Designed with powerful haptics, Strikervr Mavrik Blaster aims to redefine the way players engage in shooting games and mixed reality in VR. This new gun controller has been tested across the games we currently support, so read on for some hands-on impressions.
From the moment you choose this controller, it is clear that Strikervr Mavrik is aiming to attract enthusiasts who want a virtual reality and immersive shooting experience. This offers more than anything that can be achieved through traditional VR controllers or tube-based gun stock peripherals. With Mavrik Blaster wanting to compete with other solutions featuring tactile sensation, such as Protubevr and ForceTube on Deadeyevr’s Enforcer Haptic Rifle Stock, Mavrik Blaster offers an all-in-one solution that uses a single quest controller for tracking and more advanced Hoptics.
Boxing and setup:
Soon, the Mavrik Blaster looks more like a toy than a toy. It has a little heavy and the materials used in its construction feel premium to the touch. The box has a bracket for installing the left quest controller, a 100 watt USB-C power adapter and a sturdy charging cable, and some setup documentation.
The setup is easy and you will need to download the Striker Connect app from the Meta store. This is a bridge app that allows you to detect the Bluetooth signal of your controller with your quest headset. Once the headset connection is established, the app can be minimized and the game can now be run properly by attaching the left metaquest controller to the gun to allow motion tracking.
At first glance, the overall aesthetics of the built-in RGB LED effect and the blaster angle design evoke a very tron-like atmosphere. Turn it on and after accidentally pressing one of multiple buttons, the molded plastic body rang out and rattles as the haptic demo loop containing the gun began cycling between the gunshot and the laser blast. Finding this little demonstration of what comes straight out of the box made liberation an outstanding experience.
Game Test
Gameplay captured by gamebixby
It’s covered
My outstanding experience during the test is certainly hidden. The game seamlessly combines these old arcade light gun games with nostalgic elements reminiscent of modern VR mechanics. The most important difference here with an arcade cabinet is that the striker’s advanced sense of tactile sensation enhances the sense of realism, making it feel like he’s really equipped with a firearm rather than a toy light gun.
Each shot from the various weapon types in the game provides unique feedback and amplifies the excitement I feel while trying to collect all the weapons available. I was already playing this game again, which I was very familiar with, but with this new method it exceeded my expectations when I overcome its various missions and challenges. Under the cover, we make great use of Mabrick and show its full potential. This game is recommended for those who purchase this accessory to play first.
Gameplay captured by gamebixby
Tower Tag
Tower Tag is a game where the strengths of Blaster really show. This competitive experience relies on strategic manipulation and fast reflexes, and the accuracy added to Mavrik greatly improves my aim accuracy. You’ll feel great as you jump from the tower to the tower on slides and press conveniently positioned thumb buttons out money over this vast arena.
However, when I first loaded the game, I ran into some minor frustration. The tower tag defaults to right-handed settings, so I had already set that controller down and attached the one on the left to the gun. This is a minor frustration as adjusting the game settings makes the gameplay fluent. The tactile sensation of recoil present is satisfying, so the Tower Tag is even more refreshing than the touch controller alone.
Laser Limbo
With Laser Limbo, the Striker Blaster enters the realm of mixed reality gameplay. This game sets up battlefields filled with obstacles, barriers and laser grids with the goal of defeating single-player and other player bots in multiplayer gameplay. This includes navigating the laser, ducking behind the enhanced barriers of the cover during a fierce firefight, and surviving long enough to reach the set goal in advance.
The setup is extensive and shows that Meta has required the latest ongoing scanning capabilities seen in several titles since it released camera access to developers.
Laser Limbo was interesting in single-player mode, but it would definitely have been better in a multiplayer setting with much larger environments to play. It’s not ideal to play in small areas like living rooms or hallways, but you can see the possibilities of this game.
Inner touch
At the heart of Strikervr Mavrik is an advanced tactile system designed by Titan Haptics. Unlike most traditional VR controllers that offer only rumble effects, the Mavrik includes two dynamic vibration motors under the refined frame, custom tuned to provide a more realistic effect with a wide range of sensations. While playing supported games, Haptics provided an experience where every gunshot, explosion, and laser blast felt approaching real.
I feel it is accurate enough to allow the brain to distinguish between different sensations, such as the powerful kickback of a handgun or the powerful recoil of a shotgun. You can feel the subtle sounds of sound leaving the gun barrel on the tower tag by hitting fresh clips and laser explosions. This will make each in-game action even more immersed.
Deep immersion and cost
With high quality materials, an advanced tactile engine, programmable LED lighting, and even sound effects, the Mavrik can cost $599 for one gun or grab a two-pack for $1099. Strikervr also offers another version, the Enterprise Mavrik-Pro, for $950 for VR arcade owners who want to buy these guns.
It brings great bumps to the level of immersion you can achieve, but the lack of wider game support is a concern. You can only play three games and don’t mention any new games from the company website, making it difficult for this controller to recommend if you are ultimately not so interested in the three games that this controller currently supports.
Although the game’s support is limited, I thoroughly enjoyed my time testing Strikervr Mavrik and couldn’t imagine playing under a cover or tower tag. I sincerely hope that Strikervr will gain wider developer support or, even better, find a way to make guns more universally compatible with multiple gun-based games, including PC VR support.
