While the common promise of virtual reality often revolves around transporting players to other worlds, I’ve found that my most cherished VR experiences are far more abstract, colorful, and eccentric. They resemble hallucinatory episodes rather than gateways to different realities. That’s why Beat Saber remains a top VR game, and why Rez Infinite holds a special place in my heart. Thrasher, the newest creation from Thumper composer and artist Brian Gibson, is the latest VR game to embrace this unique approach. It’s quickly become one of my favorite VR experiences to date thanks to its simple yet mesmerizing gameplay.
Thrasher might be flying under the radar, but anyone with a Meta Quest headset should jump on this game now that it’s available. In Thrasher, players guide a space eel through cosmic, abstract environments. There’s no intricate narrative to worry about, just a captivating visual journey as players navigate each level and confront cosmic beings. Gibson’s soundtrack is phenomenal, matching the ethereal beauty of Thrasher’s levels. It’s not a rhythm game in the traditional sense, but the perfect blend of sound and sight creates a truly immersive experience.
Playing Thrasher is remarkably straightforward, making it an excellent choice for VR newcomers. Players use their hand or a Meta Quest controller to guide the eel through white shapes moving across the screen. These shapes appear in waves, and the remaining time at the end of each level serves as the final score, which is then ranked on a leaderboard. The simplicity of the controls allows for a seamless flow state, making it easy to get lost in the experience. The eel glides like a ribbon on a dance streamer, and its movements across the screen are mesmerizing. When shapes appeared, I felt the same adrenaline rush as in games like Fruit Ninja, frantically slashing through them as quickly as possible. VR’s immersive nature locked my senses into the action, further immersing me in this surreal world.
As Thrasher progresses, new obstacles are introduced. While the primary goal is to guide the eel through the white lines as quickly as possible, red lines appear, disrupting the flow and deducting time upon contact. These red lines weave in and out of the patterns, adding a layer of challenge. Boss battles mark the end of each level, presenting the most difficult patterns to navigate without hitting a red line. Thrasher keeps the gameplay fresh by introducing new twists, such as groups of smaller lines that require players to navigate in quick succession. With every new level, I eagerly anticipated the unique patterns, shapes, and mechanics that awaited.
While more laid-back than Thumper, Thrasher can be exhilarating. The thrill of narrowly avoiding red lines or squeezing through the final line with seconds left on the clock is addictive. Many VR games feel cumbersome to control, but Thrasher’s control scheme is surprisingly intuitive, reminiscent of the Nintendo Wii. This pick-up-and-play quality keeps me coming back for more, refining my times on each level and relishing the dopamine rush that comes with clearing each wave.
Thrasher has solidified its position as one of the best VR games I’ve experienced, reminding me of the immense potential within this technology. I yearn for more games that prioritize crafting unforgettable audiovisual experiences over creating virtual worlds. Thrasher is currently available for Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro, as well as the Apple Vision Pro. A PC VR version will be released in December, and a non-VR version is also in development.
