Launching a premium VR game in 2025 for Meta Quest is no easy task, especially with the growing selection of free titles available. But Megaverse and publisher Fun Train did just that with the release of their multiplayer action horror, BlackGate. Starting life in Early Access, barely three months later, BlackGate has launched on Meta Quest officially, adding a bunch of new updates.
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BlackGate Leaves Early Access
While some VR games can spend years in Early Access, no such fate has befallen BlackGate. The teams have seemingly powered through fixes and updates since that initial release, adding not only new content but also a novel way of accessing the game.
Prior to leaving Early Access, Megaverse deployed the “Fresh Meat” update as a way to draw new players into the game. BlackGate works as a 4v1 multiplayer where four players are engineers trying to fix a space station, while one lone player acts as an alien trying to kill them all. As such, the “Fresh Meat” allows anyone to play as an Engineer for free, helping fill the teams up. To play as the alien, you need to purchase the game. Fun Train revealed that 30,000 new players joined using this free method.
As for the full launch, which took place this month, the tutorial has been updated to help players learn the different controls between the Engineers and the Alien. Furthermore, completing the tutorials awards Glory Points, even if you’re joining as a free player.
Plenty of bug fixes have been rolled out to make the gameplay smoother, plus there are new cosmetics. These include Patriotic Suits (for US, UK, Canada players), Achromic Alien, Echo Arena Suit and the Discord Suit. As well as a bunch in DLC packs.
What is BlackGate?
If you’ve not tried BlackGate yet, the free Engineer access is the best way to start. This is an intense, zero-g game where players have to race around a space station completing various tasks and puzzles. You have jets on your wrists to manoeuvre, or you can grab onto the station itself to fling yourself through.
However, in the early stages you are unarmed, with the armoury only unlocking after a set number of tasks have been completed. As mentioned, you’ve got a very dangerous alien hunting you whilst this happens. Your only defence prior to accessing the armoury is a stun device, giving you a small window to escape.
To even the playing field a little, the alien has two stages, the second it must evolve into by draining blood. In the first stage, the alien can only drain life but not kill an Engineer. Should the evolution take place, the alien can easily kill the Engineers. Thus making the match a gripping race against time.
BlackGate Review
Our partners over at 131XR reviewed BlackGate for its initial release, finding a game that has its quirks, but ultimately is a lot of fun, especially if you can get some friends together.
Have you tried BlackGate yet for Meta Quest? What was your impression? Let us know in the comments below.
