LTO 253 — Why VR Games Keep Going Flat (and Failing) // Quest 3 Unlocks 240Hz

Valve's Steam Frame is here at $1,059 - and Samson and Mike get into whether it's actually worth it, the reservation lottery, and the SteamVR 2.17 update built for it. Then: the Polyarc (Moss) studio shutdown, Meta's leaked Project Phoenix headset ahead of Connect, and the No Man's Sky Cosmos update. We also debut a new segment, The Hard Sell, run through the games out this week, and share what we've been playing.Support the show: patreon.com/letstalkoculusDiscord: https://discord.gg/vs3cmezQChapters0:00 Intro1:19 Housekeeping + We're a Top 5 VR Podcast4:48 Comment of the Week8:37 Will the Steam Frame Evolve Over Time?14:12 News: Steam Frame Is $1,05919:27 News: SteamVR 2.17 Update22:05 News: Polyarc (Moss) Studio Shuts Down25:29 News: Meta Project Phoenix Leak29:03 News: No Man's Sky Cosmos Update30:58 The Hard Sell (New Segment)51:14 Games Out This Week61:50 What We've Been Playing73:28 Wrap-Up

What's up Oculus nerds! This week Samson dug up Mike's oldest, spiciest VR tweets and made him defend them live — headlined by the four-year-old classic, "multiplayer is killing VR's growth." Does it hold up in 2026? Then we go through what PSVR2 owners actually download (spoiler: the top 3 games are 7–10 years old), the VR multiplayer graveyard, the brutal Resident Evil VR numbers, plus a stacked week of new games and what we've been playing.🎮 POLL: Is VR's problem too much multiplayer — or not enough new anything? Vote on the Spotify poll and sound off in the Discord.👉 Discord: [Let's Talk Oculus 2.0 — https://discord.gg/vs3cmezQ] 👉 Patreon: patreon.com/letstalkoculus 👉 YouTube / Spotify / Apple — like, subscribe, and drop us a rating, it genuinely helps.Walkabout tournament running in the Discord — send your race-mode scores to Healing Entree for a shoutout.LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_link Want to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected] 00:00 What's up Oculus nerds — welcome to LTO 254 01:43 Housekeeping: your comments + poll results (Tethy's Station verdict) 05:40 Mike's disclosure + the Walkabout tournament 07:08 VR NEWS 07:23 Steam Frame storefront spotted + the reservation lottery 12:18 Horizon+ September free games 14:27 A graffiti artist is painting real murals in a Quest 3S 17:28 VR is quietly selling cataract surgery — and it's working 18:30 Bootstrap Island charts above Beat Saber on PSVR2 20:55 MAIN EVENT — Mike's spicy takes: "Multiplayer is killing VR" 27:54 Tweet 3: why he features single-player 29:25 Tweet 4: hybrid VR for onboarding is overblown 33:13 Gorilla Tag, free-to-play & the "Titanic" of VR 39:05 What PSVR2 owners ACTUALLY download (the charts) 46:00 The Resident Evil VR numbers: a tale of two games 51:00 The multiplayer games coming next 53:20 Games Out This Week 1:03:35 What We've Been Playing 1:14:25 Closing + this week's poll

Should VR games go flat? Samson and Mike Johnson dig into a viral LinkedIn post from the studio behind Garden of the Sea — a beloved VR game whose flat PC/Switch port flopped despite doing everything right — and use it to unpack the big question: when a VR game chases the flat audience, does it lose the exact thing that made it special? Plus the flip side — why studios keep marketing the wrong thing (the features instead of the FEELING). We run through the games that nailed it and the ones at risk, from Beat Saber and Gorilla Tag to Arizona Sunshine going flat.Also this week: Apple Vision Pro's jaw-dropping immersive MLB baseball, the Quest 3 update that unlocks up to 240Hz, VRLF turning your controllers into a light gun (no CRT required), Meta finally spinning Horizon Worlds into its own app, the games out this week, and what we've been playing (Beat Saber Hip Hop Mixtape 2, Microsoft Flight Sim on PS5, and Mario Kart World).CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome + housekeeping02:24 Discord roguelite rabbit hole (Mike vs PowPow)04:33 Patreon, socials & Mike's UploadVR disclosure06:18 NEWS: Apple Vision Pro's immersive MLB baseball09:34 NEWS: Quest 3 unlocks up to 240Hz refresh rate17:33 NEWS: VRLF — your controllers become a light gun19:50 NEWS: Meta spins Horizon Worlds into its own app23:14 NEWS: Arizona Sunshine ditches VR, goes flat27:30 MAIN EVENT: Should VR games go flat? (Garden of the Sea)42:02 Marketing the FEEL, not the features52:36 GAMES OUT: Transformers Redux, Knights of Fiona, Paleo Dive58:45 WHAT WE'VE BEEN PLAYING: Beat Saber Mixtape 2, Flight Sim, Mario Kart World1:07:12 Wrap-up + next weekWould YOU buy flat Garden of the Sea or flat Arizona Sunshine? And name a VR game that's ALL about the feeling — drop it in our Discord.👾 Discord: Let's Talk Oculus 2.0 — [link]❤️ Patreon: https://patreon.com/letstalkoculus🎧 New episodes every week — like, subscribe & rate us, it genuinely helps.#VR #MetaQuest #VirtualReality #Quest3 #AppleVisionPro #BeatSaber #WalkaboutMiniGolf #VRgaming #VRpodcast #GardenoftheSea

Samson and Mike ranked all 41 Walkabout Mini Golf courses into a tier list — blind — and it nearly ended the friendship.On episode 252 of Let's Talk Oculus, we each built a full S-through-D tier list of every Walkabout course, revealed them to each other for the first time on air, and judged each other tier by tier. Tethys Station: Samson's dead-last… and Mike's darling. El Dorado and Mount Olympus in the dumpster? Sweetopia and Upside Town in S? Somebody had to say it. Plus the week's biggest VR news and everything new in VR this week.👉 Both full tier lists are posted in our Discord — download them, scrutinize them, and yell at us. Drop your own tier list in the comments and tell us who's more wrong.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:20 Introduction and Game Discussions08:33 Housekeeping and Community Engagement20:25 VR News and Industry Insights22:22 Celebrity Gamers and Their Impact24:12 Transitioning to the Main Event: Walkabout Tier List24:29 Diving into the Walkabout Tier List26:21 Judging Each Other's S Tier Lists36:53 Exploring D Tier Courses41:28 Final Thoughts on Course Rankings41:55 The Worst Lairs in Mini Golf44:47 Ranking the Courses: A Deep Dive47:41 Exploring the A Tier Courses53:49 The B Tier Breakdown56:34 Final Thoughts on the Rankings01:13:23 Walkabout Tier List Discussion01:27:00 Games of the Week and Personal Playtime📰 IN THE NEWSMeta's "Project Phoenix" headset leaks ahead of Connect (Sept 23–24) • Supernatural spins out on its own — Meta's "Legacy Edition" is available until Dec 3 • Snoop Dogg joins Hitman: World of Assassination as a free Elusive Target • Building Payday: Aces High (our Fast Travel Games interview).🎮 GAMES OUT THIS WEEKReal VR Fishing "US South" DLC (Quest & Steam) • D.E.C.A.Y. (PC VR) • BrushHammer: Miniature Painter (Quest).🕹️ WHAT WE'VE BEEN PLAYINGTrombone Champ (Disney Movie Magic DLC) • Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 • Payday: Aces High playtest • Discovery: Rogue Planet • The Light Brigade: Definitive Edition.LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusAffiliate Links:META QUEST 3S: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/AZAbLMwn6META QUEST 3: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5JNKhtiiyRAYBAN Meta Wayfarer: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/JPJtgK6LPRAYBAN Meta Headliner: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/87vVR1nRYQUEST 3 Carrying Case: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/EVzw35SBEElite Strap with Battery: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9F1EXS9wHElite Strap: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/FuGn77L91Charging Dock: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9RC9HEGq8Silicone Facial Interface: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5DTVX8pubActive Straps: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/7Qhfo4FXnLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_linkVR COVER: https://vrcover.com Use code: PlayTestVR for 10% off EVERYTHING         Quest Referral Spreadsheet...over 150 games!: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kssKH2L8cSZCwbJ2S6aZQwvbIZsjZ0s1UcCHKotJ3ic/edit?usp=sharing           Want to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected]         Twitter: @playtest_vr | @samson143vr | Main Channel: https://youtube.com/c/playtestvr         Spreading VR: https://youtu.be/9BCu3lnnCKU#VR #quest3s #Quest3 #Meta #xr

This week Samson and Mike get settled in. Mike says “housekeeping.” We cover 4 recent news stories. There is a new Walkabout course and a new way to use Virtual Desktop! Last week there was a VR Showcase, we choose which games we want to Wed, Bed, and Dead. Then we discuss a few games we played as well as a few games coming out this week. LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusAffiliate Links:META QUEST 3S: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/AZAbLMwn6META QUEST 3: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5JNKhtiiyRAYBAN Meta Wayfarer: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/JPJtgK6LPRAYBAN Meta Headliner: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/87vVR1nRYQUEST 3 Carrying Case: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/EVzw35SBEElite Strap with Battery: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9F1EXS9wHElite Strap: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/FuGn77L91Charging Dock: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9RC9HEGq8Silicone Facial Interface: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5DTVX8pubActive Straps: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/7Qhfo4FXnLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_linkVR COVER: https://vrcover.com Use code: PlayTestVR for 10% off EVERYTHING         Quest Referral Spreadsheet...over 150 games!: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kssKH2L8cSZCwbJ2S6aZQwvbIZsjZ0s1UcCHKotJ3ic/edit?usp=sharing           Want to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected]         Twitter: @playtest_vr | @samson143vr | Main Channel: https://youtube.com/c/playtestvr         Spreading VR: https://youtu.be/9BCu3lnnCKU#VR #quest3s #Quest3 #Meta #xrChapters:00:20 Introduction and Housekeeping06:51 VR News Highlights27:51 VR Game Showcase Discussion38:48 Trombone Champ and Custom Songs42:01 VR Game Showcase Insights47:54 Game Picks: Bed, Wed, Dead01:01:34 What We've Been Playing This Week01:13:58 Upcoming Game Releases

Catch the video version on Youtube:https://youtube.com/live/1LgmjVw2sQ4?feature=shareWe've made it to episode 250! In this episode, Dan bids farewell to the show as co-host. But the show will go on! Live Open Mike aka Mike Johnson from Upload VR is the next second in command! Come listen to podcast memories and welcome Mike to the show. LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_linkWant to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected] #VR #quest3s #Quest3 #Meta #xr

Sorry about Dan’s audio, wrong mic was selected! In this episode, we go over The Walking Dead Saints and Sinners, a survival horror game which was a launch game for Oculus Quest 2! We discuss our memories of the game, some interesting facts, development choices, gameplay and how it plays today! It’s truly a very special video game that hasn’t really been done since, experience the choices Dan and Samson made in this city of New Orleans.Form Questions for episode 250 https://forms.gle/sBUiLbpMbikDvg7F6 LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusAffiliate Links:META QUEST 3S: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/AZAbLMwn6META QUEST 3: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5JNKhtiiyRAYBAN Meta Wayfarer: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/JPJtgK6LPRAYBAN Meta Headliner: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/87vVR1nRYQUEST 3 Carrying Case: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/EVzw35SBEElite Strap with Battery: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9F1EXS9wHElite Strap: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/FuGn77L91Charging Dock: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9RC9HEGq8Silicone Facial Interface: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5DTVX8pubActive Straps: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/7Qhfo4FXnLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_linkVR COVER: https://vrcover.com Use code: PlayTestVR for 10% off EVERYTHING         Quest Referral Spreadsheet...over 150 games!: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kssKH2L8cSZCwbJ2S6aZQwvbIZsjZ0s1UcCHKotJ3ic/edit?usp=sharing           Want to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected]         Twitter: @playtest_vr | @samson143vr (and tiktok)Main Channel: https://youtube.com/c/playtestvr         Spreading VR: https://youtu.be/9BCu3lnnCKU#VR #quest3s #Quest3 #Meta #xrChapters:00:17 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts02:13 Exploring Horror Games and Personal Growth05:35 Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners Overview08:22 Personal Experiences with Walking Dead Game11:25 Crafting and Gameplay Mechanics14:31 Fun Facts About the Game19:27 Development History and VR Context27:46 Weapon Preferences and Gameplay Mechanics30:26 Crafting and Resource Management34:03 Player Choices and Consequences36:34 Game Development and Updates38:53 DLC and Additional Content44:44 Gameplay Loop and Survival Mechanics51:14 Exploration and Stealth Tactics55:06 Achievements and Crafting Mechanics57:53 Exploration and Environmental Storytelling01:01:10 Narrative Choices and Player Agency01:06:06 Game Mechanics and Combat Experience01:12:14 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

It’s easy to get bogged down in bad news, chase the latest high and forget about the meaning of games in the first place. Thankfully, VR offers a new medium to enjoy games, experiences that are only possible in VR. So let’s dive deep into what makes VR so fun for us, and the games with enjoy the most. Elsewhere, Meta answers the Steam Frame with an Xbox Game Pass collaboration, including touch controller support! Form Questions for episode 250 https://forms.gle/sBUiLbpMbikDvg7F6 LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusAffiliate Links:META QUEST 3S: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/AZAbLMwn6META QUEST 3: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5JNKhtiiyRAYBAN Meta Wayfarer: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/JPJtgK6LPRAYBAN Meta Headliner: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/87vVR1nRYQUEST 3 Carrying Case: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/EVzw35SBEElite Strap with Battery: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9F1EXS9wHElite Strap: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/FuGn77L91Charging Dock: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9RC9HEGq8Silicone Facial Interface: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5DTVX8pubActive Straps: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/7Qhfo4FXnLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_linkVR COVER: https://vrcover.com Use code: PlayTestVR for 10% off EVERYTHING         Quest Referral Spreadsheet...over 150 games!: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kssKH2L8cSZCwbJ2S6aZQwvbIZsjZ0s1UcCHKotJ3ic/edit?usp=sharing           Want to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected]         Twitter: @playtest_vr | @samson143vr (and tiktok)Main Channel: https://youtube.com/c/playtestvr         Spreading VR: https://youtu.be/9BCu3lnnCKU#VR #quest3s #Quest3 #Meta #xrChapters:00:00 Intro 07:52 What makes VR so fun for us?48:31 Horizon + includes Xbox Game Pass53:44 What we’ve been playing59:50 Games Out This Week

We’ve reached the last of the history series. 2023 - 2026, We discuss the Meta Quest 3, PSVR 2 and other VR stories along the way. Mixing in our memories about the different times, and my gosh, 2025 was one hell of a year for VR games. Come join in on the fun and write into the show about your memories! Form Questions for episode 250 https://forms.gle/sBUiLbpMbikDvg7F6 LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusAffiliate Links:META QUEST 3S: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/AZAbLMwn6META QUEST 3: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5JNKhtiiyRAYBAN Meta Wayfarer: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/JPJtgK6LPRAYBAN Meta Headliner: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/87vVR1nRYQUEST 3 Carrying Case: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/EVzw35SBEElite Strap with Battery: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9F1EXS9wHElite Strap: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/FuGn77L91Charging Dock: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9RC9HEGq8Silicone Facial Interface: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5DTVX8pubActive Straps: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/7Qhfo4FXnLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_linkVR COVER: https://vrcover.com Use code: PlayTestVR for 10% off EVERYTHING         Quest Referral Spreadsheet...over 150 games!: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kssKH2L8cSZCwbJ2S6aZQwvbIZsjZ0s1UcCHKotJ3ic/edit?usp=sharing           Want to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected]         Twitter: @playtest_vr | @samson143vr (and tiktok)Main Channel: https://youtube.com/c/playtestvr         Spreading VR: https://youtu.be/9BCu3lnnCKU#VR #quest3s #Quest3 #Meta #xrChapters:00:00 Introduction and Host Changes03:00 VR History Series Overview05:52 Exciting Announcements and Farewell Podcast09:12 2023 VR Game of the Year Highlights11:58 Discussion on Vertigo 2 and Assassin's Creed Nexus VR15:03 PSVR 2 Launch and Features17:59 Meta's Quest 3 Announcement and Market Impact20:50 Reflections on PSVR 2 and Game Experiences24:12 Timeline of 2023 VR Developments27:04 Meta Connect and Quest 3 Reveal32:08 Exploring New Tabletop and Racket Sports34:21 The Evolution of Mixed Reality Games36:03 The Quest 3: Features and Improvements38:45 Asgard's Wrath 2: A Deep Dive40:37 Xbox Cloud Gaming on Quest 342:30 Upload VR's Game of the Year Awards49:39 Metro Awakening: A Personal Experience52:15 Best Multiplayer and Hardware of 202458:06 2024 VR Landscape: Highlights and Challenges01:00:30 Game of the Year Awards: Upload VR's Picks01:02:18 Emerging Titles: Arkin Age and Ghost Town01:04:39 Game Mechanics and Player Experiences01:06:14 Meta's Hardware and Game Releases01:08:15 2025 VR Developments: Price Cuts and New Releases01:10:50 2026 VR Industry: Challenges and Changes01:12:40 Current State of VR: Meta and Sony's Strategies01:20:57 Reflections on the VR Journey: Past and Future

We’re 5 years into the show, so it’s the perfect time to to look back on our history with VR. For today’s episode, we’ll look the golden era of VR - OCULUS QUEST 2. We talk about our early memories, the highlights of the era, and the low-lights, including our podcast episodes during this time! LTO Discord:https://discord.gg/WUUQyHZpTh LTO Patreon:https://Patreon.com/letstalkoculusAffiliate Links:META QUEST 3S: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/AZAbLMwn6META QUEST 3: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5JNKhtiiyRAYBAN Meta Wayfarer: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/JPJtgK6LPRAYBAN Meta Headliner: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/87vVR1nRYQUEST 3 Carrying Case: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/EVzw35SBEElite Strap with Battery: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9F1EXS9wHElite Strap: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/FuGn77L91Charging Dock: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/9RC9HEGq8Silicone Facial Interface: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/5DTVX8pubActive Straps: https://www.meta.com/affiliates/7Qhfo4FXnLTO Posters:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JhuvaqbxtJmO-io4lvoU4tN9B4CemspK?usp=drive_linkVR COVER: https://vrcover.com Use code: PlayTestVR for 10% off EVERYTHING         Quest Referral Spreadsheet...over 150 games!: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kssKH2L8cSZCwbJ2S6aZQwvbIZsjZ0s1UcCHKotJ3ic/edit?usp=sharing           Want to be part of the show? Send in your questions at [email protected]         Twitter: @playtest_vr | @samson143vr (and tiktok)Main Channel: https://youtube.com/c/playtestvr         Spreading VR: https://youtu.be/9BCu3lnnCKU#VR #quest3s #Quest3 #Meta #xrChapters:00:00 Introduction and Dutch Sales02:59 Podcast Updates and Future Plans06:02 Discussion on PS5 Discs and Digital Gaming12:00 The Rise of the Quest 220:08 Personal Experiences with the Quest 225:21 The Evolution of Quest Headsets28:55 Comfort and Accessories in VR31:38 The Impact of Facebook's Integration34:34 The Quest II's Success During COVID38:35 The Birth of the Podcast and Game Showcase40:50 Major Game Releases and Their Impact44:01 Meta's Shift Towards the Metaverse46:40 The Rise of New Titles and Sequels48:45 The Launch of Quest Pro and Its Reception50:50 The Quest 3 Chip and Market Timing52:51 Game Evolution: Breachers and Assassin's Creed Nexus56:04 The Shift in VR: The Decline of PC VR01:01:00 Reflections on the Quest Era and Podcasting Journey