News: ZIX - VR Roguelike Hits Early Access on Quest 3 and Steam VR
Hidden IO launched ZIX, a VR action roguelike, into Early Access on September 18, 2025, for Meta Quest 3/3S and Steam VR at $19.99 USD. Players embody Acolytes serving the enigmatic Zix, invading three procedurally generated realms—Grove, Abyss, and Gut—to harvest instability through a cauldron at the Seam, a tranquil hub. With solo or three-player cross-platform co-op, ZIX features gesture-based combat using a gun, sword, spike, shield, and bow, each demanding precise timing to execute attacks, deflect projectiles, or reposition. The game’s “First Instinct” system eliminates menus, relying on triggers and grips for fluid movement like jumps, slides, and aerial recoveries.
Each run blends three hostile realms into unpredictable mixed worlds, increasing intensity with stacking upgrades that alter weapons and encounters. Players collect fragments to remix reality via the cauldron, creating unique effects and challenges, ensuring no two runs are identical. Key features include expressive combat honoring timing, diegetic low-UI immersion, and a player-driven world-mixing system. Early Access focuses on refining encounter pacing, enemy depth, and performance, with community feedback via Discord shaping updates. Montreal-based Hidden IO, founded by brothers Tam and Sol Tahirli, draws from their Unity and Ubisoft experience to craft this bold VR debut.
Backed by Meta’s Oculus Publishing and the Canada Media Fund, ZIX pushes VR boundaries with surreal, ever-shifting worlds and chaotic co-op. The Early Access launch on Quest 3/3S and Steam VR invites players to wishlist and join the evolving experience. With over 10 unique abilities, 20+ enemies, and a focus on kinetic expression, ZIX offers a fresh take on roguelikes, blending creativity and mastery. As the studio’s first title, it sets the stage for innovative VR adventures, with ongoing updates planned to enhance content and balance based on player input.