Grit and Valor – 1949 is an unusual VR release that takes players into an alternate-history version of World War II, blending roguelite structure with real-time strategy elements. Published by Megabit Publishing and developed by Milky Tea Studios, the Meta Quest version puts you in the shoes of a battlefield commander rather than a front-line soldier. Instead of holding a rifle, you’re overseeing squads of resistance mechs against an Axis force that has taken over much of Europe. The premise is instantly eye-catching – especially the use of dieselpunk-style mechs – but it’s the VR execution that defines the experience.
The campaign structure is built around roguelite runs across a war-torn map of Europe, where you gradually unlock upgrades and face increasingly difficult scenarios. This setup creates tension, as each loss carries weight, but it also means repetition sets in over longer play sessions. The game drip-feeds new tools and enemy types, keeping encounters varied, though the strategic layer could have used more depth to match the game’s intriguing setting. What stands out most is the way the game leans on immersion: standing above the battlefield, moving your arms to issue orders, and watching your mechs clash with Axis forces has a visceral punch that a flat RTS can’t replicate.
Mechanically, the game strikes a balance between accessibility and challenge. Gesture-based controls allow you to select, move, and direct units with your hands, which feels empowering when everything works smoothly. At its best, you feel like a true general orchestrating a living battle. However, precision can falter, and moments of frustration arise when misinterpreted commands lead to costly mistakes. While this doesn’t ruin the experience, it does remind you of the fine line VR strategy games walk between immersion and control complexity.
The roguelite elements also deserve mention. Between missions, you regroup, upgrade, and redeploy your forces, creating a sense of progression even when you fall short. Some players will appreciate the way this keeps campaigns unpredictable and replayable, but others might wish for a more traditional structured RTS campaign with handcrafted missions. The balance between risk and reward works in the game’s favor overall, though it can feel punishing in the early hours before your squads have the tools to hold their ground against the escalating Axis threat.
Visually, Grit and Valor – 1949 delivers an effective, if somewhat minimalist, presentation. The alt-history World War II aesthetic is distinct, with dieselpunk-style mechs standing out against more familiar wartime backdrops. On Quest hardware, the environments aren’t particularly detailed, but the clean look makes the action easy to follow. Explosions, weapon fire, and mech animations all carry impact, and the audio design complements this with weighty effects and a tense, militaristic score. While not a technical showcase for VR, the atmosphere succeeds in selling the high-stakes battles.
As a whole, Grit and Valor – 1949 is a solid entry into VR’s still-growing RTS space. Its blend of gesture-based commands, roguelite structure, and alt-history setting makes for a refreshing change of pace, even if its execution doesn’t always live up to its ambitions. Controls can stumble, repetition can creep in, and the campaign could have benefitted from more narrative richness. But when you’re in the middle of a desperate stand, arms sweeping as your mechs charge into battle, it’s hard not to feel drawn in by its unique premise. For players looking for something different on Meta Quest – and who don’t mind a few rough edges – it’s a worthwhile fight to take on.
Score: 6.8/10
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