Classic VR Zombie Shooter ‘The Brookhaven Experiment’ Arrives on Meta Quest
The critically acclaimed virtual reality zombie shooter, The Brookhaven Experiment, launched today on Meta Quest 2, 3, Pro, and 3S headsets, bringing the wave-based horror experience to standalone VR for the first time.
Originally released as a demo for the HTC Vive in March 2016, and then as a full title in July of the same year, The Brookhaven Experiment quickly became a defining experience in early VR gaming. The game features both a 10-level campaign, estimated to take over three hours for new players, and an endless survival mode across six maps, including a Halloween-themed mansion and a challenging “Town Nightmare” level. The title’s success helped demonstrate the potential of VR for immersive gaming experiences, paving the way for more ambitious projects like The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners.
Phosphor Studios co-founder and CEO Justin Corcoran explained the enduring appeal of the game, stating, “It’s a very simple entry point to VR as a shooter, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have scalability as a game… You feel yourself gaining skill very quickly. And because of all that, it’s fun to put other people in the game.” The game offers seven guns and a variety of throwable weapons, ammo types, and modifications. Players can also join the official Discord to connect with developers and other fans.
To celebrate the launch, Phosphor Studios is also reducing the price of the Steam version of The Brookhaven Experiment from $19.99 to $11.99, matching the Quest store price, with a limited-time launch discount currently available. Developers anticipate continued support and community engagement with the revived title.
You’ve got a gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other. Now shoot the shambling zombies before they get to you and survive as long as you can.
That was the premise of The Brookhaven Experiment when it released for the original HTC Vive PC VR headset in early 2016. Nearly a decade on from being the backdrop to some of the first and most viral videos showcasing the power of horror in VR, Phosphor Studios has ported the title to Quest 2, 3, 3S & Pro headsets in time for Halloween 2025.
The Definition Of Zombie Wave Shooter In VR
The Brookhaven Experiment released for SteamVR first as a demo for the Vive headset in March 2016 and then as a fully developed wave shooter on July 5, 2016. UploadVR’s review called it the “pitch-perfect implementation of the gallery shooter genre” and “one of the premiere VR zombie shooter experiences on the HTC Vive.” It released for PlayStation VR as well, made during a time when players didn’t yet have titles like Beat Saber to show friends.
Brookhaven’s success – developers say it sold more than 150,000 copies – also helped pave the road in VR for more ambitious works, like The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Now, The Brookhaven Experiment has been revived in wireless standalone. Speaking by phone with UploadVR, Phosphor Studios co-founder and CEO Justin Corcoran explained what The Brookhaven Experiment represents to VR players, from 2016 to 2025.
“It’s a very simple entry point to VR as a shooter, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have scalability as a game,” the developer said. “All those deep immersion mechanics that have evolved in a lot of shooter games are great, but in The Brookhaven Experiment, once you have a handle on shooting and reloading, you know the game. You feel yourself gaining skill very quickly. And because of all that, it’s fun to put other people in the game. And it looks good, it doesn’t look like a cartoony game.”
Vive owners who remember The Brookhaven Experiment might miss the OLED darkness of yesteryear, but the developers at Phosphor recreate that camped-out scene in the middle of a burning square on modern Meta VR systems while using standalone processing power to shine flashlights in the darkness.
There’s a public Discord where you can interact with the developers and learn more.
The game features campaign and survival modes, with developers estimating the 10-level campaign should last more than three hours for a new player. An endless survival mode is also available, taking players across six maps with a “Halloween-themed” mansion level as well as an extremely difficult “Town Nightmare” level.
The Brookhaven Experiment is available now on Quest, featuring seven guns with a range of throwable weapons as well as different types of ammo and mods.
The original title is rated “very positive” for its Steam version and the developers are lowering the price of that edition from $19.99 to $11.99 to match its pricing on Quest, though there’s also a limited-time discount for launch week.
