A physics-based kayaking game for PC VR and PS VR2: race through checkpoints or paddle freely in Antarctica, Norway, Costa Rica and Australia.
Kayak VR: Mirage is a kayaking simulation and sports game from the Amsterdam studio Better Than Life. It was released on SteamVR on July 12, 2022, and on PlayStation VR2 on February 22, 2023, as one of the headset's launch titles. It is not available on Meta Quest.
How it plays
You sit in a fully physics-based kayak and move it with a paddle held in both hands. The base game has four destinations: Kings Canyon in Australia, Antarctica, Norway and Costa Rica, each with several times of day and weather conditions. You can race through checkpoints against the clock and global leaderboards, or switch to free roam and explore at your own pace. A controller-free tour mode moves the kayak along preset routes so you can just take in the view.
A free update in September 2024 added real-time multiplayer for two players, with cross-play between Steam and PS VR2. Paid expansions add new waters in Mexico's Yucatán and Slovenia's Soča Valley.
Comfort
The game includes comfort settings for players prone to motion sickness, and it can be played seated, standing or in room scale. The tour mode is the gentlest option, since you do not need to paddle or steer. On PS VR2 an optional paddle mount accessory can join the two Sense controllers.
What to know before buying
- The base game costs $22.99 on Steam and the PlayStation Store. On PlayStation, bundles with Yucatán or Soča Valley cost $27.99, and the Complete Edition with both is $32.99.
- It runs on PC VR headsets through Steam and on PS VR2. There is no Quest version.
- Single-player, with optional two-player online multiplayer. Rated PEGI 3. Voice is in English, with text in nine languages.
