Is an incredibly immersive experience, boasting a staggering array of environments to explore and interact with, including both solo and asynchronous multiplayer racing modes that seamlessly blend competition and camaraderie. You’ll never get to paddle through glaciers or leisurely cruise around tropical coastlines alongside a friend in real-time, though. However, due to current circumstances, you are now able to.
Launched initially in beta form on Steam in mid-August, Higher Than Life has now announced the arrival of real-time multiplayer functionality on all supported platforms, including both Steam and PSVR 2.
In true-time multiplayer mode, you and a friend can team up for an immersive experience in free roam, delivering the heart of the gameplay. Notably absent from the game’s initial release are features such as race mode, proximity chat and interactive physics objects like balls and inflatable obstacles, according to the studio. Currently, the game does not support cross-play; however, the developers have expressed a willingness to consider adding this feature in the future.
“Over a year ago, we started working on an improvement project that has proven to be a significant undertaking. Creating a VR game featuring a character wielding a paddle while kayaking, with realistic physics, is no trivial feat. Adding multiplayer capabilities to this complex system has been an especially challenging task,” the studio states in a recent Steam update. Despite this, we’re confident in its value, having thoroughly enjoyed the testing process and eagerly anticipating your feedback.
Ranked among the top three most-downloaded video games in the US, Europe, and Japan for 2023, the game’s photorealistic environments stood out, featuring breathtaking settings such as ice caves in Antarctica, lush tropical locales in Costa Rica, turbulent storm waters in Norway, and rugged canyons in Australia. The combination of two-handed paddling, a physics-based setting, and sophisticated inverse kinematics (IK) technology ensures an unparalleled level of immersion in the experience.
Seeking feedback on the multiplayer mode? Head to the Kayak VR Discord (invite link) to share your thoughts and stay updated on future developments.
