The Rifted Skies Demo Makes Arm-Swinging Combat Its Core
DreamVR's The Rifted Skies is an action roguelite whose movement relies on swinging your arms to run and perform parkour. A free Steam Next Fest demo is available now, while the finished game is planned for Steam and Quest with no release date yet. The demo's arm tracking feels responsive, though it can sometimes register unintended motions.
DreamVR previously built VR experiences for location-based entertainment venues, making The Rifted Skies its first title aimed at home consumers. The studio’s stated aim is to encourage arm movement, and the Steam Next Fest demo is free while the full release remains undated for Steam and Quest.
The demo follows Derwish, a young man guided by a yellow wisp who explains his mysterious ancestry and warns of a rift consuming his world. Combat uses a sword for melee, projectile deflection, and charged throws at ghostly enemies. Controller alternatives exist for jumping and squatting, and the reviewer tested on a Meta Quest 3 through Virtual Desktop.
If The Rifted Skies’ arm-driven movement resonates, it could encourage more VR developers to treat physical activity as a core mechanic rather than an optional extra. Players seeking active, roomscale-style experiences may benefit, while those with limited mobility may still need accessible controller mappings. Its reception may also shape how much space and physical effort consumers expect from future Steam and Quest titles, though the undated full release leaves that influence uncertain.