VTOL VR

VTOL VR is a virtual reality combat flight simulation game released on August 3rd, 2017, by Boundless Dynamics. It features multiple different types of aircraft, such as attack helicopters, fighter jets, and VTOL aircraft. The game is designed specifically for virtual reality headsets, and cannot be played on a traditional flat-screen monitor. Aircraft are designed to be flown with the motion controllers for the primary flight controls (virtual joystick and throttle/collective) and secondary cockpit controls (avionics) which is innovative for the genre.

VTOL VR
Developer	BahamutoD
Publisher	Boundless Dynamics
Engine	Unity
Platforms	PC, SteamVR
Release	August 7th, 2017
Genre	Combat Flight Simulator
Modes	Singleplayer Co-op & PvP Multiplayer

Gameplay

The game is played through missions, either in singleplayer story missions, workshop missions, or in multiplayer missions with other players.

Each aircraft in the game has its own unique cockpit and flight interfaces for the player to use, the helicopter will have a joystick and collective, whereas the fighter jet types will have throttle joystick, each aircraft having its own unique avionics which differs from the traditional flight sims, where physical equipment is used.

The objectives vary from destroying targets, navigating to a specific geographic location, picking up and dropping off troops, air-to-air refueling, and other tasks that are either set by the mission editor or part of a preset mission.

Development

In early access, the game featured one aircraft, the AV-42C Kestrel, and few missions. It featured the same motion controls and virtual cockpit functionality, with the early missions allowing the players to explore the air-to-ground attack functionality, transporting troops with the aircraft, taking off and landing, and sections where the player would fly alongside AI pilots in formation towards an objective.

Vehicles

The game offers six different aircraft for the players to use:

• AV-42C Kestrel: A VTOL aircraft, useful for both ground attack and troop transport missions.
• F/A-26 Wasp: Similar to a real life F/A-18, it is a multirole fighter jet that is capable in both air to ground and air to air missions.
• F-45A Ghost: A Stealth STOVL (Short take-off and vertical landing) fighter jet that features both high vertical speed and excellent maneuverability at lower speeds. Because of its stealth design, it has a limited capacity for weapons. It resembles a real life F-35.
• EF-24G Mischief: An interesting mix of the real life F-14 and EA-18G Growler, it specialises in electronic warfare, technology built to disrupt enemy weapons and targeting systems such as radar. (DLC ownership required)
• AH-94 Attack Helicopter: Similar to a real life AH-64, has both ground and air radar, along with the typical weapons of a western attack helicopter such as Hydra rockets and Hellfire missiles. (DLC ownership required)
• T-55 Trainer/Fighter: A twin seater aircraft used to teach players the games features. (DLC required except in multiplayer if flying with a player who owns the DLC).

Reception

The game has been received very well by critics, some of whom consider the game to be the best flight experience in virtual reality. Reviewers comment that the style of using motion controllers instead of traditional HOTAS systems is a positive because of the added convenience and dynamic cockpits compared to physical equipment.