Fans of the beloved adventure hero Indiana Jones can soon put on their VR headsets and step directly onto the dusty trails of his latest adventure, thanks to the hard work of modder Luke Ross. The upcoming mod, aptly named the REAL VR mod for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, is set to bring the game’s vibrant world alive with impressive stereoscopic visuals and 6DoF head tracking.
Notably, early gameplay footage shared by Eurogamer’s Ian Higton showcases about 40 minutes of immersive action, albeit with some caveats. Higton received access to this early version and was quick to reveal, "There were some mod-related bugs in the fist fights, but Luke Ross promised these will be fixed in the upcoming release version of the mod, which is coming soon." Still, the excitement surrounding this VR adaptation is palpable.
Luke Ross, known for his prolific work transferring flat games to VR formats, has seemingly been quiet lately for good reason. His clandestine work involves delving deep within the game’s code, crafting what he describes as "an upcoming PC VR mod that's so exciting, it might just belong in a museum." This statement hints at the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones himself, and his mod aims to capture it perfectly.
Despite being resource-intensive, Ross assures players with powerful 30xx and 40xx generation RTX cards will experience “astounding image quality.” Higton, during his gameplay, had to lower graphics settings significantly to achieve smooth performance. Still, Ross noted the advantage of utilizing his VR-DLSS technology, indicating enhanced visual fidelity when the final mod releases.
"You can download Luke Ross' Real VR Mods on Patreon," shared Higton, who also noted the subscription cost of $10, which supports the continued development of these promising virtual adaptations.
One noteworthy aspect of the VR mod is the retention of traditional gamepad controls. While some VR enthusiasts might bemoan the absence of motion controls, Higton expressed his appreciation for being able to explore the lush environments of The Great Circle with the familiarity of gamepad input. "I just appreciate the fact I can explore previously flat worlds as if I were there," he commented, emphasizing the ability to revisit those environments after completing the game.
The gameplay closely mirrors the original texture and detail of the game but shifts the perspective dramatically. This is particularly engaging due to the high-quality asset work and densely packed environments found throughout the game. Higton himself noted, "Revisiting areas after you've completed the game is super easy thanks to the travel options in the menus." This suggests continued exploration and engagement for players even after the main story concludes.
Despite the advantages, Higton did encounter some challenges, particularly with first-person combat mechanics. He mentioned how the close-up nature of combat caused some camera disorientation, saying, "...this ended up with me missing a lot of blows." While this was noted as potentially being unique to him, it's indicative of the potential challenges mod developers face when transitioning traditional mechanics to VR.
The mod's anticipated launch date cannot come soon enough for fans eager to don their fedoras and wield their whips once again. Ross concluded his notes on Patreon with optimism, stating, "According to Luke, his mod is almost ready for release," leaving fans excitedly waiting.
Finally, for those interested in this burgeoning world of VR, updates and new revelations about the mod's rollout can be tracked on various platforms like Facebook and X, ensuring fans stay informed of any developments. The blend of nostalgia for Indiana Jones combined with cutting-edge technology promises to be an exhilarating experience for both old and new fans of the franchise. Keep your eyes peeled—this virtual adventure is gearing up to transport you straight from your living room to the heart of one of gaming's most iconic explorations!