Get ready to paddle through some of the world’s wildest, and most challenging rapids in breathtaking VR. With stunning graphics, realistic physics, and heart-pumping action, you’ll race against the clock as you navigate through wild waters filled with obstacles and surprises.
From the product description
About the Experience
If you enjoy outdoor adventuring like I do, you’re probably also wishing you could do more. Between fickle weather, traveling to the right places, cost of equipment, and the hassle of packing and maintaining that equipment, it’s never enough! Virtual reality is a potent escape, and I’ve long wished for experiences that can bring the wild back to the living room. We still have some ways to go for ultimate realism, but modern VR hardware and app titles are light-years beyond where they were just a year or two ago.
Kayaking is an interesting activity in that it brings with it an image of exploration along with the relaxation of floating lazily in mild waters. Unlike canoes and other boats, you aren’t just floating around a body of water, but rather you are being swept along river ways with exciting twists and turns and pulse-pounding danger. You can see remote areas that wouldn’t be practical to visit by car and are too inaccessible for larger craft. We can envision rivers in the Amazon rain forest, in the Grand Canyon, or rushing down mountains.
Of course for all this variety, we’d need to be able to skip work and transport our kit at great expense. Most people can’t do this. With VR though, we can at least get a taste of it between spots of the real thing. Whitewater VR, like Kayak VR Mirage before it, simulates lush jungles, desert environments, and mountain rapids to recreate the sense of wonder you get as you float down the water. Interestingly, water has always been a very difficult substance to model in computer graphics, making these titles all the more amazing. Taking that to VR is an impressive feat.
Graphics and Sound
Looking at still shots from Whitewater VR only gives you a taste of what’s to come. Even seeing a video isn’t enough to convey the full effect. It’s only in sitting on the floor with your controllers in front of you, looking from side to side, down at the water, and ahead that it really sinks in. This is an impressive experience. The light bouncing around the water, creatures seen beneath the surface, water splashing from your paddle, and the drop-off and crashing of whitewater sections really bring this to life.
The shadows, dappling of light, and the movement of the plants make the experience more real. Not only the graphics, but the sounds also bring life to the game. Water sounds like water, getting louder as you approach falls, and quieter in calm sections. This looks like a tech demo of the past, like it should be eye candy more than interactive, except it’s fully playable. This is a great example of how virtual reality can bring outdoor experiences to you anytime and anywhere.
All of that being said, it seems like it should go without saying that it’s still not real. I mean, of course it’s not real. The graphics are amazing, but you can’t forget you’re sitting on your floor. Moving your controllers around in front of you won’t make you forget you aren’t holding a paddle (although you can buy third-party accessories to achieve a better feel). The actual physics of dipping your paddle into the water feels good, but it’s not completely accurate.
Just to get more existential, without the cool air rushing at you, the splashes hitting you, and being able to dip your hand in the water, you’ll always know it’s just visuals. Very good visuals, but visuals just the same. This isn’t a criticism. It’s a great achievement, but there’s always a bit of a disappointment that you never forget that you’re wearing a headset. Without a neural interface, I don’t expect this to change soon. Will we ever get the Star Trek Holodeck experience? I don’t know, but I’m happy to see how far we’ve gotten for now!
Information Content
This is a game, but you can also just enjoy the experience. You can enjoy kayaking without playing against the clock. You don’t need to race. You can just travel down the rivers, enjoy the scenery, and try your hand at the virtual paddling. Because it can be enjoyed without the gaming elements, we hope you’ll enjoy it too.
Navigation and Interactivity
The menus are decent. I had some issues at first setting the height of the boat. Since most games are for standing or sitting seated, being on the floor necessitates some manual adjustments. I got it to work, but it was a bit annoying needing to tweak things. Also, the menus could use a bit of polish. Their placement and timing weren’t quite right for me a few times. Kayak VR seemed to invest a bit more time into these features, but they’ve had more time to fine-tune things. I hope to see Whitewater VR do the same.
Updates and Support
Active so far
Summary
There’s really not much to recommend against Whitewater VR. Like Kayak VR before it, it’s a really good simulation of an outdoor activity that can be hard to fit into many peoples’ lives. While there were a few glitches in graphics rendering (sometimes with the water, sometimes with the scenery), the menus, and the general adjustment for the player, it’s a great app with plenty to offer. I expect it will only get better and the price is reasonable. For those of us not looking for games, this can be enjoyed as a simulated virtual experience by itself. We definitely recommend it!
Pros
- Great water simulation
- Beautiful scenery and realistic physics
- Playable without game elements
Cons
- Some glitches in graphics and menus at times
- Initial setup for height may require some patience
List of Environments (from the developer)
- Tropical Jungle
Embark on an expedition into the heart of a tropical jungle, where ancient ruins lie hidden amidst lush foliage and meandering rivers. Paddle through dense canopies, discover long-forgotten temples, and encounter the mysteries of a lost civilization. - Alpine Valley
Venture deep into lush valleys and blooming wilderness, and tackle exhilarating mountain rapids as springtime comes to life in this level. Feel the spray of crystal-clear waters and the warmth of the sun on your face as you navigate this immersive, adrenaline-pumping adventure. - Spring Mountain
As the snow melts and spring blooms in the mountains, paddle through crystal-clear streams, glide past towering peaks, and navigate through exhilarating rapids as springtime comes to life in this level. Experience the thrill of high-altitude kayaking like never before. - Eastern Iceland
Dive into a virtual world where the stunning landscapes of Iceland become your playground. Feel the rush of the arctic wind and the thrill of conquering untamed waters. Get ready to experience Iceland’s breathtaking beauty in a whole new way. - Desert Canyon
Prepare to explore towering rock formations, navigate challenging rapids, and uncover the hidden wonders in the heart of the canyon’s wild beauty. Brace yourself for an intense adventure as you navigate the fiery landscapes of the red canyon, where crimson cliffs and thrilling rapids await.
