Blog | Breakout Manchester

Virtual Hideout’s Tiktok Launch

30/05/2023 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

The wait is finally over! Our Virtual Hideout Manchester team has a brand new TikTok account, and we’ve got some great content on the horizon. Be on the lookout for hilarious videos, helpful VR tips, and some unmissable giveaways! You might be wondering what all the fuss is about - TikTok is just one of many social media platforms, afterall - but there are endless reasons that we decided to jump on the TikTok bandwagon. The app’s popularity is undeniable, spread over 150 different countries with over a billion users in total (as of 2023), with around 23 million in…

Staff Favourite Games

22/02/2023 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Here at Virtual Hideout we live and breathe Virtual Reality Gaming, and since February is the month of love, there’s no better time to show off the incredible VR games we hold dear - and introduce the amazing Game Hosts that play them! Daisy - Pistol Whip Ever wanted to be John Wick? This rhythm-based shooting game gives you the full pistol-wielding vigilante experience! With an incredible soundtrack and a variety of unique guns, it’s no wonder VH Manager Daisy favours this iconic VR game. On top of multiple fast-paced standalone levels, Pistol Whip features two amazing campaigns, 2089 and…

Single-player vs. Multiplayer Session!

17/01/2023 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Between a single headset room or a double headset room, are you unsure which session to select when booking with us? Don’t fret! The Virtual Hideout team will explain the difference here, and guide you to choose the best experience for you!First off, it’s important to remember we have a maximum capacity of 4 players per room. This is simply so everyone has a good chunk of gameplay time throughout the 1 hour session - if you fancy bringing a larger group, we recommend booking multiple rooms Single-player session This solo VR experience is great for first timers, kids…

Christmas in Manchester!

27/10/2022 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

With the Christmas holidays around the corner, the team at Virtual Hideout want to tell you what we like to do in Manchester during the winter months! Obviously, our favourite thing to do is play a VR session! With our new and improved dual headset rooms, players can play with and against each other on multiplayer games. Some of our favourite multiplayer games are Elven Assassin and Beat Saber - but we get pretty competitive, so be warned! On our days off, we will also head over to our sister company, Breakout Manchester, and try to break out of their escape…

Five Great Games You NEED to Play in Lockdown!

05/05/2020 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Five Great Games You NEED to Play in Lockdown! Hey all! The world is in a very weird place right now with the lockdown in place. People are going a little stir-crazy from having to stay indoors all day with little to do. Isn’t it great that video games can provide the perfect escape from our blues. so we put together a handy list of five great games you and your friends can be playing in lockdown to keep yourselves occupied! Animal Crossing - Casual/Lifestyle - Nintendo Switch This couldn’t be a quarantine list without mentioning this game!…

Virtual Hideout's Favourite games: Our current top 3!

19/01/2020 | By Virtual Hideout Manchester | Category News

Here at Virtual Hideout, we like to think of ourselves as VR connoisseurs. From the far reaches of outer space (Serious Sam) to a corner office in a post human world (Job Simulator), we've explored and conquered a lot. The greatest games to us are those that time and time again pull you back in for more. Whether it's the promise of unlocking new levels, or hitting that illusive full combo (Beat Saber), these are the games that make us excited to pull down that headset and ready ourselves for adventure. Here's a list of the top 3 games that we…

Virtual Hideout’s Top Tips - Virtual Veterans on our Popular Games!

21/05/2019 | By Breakout Manchester | Category News

Virtual reality has so many games on offer, sometimes it can be impossible to choose a favourite! However, in our experience, there are several games that we see groups revisiting time and time again. In light of this, we decided to put together a few handy tips we’ve gathered from our veteran VR team so you can be an instant pro when you take your first venture into the virtual world. Space Pirate Trainer Our most popular shooter for beginners; Space Pirate Trainer is easy to pick up, but tricky to master. With so many different playstyles, it…

VR Games we are most excited to play in 2019

21/11/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

VR Games we are excited for in 2019 Virtual Reality is ever changing, ever evolving and fast becoming a new viable way to play games. The mediums between playing games have changed vastly over the years, with mouse and keyboard, and controllers being the main way of directly interacting with games. With VR, your entire being is the new medium; from movement with your hands, to couching and running around a set play area. This opens a new dimension of immersion available to gamers and developers alike, with very exciting concepts and genres of games that simply wouldn’t be possible…

Halloween - Scarier in Virtual Reality!

29/10/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Here at Virtual Hideout, something lurks in the darkness, something is amiss... We hear bloodcurdling screams from the basement... we hear creaking doors shutting behind us late at night... and we just can't shake the chill in our bones... What could possibly be going on? Wait. Maybe... just maybe... our new list of fantastic horror games are seeping into our reality!! With the fantastic horror festival "Grimmfest" behind us (not to mention Halloween fast approaching!), we have an updated library of the best horror games available in virtual reality. Sure to give you a fright and chill you to the…

Celebrate with Virtual Hideout

27/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

So, you have a celebration coming up? Looking for something to do for a Birthday celebration or even planning a Christmas event? You should check us out here at Virtual Hideout! There are plenty of games here ideal for this situation! You can beat your friends at FRUIT NINJA, have a shootout on SPACE PIRATE TRAINER, or dare each other to explore the haunted house in PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE LOST SOUL. We have several packages ideal for the party situation, from beginners to gaming veterans. Go to the booking page to reserve your slot ASAP, we expect them to go…

Number 1 - SUPERHOT

23/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

There can be only one, and of course that means that the top rated game in our top 10 virtual reality games list is the unique SUPERHOT, the FPS game where time moves only when you move. Boasting features such as Endless mode, in which you rack up as many kills as you can before dying, to Challenge mode where you can attack SUPERHOT with a timer, and even a giving the players a Replay Editor so that they can upload their runs for everyone to see. SUPERHOT is unique in it's design and play, a game that everyone loves,…

Number 2 - Arizona Sunshine

22/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

We're down to our final two titles in our list of Top 10 VR Games and the award for second place goes to the ever popular Arizona Sunshine! A zombie shooter like no other, Arizona Sunshine truly puts players in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, armed with only their wits and an arsenal of powerful weaponry. Experience a full story in the game's Campaign mode or see how long you can last in Survival, it's up to you! Move around the virtual environment, solving puzzles, collecting weapons, and most importantly - blasting zombies in the head. How prepared are…

Number 3 - Beat Saber

21/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

With just three games left to reveal, we're happy to announce that Number 3 on our list of Top 10 VR Games goes to Beat Saber! A rhythm game like none other, Beat Saber is similar to Guitar Hero if you replaced the standard guitar controller with two very real lightsabers. If dual-wielding laser swords isn't enough for you, you'll be cutting down approaching blocks in the indicated direction, making sure to slice each one with the corresponding saber, whilst frantically dodging approaching red walls. Choose from a range of custom songs, including well known titles such as Toto's Africa,…

NUMBER 4 - GORN

20/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Up next in the countdown we have the worthy contender GORN; the self declared "ludicrously violent" gladiator simulator available on both the Steam and Oculus store. While it is somewhat blood and agression heavy, the stylised ignorant animation softens the blow (pardon the pun) of the game's brutality. For those of you familiar with Zombie Training Simulator and games of similar approaches to graphics that aren't centred around realism, you'll understand that the gore levels are never overwhelming but the games are still an endlessly entertaining source of stress relief; because nothing calms you down like smashing in the face…

Number 5 - Space Pirate Trainer

19/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

For those that love games about space, pirates or space pirates, Space Priate Trainer comes in at number 5 on our top 10 virtual reality games. Reminding us of classic arcade games, such as Space Invaders, Space Pirate Trainer blasts its way into virtual reality with a fantastic soundtrack, incredible visuals and a variety of unlockables that are sure to keep you entertained. What makes it truly unique is the way in which you can change it up. Want two guns? No problem, reach over your shoulder with the controller and when you next bring it back forward you will…

Number 6 - Bullet Sorrow

18/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

A game for all those old-school Time Crisis fans out there, or simply for those with a love for action, Bullet Sorrow caters to all our shooter needs. Armed with a pistol in each hand and an array of powerful weaponry, players must make their way through each level without taking too much damage. What really makes Bullet Sorrow deserving of its Number 6 place on our list of Top 10 VR Games is its iconic Bullet Time function, allowing players to slow down time in order to better eliminate their opponents. Dodge enemy bullets as they approach and fire…

Number 7 - I Expect You To Die

17/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

On our countdown to the number 1 game here at Virtual Hideout, we have "I Expect You To Die"clocking in at a worthy 7th position! Are you a fan of escape rooms? A James Bond connoissuer? Or even a lover of espionage thrillers? If so, then this is the perfect game for you! Most of our Virtual Reality games require you to be standing and moving around to be part of theaction. This game requires you to take a seat and use your mighty powers of telekinesis, to solve challenging and cleverly thought out puzzles in order to save the…

Number 8 - Richie's Plank Experience

16/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Perhaps the most memorable title available at Virtual Hideout currently is Richie's Plank Experience. For our customers, there's nothing to round off their 'First-Timer' session quite like a trip up Richie's famous elevator! Therefore, we simply had to include Richie's Plank Experience in our list of Top 10 VR Games. A simple game with a simple premise, simply step into the elevator and head up to the infamous 'Plank' level. After a little calming elevator music washes away the stresses of the day, the doors finally open and Virtual Reality has suddenly never felt so real. Can you handle the…

Number 9 - The Lab

15/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

The number 9 spot on Virtual Hideout's list of Top 10 VR games goes to none other than Valve's The Lab! If you're a fan of the developer's other titles such as Team Fortress, Portal, and Half Life, you'll love what The Lab has to offer. Chock full of Valve's signature humour, flawless animations, and an array of addicting gamemodes, The Lab has something for players of all age groups. Whether you're defending your castle from invaders with a bow and arrow, fixing the Portal 2 robots, firing personality cores from a huge catapult, or even exploring the universe, it's…

Number 10 - Fruit Ninja

14/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Our top 10 list of games begins today, and at number 10 is the highly-addictive Fruit Ninja. A very popular game with everyone, whether it's families playing for the first time or friends competing for the the highest score, Fruit Ninja is the game that's easy to pick up and play with enough game modes to keep you entertained for hours. Arcade gives you sixty seconds to grab the highest score you can while avoiding the bombs, Classic mode challenges you to hit every piece of fruit with you only able to miss three pieces before it is all over,…

Countdown to the Top 10!

13/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

We have a lot of amazing games for customers and staff to alike to play here at Virtual Hideout, and with over a hundred incredibly-immersive experiences to try, it can be a little hard to decide what to have a go on next! For those of you that are struggling to know exactly what to play on your next trip to Manchester's number one Virtual Reality Gaming centre, we're putting together a list of our Top 10 titles that are playable when you book in for a session with us. Starting tomorrow, September 14th, we'll be updating our blog and…

Causing a Rift

12/09/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

It's true we are lovers of our tried and tested HTC Vives we have here at VH but curiousity took over and we couldn't help ourselves. We are far from alone in this; Oculus has seen it's sales creep up on its rivals and perhaps this is due to the lower price point rather than performance. However, with HTC opening up their digitalstore (Viveport) to its competitor's users the temptation was all too much. We were ready to explore and we happy to do so considering the contributions Oculus are making not only to technology but also to education. Both…

Black Squad - Game Of The Day

09/08/2018 | By Breakout Manchester | Category News

Black Squad (previously known as Viper Circle) is a free-to-play, military-themed first-person shooter video game developed by NS Studio through a team assembled around Park Bo-Hyun, a former producer for Alliance of Valiant Arms. The game was released to public in 2013 but went through a complete overhaul afterwards, most notably the setting from near-future to military theme with some elements of modern warfare. Black Squad pits two teams, Viper Circle and Peacemaker, against each other in various game modes and maps that can host up to 20 players and "large scale" 32-player matches and allows players to call for…

I Expect You to Die - Game of the Day

07/08/2018 | By Breakout Manchester | Category News

Today’s game of the day is the James Bond inspired I Expect You To Die. In this challenging yet thrilling puzzle game you will be taken on a variety of immersive and dangerous adventures as you attempt to save the world from disaster! Referred to many critics as the gold standard of VR puzzle gaming, I Expect You To Do is a true essential and is a firm favourite amongst the staff here at Virtual Hideout Manchester! You must use your problem solving, wits and fantastic telekinetic powers to evade capture and save the world. This is a must-play experience…

Team Fortress 2 - Game of the Day

05/08/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Virtual Hideout's Game of the Day today is Valve's iconic shooter Team Fortress 2! A game that almost certainly inspired Blizzard's Overwatch, Team Fortress 2 has players stepping into the shoes of one of nine unique classes, all with their own playstyles and personalities. Do you like to get up close and personal with your enemies? Or perhaps you'd prefer picking them off at a distance? Maybe you're the type of player who likes to guard the payload closely while weilding a gigantic minigun? Team Fortress caters to every gamer's desire, leading to a fresh experience every time you play.…

Heroes of the Storm - Game of the Day

03/08/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Heroes of the Storm is the MOBA from giants. Blizzard. Introducing their legendary characters from their list of games, you can play as recognisable figures from the Diablo, Overwatch, World of Warcraft and Starcraft universes, all with their unique abilities. Unlike other like-minded games such as League of Legends and DotA 2, Heroes of the Storm sets itself apart by getting rid of the gold that those games force you to collect and instead turn the battlegrounds that you enter into a objective-based matches, meaning that when one person on the team does something, everyone on the team sees the…

Dota 2 - Game Of The Day

01/08/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Valve's answer to the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre, DOTA 2 is perhaps the most recognisable name in eSports at the moment. Team up with up to 4 other players, choose your heroes, and do battle across a large arena as each side attempts to destroy the others' base. Play as 115 unique heroes as you create a team capable of coming together and defeating your opponents. Push each lane with your armies, destroying powerful towers along the way until you finally make it into the enemy base. Just be sure they don't reach yours first! A game that is…

Starcraft II - Game of the Day

30/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

The King of real-time strategy games, better known as RTS, Starcraft II, developed by Blizzard, sets the standards and excels in every department, giving gamers the chance to really prove they are the best in the genre in intense player-vs-player matchups. Boasting three unique races, Terran, Protoss and Zerg, and an incredible number of unique units for each, strategies and plays are ever evolving with decisions being made in real-time. Whatever the matchup, face a unique challenge with each game as plays and misplays develop during the match. For those wanting the challenge of the ladder, enter the leagues where…

Hearthstone - Game of the Day

27/07/2018 | By Virtual hideout | Category News

Play as your favourite Warcraft hero, whether it’s for the Alliance or the Horde, in the free online collectable card game by the legendary publisher Blizzard Entertainment, Hearthstone. Create a deck of 30 cards, made up of minions and spells, and do battle to control the board and eventually reduce your opponent’s health from 30 to 0 to become the winner. Hearthstone has something for everyone. There is the casual playlist that allows players to do battle without the pressure of a ranking system. There is ranked, for those wanting to move up and hit the top rank of Legend.…

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive - Game of the Day

25/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout Manchester | Category News

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the latest instalment of the legendary Counter-Strike series. Often referred to as the greatest first-person shooter of all time, Counter-Strike is a classic in every sense of the word. Coming from the legendary developing team Valve, who are responsible for the Half-Life series and Portal, Counter-Strike has been incredibly popular since its launch in 2000. The game itself is simple, a multiplayer online shooter in which two teams, terrorists and counter-terrorists do battle in objective based modes. The exciting gameplay has kept the game close to the top of the Steam charts since its inception and…

Plank Not Included - Game of the Day

23/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

4 Fun Studio's Plank Not Included is a perfect example of how virtual reality can take immersion to the next level. You are tasked with walking across a plank which is balanced precariously only a few feet above a pavement as people walk past, all the while you are attempting to capture two humming birds with a net. Once they are caught you are then taken to another plank, higher up off the ground than your last. With a large variety of levels in height and surroundings, Plank Not Included is a fantastic gem that really does test your resolve while you try your best to look as brave as possible…

Rocket League - Game Of The Day

21/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout Manchester | Category News

Think Football with cars, Rocket League allows you to be the footballing legend you've always dreamed of. Flip, fly and flick your way to victory in rocket powered vehicles of your own design. Featuring a bustling online community, with a casual mode for the player just looking for a good time and competitive mode for the player seeking more. Link up with a friend for an intense, teamwork focused 2v2, as well as the standard 3v3 mode. Or if teamwork isn’t your thing then a 1v1 option is also available. Competing is only one part of this massive game, there is also…

Abode - Game of the Day

19/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Are you a fan of Breakout Manchester or even Escape Room games in general? Maybe just point and click escape games online? Regardless of your expertise in breaking out of locked rooms, Abode has something for everybody! Can you solve the mysteries that lie in this puzzle-filled room or will you buckle under the pressure? Abode is the perfect virtual reality escape room for beginners and intermediate players alike, with an estimated average escape time of 45 minutes. Using your initiative, the fantastic implementation of the motion controllers, as well as the generous supply of hints within the game, search…

PlayerUnknown's BattleGrounds - Game of the Day

17/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Possibly the most iconic Battle Royale game to ever exist, our Game of the Day today is PlayerUnknown's BattleGrounds, also known as PUBG. Playable on our networked PCs, PUBG has players dropping in as one of 100 participants in a Hunger Games-esque fight to the death. The last man (or woman) standing wins the glory and the Chicken Dinner, so each match is an exhilarating and fast-paced battle that players will need a mixture of skill, tactics, and bravery to conquer. Each match begins with a skydive into the large-scale arena. Choose your drop location wisely and beat your competition…

Bullet Sorrow - Game Of The Day

15/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Our Game of the Day today is Bullet Sorrow - a true arcade game that blends virtual reality with retro-style arcade gaming to satisfy all of those that love their first-person shooters. Bullet Sorrow VR throws you straight into the action, with hailstorms of bullets raining down upon you mercilessly. Dodge, take cover, and blast through hordes of enemies as you shoot your way to the exit. With superb level design, you will feel like a Bullet Sorrow hero as you pick up a variety of powerful weaponry, such as shotguns, Uzis and even use a mounted heavy machine gun to make your way forward. Make use…

Fortnite Battle Royale - Game of the Day

10/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Fortnite Battle Royale is a colourful and well-polished third-person battle royale game that sees a hundred people land on an island and fight to the death, through an ever encroaching storm, with only one person, or squad able to claim the chicken dinner for being the last one standing. To separate themselves from the now over-populated genre of battle royale games, Epic Games made the decision to keep the building aspects of their now almost-forgotten Fortnite Save the World stand alone when developing the game and they have been rewarded with a brilliant blend of fast-paced shooting and seamless building,…

Zombie Training Simulator - Game of the Day

08/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Today's Game of the Day is Zombie Training Simulator! Acceleroto inc. has created the world's first VR simulation that is built specifically to prepare players for a potential upcoming zombie apocalypse. Train and unlock powerful weapons including pistols, shotguns and machine guns. Learn the incredible zombie stopping power of each weapon. See how much zombies love fresh meat, sound and explosives. You'll need all these skills to conquer the incoming zombie hordes and each wave is more challenging than the last! Zombie Training Simulator is perfect for adults and kids alike, and the cartoon-based art style looks beautiful when viewed…

VR The Diner Duo - Game of the Day

06/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout Manchester | Category News

Always fancied running your own burger joint? Dream no more! VR The Diner Duo will have you taking control of the head chef of a newly-opened fast food establishment. Can you keep your customers happy or will you be closing down on opening week? A fantastic experience for one or two players, VR The Diner Duo puts players in the shoes of a new fry-cook. Each day, customers will demand more and more from your burger restaurant, and it's up to you to keep them happy and fed. With one player making the burgers and the other serving tables, it'll…

Gorn - Game of the Day

03/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Picture yourself in the centre of the Coliseum, surround by crowds all screaming and wanting blood. Whatever weapon you can find is in your hand and waiting for your opponent to emerge from the other side of the arena. A fight to the death. Do you think you have what it takes to do battle on Gorn? Gorn is easily one of VR's most violent yet entertaining games. With a cell shaded animation style Gorn is playful yet brilliant, with the combat mechanics as the star of the show. Whilst playing you will be ducking, dodging, swinging, blocking, counter attacking…

The Lab - Game of the Day

01/07/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Gaming Juggernaut Valve are back with their newest offering: The Lab! With classic titles such as Half-Life, Portal, Counter-Strike and Team Fortress 2 under their belt, you know what to expect from this developer by now and The Lab definitely lives up to the hype. Fully utilising the full power of the HTC Vive and VR technology, The Lab transports players to a variety of worlds where they will defend their castle from invading hoards of enemies, explore the depths of space, take a vacation to the Icelandic mountains, and so much more! Variety is certainly the spice of life…

Superhot - Game of the Day

29/06/2018 | By Virtual Hideout Manchester | Category News

Superhot VR Superhot is a truly fantastic, mind-boggling, time-altering and challenging puzzle game, that really takes you out the real world and allows you to be the action hero that you always wanted to be. The game was already an incredible success on multiple platforms, but having now moved into virtual reality, you really do feel like a part of the game. Punch, shoot and smash your way through enemies in a series of innovative and puzzling levels, that will truly test every fibre of your wits and reflexes. Dodge bullets matrix style – check! Cut bullets in mid-air with…

Space Pirate - Game of the Day

27/06/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

A play on the arcade classic Space Invaders with a modern twist. This time transporting you into the depths of space to fend off wave after wave of attacking aliens. Select your weapons wisely and be ready to dodge enemy bullets as the intensity slowly ramps up into full sci-fi blown chaos. With your back to your ship you have no option but to fight, dual wield your blasters or choose the tactical method with a energy shield, there are many ways to fight off the alien attackers. With a vibrant sci fi backdrop to the game, it is easy…

Fruit Ninja - Game of the Day

25/06/2018 | By Virtual Hideout | Category News

Everyone's favourite sword-wielding and fruit-slashing app developed by Halfbrick is available in vibrant and colourful detail with the mind-blowing immersion of virtual reality that allows you to become a Fruit Ninja. Moving the app into a fully immersive virtual reality experience feels completely natural as you go from swiping your finger across a mobile screen to cut the fruit, to swinging your arm with a fully-tracked motion controller in a beautifully rendered 360 degree environment to slice fruit effortlessly in two with your samurai swords. With quite a few different game modes to try you really are spoiled for choice…

Virtual Reality comes to Manchester

03/05/2018 | By Breakout Manchester | Category News

We are Virtual Hideout, a virtual reality and gaming hub found in central Manchester. With the use of our virtual reality headsets we give everyone the opportunity to step into virtual worlds with room scale virtual reality that will give unique experiences to those wanting something new and exciting. Along with our Virtual Reality experience units, we also offer a dedicated gaming space where people can team up or go head-to-head on a game of their choosing on our high-end PCs designed for new and experienced gamers. Virtual Hideout is set up for everyone in mind. With a wide variety…