Maestro on Quest 3 has made me a conductor, and I can't believe how delightful it is
Maestro delivers a highly immersive VR experience on Quest 3 that gives rhythm games a new spin.
In Maestro, you take on the role of a conductor who leads a full orchestra with his hands and performs famous passages from works such as Wagner's Valkyrie, Beethoven's 5th Symphony and Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro.
I have played the soon-to-be released Quest 3 version and I can say right away that Maestro is very well done and really gives you the feeling of conducting an orchestra, at least as far as virtual reality can.
Beat Saber has spawned many imitators, but Maestro creates a unique atmosphere and experience that is unparalleled in VR. Even those who are not into rhythm games should give Maestro a chance. Trust me, I am one myself.
A wonderfully intuitive experience
Fiddling around is not enough in Maestro. Conducting has to be learned, and the VR game takes you step-by-step through the most important techniques. A playful tutorial shows you how to move your baton to the beat of the music and set accents right in front of the orchestra. A conductor's repertoire also includes gestures that can be used to signal cues, indicate fermatas (held notes), and influence dynamics, i.e. the volume of individual sections of the orchestra.
What sounds like boring theory feels completely natural in VR and quickly becomes second nature as you use your hands instead of controllers. For me, Maestro is one of the most sensible implementations of hand tracking in a VR game to date, and on Quest 3 it worked flawlessly.
During a performance, the VR game will always show you which part of the orchestra to turn to, and what exactly to do and when. So you don't have to worry about not knowing what to do.
There are three levels of difficulty, and as with other rhythm games, the more challenging it is, the more immersive the experience. I found myself conducting more theatrically than I needed to because the experience was so engrossing.
Impressive scenery on Quest 3
Maestro has once again reminded me of the magic of virtual reality. The game is a wonderful conductor simulation that I did not think was possible in this form. Quest 3 renders a full orchestra, and the animations of the individual musicians add to the dramatic effect of a performance. When you turn to face the audience after a successful concert, you see a full, cheering opera house in front of you. Simply fantastic.
Maestro's track list also includes modern pieces and musical genres such as jazz. | Double Jack
For me, Maestro is more than just entertainment. I see it as a valuable tool for communicating music to the public. I believe that when you conduct an orchestra, even in a playful way, you gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the intricacies of musical composition.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the music store and buy a baton for a little more added immersion.
Maestro will be released for Meta Quest 3 & 3S, 2 and Pro on the Horizon Store on October 17th and on Steam on October 22nd. A release on the Pico Store will follow at a later date.
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