12 Best VR Games and How to Play Them
Virtual Reality (VR) has rapidly transformed from a niche tech curiosity into a mainstream gaming phenomenon. Since the early days of VR headsets, the technology has evolved significantly, offering players more immersive, engaging, and lifelike experiences with the best VR games. With advancements in graphical fidelity, motion tracking, and haptic feedback, VR gaming has become an exciting and dynamic field, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in interactive entertainment.
As we dive into 2024, VR gaming continues to impress with its ability to transport players to otherworldly realms, from post-apocalyptic landscapes to fantastical fantasy worlds. The latest VR headsets, such as the Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, and high-end PC VR systems, are now more accessible and powerful, enhancing the overall experience of the best VR games. The improved hardware supports better visuals, more responsive controls, and greater comfort, making it easier for players to immerse themselves in their favorite games.
The expansion of VR game libraries reflects the diverse interests of gamers today. Whether you’re a fan of heart-pounding horror, rhythm-based challenges, or epic adventures, there’s a VR game that caters to your tastes. This article will explore the twelve best VR games of 2024, highlighting their unique features, gameplay mechanics, and the platforms on which they shine. Each of the best VR games offers a distinct experience, showcasing the breadth and depth of what VR gaming has to offer.
From classic franchises reimagined for VR to innovative new titles that push the boundaries of the medium, these games represent some of the best VR experiences available today. If you’re new to VR, this guide to the best VR games will also provide tips on how to get started, including selecting the right headset and understanding the different types of VR games. Whether you’re looking to explore new worlds, challenge your reflexes, or experience gripping narratives, there’s something for everyone in the world of the best VR games.
12. Tetris Effect: Connected (Quest, PC VR, PSVR)
Tetris Effect: Connected is a mesmerizing twist on the classic Tetris formula, combining the timeless appeal of block-stacking with a fully immersive VR experience as one of the best VR games. Originally released on traditional platforms, the game’s VR adaptation takes the beloved puzzle game to new heights, making it one of the standout titles in the VR space.
In Tetris Effect: Connected, players are not just stacking blocks but also immersing themselves in an array of stunning visual and auditory experiences. The game features over 30 stages, each with its own unique aesthetic and soundtrack. The VR version amplifies these elements with the best VR games, with vibrant, dynamic backgrounds that react to the player’s actions and a rich, atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the overall immersion.
One of the standout features of Tetris Effect: Connected is its multiplayer mode. Players can engage in both cooperative and competitive gameplay, either locally or online. This mode adds a social element to the game, allowing players to experience Tetris in a whole new way in one of the best VR games. The game’s intuitive controls and stunning presentation make it a joy to play in VR, whether you’re a seasoned Tetris veteran or a newcomer to the series.
To get started with Tetris Effect: Connected, you’ll need a compatible VR headset, such as the Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, or a PC VR setup. The game’s controls are straightforward, with players using VR controllers to move and rotate blocks as they descend the screen. The immersive visuals and soundscapes make each play session a unique experience, and the game’s various modes offer plenty of content to explore.
11. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PSVR, PC VR)
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard marked a significant departure from the third-person perspective of its predecessors, embracing a first-person view that heightens the horror and intensity of the experience in one of the best VR games. This shift not only revitalized the franchise but also made Resident Evil 7 a prime candidate for VR adaptation.
In Resident Evil 7 VR, players are thrust into the eerie and unsettling world of the Baker family estate, where they must navigate through a series of terrifying encounters and solve intricate puzzles in one of the best VR games. The VR experience amplifies the game’s already formidable atmosphere, making every creak, shadow, and sudden scare feel incredibly real.
The game’s VR mode enhances the feeling of immersion, with the first-person perspective making players feel as though they are physically inside the horror. The detailed environments, combined with the head-tracking capabilities of VR, allow players to look around and interact with the world in ways that are not possible with traditional controls.
To experience Resident Evil 7: Biohazard in VR, you’ll need a PlayStation VR headset or a compatible PC VR system. The game’s controls are designed to be intuitive for VR, with players using the VR controllers to interact with objects, aim weapons, and navigate through the game’s unsettling environments. The immersive nature of VR adds a new level of tension and excitement to the gameplay, making it a must-play for horror fans of the best VR games.
10. Beat Saber (Quest, PC VR, PSVR)
Beat Saber is often regarded as one of the quintessential VR experiences, and for good reason. This rhythm-based game challenges players to slash at colorful blocks in time with the music, offering a blend of physical activity and auditory pleasure that makes it a standout title among the best VR games.
The game’s mechanics are simple yet addictive: players use VR controllers to wield lightsabers and slice through blocks that appear in sync with the beat of the music. The game’s visual style, inspired by neon lights and futuristic aesthetics, creates a vibrant and engaging environment that complements the rhythmic gameplay.
Beat Saber’s appeal lies not only in its core gameplay but also in its extensive music library. The game features a wide range of tracks, from pop and electronic to classical and orchestral, with new music packs and updates regularly added. The multiplayer mode allows players to compete against friends or global leaderboards, adding a competitive edge to the already exhilarating gameplay in one of the best VR games.
To play Beat Saber, you’ll need a compatible VR headset, such as the Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, or a PC VR system. The game’s controls involve using the VR controllers to slice through blocks that appear in the air. The game’s intuitive mechanics make it accessible to players of all skill levels, while the challenge of mastering each song adds depth and replayability.
9. Skyrim VR (PC VR, PSVR)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is renowned for its expansive open world and rich storytelling, and the VR adaptation of this beloved RPG brings these elements to life in a whole new way as one of the best VR games. Skyrim VR allows players to explore the vast, snowy landscapes of Tamriel and engage in epic quests from a first-person perspective.
The VR version of Skyrim enhances the game’s already impressive visuals with a more immersive and interactive experience. Players can physically swing their weapons, cast spells, and interact with the world, making the fantasy setting feel more tangible in one of the best VR games. The game includes all of the original content and expansions, providing hundreds of hours of gameplay in a fully immersive VR environment.
Skyrim VR’s attention to detail and the ability to interact with the environment in a natural way make it a standout title in the VR RPG genre. Whether you’re battling dragons, exploring dungeons, or simply wandering the picturesque landscapes, the game’s VR adaptation offers a deeply engaging experience.
To play Skyrim VR, you’ll need a PlayStation VR2 or a PC VR setup. The game’s controls are designed to take advantage of VR’s motion tracking, allowing players to physically move and interact with the game world in one of the best VR games. The VR experience adds a new level of immersion to the game’s expansive world, making it a must-play for fans of the Elder Scrolls series.
8. No Man’s Sky VR (PC VR, PSVR)
No Man’s Sky was initially met with mixed reviews upon its release, but subsequent updates have transformed it into one of the best VR games. The game’s vast, procedurally generated universe offers players the opportunity to explore an almost infinite number of planets, each with its own unique flora, fauna, and landscapes.
In VR, No Man’s Sky becomes even more awe-inspiring as one of the best VR games. The sense of scale and discovery is enhanced as players physically navigate their spacecraft and interact with alien worlds. The VR adaptation includes all of the game’s updates and expansions, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience that showcases the game’s ongoing evolution.
The game’s exploration, crafting, and survival mechanics are well-suited to VR, allowing players to fully engage with the expansive universe. The ability to explore new planets, build bases, and engage in space combat adds depth to the VR experience, making it a standout title for fans of sci-fi and exploration.
To experience No Man’s Sky in VR, you’ll need either a PlayStation VR2 or a PC VR system. The game’s controls are designed to make use of VR’s motion tracking, allowing players to interact with the environment and spacecraft in a more intuitive way for one of the best VR games. The expansive universe and variety of activities make No Man’s Sky a highly replayable and immersive VR experience.
7. Resident Evil 4 VR (Quest 2)
Resident Evil 4 is often hailed as one of the greatest games in the survival horror genre, and its VR adaptation on the Quest 2 brings a new level of immersion to the experience in one of the best VR games. The game’s over-the-shoulder perspective is reimagined in VR, allowing players to experience the intense action and horror from a more personal viewpoint.
In Resident Evil 4 VR, players take on the role of Leon S. Kennedy as he battles through hordes of infected enemies in a rural European village. The VR adaptation allows for a more interactive and immersive experience, with players using their VR controllers to aim, shoot, and interact with the environment in one of the best VR games.
The game’s tense atmosphere, combined with the VR perspective, makes for a thrilling and engaging experience. The ability to physically move and aim adds a new dimension to the gameplay, enhancing the sense of danger and excitement as players navigate the game’s challenging scenarios.
To play Resident Evil 4 VR, you’ll need a Meta Quest 2 headset. The game’s controls are designed to take advantage of VR’s motion tracking, allowing players to physically aim and interact with the game world. The VR adaptation adds a new level of immersion to the game’s intense action and horror, making it a must-play for fans of the Resident Evil series.
6. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (PC VR, PSVR, Quest)
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a standout VR game that immerses players in the post-apocalyptic world of the popular TV series in one of the best VR games. Set in a flooded and abandoned New Orleans, the game challenges players to survive against hordes of zombies while scavenging for resources and making tough moral decisions.
The game’s VR adaptation enhances the survival horror experience, allowing players to physically interact with the environment and engage in combat using VR controllers. The detailed, open-world environment and the need for resource management add depth to the gameplay, making each encounter with the undead feel intense and rewarding.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners also features a robust narrative, with players facing choices that impact the story and their survival. The game’s immersive VR mechanics, combined with its compelling storyline, make it one of the best adaptations of a TV show for VR.
To experience The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, you’ll need a compatible VR headset, such as the Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, or a PC VR setup. The game’s controls involve using VR controllers to interact with objects, fight zombies, and navigate the environment in one of the best VR games. The game’s immersive world and survival mechanics make it a standout title in the VR genre.
5. Half-Life: Alyx (PC VR)
Half-Life: Alyx represents a groundbreaking entry in the Half-Life series and is often considered one of the best VR games ever made. Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, the game follows Alyx Vance as she fights against the Combine, an alien occupation force, in one of the best VR games.
The game’s VR adaptation takes full advantage of the technology, offering a highly interactive and immersive experience. Players use VR controllers to manipulate objects, solve puzzles, and engage in combat. The game’s detailed environments, engaging narrative, and innovative gameplay mechanics make it a standout title in the VR genre.
Half-Life: Alyx’s impressive visuals, immersive world, and intricate gameplay mechanics showcase the potential of VR as a medium for storytelling and interaction in one of the best VR games. The game’s attention to detail and high production values make it a must-play for fans of the series and VR enthusiasts alike.
To play Half-Life: Alyx, you’ll need a high-end PC VR setup. The game’s controls are designed to make use of VR’s motion tracking, allowing players to interact with the environment and engage in combat in a more immersive way. The game’s detailed world and engaging narrative make it a highly replayable and immersive experience.
4. Star Wars: Squadrons (PC VR, PSVR, Quest)
Star Wars: Squadrons offers an exhilarating space combat experience set in the iconic Star Wars universe. The game puts players in the cockpit of various starships, allowing them to engage in dogfights and participate in epic space battles in one of the best VR games.
The VR adaptation of Star Wars: Squadrons enhances the sense of immersion, with players physically maneuvering their starships and engaging in intense space combat. The game features a variety of ships and weapons, each with its own unique handling and capabilities, making the gameplay both challenging and rewarding.
Star Wars: Squadrons also includes a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, offering a range of content for players to explore in one of the best VR games. The game’s attention to detail, combined with its immersive VR mechanics, makes it a standout title for fans of the Star Wars franchise and space combat games.
To play Star Wars: Squadrons in VR, you’ll need a compatible headset, such as the Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, or a PC VR setup. The game’s controls involve using VR controllers to maneuver and engage in combat, with players physically moving their hands to operate various ship functions. The immersive space battles and detailed starships make it a must-play for fans of the Star Wars universe.
3. Superhot VR (Quest, PC VR, PSVR)
Superhot VR offers a unique and innovative take on the first-person shooter genre, with a gameplay mechanic that allows players to manipulate time in one of the best VR games. In this game, time moves only when the player moves, creating a strategic and visually striking experience where every action has a direct impact on the flow of the game.
The VR adaptation of Superhot takes this concept to new heights, with players physically dodging bullets, swinging weapons, and strategizing their movements in a fully immersive environment as one of the best VR games. The game’s minimalist art style and engaging gameplay make it a standout title in the VR genre.
Superhot VR’s challenging and immersive gameplay, combined with its innovative time-manipulation mechanics, make it a highly engaging experience. The game’s unique approach to combat and strategy offers a fresh perspective on the VR first-person shooter genre.
To play Superhot VR, you’ll need a compatible VR headset, such as the Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, or a PC VR system. The game’s controls involve using VR controllers to interact with the environment and engage in combat. The time-manipulation mechanics add a strategic element to the gameplay, making it a highly engaging and immersive experience.
2. Boneworks (PC VR)
Boneworks is a highly immersive VR game that focuses on realistic physics and interaction. The game’s detailed environments and advanced physics system allow players to interact with the world in a variety of ways, from manipulating objects to engaging in combat in one of the best VR games.
The game’s physics-based mechanics create a highly interactive and engaging experience, with players using a range of weapons and tools to navigate the environment and complete objectives. Boneworks also features a variety of gameplay modes, including a story campaign and sandbox mode, offering plenty of content for players to explore.
Boneworks’ attention to detail and realistic physics make it a standout title in the VR genre, offering a highly immersive and interactive experience among the best VR games. The game’s innovative mechanics and detailed environments showcase the potential of VR as a medium for complex and engaging gameplay.
To play Boneworks, you’ll need a high-end PC VR setup. The game’s controls are designed to make full use of VR’s motion tracking, allowing players to interact with the environment and engage in combat in a highly immersive way. The game’s realistic physics and detailed environments make it a must-play for fans of VR and interactive gameplay.
1. Horizon Call of the Mountain (PSVR2): Best VR Games
Horizon Call of the Mountain is an exceptional entry in the Horizon franchise, tailored specifically for the PlayStation VR2. Set in the same rich, post-apocalyptic world as Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, this VR title offers players a fresh perspective and an entirely new story set within this captivating universe as one of the best VR games.
In Horizon Call of the Mountain, players step into the shoes of Ryas, a former Shadow Carja warrior who is on a quest to clear his name and seek redemption. The game’s narrative unfolds as Ryas explores the stunning landscapes of the Horizon world, encountering towering mechanical beasts, lush environments, and ancient ruins.
The VR adaptation of Horizon Call of the Mountain excels in leveraging the PlayStation VR2’s advanced features, including its high-resolution display, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers as one of the best VR games. These technologies combine to create a deeply immersive experience, allowing players to feel the weight of their bow and arrow, the tension of climbing, and the impact of combat in a highly tactile way.
One of the standout features of Horizon Call of the Mountain is its breathtaking visuals. The game showcases the Horizon universe in extraordinary detail, with lush, sprawling environments and intricate mechanical creatures brought to life with stunning realism as one of the best VR games. Players can engage in climbing sequences that provide a vertiginous thrill, interact with various objects, and engage in combat against a variety of robotic foes.
The game also includes various puzzles and exploration elements, adding depth to the gameplay and encouraging players to fully engage with the environment. The integration of VR controls allows for intuitive interactions, such as using hand gestures to operate tools or engaging in combat with motion-based attacks.
To experience Horizon Call of the Mountain, you’ll need a PlayStation VR2 headset. The game utilizes the VR controllers to enhance immersion, with players using the controllers to draw their bow, climb surfaces, and interact with the game world. The PlayStation VR2’s advanced features, such as eye tracking and enhanced haptics, contribute to a more lifelike and engaging experience, making it a standout title for fans of the Horizon franchise and VR enthusiasts alike as one of the best VR games.
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