National Geographic Explore VR

National Geographic Explore VR is a travel and exploration app developed by Force Field Entertainment B.V. and published by Oculus Studios. You play a National Geographic explorer sent to two famous places with a camera and an assignment for the magazine. It has been on the Meta Horizon Store since May 21, 2019.

What you can do

There are two expeditions:

• Antarctica: paddle a kayak between icebergs, climb a huge ice shelf and make it through a snowstorm while you look for a missing colony of emperor penguins.
• Machu Picchu, Peru: walk through digital reconstructions of the Inca citadel, see scenes of mummy worship, raise a cup of chicha and meet alpacas. Your task here is to match photos taken by Hiram Bingham when he rediscovered the site.

The camera ties both trips together: each location gives you shots to capture for the magazine, which gives you a reason to look closely at your surroundings. The developer pitches it as something the whole family can enjoy, and it works as a gentle introduction to VR for newcomers.

Comfort

Meta rates National Geographic Explore VR comfortable for most people. It is listed for room-scale play only and uses controllers, so clear some space around you before you start paddling and climbing.

Platforms and what to know before buying

• Price: $9.99 on the Meta Horizon Store.
• Headsets: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2, plus the original Meta Quest.
• Internet: not required.
• Ads: no in-app ads.
• Early access: no.
• Languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish (Mexico).
• Age rating: 3+.