In a still-young but rapidly evolving VR market, Ghosts of Tabor stands out as one of the most ambitious and immersive titles available. A brutal blend of tactical FPS, survival, and extraction, the game throws players into a post-apocalyptic world where every mission is a fight for survival. Developed by Combat Waffle Studios, a team founded by military veterans, Ghosts of Tabor focuses on realism, constant tension, and a growing community to redefine what VR shooters can be.
Game Profile
- Full Title: Ghosts of Tabor
- Developer: Combat Waffle Studios – an independent American studio founded by military veterans, known for tactical realism and a strong community-driven approach.
- Publisher: Beyond Frames Entertainment
- Genre: Tactical multiplayer VR FPS, featuring extraction, survival, looting, and progression mechanics.
- Setting: Post-apocalyptic / military. You play as a survivor in all-out war, where each mission is a high-risk operation.
- Supported Platforms:
- Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro (native standalone version)
- SteamVR (PC VR)
- PICO 4
- PlayStation VR2 (confirmed version)
- Initial Release: Early access launched in March 2023
- Current Status: Actively in development with frequent updates and a solid content roadmap.
- Price: Around €24.99 depending on platform. Available on Meta, Steam, PICO stores and soon PSVR2.
- Available Languages: Fully in English; additional languages being added by the community and official team.
- Multiplayer: Yes — up to 3 players in a squad
- Cross-play: Full — players on all platforms can play together.
Concept and Gameplay Experience
Ghosts of Tabor is far more than just another VR shooter: it’s a deeply immersive tactical survival game where tension is relentless. Players take on the role of an operator in a devastated world, forced to explore hostile zones to loot, survive, fight… and most importantly: extract alive. The concept borrows from titles like Escape from Tarkov and DayZ, successfully translating their intensity into full VR.
Main Objective
Enter the mission, scavenge, fight, survive… then extract to secure your loot. Failure means losing everything: gear, resources, progress. The constant risk makes every raid intense and rewarding.
Challenging and Immersive Gameplay
Players must manage:
- Health: injuries, bleeding, infections
- Hunger and thirst: to avoid performance penalties
- Inventory: limited space, strategic decisions
- Ammo and weapons: manual reloading, realistic aiming, weapon-specific recoil
Every action, even opening a door or removing a magazine, is done manually. There’s no magic UI — everything is physical, enhancing the VR immersion.
Solo or Squad
The game can be played solo but reaches its full potential in co-op with 2–3 players. Communication, coordination, and shared inventory management are essential. Friendly fire is enabled — mistakes are costly.
Cross-play and Constant Evolution
All platforms (PC VR, Quest, PICO, PSVR2) support cross-play. The game is constantly evolving thanks to an active community and a responsive dev team. Frequent updates add content, balance gameplay, and improve VR performance.
Maps and Environments
The maps in Ghosts of Tabor are designed for intense firefights, strong replayability, and constant tension. Each environment features its own atmosphere, loot spots, enemies, and dangers. Level design is fully optimized for VR gameplay: verticality, tight corners, darkness, traps, and clear firing lanes.
1. Tabor Island
- Atmosphere: Coastal and urban, partially destroyed.
- Highlights: Buildings to loot, narrow alleys, elevated positions.
- Difficulty: Medium to high.
- Gameplay: Ideal for mid-range combat, smooth exploration with dense loot areas.
2. Missile Silo
- Atmosphere: Abandoned underground military complex.
- Highlights: Tight corridors, low lighting, labyrinthine structure.
- Difficulty: Very high.
- Gameplay: Perfect for CQB (close-quarters combat), every corner is a threat. Suited for experienced players and coordinated squads.
3. Matka Miest (new map)
- Atmosphere: Post-Soviet urban setting with residential blocks and industrial structures.
- Highlights: High elevation diversity, lots of cover zones.
- Difficulty: Varies by zone.
- Gameplay: Mix of tight indoor fights and open areas for sniping. Requires good map awareness.
Core Systems and Mechanics
Ghosts of Tabor doesn’t just create atmosphere — it fully commits to immersion with realistic, VR-optimized systems. Every interaction is manual and physical, making high-stress moments even more intense.
Combat and Weapon Handling
- Realistic weapons: pistols, assault rifles, shotguns, snipers — each with distinct recoil, sound, and handling.
- Manual reload: every bullet counts — insert mags, rack bolts, check ammo by hand.
- Modular accessories: silencers, sights, flashlights, grips — all customizable to your playstyle.
- Free-aim system: no aim assist — shoulder and aim naturally like in real life.
Looting and Extraction
- Dynamic loot: weapons, ammo, meds, gear, food, rare or sellable items.
- Physical backpack system: open it manually, organize items under pressure while staying aware of surroundings.
- Extraction points: marked on the map but risky — often camped by enemies. Survive extraction to keep your loot.
Crafting and Storage
- Crafting: make ammo, meds, and customized gear.
- Stash zones: personal base with safe, workshop, and storage area.
- Economy: sell or trade loot with vendors to upgrade your loadout.
Survival and Player State
- Hunger and thirst: dehydration = physical penalties. You need to eat and drink during raids.
- Injuries: bleeding, fractures, infections — all require appropriate treatment (bandages, medkits, antibiotics).
- Permadeath (in raid): if you die, you lose everything you brought. Risk management is key.
AI and Real Players
- AI (Scavs): computer-controlled enemies with variable skill and unpredictable behavior.
- Enemy players: constant tension — one accurate shot can change everything.
- Friendly fire enabled: co-op requires discipline — mistakes are costly.
Development & Community
Ghosts of Tabor is developed by Combat Waffle Studios, an independent team founded by military veterans with the goal of delivering a realistic, immersive VR survival experience. Since its early access release in March 2023, the game has seen massive success: over 500,000 players, more than $10 million in revenue, and recognition as “VR Game of the Year” at the 2023 VR Awards.
The studio maintains close ties with its community through Discord and Reddit, frequently integrating player feedback into updates. These include new maps, mechanics, balance changes, and VR performance improvements. Two new VR games are also in development from the same studio (GRIM and Silent North), proving their long-term commitment to the VR ecosystem. The community is highly active, organizing co-op raids, PvP competitions, and sharing content widely making Ghosts of Tabor a true collaborative phenomenon that’s always evolving.
