11 hours ago
Golden Gloves VR Review: Virtual Reality Boxing Gets Serious
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Golden Gloves VR puts you directly in the ring for a first-person boxing game that could only be more realistic if it gave you a black eye.
The sports simulation, developed by Engine Room VR, aims for a 1:1 approximation of boxing. It's certainly got the credentials. As soon as you load up you're thrust onto a darkened weigh-in stage bearing promotional stands and banners for upcoming real-world fights, all as phone cameras flash from the roaring audience.
From here you're free to partake in bouts both online and off, train on a selection of boxing equipment, or just mill about in the game's online spaces chatting to other players. According to Francis Jee, Head of Strategic Partnerships, authentic fundamentals underpin the entire experience.
Your POV in Golden Gloves VR
Your POV in Golden Gloves VR
Engine Room VR
Golden Gloves VR Review
"The game ensures that the punch mechanics deal the most damage only when using proper punch techniques and when a blow is delivered with the correct part of the gloves, eliminating slaps, flailing and other types of poor form that would get you knocked out in a real fight."
In the ring, timing, accuracy and technique are all necessary in doing the most damage possible. You'll know you've hit the sweet spot when you hear an unmistakable (if slightly unrealistic) thumping sound, accompanied by bruising and swelling of your opponent's increasingly battered face.
To get there, Engine Room VR recruited amateur and professional boxers, including British heavyweight Johnny Fisher, to act as ambassadors and consultants. They provide gameplay feedback, recorded motion capture, and also coached the developers on proper punch form.
That said, it is possible to cheese your way through some fights. Flailing your arms at the both head and body of AI opponents can confuse them, as they can't seem to block the two areas simultaneously. You can use that to your advantage and windmill your way to victory.
Playing like this, though, runs against the spirit of Golden Gloves VR. It's as much a training regime as a game, so you'd only be hurting yourself. "Golden Gloves is a non-contact way to engage with the real sport of boxing," says Lee, "and a gateway to entry for joining a real boxing gym and growing the sport as a whole. Training done in the real gym transfers to our game."
Not only can you compete in bouts online against human opponents, but put in the work across a suite of boxing practice equipment such as speed bags, aqua bags, reflex bags, heavy bags, and wall-mounted pads. Vibrations in your controller do a solid job of approximating contact in lieu of the real thing. After all, you're really just punching air.
You can alter the physical properties of the equipment, making bags lighter to swing more or heavier to become virtually immovable, and monitor your punching power with a pop-up stats screen. There's also a calorie tracker, but since it seems to count the calories you burn while moving your character with the thumbstick, take that with a pinch of salt.
Still, it's a more fully fledged offering than The Thrill of the Fight 2, which for now lacks gym workout equipment, as well as Golden Gloves VR's online spaces that let likeminded boxers mingle without a match on the line.
Golden Gloves VR or The Thrill of the Fight 2?
The Thrill of the Fight 2 excels in presentation. Character models are more detailed, environments are sharper, and the visual package just looks more professional. Golden Gloves VR looks basic by comparison. However, it's the more comprehensive package.
The training gym in Golden Gloves VR
The training gym in Golden Gloves VR
Engine Room VR
For Lee, it's all friendly competition. "It's worth noting that we have a lot of admiration for Thrill of the Fight's popularity and incredible graphics," he says. "The more people boxing in VR the better!"
Golden Gloves VR also has licenses on its side. It's partnered with industry titans like Matchroom and Golden Gloves, and USA Boxing even recognises it as their official esports platform.
June saw the launch of a real-world tournament where 14 Golden Gloves boxers from across the United States and 2 e-boxers from online qualifiers competed in VR for $5000 in prize money and the first eGolden Gloves belt.
"It was inspiring and interesting to see virtual world gamification meet real world athleticism," Lee says.
So, what's next for Golden Gloves VR? Various updates are coming, which have previously introduced new modes and minigames. There are also more esport tournaments, the next being the eUSA Boxing National competition in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA on Sept 13th - 20th alongside the USA Boxing National Open.
Golden Gloves VR Review Score
Golden Gloves VR is the definitive VR boxing game. With accurate controls, solid fundamentals, and built-in fitness trackers, it could feasibly boost your real-world boxing skills, and let you have fun while you're doing it.
9/10
How to Play Golden Gloves VR
Golden Gloves VR can be played on any Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro headsets, as well as Valve Index.
Where To Buy Golden Gloves VR
You can buy Golden Gloves VR on the Meta store. The game is also available on Steam.
