Maestro (2024 video game)

This article is about a VR game from 2024. For the game published in 2004 with the same name, see Maestro (video game).
Maestro
DeveloperDouble Jack
PublisherDouble Jack
PlatformsMeta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, Pico Neo 3, Pico 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2
ReleaseOct 17, 2024
GenreRhythm
ModeSingle-player

Maestro is an indie virtual reality rhythm game developed and published by Double Jack. It involves simulating conducting a group of musicians such as an orchestra or brass band, making movements with a virtual baton, commanding them to start and stop playing, changing the instruments dynamics and so on.

The game was released in October 2024 for Steam VR, Meta Quest and on the following year for PlayStation 5, being supported in virtual reality headsets such as Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest Pro, Pico 4 and PlayStation VR2. It is included in the Meta Horizon+ subscription on Meta Horizon Store.[1]

Development

The game's first demo, with the name Maestro: The Masterclass, was released on August 18th, 2022, at that moment available for Oculus Quest and Meta Quest Pro,[2] becoming viral on TikTok. The game continued to be developed for over two years, received investment from the Indie VR Fund in 2023, being released in October 17th, 2024.[3]

Gameplay

The game is designed for virtual reality headsets and the usage of motion controllers is optional, as hand tracking is also supported. The player can use their bare hands or hold any kind of object for great immersion, such as a pen or a chopstick.[4]

The base game comes with 15 songs, from composers such as Wagner, Orff, Saint-Saëns, Dvořák, Verdi, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Mussorgsky, Ellington, Levy, Prima, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Mendelssohn, with extra music, including contemporary songs such as "Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter, being available as 5 different DLCs.[5]

Reception

Maestro received "universal acclaim" reviews according to Metacritic.[6] In 2024, it won the Game of the Year recognition in Meta Horizon Store[7] and was nominated as VR Game of the Year on The Steam Awards of 2024.[8] In 2025, it was nominated as XR Game of the Year by AIXR XR Awards[9] and chosen as one of the games in the 2025 PICO Store Annual Awards.[10]

UploadVR gave it 4.5 out of 5, citing "Maestro is a breath of fresh air compared to every other VR rhythm game I’ve played over the years."[11] Impulse Gamer gave the game a 5 out of 5 score, calling it "a must have game if you yearn for Guitar Hero but from a conductor perspective".[12] Gaming Nexus gave it 8.5 out of 10, saying "Maestro puts the hand tracking of the Meta Quest 3 to the test, and nails it. With song familiarity, unlocks galore, and a simple, yet fun and challenging interface, this is a game you don't want to pass up. Even if you're not a musician, you'll be pleased with the hand tracking by itself, and that's going to get Maestro a lot of roses. Bravo."[13] Digital Chumps gave it 9.5 out of 10, pointing that it "is quite approachable for a rhythm title" and that "comes with the full musical experience that will keep you playing for hours".[14]

Awards

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2024 Meta Horizon Store Game of the Year Won [7]
The Steam Awards VR Game of the Year Nominated [8]
2025 AIXR XR Awards XR Game of the Year Nominated [9]
2025 PICO Store Annual Awards Won [10]

References

  1. ^ Hayden, Scott (2026-02-23). "Meta's 'Horizon Plus' Game Subscription Service Now Has Over 1M Active Members". Road to VR. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  2. ^ Levine, Gloria (2022-11-11). "Maestro – The Masterclass: Become an Orchestra Conductor in Virtual Reality". 80LV. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  3. ^ "Maestro, the VR orchestra game based on the viral hit demo, launches October 17th". 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ^ "How Hand Interactions Are Opening New Possibilities for VR Developers". meta.com. 2025-10-16. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  5. ^ "Maestro". Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  6. ^ a b "Maestro (2024)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  7. ^ a b Valat-Marty, Aurore (2025-01-01). "Maestro game - Best App of 2024 -". artstation.com. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  8. ^ a b "The 2024 Steam Awards". store.steampowered.com. Steam. December 31, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Winners & Finalists 2025". XR Awards. 2025-12-09. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  10. ^ a b "2025 PICO Store Annual Awards". Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  11. ^ Hopper, Don (2024-10-16). "Maestro Review: Hitting A High Note With Hand Tracking On Quest". UploadVR. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  12. ^ Wright, James (2025-07-20). "Maestro Review (Meta Quest)". Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  13. ^ Moorer, Joseph (2024-10-18). "Maestro". Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  14. ^ Silberman, Will (2025-07-16). "Maestro: Complete Edition (Meta Quest 3) Review". Digital Chumps. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
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