‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ VR Hands-on: Hand-Tracked Combat That Actually Works

Get Ready to Wipe Out Angels with Hand-Tracking Combat in ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ VR

VR fans, rejoice! We’ve just gotten our hands on an early build of Pixelity’s highly anticipated XR game, EVANGELION: Δ CROSS REFLECTIONS, and it’s a real showstopper. Based on the classic 90s anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, this immersive experience promises to bring the iconic series to life in ways we never thought possible.

As I stepped into the world of NERV, I was immediately struck by the sheer scale of the Angels and Evangelions. The visuals are stunning, with a level of detail that’s simply breathtaking. But what really caught my attention was the innovative use of hand-tracking technology for both exploration and combat. It may not be perfect yet, but trust me, it’s a game-changer.

In Story Mode, I played as Shinji, a NERV officer cadet tasked with defending the base against massive forces of evil. The narrative is tight and cinematic, with plenty of directed scenes that draw you in and make you feel like you’re part of the action. But what really stole the show was the combat system.

Using hand gestures, I was able to punch my way through hordes of Angels, dodging and weaving between attacks with ease. The bHaptics Tactsuit haptic vest and bangles did a great job of simulating the impact of each blow, making me feel like I was really there in the heat of battle.

But what’s truly innovative is the locomotion system. By simply pointing my hand in the direction I want to go, I could move smoothly through the environment. It may not be the most intuitive method yet, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Combat itself is where things get really interesting. Using a combination of hand gestures and movement, I was able to take down even the largest Angels with ease. The system is cleverly designed, requiring you to punch your hands to dash forward and hold your left thumb up to dash backwards. It’s a smart way to bottleneck the user and build around its locomotion and combat scheme.

One of the most impressive features is the upgrade UI, which gives you random buffs, heals, and special weapons to unlock. I was able to equip my Evangelion with an ethereal throwing spear that I could lob right into the heart of my Angelic foe. It’s a fun little workout, and way more involved than I thought it would be.

With EVANGELION: Δ CROSS REFLECTIONS on the horizon, I’m excited to see how this game will evolve over time. Will the hand-tracking technology continue to improve? Will the combat system become even more complex and nuanced? One thing’s for sure – with Pixelity at the helm, we’re in good hands.

As a fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion, I have to admit that I’m not even sure if I want to watch the original anime again. With this VR experience, I’d rather be immersed in its world and characters, engaging in what feels like novel and interesting VR stuff. The future of VR is looking brighter than ever, and EVANGELION: Δ CROSS REFLECTIONS is just one example of the incredible experiences we can expect from immersive technology.

So mark your calendars for early next year when EVANGELION: Δ CROSS REFLECTIONS hits the shelves. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.


Source: Road to VR — 2026-10-02

Scroll to Top