Hyperlane Highway brings body-steered hoverboard combat to SteamVR, with a free demo
Hyperlane Highway has launched in Steam Early Access, putting players on a virtual hoverboard where they can steer by leaning their bodies and shoot enemies with a blaster in each hand. The single-player VR game also has a free demo for anyone who wants to try its unusual controls before buying.
Developer Ryality Studio describes the game as a roguelite: each run sends the rider through increasingly dangerous lanes, with upgrade cards and sponsor choices changing the way their weapons and abilities work.
The game is a PC VR release and requires a headset and tracked controllers. The Steam page lists Valve Index, Steam Frame and compatible OpenXR headsets among its target devices, while Meta Quest headsets are also mentioned. Check the listing and your PC connection before assuming it runs standalone on a headset.
A rider passes upgrade cards on a neon track in Hyperlane Highway. Image: Ryality Studio
Lean to steer, or choose a different control scheme
In the default movement system, leaning left and right moves the board across lanes. Players can also lean forward and back to change its pitch, and reach forward or pull back to adjust speed, according to the Steam store description.
That physical approach is not the only option. The developer lists head tilt, controller gestures and thumbsticks as alternative inputs, with settings that can be adjusted or combined. That gives players a way to experiment if full-body leaning is awkward in their available space.
The studio says it designed the movement system with motion sickness in mind and includes comfort controls. Comfort differs from person to person, so the demo is the sensible place to find out how the movement works for you.
The enhancement card selection screen in Hyperlane Highway. Image: Ryality Studio
Each run lets players build around upgrade cards
Players select a sponsor at the start of a run and encounter pit stops where they can choose how to spend or change their cards. The store lists more than 90 cards across nine sponsor brands, with effects that can change a rider's combat style.
Enemies, obstacles and bosses make the lanes more demanding as a run progresses. Between attempts, the developer says players can use earned credits to add cards to the pool and work through challenges that unlock further rewards and cosmetics.
The free Steam demo offers a sample of the movement and builds, with a selection of cards, enemies and two bosses. It is separate from the paid Early Access game.
A player fires blasters at flying enemies on a Hyperlane Highway track. Image: Ryality Studio
The Steam release is still in development
Ryality Studio says Hyperlane Highway was built by one developer and estimates an Early Access period of roughly eight to twelve months. More riders, bosses, environments and cards are planned, alongside balance and performance work. Those plans are not a guarantee of a particular update or release date.
Steam lists Windows PC requirements and OpenXR support. Headset compatibility and performance will depend on the PC and connection, so check the current requirements before purchasing.
