At the Summer Game Fest 2025, Marvel’s Deadpool VR, developed by Twisted Pixel and Oculus Studios alongside Marvel Games, was not simply unveiled; attendees had the chance to experience being the Merc with the Mouth on the Play Days show floor. As a long-time Deadpool enthusiast, I regrettably found myself unable to engage in the VR experience when the chance presented itself, leading me to forgo the hands-on session.

Nonetheless, this allowed me to converse with several members of the Twisted Pixel development team while observing others play, affording me valuable insights into the game that would surpass what I might have gathered through personal gameplay.

With a release window set for 2025, Marvel’s Deadpool VR is set to launch exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and 3S. The demo kicked off with players controlling Deadpool’s head, tasked with reuniting it with his body. The game promises a brand-new narrative while also planning to explore various locations and characters throughout the MCU, emphasizing, “It’s real metaverse stuff—in the Marvel Universe sense, not the VR one.” Naturally, I couldn’t help but inquire about potential spoilers, but they maintained a level of secrecy. They did reveal, however, that players will encounter Lady Deathstrike, Mephisto, and a slew of Marvel content that hasn’t been disclosed yet.

No Deadpool experience would be complete without some fourth-wall-breaking, and Marvel’s Deadpool VR is replete with it. He’s aware he’s in a video game, with Shield contracting him to seize a helicopter, only for him to crash it instead, triggering chaos. As I watched, it appeared no two players approached the game identically, a fact confirmed by the Twisted Pixel team who explained their goal of ensuring a unique experience for each player. In addition to wielding Deadpool’s iconic firearms and katanas, they aimed to encapsulate the absurdity of Deadpool’s character in a VR setting.

“Like any exceptional VR game, if you can visualize it, you can probably execute it. Sure, you can merely stab or shoot your foes, but where’s the excitement in that? Punch someone while clutching a grenade? Absolutely. Take your recently severed arm and hurl it at the enemies? Disgusting, but why not? Shove an enemy’s face into a whirling propeller? A bloody, yet effective, method. Soldiers, demonic canines, peculiar humanoid lizards, unsettling worm-like creatures, they’re all poised for creative (some might label it sadistic) dismemberment.”

Deadpool stands as a wildly popular, yet somewhat niche Marvel character, perhaps not as kid-friendly as some of his counterparts. Combined with the even more specialized VR gaming market and the exclusive Meta Quest platform, I have some concerns for this title. What I can express is that I’m certainly eager to dive in, but as I mentioned before, VR tends to make me extremely ill. I relayed my concerns to Twisted Pixel, apologizing for not participating hands-on, and they encouraged me enough that I can try it safely from home, avoiding the chaos of the show floor.

The team mentioned implementing several accessibility options intended to assist individuals like me in playing Marvel’s Deadpool VR without succumbing to motion sickness. Examples they provided included the capability to control snap or free turns, along with the adjustable value of those fields. There’s a camera reset command, and the game adapts to your arm length, which is thrilling for those of us on the shorter side. I also appreciated the option to play either standing or seated, as well as the ability to switch your dominant hand. I’m not asserting it will work, but I sincerely hope it does.

Marvel’s Deadpool VR is certainly not designed for children; however, I might consider letting my oldest (10) partake. The art style pays tribute to Marvel comics, opting for a more cartoonish aesthetic rather than a realistic approach, which I find quite appealing. Despite the game’s gory aspects, its more stylized look reduces the perceived aggression. I should mention that I wasn’t able to hear the complete audio, and while I know the game will feature adult language, I can’t confirm the full extent of its maturity level.

Another point touched upon by Twisted Pixel, which I might have overlooked during the demo, is the impressive replayability of Marvel’s Deadpool VR. Collectibles may lure players back, but there are also weapon upgrades, allowing for varied playthroughs. For example, you can enhance your sword to transform it into a boomerang, which is simply cool.

Given that Deadpool is aware he exists within Marvel’s Deadpool VR, I was curious whether any dialogue changes occur during repeated playthroughs. The response was a res…