The Virtual Reality (VR) industry has come a long way since its early days when games were so short that they seemed more like proofs of concept than actual gaming titles. The hardware has become more affordable and is advanced enough to support more fully built-out titles.
There are more VR gaming titles out there than ever before. They span a wide variety of products, with many easily accessed on third-party ecosystems like steam VR.
Of the many VR games that are out there, there are a few that stand out. Here we have listed several VR games that bring a little more to the immersive experience than mere entertainment. They are some of the most engaging, and conceptually crisp titles we can find.
Lone Echo 2
Returning for a second run is photo-realistic, well-designed sci-fi thriller Lone Echo 2. The immersive experience sees the player take on the role of an android, Jack, who must help their human compatriot decipher a dangerous mystery.
Learning to navigate through Zero Gravity environments by pushing off objects will be tricky at first, but worth it. This title is incredible to play, and with the mystery only getting deeper in the sequel, it’s bound to keep one engaged for hours.
No Man’s Sky
This action-adventure survival game was one of the most anticipated games of 2019. It didn’t disappoint, as it delivered dozens of progressively generated planets to explore.
Blade & Sorcery
This medieval combat simulator is something epic. Immersed into a world where one has a blade, and sorcery as weapons – or both simultaneously – against computer-generated foes.
Firing bolts of lightning or infusing said lightning into one’s weapon, to brutally dispatch with foes is sure to deliver hours of fun – as well as stress relief. This offers one of the most unique VR experiences when lightsabers just won’t cut it.
Batman Arkham VR
Batman Arkham VR was a surprise title, as the last Batman game, Batman Arkham Knight was meant to be the final game in the Arkham series. The studio behind it decided to put VR enthusiasts in the Batman hood, with an investigative Batman title.
One does not get to be a violent, thug-beating Batman, but are forced to take on the role of Batman the world’s greatest detective. This title has the Bat solving a mystery while exploring the darker, grittier parts of Gotham, with a few appearances from a few of the hero’s most famous foes.
Astro Bot: Rescue Mission
This is a platformer that is just great, the fact that it’s VR based is more of a bonus. This game – you’ll have to play it to believe it – is just incredible.
Armed with an assortment of guns, the player must travel across space to rescue crew members. The worlds are 3D, which offers a unique dynamic to the platformer genre.
Danger Goat
Danger Goat is a puzzle/platform game from nDreams, a British VR gaming studio. Now available on PSVR, and Windows VR, the title was designed to showcase the now discontinued Google Daydream MR (Mixed Reality headset.)
Using one’s controllers, one must manipulate the world which Danger Goat must traverse to reach safety. There are 28 inventive levels laden with boobytraps and enemies who fully intend to destroy your goat friend.
Beat Saber
This is Dance Dance Revolution mixed with Star Wars. To a tune, one is expected to hack and slash at floating blocks, while ducking under, over and sliding away from obstacles.
Not a game one can enjoy in a seated position, Beat Saber is one design to have you breaking a sweat. Very simple concept, also incredibly engaging. This title is fantastic for a solid cardio workout.
Half-Life: Alyx
The first Half-Life game in quite some time. Half-Life: Alyx has players take on the role of Alyx Vance, a fan-favourite character, attached to the Half-Life series of games.
The title is set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. This is 11 hours of solving mysteries and combating Combine alien enemies. Experiencing the Half-Life universe through the immersive power of VR is quite the trip.
Star Wars: Squadrons
Star Wars is one of those franchises that are just may for immersive experiences. The sci-fi genre seems to fit quite well with Vy.
In Squadrons, players have the choice of being either Rebel or Imperial pilots. Whichever side you pick doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that one gets to pilot a spacecraft and take part in the most epic space-based dog fights. It’s a combat flight simulator that puts one in the cockpit of one of those Star Wars jets, and blasts enemies to smithereens.