Zero Latency VR has had something of a meteoric rise. From humble beginnings tracing back to 2013 to the now over 100 locations globally, Zero Latency is a home-grown success story and a global phenomenon. It didn’t happen overnight though and as its reach and impact grow, so too do the opportunities and collaborations that come knocking.
Having been built largely on original properties and experiences, Zero Latency VR has reached a tipping point where it can now collaborate with IP holders to develop games based on existing universes. Far Cry VR, produced in association with Ubisoft, was Zero Latency VR’s first big IP collab.
Now, Zero Latency VR has partnered with Games Workshop to release Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax just in time to capitalise on Space Marine 2 fever. Thanks to Zero Latency VR, I got to attend a special launch event and be one of the first people in the world to spread the glory of the Emperor and eradicate a swarm of Tyranids.
Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax
My first foray into Zero Latency VR was playing Outbreak when it launched in October 2023. I was blown away by the feelings of immersion and genuine exhilaration. Zero Latency VR is an experience all of its own. Sure, it’s VR but it’s not the standard VR fare you may have experienced at home. Playing in a large open space with other players and actually walking around while you play changes the game, so to speak. It makes you feel even more like a part of the digital world you see before your eyes and even less like some noob wearing a helmet and headphones.
Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax manages to take that feeling even further by casting you in the role of an Imperial Space Marine AND actually making you feel like one. Early on, as you and your team descend into Hive City to take on the Tyranid swarm, you pass human soldiers holding position. It’s only in that moment as you look down at how puny they are do you realise how enormous you are in this world.
It’s only for the briefest of moments but walking past the tiny human soldiers totally sells the fantasy and completely transports you into the grimdark future of Warhammer 40,000. Scott Vandonkelaar, Zero Latency VR’s CTO points to this scene as an integral one for the entire experience.
“A core pillar of the project was to be a Space Marine. We want you to feel like you’re a Space Marine. This is what a Space Marine should care about. That was really great for designing an experience that encourages players to do those things and then act like a Space Marine.
“From all the feedback we’re getting people do feel like they are a Space Marine in there. We’ve had some younger people come through and play and they go through that section saying ‘Hey, hey, here are the other kids’ and ‘Look there’s other kids in the game’ because they don’t realise that they’ve become the height of an adult.”
In addition to the towering height of a Space Marine, Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax makes you feel part of the Warhammer 40,000 world by looking and sounding the part. Zero Latency VR worked closely with Games Workshop to ensure every aspect of the experience was right. Better still, Vandonkelaar confirmed that Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax is canon and takes place during the same period as Space Marine 2.
“Whenever Games Workshop does anything, everything they do in their games becomes canon,” Vandonkelaar said. “Essentially they [Games Workshop] only do something if it does fit within their lore so the Space Marine VR experience is very much a part of what is Space Marine 2,”. Vandonkelaar told me that Zero Latency VR was hoping to include a cameo from Titus but ultimately wasn’t able to fit it in. That being said, the Space Marine VR experience does take place during Space Marine 2 and is very much part of that story.
Vandonkelaar also told me his favourite part of the Space Marine VR experience is the inclusion of Fury Mode. “My favourite part of the experience is when we when we trigger Fury Mode. We have our own version of that, which is where the whole world slows down and you’re blasting away at the Tyranids in slow-motion.
“I knew we had to have that in there. We had to get Games Workshop’s approval to let us do it and it took some convincing. But I’m so glad we did because every single time I play it, every time that goes off it’s just my favourite bit. It’s the best.”
Over the course of the 30 minutes that Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax runs you and your teammates will be faced with swarms of Tyranids, massive shooting galleries of enemies and some heart-pounding firefights. The experience makes great use of the open space of the Zero Latency VR arena and has you walking and exploring while also going on rails as you travel on elevators through the Hive City.
Players are equipped with the standard issue Bolt Rifle which chews chunks off of the Tyranids. It also comes with a grenade attachment that allows players to lob grenades into a mass of baddies to watch them go flying. Being able to hold up your weapon in the real world and see a Space Marine’s Bolt Rifle in front of you is a huge thrill and yet another immersive feature that sells the experience.
Interspersed through the 30 minutes are Vandonkelaar’s favourite moments, Fury Mode. This triggers at certain points and puts the entire game into slow-motion…except for you and your Space Marine pals. You’re still able to move and aim at normal speed making you an unstoppable killing machine…well…even more of one than you already are. It’s a tremendous amount of fun to be able to exterminate swarming Tyranids but doing it while they’re suspended in Fury Mode makes it even more satisfying.
If you’re a competitive sort, you can also hold your gun vertically to see your current score and best of all, the highest scorer in your session will be adorned with an Iron Halo so you’ll know who you need to beat if you want to earn the Emperor’s favour. Points are awarded for kills with bonus points granted for criticals and headshots. Players can also opt to play on Hardcore mode which engages friendly fire and turns up enemy health and aggression. I didn’t opt into this hard mode, but for players who plan on running Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax, it’s certainly an added level of challenge to conquer.
The final act of Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax includes a bonkers puzzle section best experienced rather than explained followed by a massive boss fight against the big lad Hive Tyrant. This fight also includes swarms of enemies, special weapons and a final stand. Going up against the boss changes the scale of the fight brilliantly too, as up until then you are bigger and badder than everything coming at you. Once you’re face-to-knee with the boss you suddenly don’t feel quite as big.
Of course, you and your Space Marine pals are still going to melt it with bullets but, it does put the fear of god into you when you see the size of the Hive Tyrant and watch as it hops around the arena, pummelling you and your team with ease. Not that it matters though, in the end, he dies and the Space Marines are victorious.
Once it’s all over, you can check out the scores, see who got the most kills, most headshots, walked the furthest, most accurate etc and then get bragging rights if you did well enough. If you didn’t, at least you were there for the ride.
Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax is largely going to appeal to Warhammer 40,000 fans, but it’s well worth playing even if you’re not au fait with the property. Zero Latency VR is an experience well worth having and while everything on offer at the venues is top-notch, Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax has a next-level quality thanks, in large part, to the IP and existing art, world and guidance delivered by Games Workshop.
If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your mates or an end-of-year work party, Zero Latency VR is a great option. Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax is a brilliant example of the tech and what these experiences have to offer and lets you live out a power fantasy as one of the Emperor’s chosen.
What more could you want?
For your nearest Zero Latency VR location, check the link.
Leo Stevenson attended Zero Latency VR in Docklands, Melbourne as a guest of Zero Latency VR. Food and drinks were provided.
