I also chose to dive into a few games that strike a balance between being relaxed and active. By this, I mean they won’t challenge you as much as rhythm games and fitness apps do, yet they aren’t as laid-back as the seated experiences I mentioned earlier. For this, I explored Reach, MEMOREUM, Titan Isles, and Half-Life: Alyx. This was primarily a test of how secure it was on these games, as they require more physical movement compared to the seated experience, demanding you to move your head around more frequently and quickly. Similar to the seated experience, I found that both the KIWI design and the standard facial interface performed comparably, with the main distinction being that the PU leather cushions felt significantly more comfortable against my skin.

The last part of testing involved the active games and applications, and this is where the KIWI design interface truly shone. For this, I switched between Synth Riders, Smash Drums, and Les Mills Bodycombat. Similar to the previous tests, the comfort level was enhanced, and both felt equally sturdy; however, the KIWI design outperformed in another aspect. This aspect was its ability to manage sweat. The standard face cushion absorbs sweat, which led to some minor skin irritation. Additionally, transitioning from one game to another affected comfort, as you were placing something damp and warm back on your face, sometimes necessitating a break to let it dry. In contrast, the PU leather functioned exactly as KIWI Designs described; you can simply remove it and wipe it down thanks to its sweat-proof properties. The only drawback was that the PU leather could feel somewhat clammy against the skin, but this issue is easily resolved by removing the headset when appropriate and wiping it down. A significant advantage is that even when it felt clammy, it did not cause irritation like the standard cushion does.