Review · Gaming & entertainment
Pistol Whip review
An action-rhythm shooter where you fire on the beat through scenes inspired by action films.
By the DBotMaker research desk · Updated November 11, 2026
- Capabilities (40%)
- 8.3
- Ease of setup (30%)
- 9.1
- Value (30%)
- 8.7
Pistol Whip is the pick for players who like Beat Saber's flow but would rather shoot. You move forward on rails through music-driven Scenes, firing and dodging on the beat, and the store page notes it won VR Game of the Year at the 2020 DICE Awards. Content covers over 40 Scenes, daily Contracts challenges and two cinematic campaigns, Smoke & Thunder and 2089. The Styles system lets you change core mechanics, which also serves as an accessibility and fitness tool, and community Remixed Scenes can be played directly in the game. Ratings are strong: 4.8 from about 10K Meta store ratings and 93% positive across 2,869 English Steam reviews. It runs on every current Quest and on SteamVR, and works seated. The limits are that Quest lists it as single user, local Party Mode is the only group option, and it costs $29.99 against Beat Saber's $19.99.
Who it is for
Rhythm game fans who want gunplay instead of sabers
Price
$29.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store); also $29.99 on the Meta Quest store.
VR Only $29.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.
Key features
- Over 40 unique Scenes plus daily Contracts challenges
- Cinematic campaigns Smoke & Thunder and 2089
- Styles system to change core mechanics and accessibility settings
- Community Remixed Scenes playable in-game
- Party Mode for local play with friends
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Rated 4.8 by about 10K users on the Meta Quest store
- Strength: 93% of 2,869 English Steam reviews are positive
- Strength: Won VR Game of the Year at the 2020 DICE Awards, per its store page
- Weakness: Single user on Quest, with Party Mode limited to local play
- Weakness: $10 more than Beat Saber
- Weakness: Little to do between Scenes besides leaderboards
Key facts
- Developer: Cloudhead Games
- Price: $29.99 on Steam and Meta Quest
- Scenes: Over 40
- Meta store rating: 4.8 from about 10K ratings
- Steam reviews: 93% of 2,869 English reviews positive
Where it ranks
Pistol Whip is No. 7 in our Best VR Games verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit pistolwhip.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@dbotmaker.io