game’s Japan setting; some of its vehicles, game mode and more.
Though not too much of a surprise given the earlier leak, the team officially confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 will launch on the 19th of May for Standard Edition owners and the 15th for those with the Premium Edition (which also includes the Season Pass, additional vehicles, VIP membership and more).
While the game is landing first on Xbox and PC, the team at Playground Games confirmed that a PS5 version is currently in the works and scheduled to release at some point “later this year.”
Given the fact that Forza Horizon 5 only arrived on PS5 last year, it is a pleasant surprise to see its sequel arriving within mere months of the Xbox/PC release. The full gameplay overview for Forza Horizon 6 can be found HERE.
KitGuru says: What did you think of the Xbox Developer Direct? Are you looking forward to Forza Horizon 6? Is the premium edition worth it? Let us know your thoughts down below.
The post Forza Horizon 6 officially launches in May first appeared on KitGuru.One of the most anticipated Xbox titles for quite a few years now has been Playground Games’ Fable, with the reboot of this classic RPG series first being announced all the way back in 2020 (though rumours of its existence had begun as early as 2018). Initially planned to arrive some time in 2025, the upcoming RPG now has a new release window – officially arriving some time in Autumn 2026.
Taking part in the recent Xbox Developer Direct, Playground Games officially gave us our first proper look at the upcoming Fable.
While we have gotten teasers before and even some slight gameplay snippets, the latest showcase offered a much deeper look at the game and its systems, confirming that many of the series’ staples (house building, marriage, a morality system and more) will be present in the reboot.
In the 5+ years since the project was first announced, the Xbox ecosystem has gone through a ton of changes, and so while Fable was originally planned to be an Xbox console exclusive, Microsoft have now officially confirmed that the game will be launching day-and-date on the PS5 alongside its Series X|S and PC counterparts.
What date that will be however is currently unknown, with us only being given a release window of Autumn 2026.
So far, what has been shown off regarding Fable is looking quite positive, with Playground Games seemingly successfully taking on the mantle from Lionhead Studios. That said, we will have to wait and see how it all comes together when the game finally arrives later this year.
KitGuru says: What did you think of the Xbox Developer Direct? Do you have more or less confidence in Fable now? When do you think the game will actually come out? Let us know down below.
The post Fable comes to Xbox, PlayStation and PC later this Autumn first appeared on KitGuru.AMD has officially confirmed that the Ryzen 7 9850X3D will hit retail shelves on January 29th, carrying a suggested price tag of $499. This move positions the new 8-core processor as the premium choice within Team Red's Zen 5 3D V-Cache lineup, sitting just above the current Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
The announcement comes directly from David McAfee, AMD's VP and GM of the client channel business, who claims this new SKU is the fastest gaming processor currently available. The specifications reveal that while the architecture remains the same, the 9850X3D benefits from improved binning, enabling it to reach a 5.6 GHz clock speed, a 400 MHz boost compared to the 9800X3D. Despite this higher frequency, the 120 W TDP remains unchanged, as does the 104 MB total cache pool, which includes the 96 MB L3 stack that defines the X3D series. AMD's internal benchmarks suggest this clock-speed advantage translates into a 3% to 8% performance uplift over the 9800X3D in CPU-bound scenarios.
The $499 MSRP will likely come as a relief to those following recent industry whispers. Early retail leaks in December had suggested pricing could be a bit higher, especially given the persistent demand for high-end AM5 components.
Availability remains the primary concern for prospective buyers. The previous launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D was marred by severe inventory shortages, leading to inflated prices at third-party retailers and a thriving scalper market. Although reports suggest distribution is well underway for the January 29th release, it remains to be seen whether AMD has secured enough volume to meet demand.
Discuss on our Facebook page HERE.
KitGuru says: If stock levels hold, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is poised to become the new default recommendation for high-end gaming builds, effectively squeezing Intel's flagship offerings out of the frame.
The post AMD confirms Ryzen 7 9850X3D for late January release, $499 first appeared on KitGuru.
A new wave of Android click-fraud trojans are in the wild, and they're surprisingly well-hidden. For those familiar with the Android operating system, it's common knowledge that users can enable downloads of third-party applications from outside of Google's Play Store ecosystem. When you do so, the OS warns users of the security implications,
AAA publisher and developer Ubisoft has released some unfortunate news. In the process of its development restructuring into six Creative Houses, Ubisoft also had to kill six games and delay seven more, with the most prominent loss being the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake announced in 2020. While the title being repeatedly delay doesDread Meridian is an H.P. Lovecraft-inspired survival horror with a moody atmosphere held back by janky combat at launch.
Scary scenes such as the ones vividly described in H.P. Lovecraft’s “At the Mountains of Madness” can leave readers in a disconcerting mood. Dread Meridian features all the elements of this winning formula, but technical drawbacks ultimately prove its undoing.
It all starts with the story as straightforward as can be. As Daniela, you begin your journey on a boat, narrating your missing sister’s letter indicating she went on a research expedition because of mysterious artifacts they found. A poster of a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde movie can be seen on the walls of Dani’s room, as well as several books to interact with.
Her one-track mind allows for the game to explore narrative set pieces without much explanation as to why you are there other than to search for your sister. Eventually crashing into a frozen wasteland, a gorgeous aurora borealis lights up the night sky over what is otherwise hell on Earth.
Each of the game’s five chapters is short enough to be finished in about an hour or less. Showing varied environments like a seemingly abandoned research base, a cabin in the woods with a horrifying secret, and the infested cave where mutated monsters abound, the frantic search stays unpredictable throughout. Turns out messing with eldritch horrors beyond human comprehension can mess with researchers’ minds.
The levels are easy to understand for survival horror enthusiasts, with simple puzzles where the solutions can be logically solved or found close by. In that regard, Dread Meridian seems to do everything well, but the crux of the matter is how it plays, and that is where it squanders any goodwill thus far.
Dread Meridian has two main preset comfort settings: Immersive and Comfortable. Immersive has smooth turning, faster rotation speed, and movement direction set to the controller. Comfortable features are snap turning, slower movements in general, and movement direction set to Head.
The motion overlay, or tunnel vision, is also a part of the mode. Everything can be customized in the settings. That said, even if you turn off the overlay, when climbing, it always seems to briefly activate. No dedicated seated or standing options are available, though there is a way to readjust height.
A well-known term within VR communities that comes to mind when describing this game’s combat is a “wiggle fest.” While it is possible to use a gun, an SMG, and more firearms, these weapons are flimsy, not to mention the lack of ammo. That leads to only being able to use a knife, which, although extremely effective, has you hacking away at the air with no thought, praying you will defeat every monster without being damaged.
To have the enemy freeze in place at times is more hilarious than alarming. There are no difficulty settings, and the checkpoints are few and far between; this can easily lead to frustration. Being killed by an enemy cheap shot that is unpredictable to register after spending 15 minutes running around a research base is a tough pill to swallow.
Dread Meridian looks crisp from Steam. While the environments are small and claustrophobic, every puzzle, rock texture, and poster is clear, and the enemies are even freakier to look at. On Quest, the game settled on an expected cartoony look, with textures overall looking muddier in all respects. No performance issues were noticed on either version.
My gaming laptop uses an AMD Ryzen 7 250 w/ Radeon 780M Graphics Processor, 24 GB DDR5-5600MT/s SODIMM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8 GB GDDR7. The comparison was conducted using a Meta Quest 3 via the Steam Link app.
There are hints of brilliance in Dani’s journey. When not struggling with the unwieldy combat, exploring the infested areas is quite unsettling. If Dread Meridian excels in something, it is that it is dripping with Lovecraftian atmosphere. Whispers are heard in Dani’s head telling her to complete a forbidden ritual; hallucinations of otherworldly landscapes assault her, and fleshy, grotesquely mutated corpses adorn the halls of every place you visit.
The abundant documents and voice recordings of the researchers’ descent into madness are as intriguing as they are eerie. It is honestly difficult to dismiss what is witnessed on-screen because there was clearly effort put into it, but the issues that creep up in the moment-to-moment gameplay cannot be ignored.
An example of the flimsy combat when getting up close.
As a seasoned VR player, I seek lasting experiences that go beyond rolling credits. Great horror games have the potential to do that, especially late at night. Media based on H.P. Lovecraft’s work is among the most interesting due to its source material. Dread Meridian comes close to achieving this with its unnerving setting, but imprecise enemy hitboxes, punishing checkpoints, and buggy non-player character behavior ensure it becomes memorable, negatively. Down the line, with patches and the help of player feedback, perhaps it could arrive at the goal the developers had.
Editor's Note: UploadVR is publishing this hands-on writeup based on advance access to Dread Meridian. We are making no immediate plan for a formal review or update to this article, though we'll link to future coverage here if we are able.
Golden Gloves VR is available now in full release on Meta Quest after a lengthy early access period.
I jumped into Golden Gloves VR and, while it's still pretty spare graphically, there are some good ideas here about virtual fitness and boxing. I saw three gym maps to train alone or in multiplayer sessions. When you start, you teleport into a gym map where you can find access to Career Mode challenges, training bags and minigames.
Various moments in Golden Gloves VR's Career Mode.
The gym's training bags are realistically responsive to punching. Training stations range from speed bags to various hanging bags and other targets. There is also an arcade machine that gives access to a Space Invaders-style game where you practice boxing form, shooting glove-shaped bullets at enemies.
I spent my time in the game's Career Mode where I fought AI boxers increasing in difficulty every time I won a match. I initially found the fighting to be too easy, but was quickly surprised when the difficulty began to ramp up as the enemy got smarter. Smarter boxers timed their moves better to counter my swings. Their increased skill highlighted areas of my body I failed to defend in a fight, often dealing damage to my blind spots and revealing areas of improvement in reflexes and strategy.
Golden Gloves VR has an impressive set of training equipment in its gyms. Training bags can be used either within VR or with passthrough mode. In passthrough mode, equipment can be placed around your room to train while being able to see your physical surroundings.
Despite the good fighting experience, the graphics are extremely plain. Lighting overall isn't set up well and there's a lot that could be done to add more mood and immersion. Still, there's good equipment and plenty here to get good cardio.
Various training equipment in Golden Gloves VR
Golden Gloves VR is available now on Quest headsets with developers boasting that it is the "official esports platform for USA Boxing" built from "real input from boxers and coaches." The full official launch of Golden Gloves VR includes an optional Esports USA Boxing membership.
UploadVR will keep an eye on this project as it continues to develop past full release for further updates.
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