The 33 best VR games of all time (so far)
UPDATEAdded in December 2023:
Assasin's Creed Nexus
Asgard's Wrath 2
Ghost Signal: A Stellaris game
Gran Turismo 7 VR
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Racket Club
Red Matter 2
Resident Evil 8 VR
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners 2
Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice
Which VR games do you really have to play? In this list, you'll find our best VR games of all time for Meta Quest, PC VR headsets, and Playstation VR.
There are many VR games out there, but only a few are excellent. In this list, we've rounded up the best VR games for all VR headsets – at least in our opinion. The games are sorted alphabetically.
Note: Titles that are released for “SteamVR” and “Rift” can usually be used with Meta Quest headsets via Meta Link, AirLink or Steam Link.
Content
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR
Genre: Action, Adventure
Available on: Meta Quest
Review: Assassin's Creed Nexus
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR is an impressive experience on the Quest 3 that sets high standards for mobile VR games. The VR game offers large, sometimes breathtaking cities and levels, excellent NPCs and a gripping story with many emotional highlights for Assassin's Creed fans. The aging franchise finally reaches the next level with VR and proves that PC and PS5 are no longer the most important platforms for high-quality and immersive VR experiences.
The voice acting is excellent, featuring the familiar voice actors from previous Assassin's Creed games. Ubisoft Red Storm also uses mixed reality to immerse you in the overarching hacker story in the present day — a brilliant storytelling move.
The game world is large and detailed, with many NPCs that create a lively atmosphere. The developers have found an excellent balance between a high level of detail for important elements and a low level of detail or even 2D textures for less important areas.
The gameplay is breathtaking: You can climb or shimmy almost anywhere. You can sprint and leap across rooftops and balconies at breakneck speed, and it's a joy to leap down on your victims in slow motion. Unlike the stealth gameplay, the melee combat system is not as well done and quickly becomes chaotic against multiple opponents.
All in all, this is a VR game you should definitely check out.
You can purchase Assassin's Creed Nexus VR here:
Asgard’s Wrath 1 and 2
Genre: Role-playing, Action, Adventure
Part 1 is available on: Rift
Part 2 is available on: Quest 2, Quest Pro und Quest 3
Asgard's Wrath, a full-blown AAA role-playing game, arrived in November 2019. A fantastically beautiful fantasy world, massive sword-and-shield battles, and magnificently staged boss fights make Meta's exclusive VR game a must-have title for role-playing and action fans.
To date, Asgard's Wrath is the only VR role-playing game with over 30 hours of gameplay. Take on the role of a budding god with a lot to learn. We can switch between the first-person view of mortal heroes and the god form. In the latter, look at the world like a tabletop miniature world and use your special powers to solve environmental puzzles - such as building a bridge.
Various companions stand by and fight with you against skeletons and other monsters, or help solve puzzles with their special abilities. For example, Hulda the turtle can block fire traps or your shark friend can jump on high pendulums to act as a counterweight.
Buy Asgard's Wraith here:
Released in late 2023, Asgard's Wrath 2 is the first full-length VR role-playing game natively for mobile VR headsets. Asgard's Wrath 2 is an action RPG that picks up directly from the story of its predecessor. With over 60 hours of gameplay, it is the largest VR game to date.
Players take on the role of a cosmic guardian. You must stop the god Loki and his demonic warriors from plunging the world into chaos. Now that your former mentor has turned out to be a traitor, revenge is also on the line.
To stand up against Loki, players control four mortal characters, each with their own history, motivations, and weapons. The story is well told and visually presented, despite some graphical compromises. The voice acting is excellent, as is the impressive feat of bringing such a large VR game smoothly to the Quest platform.
The interactions and combat in Asgard's Wrath 2 are largely well executed, intuitive, and often very satisfying. Battles against multiple opponents can get hectic, but it's the one-on-one battles that are the most exciting, with plenty of time for action and reaction.
You can purchase Asgard's Wraith 2 here:
Astro Bot Rescue Mission
Genre: Platformer, Jump 'n' Run, Puzzle
Available on: Playstation VR
Astro Bot Rescue Mission is one of the most charming fireworks in the VR industry. It is a VR jump 'n' run in which players steer a cuddly robot through a diorama world using Dualshock controllers. The colorful 3D jumps of the cutely animated robot exude typical Mario flair.
Time and again, you become personally involved in an ingenious way. Sometimes the PS4 controller becomes a flashlight against intrusive ghosts. Elsewhere, you shoot ropes and throw Astro upwards via motion control, or remove obstacles with headbutts.
As is typical for the genre, reflexes, and skill are required, and the story takes a back seat. All of this is presented with lightness and technical finesse rarely seen in VR. The VR game offers five different planetary environments with more than 20 levels and six boss fights.
The playtime is around five to eight hours, depending on which challenges you want to tackle and whether you are looking for all the collectibles.
Buy Astro Bot Rescue Mission here:
Beat Saber
Genre: Music, Rhythm
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Playstation VR (2)
Beat Saber is perhaps the most famous and, certainly, one of the most successful VR games of all time. It's one of those games that is both simplistic and perfect in finding its formula for virtual reality that doesn't translate to other mediums. Using lightsabers, you slash through approaching blocks to match the driving beat of the music — preferably always in the right direction, indicated by arrows.
“If you hit the notes, you increasingly merge with the music and are transported into an intoxicating state of flow,” is our test conclusion from May 2018. Nothing has changed, except perhaps that Beat Saber is a bit more pleasant to play with a stand-alone VR headset, i.e., without a cable to the PC. And, of course, new music packs are added periodically.
If desired, the blocks in 360 mode now even fly in from all directions. There is also a multiplayer mode. VR newcomers get a comfortable, active introduction to the medium with Beat Saber. Furthermore, the VR game is well suited for VR fitness.
There are regular updates for new songs: You can download music packs from Linkin Park, Lady Gaga, Timbaland, Billie Eilish, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and many more. If that's not enough, you can mod your version for PC or Quest and load custom songs into Beat Saber.
For many, the name “Beat Saber” has become synonymous with VR. So, it's no wonder that Meta took over the Beat Games studio in 2019. In the Quest Store alone, the game broke the $100 million revenue barrier in 2021. You can also try out a free demo there.
You can buy Beat Saber here:
Blaston
Genre: Arena, Action, Multiplayer
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Pico
Blaston from Resolution Games is the best example of entirely new genres in VR and how unique they feel. Two players face each other on their own virtual platforms and cover each other with projectiles from different weapons. The goal is to bring the opponent's health points down to zero.
The projectiles float in slow motion and on different trajectories to the opponent - but there are also speed differences. So, you'll have to be tactically clever in covering your opponents with projectiles and try to anticipate their next move. The special thing about Blaston is that you physically dodge in your playing field by ducking, jumping and side-stepping.
Your weapons aren't infinite, though: floating around your platform are the weapons, each of which only has a certain number of projectiles. New weapons pop appear periodically — so in the heat of battle, you'll also have to watch which weapon you get next and use it wisely. All of this makes the VR game a physically intense and sweaty experience.
A loyal community, crossplay, and free updates keep adding variety to the slow-motion duels. An update with a camera view of the real room has already convinced our writer, Tomislav, that mixed reality is the future!
Buy Blaston here:
Demeo
Genre: Role-playing, Dungeon Crawler, Tabletop, Diorama, Multiplayer
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Pico 4
Review: Demeo
Fancy a tabletop game night with friends? In the fantasy role-playing game Demeo, up to four players explore dark dungeons together. You choose from four character classes: Guardian, Wizard, Hunter and Assassin. Each class has special strengths and abilities that must be used as effectively as possible in the fight against dangerous goblins, wizards, and trolls.
The playing field is a virtual dungeon that lies in front of you like a 3D game board and can be rotated, shrunk and enlarged at will using clever hand controls to experience battles up close. Players take turns moving their pieces and choosing their next action from action cards.
Using markers and, of course, voice chat, you can wonderfully deliberate on the next steps and discuss strategies. This is a big part of the appeal of Demeo: A real team is needed to crack the tough dungeons and their bosses.
Demeo combines co-op fun, fantasy role-playing and gameplaying demands into an addictive mix. If you like, you can also play alone and control all four characters yourself. A flat version for PC and extensive cross-play options ensure that monitor players can also join in. If you already own one of the VR versions, you can get the PC version for the monitor for free, and vice versa.
You can buy Demeo here:
DiRT Rally 2.0
Genre: Racing, Sports
Available on: SteamVR
In DiRT Rally, you race against the clock in special stages all over the world, including Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, and the USA. A particularly authentic driving experience on the gravel, mud, and asphalt tracks has been a hallmark of the series since the first installment. The different cars behave very differently, and the track conditions are excellently transferred to the driving behavior.
If you want to get every possible second out of the track, you have to get to grips with the set-up of the car and adjust the brakes, transmission, and tires perfectly. However, those who don't want to do that can drive with the automatic settings and enjoy the impressive driving experience in VR.
In virtual reality and with a steering wheel, the realism is hard to beat. It's amazing how much better distances can be estimated when you simply look directly out of the window, and you can hardly get any closer to real drifting. The co-driver's announcements about the route are even more impressive in VR because they are more direct.
DiRT Rally 2.0 is one of the most intense racing game experiences in virtual reality!
Buy DiRT Rally 2.0 here:
| Stores | Supported devices | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Rift Store | Rift (S), Quest (2) via Air(Link) | $59.99 |
| Steam | SteamVR glasses, Quest (2) via Air(Link) | $39.99 |
Elite Dangerous
Genre: Space, Simulation, Exploration, Action
Available on: SteamVR
Back in 2016, Frontier Developments gave the still young Rift and Vive VR headsets a real monster of a VR game: The space simulation Elite Dangerous was initially developed for playing on the monitor, but in virtual reality, the cockpit simulation unfolds the true feeling of being in the middle of it all! The galaxy in Elite Dangerous is huge: players can explore around 400 billion star systems.
Play alone or in an online mode with other players. New pilots start with a small spaceship and have to earn their spurs first. Trade, smuggling, and bounty hunts bring money, which can be used to buy new and larger spaceships. If you feel like it, you can also try your hand at influencing the balance of power in the star systems and support one of the three factions (Empire, Federation, or Alliance).
Surface exploration via off-road vehicle and on-foot came into the game with the expansion Elite Dangerous: Odyssey. However, this is where the joy for VR enthusiasts ends: As soon as you leave the spaceship, the game switches from the 360-degree view to a screen view in the VR headset.
Elite: Dangerous is especially recommended in VR for exploration and the feeling of the infinite expanses. So far, no other space game can deliver a similar experience for VR.
You can buy Elite Dangerous here:
Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game
Genre: Tabletop, Strategy, Rogue-Lite
Available on: Meta Quest
Review: Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game
In our review, Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game turns out to be one of the VR games of the year and offers an addictive roguelite mechanic for Meta Quest. Designed in the style of FTL: Faster Than Light, the game captivates players with a mix of challenge, reward, luck, and skill. Intuitive controls, numerous upgrade options, and research-based progression ensure long-term motivation. Impressive visuals, sound and great music also add to the fascination of the VR game.
Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game puts you in control of the spaceship Aurora as you must survive seven stages to unravel the mystery of a ghostly space signal. The game features various maps, battles, encounters with space creatures, and interactions with merchants. Although you have to start from scratch if you lose, the research points you earn and the tech skill trees allow for progress each time.
Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game is for players who enjoy space strategy games, roguelike gameplay, and challenging spaceship battles in a beautifully designed diorama environment.
You can purchase Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game here:
Gran Turismo 7 VR
Genre: Sport, Racing
Available for: Playstation VR 2
Review: Gran Turismo 7 VR
Gran Turismo 7 takes the racing experience to a new level in VR, focusing entirely on the action on the track. With outstanding graphics, fantastic lighting and weather conditions, and a detailed representation of the cars, the game offers one of the best racing experiences available in gaming. The controls are excellent, especially with a steering wheel, and make driving a real pleasure.
The game includes the full package of licensed racing tracks, championships, reward races and more. A total of 34 tracks, 97 track variations and more than 440 cars are waiting to be discovered. The immersion behind the wheel is perfect and the feel of the game is realistic and natural.
Gran Turismo 7 VR is for those who really want to drive cars, enjoy excellent graphics and feel the difference of their tuning directly. It is less suitable for those who expect a perfect racing simulation.
You can purchase Gran Turismo 7 here:
Half-Life: Alyx
Genre: Shooter, Action, Adventure
Available on: SteamVR
Half-Life: Alyx is in a class of its own. Whether it's the surprising story, exciting gun battles, or the still unbeaten attention to detail. No other VR shooter delivers such thrilling action, such likable characters, and such variety in level and puzzle design.
The story takes place before the events of Half-Life 2, with the alien Combine dominating and terrorizing Earth. Only a few humans and the Vortigaunt alien race are still resisting. We play Alyx Vance, the daughter of physicist Eli Vance, who is captured. Thanks to the handyman Russel, we try to save Eli. To accomplish this, we have to fight our way through City 17.
Fantastic outdoor levels with a view alternate with post-apocalyptic corridors and dark rooms where we need our flashlight. At least there are only a few jumpscares, and they are predictable. Nevertheless, the excellent soundscape exudes enough horror to give you an excellent scare. Besides the great scenery, Half-Life: Alyx stands out for its unrivaled VR interaction.
Whether it's the physics (even liquids in bottles behave correctly), the detailed and manual reloading of weapons, the realistic operation of buttons and levers, and the precise catching of objects that we pull towards us over distance with our Gravity Gloves — this game has set standards for VR interaction. This is one of the reasons why funny gems like the following video were created:
It's also commendable that Valve's cleanly developed sci-fi adventure runs smoothly even on entry-level PCs despite brilliant graphics.
Buy Half-Life: Alyx here:
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice VR Edition
Genre: Adventure, Action, Tabletop
Available on: SteamVR
The warrior Senua travels to Helheim, the Nordic realm of death, with the head of Dillion, her lover slain by Vikings. The goddess Hel rules there and is in possession of Dillion's soul. Senua wants to reclaim it from the goddess. But, the journey will be difficult because Senua is also torn internally and plagued by psychosis and depression.
In virtual reality and with headphones, this is even more intense than in the PC version. The whispering voices in Senua's head become your voices, and in the third-person view, which is unusual - and criminally underrated - for VR, you can see Senua's turmoil in her excellent facial expressions every second. The view works wonderfully, especially since you can move the camera position around the protagonist via analog stick at any time.
This also helps with the puzzles you have to solve to progress. Occasionally, you have to activate runes to open a door, then again you have to put stair fragments together. And again and again, spirits of the dead attack you and force you into brutal fights. The fights are simple to control with the gamepad, but dramatic in VR.
Especially cool is a table-top or diorama view that allows you to see, control, and fight with Senua as a fine 3D miniature in an equally finely crafted 3D world. Especially fights and the (slow motion) effects are a feast for the eyes in this view.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a wonderful VR game: a great story, terrific sound design, breathtaking environments, and a fantastic protagonist make it a game you absolutely have to play.
Buy Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice VR Edition here:
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Genre: Action, Adventure
Available for: Playstation VR 2
Review: Horizon Call of the Mountain
Horizon Call of the Mountain for Playstation VR 2 is an impressive VR game with breathtaking graphics, detailed environments, excellently animated NPCs and exciting battles against giant machines. The motion controls are well implemented and offer various comfort settings to avoid motion sickness.
You take on the role of Ryas, a Shadow Carja freed from prison, to investigate the increasingly frequent machine attacks. To do so, he must climb the highest mountains of the Sun Kingdom and follow his brother Urid. The game strikes a good balance between calm passages and intense action.
Battles against machine monsters take place in arenas: Quick dodges with the analog stick support sideways movement. Switching between arrows, such as fire or shock arrows, creates effects that can damage even a mighty Thunder Jaw over time, or even knock him out for a short time.
A solid story leads you through a beautiful game world, full of variety and numerous “wow” moments: The view is always fantastic! If you own a Playstation VR 2, this VR game is a must-have.
You can buy Horizon Call of the Mountain here:
Lone Echo & Lone Echo II
Genre: Space, Adventure, Puzzle
Platform: Rift
Ready at Dawn Studios (The Order: 1886) gave Meta's Rift platform a two-part, big sci-fi adventure set in open space.
In it, you play Jack, a highly advanced android stationed in the Kronos II mine in the Saturn Rings. A space anomaly suddenly causes trouble, and you have to navigate through zero gravity, completing tasks and solving puzzles to get to the bottom of the danger. In the second part, there is a similarly threatening scenario to deal with — this time triggered by wildly proliferating biomass.
The excellent movement pattern, where you maneuver through weightlessness by grabbing and pushing off, was already convincing in the first part and remains convincing in the sequel. The interactions with the only human on the space station are just as great: Captain Liv Rhodes is excellently animated and looks very convincing in VR.
Free-dropping and floating through intricately designed space stations creates a unique feeling! The natural conversations with eerily believable characters provide even more presence.
The great stories, great dubbing and dense atmosphere with fantastic space panoramas are the icing on the cake for these two VR games, which really should be accessible to a much larger player base than to eke out a permanent existence in Meta-exclusivity.
Fans of complex machine puzzles should not miss this gem — as long as they have a modern gaming PC. At least a GeForce GTX 1080 and an Intel i7-6000 are recommended.
Buy Lone Echo II here:
Moss I & Moss: Book II
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle, Roleplay, Diorama, Tabletop
Moss I is available on: Playstation VR, Meta Quest, SteamVR, Pico 4
Moss II is available on: Playstation VR (2), Meta Quest, SteamVR, Pico 4
Review: Moss: Book II
Unfortunately, diorama games are still heavily underrepresented in VR. The two Moss games impressively prove how great stories can be told in virtual reality — without first-person view or the need for a dedicated VR playground. You can enjoy Moss in the comfort of your seat, using either DualShock controllers (if you're playing with PSVR) or your VR controllers.
You take on the role of a Reader, a mystical entity that hovers godlike over the levels of the world, assisting, controlling, and interacting with its respective patrons. In this case, you accompany the little mouse lady Quill through the fairyland of Moss.
Guide Quill through great environments and solve clever, sometimes even tricky, puzzles to let Quill continue on her way. Move a block here, grow a vine there, then Quill has to trigger special abilities with the right timing.
In the first part, Quill searches for her missing uncle and has to put the fear of God into various enemies, including dangerous boss monsters. In addition to controlling the brave mouse lady, you'll also intervene in battles, for example when you hold enemies or heal Quill. After particularly hard fights or when you've solved a difficult puzzle, you'll often get a high-five with the little mouse.
The bond you build with Quill — for example, when you scratch her behind the ears — is a special feature of the VR game. Unlike in normal adventure games, you are a real team that goes through thick and thin. This becomes especially clear in Moss 2.
Moss I and II are great VR games to relax and, for once, see something different than the constant FPS horror shooter zombie games. But they are also perfect for showing others the magic and potential of VR.
Moss: Book II was named the best VR game of the year at the Game Awards 2022.
Buy Moss (Part 1) here:
Buy Moss: Book II here:
Pavlov VR
Genre: Shooter, Action, Simulation
Available on: SteamVR
Pavlov VR by Vankrupt Games is one of the original VR multiplayer shooters. The game launched in February 2017 as a sort of VR version of Counter-Strike. Since then, the title has been constantly developed and receives new content, such as a major update with WW2 content and new game modes.
Thanks to stable player numbers, interested parties will also always find full servers. For practice, you'll find a practice range, an offline mode, and bots.
Particularly convincing is the good gunplay, i.e., the way you can handle the different weapons — from revolvers to rapid-fire rifles and bazookas. You can also modify your weapons, for example with silencers. Meanwhile, Pavlov also offers capture-the-flag, push, zombies or the asymmetrical hidden hunt, in addition to classic (team) deathmatch, defuse mode, and gun play.
Community is a special focus of the VR game, which remains in Early Access mode. Thanks to Steam Workshop support and an active modding scene, Pavlov has become a shooter platform. Veterans will recognize maps from Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, or Insurgency. Fans of colorful environments will find Minecraft, Zelda, and Roblox-inspired maps. There are even Halo maps - including Spartan armor, Halo weapons, and Warthogs.
For Meta Quest, there is the free spin-off Pavlov Shack — but without crossplay and without Workshop access.
Buy Pavlov VR here:
Project Cars 2
Genre: Racing, Sports
Available on: SteamVR
If you want to experience how much an already successful driving experience benefits from virtual reality, you should get into one of the detailed cockpits of Project Cars 2. Slightly Mad Studios included the VR mode in the development right from the start.
Drive over 180 cars in many modes, including the American IndyCar Series. There are also rally tracks, but they are not as successful as in DiRT Rally 2.0. Instead, Project Cars 2 shines with detailed, crisp cockpits and excellent driving behavior that lets you feel every bump — or braking. Extensive car setups and a career mode provide long-term motivation.
In addition, there are different times of day and the associated lighting conditions, right up to night races. As usual, the steering wheel and pedals increase the immersion considerably, but the racing game can also be enjoyed in VR with a gamepad. The distance to the car in front of you can be estimated much better on a good VR headset than a monitor, and the steering behavior is also much better.
Buy Project Cars 2 here:
Racket Club
Genre: Sports
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Pico
Review: Racket Club
Racket Club, the latest game from Resolution Games, brings a mix of tennis, pickleball, and squash to virtual reality. The game is available for Meta Quest, SteamVR and Pico.
Racket Club features several game modes, including competitive singles and doubles, a practice mode against AI, a career mode, and a learning mode. There is also a virtual sports club environment where you can meet players from all over the world.
The game invents a new racket sport that is optimized for VR. The ball physics and feel are excellent, and the matches are short and intense. Easy to learn but difficult to master, Racket Club is suitable for beginners as well as competitive players, provided they have enough space to play.
Of particular note is the game's mixed reality mode, which is a perfect example of how mixed reality can revolutionize classic VR motion games. The player's side of the field is displayed in the real environment, while the opponent's side can be seen through a portal. This allows players to see their surroundings at all times and not have to worry about collisions with walls or objects.
You can purchase Racket Club here:
Red Matter 2
Genre: Puzzle
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Playstation VR 2
Review: Red Matter 2
Red Matter 2 by Vertical Robot is a sci-fi adventure game that impresses with its fantastic graphics on various platforms. Especially the Quest 3 version is groundbreaking, considering that it is a standalone VR headset.
For the Playstation VR 2, these impressive graphics are available at a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Compared to the Quest version, there are also improvements with dynamic shadows and sharper reflections thanks to the HDR display. Players will also benefit from improved immersion thanks to PSVR 2's excellent haptic effects.
Red Matter 2 features approximately eight hours of gameplay involving a mix of technical puzzles, stealth, and skill. Players must manipulate various machines and puzzles. There are no help functions or other modern features, which means that newcomers will inevitably have to bite their way through and pay close attention to the instructions given over the radio.
The game is subtitled in English, German, Spanish, and Italian.
You can purchase Red Matter 2 here:
Resident Evil 4 VR
Genre: Action, Horror
Available on: Meta Quest
How does a timeless horror classic get even better? By putting you as the protagonist directly into the game instead of just sitting in front of it. Seventeen years after its initial release, the hit game Resident Evil 4 has been remarkably immersive and performant adapted to the demands of virtual reality on the Quest 2.
This ranges from the squeaky-clean implementation to the smooth, fluid movement in the new first-person view. You take on the role of special agent Leon S. Kennedy, who is sent to Europe to rescue the kidnapped daughter of the US president from the clutches of a cult. In a village, you'll have to deal with a horde of mutated residents and all sorts of nasty monsters.
Besides fighting zombies and undead knights, you'll collect all sorts of treasures, which you can then sell. Invest the money in weapons, such as pistols, assault rifles or bazookas.
Armature Studio's VR remake was named the best VR game at the 2021 Game Awards for a reason.
Resident Evil 4 was released exclusively for the Meta Quest 2.
Buy Resident Evil 4 VR here:
Resident Evil 7 VR: Biohazard
Genre: Horror, Survival
Available on: Playstation VR
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a true nerve-wracking experience in VR, and one of the most graphically polished VR games to date. Capcom's return to classic survival horror exudes an eerily dense atmosphere even in front of your TV. But the exclusive VR mode for Playstation VR takes the scary moments to a whole new level.
Play as Ethan as he searches for his missing fiancée Mia in a dilapidated plantation mansion. The mansion is home to the psychopathic Baker family, who do some pretty nasty things in there. Explore the mansion, solve puzzles, and survive challenging combat. There are not many weapons and no quick-time events. The pace of the game is relatively slow — no one will be overwhelmed here, except for those with weak nerves.
The controls, which are tailored to the DualShock controller of the Playstation 4, seem a bit old-fashioned by now, but it is still definitely worth catching up with this early and extremely attractive VR gem from 2017. You'll be able to enjoy the horror show for at least twelve hours.
Resident Evil 7 is only officially available for PSVR so far. However, a mod for PC VR remedies this.
You can buy Resident Evil 7: Biohazard here:
Resident Evil 8 VR
Genre: Horror, Survival
Available on: Playstation VR 2
Review: Resident Evil 8 VR
Resident Evil Village VR offers an expansive and rich adventure for the Playstation VR 2, taking advantage of the stunning scenery and haptic effects of the PSVR 2 for an immersive experience. Minor bugs and a somewhat confusing storyline may detract from the experience, but the campaign in VR is more compelling than ever.
The VR version of Resident Evil Village takes you on a wild horror tour through a nightmarish world. The combination of action, puzzles, stealth, and exploration makes the VR game a particularly exciting experience. However, the technical weaknesses, such as jerky transitions, show that the game was not developed natively for VR.
The immersion in virtual reality is excellent thanks to the detailed environments and well-tuned controls. The haptic effects of the PSVR 2 make gunfights and fierce boss battles even more intense. However, the VR adaptation has its weaknesses, such as lack of collision detection for objects.
Resident Evil Village VR is a real highlight in the PSVR 2 launch line-up. With around 14 hours of gameplay and surprisingly beautiful locations, the game brings true AAA atmosphere to virtual reality.
You can pick up Resident Evil 8 VR here:
Rez Infinite
Genre: Shooter
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Playstation VR (2)
For Sega veteran Tetsuya Mizuguchi, a visit to the Zurich Street Parade was a true revival experience. In 2001, the Sega Rally maker turned his impressions from 1994 into Rez — a surprisingly psychedelic and musical rail shooter for its time.
Meanwhile, the VR versions of Monstars Inc. and Resonair are the best way to immerse yourself in the colorful, flashing techno world — including a new VR level. You'll float along predetermined paths through bizarre 360-degree levels filled with equally bizarre creatures. Turn giant bosses into colorful fireworks by aiming crosses and combos. The techno beat of the Rez soundtrack hammers along.
Buy Rez Infinite here:
Superhot VR
Genre: Shooter, Action
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Playstation VR
In 2016, Superhot VR was the first truly physical VR game in the room-scale format. The game also features an extraordinary gimmick that made the original Superhot a hit on the 2D screen: In this fascinating mix of shooter and puzzle game, enemies and objects, such as bullets, only move when the player moves.
Throughout the levels, you will dodge bullets, sword strokes, or enemy punches in slow motion. Objects around you serve as punching, throwing, and shooting weapons. When used correctly, the VR game becomes an incredibly smooth action ballet. Shoot two enemies in the back with a pistol, then pick up a cup and throw it in the face of another enemy on the left, before smashing the bad guy on the right with a powerful punch.
The speed at which everything happens depends entirely on your movement speed. A perfect game concept for virtual reality!
You can buy Superhot VR here:
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners 1 & 2
Genre: Survival, Horror
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Playstation VR (2)
Review: The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners 2
Three years after a zombie outbreak in flooded New Orleans, you play a tourist looking for adventure who hears about a bunker supposed to store resources for tens of thousands of people. The search won't be a walk in the park because, in addition to the insatiable zombies, there are also hostile human factions, each with its own goals.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is not a zombie game, but a game about humans in a zombie apocalypse. This is reflected in the cinematic story, which requires you to make decisions over and over again. Do you fight a certain faction or do you kill members of other factions, even if they are unarmed? How you progress in the VR game is up to you. Move through the city districts shooting, or proceed purposefully and rather quietly.
But you also have to take care of your well-being and eat food. The extensive crafting system will let you create weapons and other tools from materials you collect everywhere, in a post-apocalypse setting.
Thanks to the thoughtful interface, interactions feel right in VR. For instance, if you don't put enough force into a blow against a zombie, you'll just get run over. No matter what you do, pressing buttons, operating controls, reading notes, selecting recipes - it never gets fiddly or annoying.
Another highlight is the detailed graphics, which are impressive even in the implementation for Meta Quest 2. Updates also brought more variety, for example with a horde mode as well as more story missions. We're also eagerly awaiting the recently announced sequel.
Buy The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners here:
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners 2 returns players to zombie-infested New Orleans and seamlessly picks up where the first game left off. Players will encounter familiar factions and characters, and will be able to carry over their progress from the first game. Retribution is a completely standalone game that can also be played without the first game.
The new chapter continues the successful formula of its predecessor, but offers only two new areas and a few new weapons. Technical shortcomings spoil the fun, but fans of the first part will still enjoy Retribution. Of course, the Playstation VR 2 version offers better graphics than the Meta Quest version.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Chapter 2: Retribution is for you if you want to continue the story of its predecessor, fight zombies and explore new areas in New Orleans. It is less suitable for you if you are expecting a completely new setting or cannot accept the comparatively weak graphics on Quest 2.
You can purchase The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners here:
Townsmen VR
Genre: Building game, Simulation, Tabletop
Available on: SteamVR, Playstation VR 2
Review: Townsmen VR
First it sank into Early Access hell on Steam for years — then Townsmen VR got a massive update in late 2021, turning a demo into a full VR game. In early 2022, it came out of Early Access as the best building game VR has ever seen to date.
The islands on which you build villages are beautiful and still offer gorgeous panoramas, even after many hours of play. Your little settlers are finely and lovingly animated and work diligently. Villagers carry materials from one place to another, construct buildings, tap ore veins, forge weapons and armor, roast game, plant crops, and fight pirates and other villains.
The controls play a big part in this because they are really intuitive. You can zoom and scale the map, place buildings exactly where you want them, and use your fingers to grab settlers or materials to move (or throw!) them to their respective destinations.
The miniature view, in particular, is a feast for the eyes with its sharpness and richness of detail, and will leave you gazing in amazement for quite some time. This, by the way, has almost meditative relaxation value!
The quality of the game is also reflected in the humorous story that forms the basis of the campaign. This is where “Black & White” meets “The Settlers” — and it's absolutely brilliant.
Buy Townsmen VR here:
Until You Fall
Genre: Action, Roguelite
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Playstation VR
Review: Until You Fall
You want to attack agile enemies with swords, axes, and clubs? Then Until You Fall is the best choice: In the role of a rune knight, you take on demonic revenants that threaten the kingdom of Rokar.
There is no campaign in Until You Fall, but the VR game offers an almost perfect melee combat system. Over 18 levels and three boss battles, fight monsters with the weapons of your choice — swords, daggers, fists, and more. You'll have to attack, parry, or dodge skillfully.
When an enemy attacks, the game will show you how to hold the weapon to block attacks. If you are too slow, you will be hit and lose health. At the same time, you'll have to find the gap in the enemy's defense and strike at the right moment.
In the physically demanding game, you fight against increasingly stronger opponents. If you die — and that's guaranteed! — you'll be reborn and can invest the experience points you've gained so far in new weapons and weapon upgrades.
Until You Fall doesn't simply try to translate existing game concepts into VR. Instead, it has been cleverly designed for the new medium.
“Until You Fall” has a sophisticated roguelite rule book and a wide arsenal of weapons and abilities, as well as the ability to upgrade and combine them individually. These gameplay systems have depth and intertwine beautifully, regardless of what you ultimately do in virtual reality.
Buy Until You Fall here:
Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice
Genre: Stealth, Adventure
Available for: Meta Quest, Playstation VR 2
Review: Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice
With Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice, Fast Travel Games brings a VR game from the world of darkness to Quest headsets, PSVR 2 and soon SteamVR. The VR game offers a fantastic atmosphere, beautiful environments and different strategies to complete missions. The hunger mechanic requires clever resource management, and the stealth gameplay is largely polished. It is extremely satisfying to sink your teeth into a victim's neck.
The story is decent but not particularly memorable, and some bugs, weak AI, and various design flaws can be a bit frustrating. Nevertheless, Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice is one of the best VR games of 2023 and shows how and why VR differs significantly from traditional monitor gaming.
You can get Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice here:
Walkabout Mini Golf
Genre: Simulation, Sports
Available on: Meta Quest, SteamVR, Pico 4, Playstation VR 2
Walkabout Mini Golf from developer Mighty Coconut is probably the coolest way to meet friends in virtual reality. It's as easy to get started as it is to play real mini golf. Put on your VR headset, choose your golf club and hit the first hole.
In addition to creative courses that challenge you again and again, the excellent physics is one of the main reasons why Walkabout Mini Golf is so great and gets top ratings. The virtual club has to be held just like a real one and the power of the shot has to be precisely adjusted.
A driving range gives you the opportunity to practice.
In addition, the presence of other players as avatars is perfect for chatting while playing - and at least in our case, some professional conversations are now taking place while putting. The variety of courses, including the particularly tricky night mode, is also well done. A matchmaking system finds players around the globe for you at any time.
Graphically, the developers have created wonderfully coherent worlds that could easily serve as the setting for other VR games, such as role-playing games or adventures - for example, in the Western world or the space course. You can buy additional courses for little money. You can also go on a treasure hunt and collect new golf balls or search for fragments that will bring you new clubs.
Buy Walkabout Mini Golf here:
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