Owlchemy Labs, the team behind beloved VR titles like Job Simulator and Vacation Simulator, is about to launch a brand-new multiplayer experience. Dimensional Double Shift takes players on a wacky journey through the Omniverse, where up to four friends can team up do things like running a diner or working a service station. We got a chance to dive into the chaotic, hand-tracked gameplay during our meeting with the developers at Gamescom, and here’s what we learned.
What we know
Dimensional Double Shift, developed by Owlchemy Labs, is a cooperative social VR experience. Set in the Omniverse, this game allows up to four players to take on different roles in a quirky diner/service station called Gas N’ Grill, owned by the mysterious Conglomni Corp. The game is entirely controlled via hand tracking, giving players a natural, button-free experience as they cook, fix, refuel, and serve a variety of eccentric customers from different dimensions. Dimensional Double Shift will launch its open beta as “The Trainee Program” on Meta Quest on September 26, 2024, with more dimensions, features, and activities being added in the future.
What we saw
At Gamescom, we met with Owlchemy Labs’ CEO Andrew Eiche and got hands-on with an advanced build of the game. We played in a four-player multiplayer setting, sampling a few different rounds of gameplay in both the restaurant and garage sections. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to sit down with Andrew, who provided insights into the direction of the game and its future content plans.
What we thought
Right from the start, Dimensional Double Shift delivered the signature humor and visual style we’ve come to expect from Owlchemy Labs. The game is chaotic in the best way, with players working together to manage an ever-increasing flood of customers and demands. The restaurant level felt reminiscent of time management games like Overcooked, where the challenge comes from keeping up with the fast pace of orders. While entertaining, its core concept does feel similar to what we’ve seen in both flat screen and VR formats before.
On the other hand, the garage section provided a refreshing change of pace, leaning more into a cooperative puzzle experience. Here, the focus was on fixing vehicles and collaborating with teammates, which allowed for more thoughtful gameplay. Without the time pressure of the diner, this level felt more relaxed and engaging, highlighting the unique potential of VR in creating collaborative problem-solving experiences while interacting with others. We hope to see more content like this in the final release, as it provided a welcome contrast to the frantic restaurant setting.
The decision to make this a multiplayer-only game is a bold one, especially in the VR space where player bases can be smaller. That said, the game doesn’t require a full team of four to work – the game will scale towards the number of players available and playing with two players should still provide a fun and engaging time. However, the game truly shines when you have a full group, as the added chaos and banter bring out the full potential of Owlchemy’s whimsical world.
Visually, Dimensional Double Shift retains the colorful, cartoonish style the developer is known for, and the hand tracking is quite intuitive, adding to the immersion. While there are many VR games that embrace cooperative gameplay, the humor, polished mechanics, and creative settings set Dimensional Double Shift apart, making it one to watch in the growing social VR space – especially when a team with Owlchemy’s track record is involved.
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