The best VR games to play on Meta Quest, PS VR, HTC Vive and beyond
The best of the best from the world of VR.
VR continues to expand. What was once thought of as a fad has now grown into a lucrative market, with Sony's PlayStation VR 2, the Meta Quest 3, HTC Vive, Valve Index and many more headsets all now competing to come out on top.
Who will win? Well, that usually comes down to the games.
Over the past 12 months or so, we've seen bigger investments and bigger games make their way to VR. Sony, specifically, has looked to utilise several of its most well-known IPs to convince more people to get on board, such as Horizon to Gran Turismo.
Then we've seen the likes of Ubisoft and Capcom continue to experiment with the technology thanks to releases from both the worlds of Assassin's Creed and Resident Evil respectively.
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Looking forward, there's plenty planned throughout 2024 and beyond. But what about if you pick up a VR headset today? With hundreds of games to pick from, and many of them exclusive to certain platforms, it can be a bit of a virtual minefield. That's where we come in.
So, with that in mind, here's a round-up of the best VR games to play, along with where exactly they can be found.
Playing VR games requires a VR console— take a look at our roundups of the best Meta Quest 2 deals, best Meta Quest 3 deals and best PS VR2 deals to help you out.
Best VR games to play now
Asgard's Wrath 2
Platforms: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 2
Mixing Zelda, Prince of Persia and The Witcher into virtual reality comes the fantastically ambitious Asgard's Wrath 2, a deep RPG that's easy to get lost in for dozens upon dozens of hours. With a fully realised open world, four playable characters that all bring their own individuality and plenty of puzzles that push the technology in new ways, Sanzaru Games has certainly outdone itself.
Earning incredibly rave reviews, players inhabit a Norse God who pursues the mischief-maker Loki across Egypt while battling other gods and terrifying monsters. Amazingly, it's free for anyone who purchases a Meta Quest 3.
Batman: Arkham VR
Platforms: PS VR, HTV Vive, Oculus Rift
Ever wanted to become the Bat? Well, Rocksteady's short but superb VR experience literally puts you into the Bat-shoes of the Dark Knight himself. Set between the events of Arkham City and Arkham Knight, players will investigate the disappearance of Nightwing and Robin in this trippy, tense adventure. Filled with fun puzzles that utilise Batman's arsenal of gadgets and some actual detective work, we're desperate for a full-length game.
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Platforms: PS VR2
Sony's big blockbuster for the launch of PS VR2 returns to the world of Horizon for an action-adventure that focuses a little too much on climbing - however, in terms of sheer spectacle, it can't be beaten. Played from a first-person perspective, the aim of the eight- to 10-hour experience is to help a former Shadow Carja warrior called Ryas to receive a pardon for his past crimes, as long as he pulls off a seemingly impossible mission.
I Expect You to Die 2
Platforms: Meta Quest 2, PS VR, Oculus Rift, Valve Index, HTC Vive
As you'd expect from the Bond reference in the title, I Expect You to Die 2 leans into spy clichés - and it's all the better for it. The game lets you live out the stereotypical film spy fantasy, seeing you dodge hidden lasers, avoid heat-seeking missiles and escape increasingly convoluted traps to take down an evil criminal mastermind.
Much like a VR Archer, the game's story is a nice balance between loving homage and genre parody, helped by great voice acting from Star Trek's Wil Wheaton. Nonetheless, with only limited time to work out escape room-esque puzzles to save the world, you'll truly leave feeling like a super spy.
Assassin's Creed Nexus VR
Platforms: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, Meta Quest 2
Another triple-A franchise turns to the world of VR with Assassin's Creed Nexus VR, an action-adventure game that has you exploring Renaissance Italy, Ancient Greece and Colonial America. This is the ultimate stealth game, acting as a hacker hired to infiltrate an Abstergo project called the "Nexus Eye". Expect lots of climbing, hand-to-hand combat and inventive assassinations.
Pistol Whip
Platforms: Valve Index, Meta Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, PS VR
One of the most badass VR experiences, Pistol Whip is potentially the closest you'll feel to becoming John Wick, Neo or any other Keanu Reeves character (maybe not Bill & Ted's Ted) with a lot of guns and even more energy. Shoot, whack and dodge bullets - all to a thumping, energetic soundtrack. It's part rhythm, part shooter, all adrenaline.
Pistol Whip is a hell of a workout, so make sure you're warmed up and hydrated before you begin.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Meta Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, PS VR
The Walking Dead series may have ended, yet the universe seemingly has a lot of undead life in it, as not only do we have more TV projects on the way, but we also have more entries in the gaming side of the franchise.
That includes Saints & Sinners, a VR experience that puts you right in the thick of the zombie action. But are you tough enough to survive the oncoming onslaught?
Half-Life: Alyx
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, Meta Quest (only when connected to a PC)
The Half-Life series made a triumphant return 13 years on from its last entry with Half-Life: Alyx. Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, players are tasked with a seemingly impossible fight against the Combine utilising Alyx Vance as humanity's only chance of survival. Valve proved yet again why it's one of the most exciting developers in the industry, pushing VR to a new level with these gorgeous graphics, brilliant shooting mechanics and clever design work that makes the most of the technology.
Beat Saber
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, Meta Quest, PS VR
Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game that's hard to put down. Set in a futuristic neon world, the aim is to slash the beats of "adrenaline-pumping music" as they hurdle towards you. Whether jumping in for a long session at the end of the day or sneaking off for a quick round on lunch, Beat Saber has remained one of the most entertaining releases in VR.
There are plenty of song packs too, including Lady Gaga, Queen, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Panic! at the Disco, The Rolling Stones, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, Linkin Park, BTS and more.
Astro Bot: Rescue Mission
Platforms: PS VR
Astro Bot is pure joy, and we've lost count of how many times we played the PS5 introductory Astro's Playroom. It's endlessly charming and, in some ways, is like the Super Mario 64 of VR. Made up of 20 levels across five worlds, players must help the adorable character to rescue their bot friends from sharks, spiders, giant monkeys and even aliens. If this doesn't convince you of the potential of VR, nothing will.
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Resident Evil 4 VR
Platforms: Meta Quest 2
Horror games are not for everyone, and if you find that you're prone to getting a little too nervy when playing them, well, VR might just tip you over the edge.
That is especially true of Resident Evil, one of the biggest and best horror franchises in gaming. The fourth entry follows Leon Kennedy in a mysterious European village as he hunts down 20-year-old Ashley Graham, daughter of the US president who has been kidnapped by the Los Illuminados.
Superhot VR
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, Meta Quest, PS VR
There is a great hook at the heart of Superhot VR, in that time itself only moves on when you physically move - a great concept for a game that truly is a ton of VR fun.
Reviews for this were glowing, and many refer to it as one of their favourite VR titles on the market. We can't recommend this one enough.
Check out the best games on each platform:
- The very best PS5 games
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Doctor Who: Edge of Time
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Meta Quest, PS VR
There is so much Doctor Who news coming out lately that it's hard to keep up, so it's the perfect time to throw yourself into this VR adventure in time and space.
A new mysterious enemy threatens to tear apart the universe, and only you can stop them - by taking on the persona of Jodie Whittaker's 13th incarnation of the Doctor.
Danger Goat
Platforms: Windows Mixed Reality
Goats are no strangers to the gaming world (Goat Simulator will forever remain a favourite of ours), and there is another great, fun goat adventure to be found in the brilliantly named Danger Goat!
This is a platform/puzzle game that will see your goat pitted against a variety of dangerous and silly foes, including shrink rays and crazy killer robots - and yes, the goat goes to space.
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series
Platforms: Meta Quest, PS VR
Three games were released as part of the VR Vader Immortal series, and they were all bundled together when released onto the PS4 VR system.
While you'll feel like the Jedi you've always wanted to be, it's worth noting that this plays more as an experience than a game, but when the experience is this much fun we won't complain too much.
If you're looking for something else to play on your computer or laptop, check out our list of the best PC games to try now.
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