Dystopia is a $15.99 VR rhythm game played live to five radio stations

Dystopia is a new VR rhythm game that plays like live radio. Its five stations are always on, and everyone tuned to the same station slices or shoots the same song at the same moment.

Dystopia's world builds up as you play well and crumbles when you miss. Image: Null Hypothesis Inc.

Null Hypothesis Inc. released it on Steam on October 20 for $15.99 in the US. It is VR only and single-player, and the store page says it was built for Steam Frame.

Every song is new, and players can save the ones they like

The developer says each song is unique and made on the spot for its premiere. It does not say how. If one sticks, players can save it to an Archive and replay it as it aired.

The stations cover different tastes. MENTAL plays metal and rock, PULSE plays EDM, DRIFT is lo-fi, VOLT is industrial synth and WAVE is pop and dance. Each has its own DJ with intros, banter and even the weather.

Players slice crystals with blades or shoot them with laser pistols. Image: Null Hypothesis Inc.

Players choose between two blades and a pair of laser pistols

Crystals fly at the player to the beat. With a blade in each hand, you cut each one the way its arrow points, much like Beat Saber. With the laser pistols, you can hit them from any angle. There are five difficulty levels, from Easy to Insane.

The 3D world around you builds as you play well and crumbles when you miss. A rare golden crystal switches the scene to another style, such as Comic or Noir.

Dystopia is VR only and costs $15.99 in the US. Image: Null Hypothesis Inc.

A pet fruit fly learns your moves and can take over the song

The oddest feature is a pet fruit fly that learns how you play. Hit it and you swap places: the fly takes over the song while you fly off and explore the world.

The store lists in-app purchases but does not say what they are. For a more established rhythm game on the headset, Synth Riders fixed its Steam Frame leaderboard scores on October 15.