Disney recently opened 2 new Star Wars VR experiences at their resorts in Florida and Downtown Disney Los Angeles. Secrets of the Empire is a full VR experience using mobile VR devices as well as props and even scents to create the most immersive virtual reality experience we have. ever seen. We haven’t been able to see it yet, so this isn’t a review, but as far as we know, it sounds amazing.
Of course, not everyone will be able to see these experiences, so here is a list of some of the other Star Wars VR experiences available for you.
Find out more about Secrets of the Empire here!
Problems with Lenovo Jedi
The Lenovo Jedi Challenge is $199 and costs a bit more than other alternatives, but it’s also close to a full immersive Voids setting. Using your mobile phone, a custom headset, and a stunningly beautiful lightsaber hilt, you can finally fight the Sith or just sit back and enjoy HoloChess. To get an idea of just how good Jedi Challenge is, check out Russell Holley’s review on Android Central.
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PlayStation VR: X-Wing mission on the Star Wars front
Star Wars Battlefront added a cool side mission in an update to its PlayStation 4 version last year. In it, you will be able to control the X-Wing mission in the game from your PSVR in first person. Because it’s an old game and really just a demo, the experience is a little nasty, but it’s a great first foray into space combat in Star Wars.
Flying around the cockpit of an X-wing is everyone’s dream when they first watch Star Wars, so if you already own the original game, it’s definitely worth playing. In fact, the game only costs $20 at best, so it might be worth buying just for that.
Look at Amazon
Star Wars App: Jakku Spy
There are several different VR and AR experiences on the official Disney Star Wars app. AR is quite simple, scan a poster or DVD box cover and you can choose different 3d models to view. The model then appears above the poster so you can move around and see it without requiring a headset, all you need is your phone.
VR is a bit more fun and is based on the awakening of the force. When the movie first came out, Disney would post these short VR segments to Google Cardboard every day before release. They are of course now all viewable from within the app and are pretty nice to look at, you don’t actually interact. For a simple VR experience, it gives you that sense of wonder you want from VR, the feeling that you are in the moment.
Download the Star Wars App on Google Play
Steam VR: Trials on Tatooine
Trials on Tatooine is an interactive short film available on Vive. This is really just an experiment from Xlab ILM, a place dedicated to finding the next thing in videography and filmmaking, to see how interactive film can work. You can press a few buttons and turn the lightsaber, but your actions don’t affect the story itself, so you’re still more of a passive spectator than the protagonist.
The entire demo is only five minutes long, but it’s free and it’s fun to be in the world of star wars listening to Han and Chewie while R2 helps you get a lightsaber to defend against the Imperials heading your way.
Get Trials on Tatooine on Steam
