For a while, Vive users who have wanted to immerse themselves in the weightlessness of space have been out of luck, but finally, Adr1ft is launching for the Vive. Originally a launch exclusive for the Oculus Rift, the space survival game had its Steam VR release delayed since May in order to deliver a different and more unique experience for HTC Vive users by employing the headset’s motion controllers.
Adam Orth, the game’s director, explained that the core of the game hasn’t changed a lot, with player movement and menus remaining mostly the same, but the Vive’s motion controls make interacting with objects in the world a whole new experience. “Reaching out for oxygen canisters, audio logs, terminals, collectibles, debris etc. with your arms while simultaneously micro-tuning your movement on the Wand pads and managing your oxygen adds an incredible new layer to the game that changes it fundamentally,” Orth posted on the official ThreeOneZero blog, “For many of us on the team, it’s our favorite way to play.”
The overhaul for Adr1ft doesn’t include features like room scale VR, with standard sitting and standing configurations being the only ways to play the game, although this is understandable when you consider that the game takes place in zero-gravity. The Steam VR launch of the game also includes the traditional gamepad input method, for those wanting to play the game more casually. Meanwhile for those wanting to try their hand at space survival but don’t fancy the VR or lack a PC that can handle it, the game also recently launched on the Playstation 4 (although it is unconfirmed if it will support PlayStation VR in the future,) and is set for an Xbox One launch this summer.
