Weave Spells With Your Hands in ‘MASTERS OF LIGHT,’ Out Now on Meta Quest

A black hole appears at the center of the galaxy. Darkness flows from it, malevolent beings known as Shadows, swarming through space and plunging everything into chaos.

You are the only one who can stem the tide in MASTERS OF LIGHT, out now on Meta Quest 2 and 3. A new high-energy action game from COVEN, you take on the role of The Wanderer, a being of pure light and energy. Wield fearsome powers to battle back the darkness, rescue your Sisters, and restore stability to the galaxy. MASTERS OF LIGHT has been designed with a hand-tracking-first mentality, with intense combat that feels like you’re actually throwing spells around. You might even work up a sweat!

We sat down with Celine Tricart, Co-Founder of COVEN and Game Director of MASTERS OF LIGHT, to discuss casting spells with your hands, jamming to the game’s synthwave soundtrack, building a game that appeals to all players, and more.

Read on for the full interview, or head over to the Meta Quest Store and grab MASTERS OF LIGHT today!

Celine Tricart: YES! The game is indeed very active, right at the intersection between the fitness and action/adventure genres. Unlike conventional VR games that rely on controllers, MASTERS OF LIGHT introduces a revolutionary “hand-tracking-first” gameplay approach. This not only enhances player immersion but also adds a layer of realism and physicality to the gaming experience.

You're literally throwing punches, blocking attacks, and unleashing shockwaves using your own hands. It's like stepping into the game as a real-life wizard or warrior! You've got a whole arsenal of magical powers to play with and upgrade as you go along.

Depending on the enemy you're facing, you'll need to get strategic—for instance, snipers hang back from the fray while armored baddies are vulnerable if you find the precise moment to strike. You'll have to mix and match your powers. For example, the best strategy to defeat a sniper is to target it with one hand using the Light ray power, and punch with the other hand.

What's super exciting is how players can get creative with their combat styles. MASTERS OF LIGHT isn’t just about following set combos—it's about finding your groove and feeling like a total superhero with your unique moves and extraordinary abilities.

On a side (but important) note, MASTERS OF LIGHT is designed to appeal to a diverse audience. We’ve made sure MASTERS OF LIGHT welcomes all kinds of players, from hardcore combat lovers to VR fans who might be new to the scene. With different difficulty levels and a user-friendly setup, everyone can jump in and start slinging spells like a pro.

CT: MASTERS OF LIGHT draws its inspiration from my earlier VR project, FIGHT BACK (available for free on App Lab), an introduction to empowerment self-defense where players embark on a journey to conquer adversaries using real self-defense techniques while uncovering the untold tales of courageous women who stood up for their rights.

That experience really sparked something in me. I wanted to take that feeling of empowerment to the next level, so MASTERS OF LIGHT became my next big venture, transitioning from traditional storytelling to game development, all while pushing the boundaries of hand tracking technology.

My main goal with MASTERS OF LIGHT is to uplift players. I love seeing their faces light up with joy and excitement as they unlock new abilities and conquer their virtual foes. It's all about making every player feel like a superhero—there's nothing more fulfilling than that.

CT: MASTERS OF LIGHT has a loose story-driven structure that intertwines with the intense combat. You step into the shoes of The Wanderer, a powerful being of light. Your journey begins when you stumble upon a galaxy in turmoil. A mysterious black hole has appeared, wreaking havoc and unleashing hordes of enemies known as the Shadows. To make matters worse, your fellow beings, your Sisters, have been captured, and the once-stable constellations have fallen into chaos.

As The Wanderer, your mission is clear: liberate the Sisters, restore the constellations, and unravel the mystery of the black hole by venturing into its depths. Along the way, you'll encounter Maya, a survivor who has lost everything to the black hole's destructive force. Winning key levels will unlock fragments of the story, shedding light on Maya's journey and the fate of her sisters. The ultimate revelation awaits at the final level, where you'll face your most daunting challenge yet.

For players who love diving deep into lore and exploration, we've included an optional gameplay element. Throughout the galaxy, hidden ancient ruins wait to be discovered and reactivated. These ruins gradually unveil an ancient legend intertwined with your own personal story, adding layers of depth and intrigue to your adventure.

MASTERS OF LIGHT is crafted to cater to both combat enthusiasts and story seekers alike. We're excited for players to immerse themselves in the lore we've created, uncovering secrets and forging their own path through this engaging galactic tale.

CT: Our soundtrack is a huge part of what makes MASTERS OF LIGHT so immersive and exciting! We experimented with various music styles during development until we stumbled upon synthwave tracks that truly elevated the game experience. The retro-futuristic vibes of synthwave perfectly complement our art style, creating a synergy that's both captivating and energizing. It's amazing how the music seamlessly syncs with the gameplay, making every battle feel like a dance of light and sound.

For our soundtrack, we teamed up with G4F Records, known for their iconic work on soundtracks for games like Furi, Endless Space 2, and Road 96. We wanted to create a dynamic soundscape, so we enlisted two incredible composers who worked hand-in-hand to craft the perfect blend of combat and cinematic music.

First up is Waveshaper, a master of the synthwave genre, who brought his upbeat and energetic style to the combat music. His tracks add a thrilling intensity to the action-packed fight sequences, making them even more adrenaline-pumping.

Next, we have Paul Zimmermann, whose talent shines in the dramatic and cinematic pieces. His compositions add depth and emotion to key moments in the game, creating a truly immersive experience for players.

One of the standout tracks from the soundtrack is "Beyond the Event Horizon," featured in the final level of the game. It's a powerful track driven by bass and infused with emotional melodies, perfectly capturing the epic finale of MASTERS OF LIGHT.

You can find our full soundtrack on all major listening platforms, so be sure to check it out and immerse yourself in the world of MASTERS OF LIGHT even when you're not playing!

CT: We're diving right into our next VR adventure post-launch! This time, we're exploring a completely different genre while still keeping the immersive hand tracking gameplay that players love. Without giving too much away, let's just say this new game will have you breaking a sweat for a whole new reason!

As for MASTERS OF LIGHT, our goal is to keep building on its success and growing its community. I'm thrilled at the idea of expanding it into a multiplayer experience if we reach the player base that we’re hoping for. Imagine teaming up with your friends to defeat brutal new levels—or maybe to defy them in an intense Doctor Strangesque fight? Talk about an adrenaline rush!

We're excited about the future and can't wait to share more details as we continue to develop and expand our VR gaming universe.

CT: MASTERS OF LIGHT offers an exciting journey with a total of 36 levels to conquer. While 26 of these levels are essential to progress through the story and face the final boss, we've included 10 optional levels for those seeking an extra challenge.

These optional levels aren't for the faint of heart—they're tough, but completing them will reward you with additional health points, giving you an edge as you tackle the more advanced stages. Plus, you can replay any level at your leisure, aiming to improve your performance and aim for that coveted three-star rating.

Speaking of three stars, if you can beat levels swiftly and with minimal damage, you'll earn those stars and work your way towards the "Perfectionist" trophy. I'm curious to see if anyone can top my scores and claim that title!

For players craving an even tougher test, we've included the "Grand Master" difficulty mode. In this mode, the Shadows are beefed up with boosted stats, and we've removed the UI elements that help you locate enemies. It's a true test of skill and strategy for hardcore gamers looking for a real challenge.

Have fun!

The galaxy could use a hand (or two). Head on over to the Meta Quest Store and pick up MASTERS OF LIGHT, available now on Meta Quest 2 and 3.