Harmonix has made a name for itself through rhythm games like Rock Band VR, Amplitude, and Dance Central. It’s trying something fresh with Audica, a game that blends electronic music with a new style of rhythm-powered gunplay. You get twin “rhythm blasters” to shoot at targets as they dart around the playfield, with extra points going to players with gunslinger-like timing and accuracy. Certain targets fly directly toward you, requiring a well-timed backhand or punch to clear, so there’s more involved than just slick shooting.
We caught up with Harmonix designer Ryan Challinor to ask him what makes Audica a new kind of rhythm-based VR experience.