Gorilla Tag’s creators, Another Axiom, have rolled out Orion Drift’s first substantial update since it hit early access last month. Set in a sprawling space station, this update introduces a fresh mini-game called ‘Capture the Beacon’ (CTB).
Much like the classic capture the flag, CTB challenges teams to transport a rod-shaped beacon back to their home base. What sets this apart in Orion Drift is the absence of player limits and time constraints, allowing anyone to jump into the action freely.
While the studio has hinted at “a ton more” coming with this update, they’re keeping the details under wraps until it launches tomorrow, March 28th, at 10 AM PT. This secrecy adds to the excitement as players eagerly await the new features.
Having launched on Quest for free in late February, Orion Drift utilizes Gorilla Tag’s unique locomotion mechanics. Players traverse the expansive space station by physically moving their arms, mimicking a propulsion system.
The game, beyond CTB, already features several engaging activities. Its flagship sport, ‘Drift Ball,’ is seen as a spiritual successor to the now-defunct Echo VR but feels more like a low-gravity version of handball.
Various station districts offer a host of mini-games, such as parkour courses for those who love Gorilla Tag-style climbing, practice arenas for honing Drift Ball skills, and entertaining games like golf and basketball. Plus, there are lounges where you can catch ongoing matches from different arenas.
Currently, the game hosts up to 75 players per server. Yet, Another Axiom plans to increase this number to 200 players eventually. Expanding the variety of mini-games seems to be a significant step toward achieving this goal, though Orion Drift is still in its early stages.
Despite following Gorilla Tag’s successful formula with engaging, easy-to-join social games, Orion Drift hasn’t yet matched its predecessor’s viral fame. As of now, it has garnered about 3,300 user reviews and hasn’t cracked the top 50 best-selling Quest games. The leading spots are currently held by Animal Company, Yeeps, and Gorilla Tag itself.
