When location-based VR veterans turn their attention to home headsets, the result can rewire what we expect from movement. DreamVR, the studio behind a string of arena-scale experiences, has announced The Rifted Skies – an acrobatic parkour roguelite built from the ground up to make physical locomotion the star. Revealed during the latest VR Games Showcase, the title is headed to Quest and SteamVR in early access this fall, with a full release planned for 2026.
Movement isn't an afterthought
CEO Denis Mazur doesn't mince words about the studio's motivation: “It’s so disappointing to see that even today, the majority of home VR experiences limit movement to thumbsticks.” The team spent years watching real players dodge, sprint, and climb inside their location-based titles. That observational data shaped a game where every action – from crossing gaps to cutting down enemies – flows through your own body.
The movement system pulls together multiple techniques to maintain momentum:
- Arm-swinging to sprint across open terrain
- Leaping across yawning gaps with timed jumps
- Freeform climbing on almost any surface
- Gliding to soar over massive chasms
Combat is woven directly into this motion, letting you deflect attacks and slash through creatures without breaking stride. The faster you move, the deadlier you become – and the more vital your awareness of the encroaching Rift.
A world under siege
The Rift isn't just a timer; it's a corrupting force that has swallowed everything in its path, leaving a long-abandoned homeland dotted with hostile remnants. Each run pushes deeper into the unknown, where run-specific upgrades and unlockable powers stack to reshape your approach. Two of three planned biomes will be available at early access launch, each packing distinct enemies and a boss designed to challenge both how you move and how you fight. DreamVR describes the structure as a roguelite, meaning death is final but progress feeds into permanent unlocks that make the next sprint through the corruption a little more survivable.
Early access and beyond
The Rifted Skies enters early access on Quest and SteamVR this fall, bringing those first two biomes to standalone and PC VR players alike. DreamVR has also confirmed a version for Pico headsets is in development. Pricing and additional platform details will be unveiled closer to the full 2026 release. While early access will be feature-rich, the studio is clear that the third biome, additional enemies, and further polish will come during the road to 1.0. Wishlisting is open now through the game's Linktree, and the studio's track record in location-based entertainment suggests a title that knows exactly how to turn a headset into a playground.