So you've just bought a new PC VR system. Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, whatever. You've plugged it in, set up the cameras, freed up space, and you're ready to play games. What are the best?
This list works a little differently than other similar articles. It is focused on PC VR, which includes games for both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. All of the games on this list will work on the Rift, but some have been funded or published by Oculus and won't work on the Vive. Luckily, almost all of them can be made to work with the Vive thanks to the Revive project. Cross-compatibility is enough for a combined PC list to make sense, at least for now. The Sony PlayStation VR has its own game library, so we treat this system as a separate thing.
superhot VR embodies ballet actionsuperhot 2016, dodging bullets, and embodying it in virtual reality. It's time to get through yet another collection of challenging action games in which your enemies (and their bullets) only move when you do. As you dodge bullets, dodge attacks, and catch weapons in the air, you'll begin to see the world as protagonist John Woo probably sees it.
You can buy:Oculus
Even if you've played hundreds of hours ofrock bandyou haven't played anything likeRock Band VR. The latest version of Harmonix strips away almost all of the series' familiar looks, and it's better. This game is most like guitar karaoke and its main goal is to make you feel like a rock star by crushing it in front of hundreds of fans. Instead of the long-established noterock band you choose any chords you want to play and play to your heart's content. It captures so much detail accurately, and the Oculus Touch controller works surprisingly well when mounted on a classical guitar.rock band.
You can buy: Oculus
You are a bad guy. There are good guys. Make an example out of them. This is a prerequisite forHouse of the Dying Sun , a very focused and very good air combat space game in which you have to play as a ruthless imperial assassin. You'll hunt down your opponents in several carefully crafted space combat encounters, blast them to dust, and jump out of there before the enemy flagship can destroy you. Due to good reproducibility, starship style driftBattlestar and amazing soundtrack, this game is great in VR or on a regular screen.
You can buy: Steam
What else can be said about minecraft? SameMinecraft.You know it, you've played it and your kids (or nieces/nephews) probably play it too. It turns out that the wonderful world creator Mojang is really good at VR. It's easy to get started with the headset, and it's especially impressive to play standing up with VR controllers. You can mod the base game to work with the Vive, or get the Rift version of VR from the Oculus store.
You can buy:Mojang | Oculus | Vive setup instructions here
There are plenty of VR games where you hold two guns and shoot at waves of enemies.Robo Recall stands out from the crowd in that it is more glossy and polished than the competition. You are a recall agent tasked with removing robots from the streets in various futuristic environments. This is a euphemism, of course, and your real job is to destroy robots with extreme prejudice. Of course you shoot them. You'll also grab them and rip them apart, throw them at each other, pick up their bullets in the air, use them to block each other's shots, and more.
You can buy: Oculus.
Thumper in VR is likeThumper on a normal screen, onlymore . It's more exciting. It's a no-nonsense music game where you fight your way through level after hellish level, performing a reverberant call and response with demonic zeal. You'll be staring straight ahead for most of the game, but when a huge boss looms in front of and above you, look up.
You can buy:Steam | Oculus
Elite Dangerous was on the VR radar long before the first commercial VR headset was released. The beta versions of the game worked surprisingly well with early versions of the Oculus Rift and showcased just how well cockpit games work with VR headsets. Finished game along with the planet bouncing expansionHorizon delivers on the promises of early betas. Whether you're playing as a space trucker, a bounty hunter, or a nefarious space pirate,Elite: Dangerous - an exciting game even on a regular screen. So much the better in VR.
You can buy:frontier | Steam | Oculus
If you ever wanted to climb a rock without developing upper body strength,The Climb is your game. It's very simple: you are standing in front of a cliff and you have to climb it. There are several routes to the top with holds, ledges and even some incredible jumps between you and the top. You will have to carefully plan each move, minimizing the time you hang on one arm and pausing frequently to assess where you are going next. Best case scenario,The Climb gives you an exciting feeling of physical activity as you stretch and hold the position. It will make you feel like you have achieved something.
You can buy:Oculus
Basic conceptFantastic Contraption will work like a simple mobile or browser game: you create a strange object and send it flying towards the target. To make it work, you have to take into account the game's reactive physics - a super-heavy contraption might fall before it hits its target, but a one-sided creation might be just the thing to get around a certain obstacle. It helps that the base game is fun, but the VR implementation really doesFantastic Contraption special. It uses VR motion control in a way few other games do, and you'll soon find yourself kneeling on the ground like a real mechanic, meticulously attaching joints and limbs to your creations.
You can buy:Steam | Oculus
VLone Echo you are a friendly artificial intelligence flying in a space station. Your job is to keep one person taking the statin company, helping her with her daily tasks and providing conversation so she doesn't feel too alone. Of course, something will go wrong and you will go on an adventure to find out what is going on and repair the station. While the story of Lone Echo is well written and told, it's the game's implementation of VR that makes it so great. This is one of the most impressive VR games you can play, with intuitive controls and wonderful attention to detail. Swimming in zero gravity will never get old, and when you finally go into space, you will really feel like you are there.
You can buy:Oculus
Everyone is wondering what it's like to live in a zombie apocalypse. Would you hold your own against the charlatans, or would you miss the shots and die?Arizona Sunshine in to some extent answers this question. He sends you into the Arizona desert with a few bullets and a horde of slow moving zombies between you and your target. Ammo is low, so you'll have to actuallyseek to success. This means that you must physically hold the gun, level the scope, and carefully pull the trigger. It's a fun game to play alone, but it's even more fun to play co-op with a friend, not least because their VR headset moves will make their character look fun. Standing back to back and fighting the horde is a pretty good experience.
You can buy:Steam | Oculus
Star Trek: Bridge Crew - that's exactly what you've probably guessed: you're a bridge member on a starship"Enterprise" , and your task is to manage steering, tactical or engineering operations.Or you can play as the captain and give everyone orders. While you can play the game alone, it's much better to play online with friends. This is a great game that makes the most of the licensestar trek , and although there are better video gamesstar trek , nothing else can make you feel like you're aboard a Federation starship.
You can buy: Oculus, Steam, Ubisoft
Non-Gaming VR Apps You Should Try
Google Earth (Rift, Vive): Google Earth is one of the most impressive applications of virtual reality and an extremely compelling starting point for VR. The best thing is that it's free. If you have a VR headset, don't miss this.
Virtual desktop and big screen (Rift, Vive): how to virtual desktop and large screen allow you to view your PC desktop in virtual reality. This means you can change your background to a nice outdoor scene (or open space or whatever) by making your monitor the size of an IMAX. It's great for on-screen gaming, watching movies, or even just working.
Kingspray Graffiti (Rift, Vive): The detailed spray painting simulator works so intuitively that you will immediately leave your mark on all sorts of cityscapes.
Tilt Brush (Rift, Vive): Application Google for 3D graphics is intuitive and works great. The first time you draw a neon figure in space and let it float there, it's like a magic trick.
