Sushi Ben has been circling the VR space for years as one of those projects that immediately catches attention with its premise and style. The game centers on saving a struggling sushi restaurant, but the hook lies in how it mixes slice-of-life storytelling with quirky minigames inside a fully immersive world.
Now, the wait for a full release has an end date. Sushi Ben is scheduled to launch on Steam and PSVR 2 in September, with the added twist of a non-VR option for those who want to experience it without a headset. That dual release makes it one of the rare VR-first titles designed to reach both audiences at the same time.
A story about food, people, and choices
At its core, Sushi Ben is less about perfect sushi-making and more about community. The narrative pushes you to help a local restaurant by building relationships with townsfolk and solving their problems through short interactive scenes. These range from fishing and catching bugs to chasing animals or sparring with rival characters.
Each encounter ties back into convincing people to support the sushi bar, giving the game a social layer beyond the minigames themselves. It’s a structure closer to a visual novel mixed with casual VR activities than a straight cooking sim, and that’s where it stands out. The art direction leans heavily on manga-inspired visuals, with bold colors and expressive character designs. In VR, this creates a playful sense of presence, making the town feel like a comic book space you can actually walk through.
That aesthetic choice separates it from the more realistic look of cooking simulators or slice-of-life VR titles. Instead, Sushi Ben goes for stylized energy, prioritizing atmosphere and character over simulation accuracy.
Why the flat-screen release matters
The non-VR version could end up being just as important as the VR build. Many narrative VR games remain locked behind headsets, which limits their audience. By adding a flat-screen mode, Sushi Ben can reach players curious about the story but not invested in VR hardware.
For VR players, that also means a healthier player base around launch and more attention for the game overall. It reflects a broader strategy we’re seeing more often: developers using VR as the primary canvas but refusing to leave non-VR players behind.
Launch plans
Sushi Ben will arrive on Steam and PSVR 2 in September, with both VR and non-VR editions launching simultaneously. No word yet on other platforms, but the structure suggests the developers want to keep it accessible across audiences rather than niche to VR only.
With its mix of manga visuals, narrative focus, and light interactive gameplay, Sushi Ben is carving a space for itself that feels distinct in the current VR lineup. The September launch will finally show whether the concept can carry through a full release.
Virtual Reality Explorer & Game Reviewer
Always the first to plug in. VRSCOUT dives head-first into the most immersive VR worlds, analyzing mechanics, comfort, innovation, and that elusive “presence” factor. If he says it’s worth it, it probably is.
