by King Hazard
So many good things have been said about virtual reality headsets for PC. In fact, when someone says VR, the first two words that usually follow are “Oculus” and “HTC Vive.” So, where does this leave mobile virtual reality? In today’s article, we’re going to try to redeem one of the most overlooked headsets for smartphones – the Utopia 360. Though it’s not as popular as Daydream, Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR, this headset is actually quite robust and, surprisingly enough, has a large gaming database.
More on Utopia 360 VR Headset
As we’ve said, headsets like Samsung VR or Rift or Vive have gained a lot of traction. Unfortunately, this means that ‘lesser’ headsets like the Utopia 360 were so left behind, that most people probably question its existence. Let us assure you that it’s not only very real but quite good actually.
The Utopia 360 VR headset comes in five shapes:
• The Utopia 360 starter pack which includes the headset and adjustable strap/optics.
• Utopia 360 basic kit plus the Bluetooth controller.
• Utopia 360 with controller, earbuds, and micro USB charging cable.
• Elite Edition VR headset with a Bluetooth, D-pad controller.
• Elite Edition VR headset with D-pad controller and HD Stereo Headphones
Of course, if you’re a newbie, we recommend the basic 360 starter kit with Bluetooth controller. Otherwise, go ahead and buy the whole pack, because it’s worth it.
Now, although Utopia 360 VR might look like a cheap VR rip-off, it’s really more than that. Behind its rudimentary looks lies a powerful virtual reality rendering system that will surely give you the good kind of goose-bumps.
To put our money where our mouth is, this utopia 360 VR review shows that the headset has 360-degree support and that even the basic version of the device is fully compatible with augmented reality applications. Now that’s what we call a win-win situation.
Specs-wise, the headset’s compatible with Android and iOS smartphones and has device-dependent FOV and resolution. The price can be anywhere from $10 to $25, depending on the retailer.
Utopia 360 VR As a Horror Gaming Platform
So far, we’ve talked about specs, prices, and models. There’s still one question we failed to answer – is Utopia 360 VR the best thing that could ever happen to a gamer or not? We believe it is.
A quick search of Utopia’s manufacturer’s website reveals that this mid-range VR headset supports a heap load of games and applications.
However, a quick peek at the list shows that devs are more partial to horror games than to other genres. What can we say? Better a good scare than running around shooting people in yet another military simulation.
Take VR Haunted Forest Escape, for instance. It’s a great horror-survival game, probably based on the Penumbra series. Yes, from the screenshots it might look a little choppy, but you’ll have to keep in mind that everything you do will be in full VR. That scarecrow might look like a prop spare from 1981’s Evil Dead studio but having to face it with the headphones and headset on is an entirely different and scary story.
Want more reasons to buy Utopia’s VR headset? Here’s another one. It’s called In the Forest, and, as you have probably guessed it, it’s another horror-survival title. The aim – escape the forest before the monster gets you. You could call this game a proving ground for your headset’s VR capabilities. Why? Because you’ll need to use the tilt controller, D-pad, and of, course, headphones to navigate out of that forest.
Of course, we cannot go any further without writing a couple of words about our all-time horror game for VR. It’s called Lost in Chamber VR and, yes, it’s yet another gut-wrenching, atmospheric horror game. As the title suggests, you will need to dodge dangerous enemies, solve puzzles, and other stuff in order to get out of that room.
Now, if you’re more the kind of gamer that prefers gunning down zombies and monsters rather than running away from them, you should definitely try out VR Project 6. Initially designed for Google’s second version of Cardboard, this games works like a charm on the Utopia 360 VR. The aim of the game is to get out of the scary building by shooting anything that stands in your way. Each kill will bring more coins. You will need to use these coins to buy new weapons or to unlock new gadgets.
All the games showcased here take full advantage of the wireless controller and of course, the HD headphones.
Conclusion
Is Utopia 360 the best VR headset for horror gaming? We can’t say that it’s the ultimate mobile VR platform, but, as you can see, it does come with a long list of recommendations – big gaming library, full 360 support, adjustable optics, HD audio, and D-pad. So, what are you waiting for? Grab that headset and go face those monsters.
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