VTOL VR

About

VTOL VR is a single player and multiplayer simulation game. It was developed by Boundless Dynamics, LLC and was released on August 3, 2017. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

VTOL VR is a virtual reality simulation game that allows players to experience flying a highly-maneuverable fighter jet. Perform challenging maneuvers, execute air-to-ground and air-to-air strikes, and land on aircraft carriers while immersed in a realistic 3D cockpit. With realistic flight physics and intense combat, VTOL VR offers a thrilling and authentic flight experience.

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 17,912 reviews

story341 positive mentions

grinding22 negative mentions

The game offers a great balance between accessibility and depth, making it enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned players.
The active community enhances the experience with user-generated content, providing endless replayability and diverse mission options.
The immersive cockpit experience and intuitive controls create a natural flying feel, contributing to a fun and engaging gameplay atmosphere.

The game lacks a cohesive narrative, with many missions feeling disconnected and heavily reliant on community-created content.
Some players find the single-player missions frustratingly difficult, particularly as the campaign progresses.
The graphics are simplistic and not on par with high-end simulators, which may detract from the overall immersion for some players.

story
1,764 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
76%
5%
The game's story aspect is minimal, with most users noting that it lacks a traditional narrative. Instead, players engage in a variety of missions, primarily user-generated through the Steam Workshop, which offer diverse challenges ranging from combat to transport tasks. While the built-in missions provide some structure, many players express a desire for more official content and a deeper storyline, relying heavily on community-created missions for extended gameplay.
- “The missions are varied enough to keep things interesting, and there’s a good balance between combat, navigation, and just enjoying the view from above.”
- “The game features a variety of missions, ranging from dogfights and ground attack runs to reconnaissance and rescue operations, each designed to test different aspects of flying and combat skills.”
- “The active and passionate community also enhances the experience, with players sharing tips, mods, and custom missions that further enrich the game.”
- “The single player missions are terrible though; the first few in each campaign are decent, but then the 2nd-3rd mission becomes frustratingly difficult.”
- “The missions are well-designed, but the game encourages replayability through mods and custom missions, which can sometimes feel unbalanced and overly challenging.”
- “The game lacks a cohesive story, with many missions feeling disconnected and relying heavily on community-created content to fill the gaps.”
graphics
846 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
64%
9%
The graphics in *VTOL VR* are generally described as simplistic and not on par with high-end flight simulators like DCS or MSFS, often compared to older or more cartoonish styles. However, many players appreciate this design choice for its performance optimization, allowing the game to run smoothly on lower-end hardware while maintaining a high level of immersion in VR. Overall, while the visuals may lack detail, they effectively support the gameplay experience, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.
- “The graphics are impressive, and the sense of speed and immersion is enhanced by the game's realistic environments and dynamic missions.”
- “The graphics, while not top-tier, prioritize optimized performance, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end computers.”
- “Don't let the simple graphics fool you, the gameplay makes up for it!”
- “Yes, the graphics can look like Roblox graphics sometimes, and it isn't as realistic as DCS, but you still don't have to spend $2000 on a gaming PC.”
- “The graphics are pretty bad, but they help improve performance tremendously.”
- “The graphics leave a lot to be desired but the gameplay is rock solid.”
gameplay
674 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
64%
1%
The gameplay in *VTOL VR* is praised for its balance between accessibility and depth, making it approachable for beginners while offering complex mechanics for seasoned players. Many users highlight the immersive cockpit experience, intuitive controls, and engaging mission variety, although some express frustration with the limited tutorials and steep learning curve for advanced features. Overall, the game is celebrated for its fun, realistic flight mechanics and the ability to create custom missions, making it a standout title in the VR flight simulation genre.
- “The gameplay strikes a great balance between realism and fun.”
- “The game is actually pretty complex with its mechanics, but is still approachable because the simplifications made are reasonable and keep it fun.”
- “The intuitive VR controls make flying feel incredibly natural, even for beginners, while the depth of gameplay will keep aviation enthusiasts engaged for hours.”
- “At first, I struggled a lot with simple things like locking onto targets and even just figuring out the conditions to fire various weapons, and I always got shot down by enemy planes, which made most of my gameplay an exercise in preparing the plane for take-off and practicing pre-flight checklists more than I was actually in the air.”
- “The game is a bit expensive for its small amount of gameplay.”
- “It feels weird that there is so much effort put into the weapon mechanics, but the dev ignored writing extensive tutorials, flight lessons, or campaigns (which I guess would be 0.001% of the work), even when there is workshop support.”
optimization
184 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
45%
10%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting smooth performance even on lower-end hardware and in VR. However, some users report issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and bugs, particularly with mod support and multiplayer. While the graphics are often described as simplistic, this design choice contributes to the game's solid performance and immersive experience.
- “Performance is amazing with updates still coming.”
- “The sense of immersion provided by the cockpit interactions vastly outweighs the artistic choices of the graphics, while the latter allows for solid performance even on modest rigs.”
- “Amazing optimization which allows my measly GTX 1660 Ti to run VTOL at 5K resolution without any performance loss, even with really simple graphics the game is still extremely immersive.”
- “Horrible optimization. I have a 2080 Ti and am allowing the game to use all of my cores, but at most I get 30 fps.”
- “Not sure what is causing it, but I get stuttering when in the cockpit and turning my head.”
- “The graphics are basic enough so they shouldn't be the huge performance sink that they are.”
humor
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting its absurdity and comedic moments, especially when playing with friends. Many reviews mention hilarious in-game scenarios, such as crashing planes, funny voice acting, and the chaotic nature of multiplayer interactions, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Overall, the game's blend of immersive flight simulation and humor creates a uniquely enjoyable atmosphere that resonates well with the community.
- “Picked up the base game + T-55 Tyro to play with a friend, and I cannot tell you just how amazingly stupid and hilarious it was to learn how to fly a lite simulator with them.”
- “The addition of multiplayer has been amazing, hilarious, and a lot of fun.”
- “I was hooting and laughing throughout the whole first flight.”
- “This was a very unfunny joke.”
- “Online would be nice and funny.”
music
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
78%
3%
The game's music feature is highly praised for its ability to allow players to upload their own MP3 files, enhancing the immersive flying experience. While the default soundtrack is considered limited, the option to customize playlists with personal favorites, including iconic soundtracks like "Top Gun," significantly elevates gameplay enjoyment. Overall, the integration of a cockpit music player is seen as a standout feature that adds to the thrill of aerial combat.
- “Every aircraft comes with a music player, and you can copy your own mp3 songs into the files. Playing 'Free Bird' does enhance my combat effectiveness, thank you very much.”
- “You can add any song you want to into the in-game mp3 player by moving an mp3 file into its easy-to-find folder in the game directory.”
- “The built-in music player in the cockpit allows you to preload songs of your choice, making it a blast to take off listening to your favorite playlist.”
- “The only thing that could make it even better is if the music was shared in the cockpit.”
- “I can't tell if I'm stalling because my five 'evasive' maneuvers completely depleted my airspeed or because the missile that popped behind me took out the engines; I can't hear what the warning system is saying over my music.”
- “My only issue is the music options.”
grinding
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
75%
22%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players feeling that it requires an excessive time investment, often humorously suggesting that one would need "a second life" to fully engage with it. While some appreciate the balance between realism and enjoyment, noting that the game avoids the tedium of more hardcore simulators, others find the repetitive tasks and extensive grinding necessary to unlock content frustrating. Overall, the game manages to provide a satisfying experience for those willing to invest the time, but it may deter players looking for a more casual experience.
- “But all these things are simplified perfectly so that it's not tedious or annoying.”
- “Fun and realistic, but not tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grind is so bad and you don't get modern aircraft until you do over 1000 hours of grinding or spend your savings account on it.”
- “Within about 15 minutes, I realized this was going to be an incredibly tedious (realistic) flight simulator where you have to press 15 buttons just to turn on the engines.”
- “Not too hard to get the basic flight stuff down, but anything more complex than simple flight is a bit tedious to learn.”
replayability
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, largely due to its robust mission editor and active modding community, which provide endless opportunities for custom campaigns and user-generated content. Players appreciate the variety of missions, multiplayer options, and the balance between accessibility and depth, making it one of the most replayable VR titles available. Overall, the combination of well-designed missions and extensive mod support results in near-infinite replay value.
- “Replayability is basically endless thanks to a great editor and modding community.”
- “The addition of a mission editor extends the game's replayability, allowing players to create and share their unique scenarios.”
- “The replayability is literally endless, as the Steam workshop and community around this game allows for infinite user-generated content and a plethora of skills to build upon.”
- “The replayability is literally endless, as the Steam Workshop and community around this game allows for infinite user-generated content and a plethora of skills to build upon.”
- “There are simply so many scenarios and missions to run and play in different ways that it offers extreme replay value.”
- “While the campaign and free flight modes are a lot of fun, I would hope to see some generated dynamic missions that can play out for a number of re-arms for replayability value.”
stability
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and great optimization for various VR setups, issues such as buggy mods, multiplayer lag, and occasional freezes are common complaints. Some users experience significant problems with controls and alignment, particularly in multiplayer scenarios, but many also praise the game's immersive experience and responsiveness. Despite these bugs, the game is generally considered stable and enjoyable, especially for those with capable hardware.
- “Runs great on my Ryzen 9 5950X and 3060 12GB, and I experience zero motion sickness.”
- “Overall, this is hands down the best VR flying experience available. It's stable, runs great, has virtually unlimited replayability, a high skill ceiling, yet is easy to get started and flying. Controls feel natural with very few keybinds to remember due to the clickable cockpits, and is a must-have for any VR enthusiast who wants to play combat flight sims without the hassle.”
- “The game is essentially bug-free, which I love, but I do wish the dev cycle was a little faster.”
- “The mod loader is a buggy mess and disconnects my VR headset constantly, and the gameplay is quite bland once you've spent 2+ hours on it.”
- “I see a lot of jittering and freezes even when the game is otherwise configured to deliver the framerates for the Pico 4's 90Hz refresh rate.”
- “Never loads, and when it does it only lags and glitches to the point where you cannot see anything and have to close it out.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a profound emotional connection to the game, highlighting its immersive VR experience that makes them feel like real pilots. Moments of camaraderie, such as sharing resources with fellow players, evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia, while the thrill of flying and the intensity of combat create a rollercoaster of emotions. Overall, the game successfully fosters a sense of authenticity and emotional engagement, making it a standout experience in the flight simulation genre.
- “Seeing a poor soul all on his lonesome and giving him a hundred rounds of 30mm for company was one of the most wholesome moments I've ever had, not just in gaming, but in my life.”
- “I once spent twenty minutes practicing vertical landings in the AV-42C and emerged from my room drenched in sweat, dehydrated, emotionally raw, and spiritually uplifted.”
- “I get emotional when Jamal gets shot down (my wingman in battle).”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, with well-crafted aircraft models and impressive atmospheric effects like lighting, weather, and terrain, particularly enhanced in VR. Reviewers highlight the realistic graphics and attention to detail, which contribute to a captivating flight simulation experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
- “The external aircraft models are well-crafted, and the atmospheric effects such as lighting, weather, and terrain add to the immersion, especially when experienced in VR.”
- “An incredibly atmospheric pastime, especially if you're a fan of flight simulators.”
- “Weather effects in particular have really added to the atmosphere, and all of the DLC aircraft are fantastic.”
- “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
- “Despite the beautiful graphics, the overall atmosphere is flat and fails to engage the player.”
- “The sound design is underwhelming, which detracts significantly from the game's atmosphere.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the overall value, others express concerns about excessive monetization practices, labeling it a "cash grab." Overall, the game is seen as a balance between quality gameplay and the need for revenue generation.
- “It's like playing War Thunder, but you feel like you're playing DCS and there's no microtransactions.”
- “I would describe this game as DCS without the hundreds of bindings (or microtransactions) and with actually great VR controller support.”
- “I understand they need some monetization.”
- “I would like to recommend this game, but the over-monetization is scaring me.”
- “Cash grab.”
- “This game is a cash grab.”