Experience the Thrill of Virtual Acrobatics in This Engaging VR Action Game

Immersive VR Action at Its Best

Reach is one of the most captivating VR games I’ve played in recent memory. It rekindles the excitement of classic cinematic adventure titles like Tomb Raider and Uncharted, offering exhilarating moments of climbing, jumping, and combat. During my time with NDreams’ latest release, I found myself scaling ledges, leaping between skyscrapers, and taking down enemies while dual-wielding pistols. The game’s dynamic movement and remarkably accurate full-body awareness create an immersive experience that makes you feel like a true action hero.

Balancing Movement and Comfort in VR

One of the biggest challenges in VR game design is achieving smooth, natural movement without causing motion sickness. Most VR titles incorporate a mix of teleportation and stick-based locomotion to accommodate different players. After a demo packed with running, jumping, and platforming sequences, I was pleased to discover that I didn’t experience that unpleasant stomach-churning sensation that sometimes accompanies VR movement. Reach manages to strike a delicate balance, making high-energy movement feel fluid and comfortable.

Fluid and Dynamic Platforming

The demo focused heavily on platforming elements—climbing walls, grabbing ledges, and performing acrobatic maneuvers reminiscent of titles like The Climb or Horizon: Call of the Mountain. Sprinting, jumping, and shifting between holds felt surprisingly smooth and natural. At times, I felt like an action star pulling off stunts only seen in blockbuster movies, with quick reflexes and precise timing needed to secure my grip on narrow ledges. My near-misses and last-second grabs added an authentic thrill, making each successful maneuver all the more satisfying.

Breaking the VR On-Rails Feeling

What truly sets Reach apart is how these small moments—snagging a ledge just in time or adjusting my path—break away from the often on-rails feel that many VR games tend to have. During sections where I failed a few times, I found myself experimenting with different ways to reach my goal, constantly exploring new routes and techniques. This sense of agency and experimentation enhances the gameplay experience, encouraging players to utilize all their tools for movement and problem-solving. Reach delivers on this front in spectacular fashion.

Mixed Combat and Exploration

Beyond platforming, the game offers a variety of combat scenarios. In the first level, I encountered several shootouts with generic militia enemies while attempting to rescue hostages. A handy bow with unlimited arrows was strapped to my shoulder, allowing me to pick off enemies from a distance—adding a tactical element to the action. While the demo didn’t focus heavily on stealth, I accidentally blundered into a gunfight in what appeared to be a stealth segment set in an office, which added an unexpected twist to the gameplay.

Traditional Shooting Gallery Encounters

There were moments where the action shifted to more conventional shooting gallery style encounters, with enemies emerging from shutters and standing on balconies. Pistol pickups littered the level, giving me quick access to firearms for quick bursts of combat. However, these segments felt somewhat less engaging than the earlier stealth and platforming sections, as VR shooters have often relied on similar combat setups for nearly a decade. Still, after clearing these parts, I returned to the core platforming experience, exploring the very ledges my enemies had fallen from.

Adding Tension with High-Stakes Escapes

The demo ramped up the excitement with a tense chase involving a helicopter firing at me as I navigated through a chaotic environment. After a truck barreled through and opened a gate, I scrambled up a high wall to escape the attack. Exploding walls and collapsing ceilings behind me heightened the sense of danger, transforming the final moments into a frantic platforming challenge. This sequence delivered a perfect adrenaline rush, emphasizing the game’s ability to combine action and movement seamlessly.

The Future of VR Adventure Gaming

Experiencing Reach’s first level was one of the most fun I’ve had in VR in months. The game’s creative mix of platforming, combat, and exploration promises an exciting future for immersive adventure titles. I’m eagerly awaiting the full release, which is expected later this year on platforms like Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, and SteamVR. With its innovative approach to movement and engaging gameplay, Reach is poised to become a standout in the VR gaming landscape.

Alex "Pixel" Petrov

Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.