Hoping to build on the continued success of the PlayStation 5, Sony has re-entered the world of virtual reality video games with the PlayStation VR2. It’s an impressive (if pricey) piece of hardware in its own right, but a gaming accessory is only as good as the games you can play with it.
Sony has opened the floodgates and has a staggering 40 titles available at launch. There is a lot to sift through and the average person cannot be expected to play them all let alone buy them. So we went through the list and picked out 15 games that are worth checking out, especially if you’ve never owned a VR system before.
After the fall
Shooting zombies is and will probably always be the favorite pastime of VR gaming. After the fall is designed for four players teaming up (although you can play solo with AI companions) to hunt through swarms of undead in a post-apocalyptic winter wasteland. It manages to make you feel overwhelmed by the number of enemies coming your way at once, and it’s a good time blasting them away, even with repeated play.
Cosmonic High
From Austin-based developer Owlchemy Labs, this game follows on from the company’s early VR hits job simulator And Vacation simulator with a game that, if you can believe it, is actually more of a game. While those early “simulation” experiences were a lot of fun, at the end of the day they felt more like toys to demonstrate the technology (and tell a few good jokes). Cosmonic High brings with it the same charm, but combines it with something that has more goals and tasks overall.
demeo
Want to play a tabletop RPG a la? Dungeons and Dragons with your friends, but you can’t all sit at one table? Give demeo a shot. The game is designed to emulate the feeling of sitting in a basement and moving minifigures from tile to tile, rolling dice and casting spells. It does a great job here too, giving you just enough tactile feel of moving pieces around a table to make it more like the original without requiring a dungeon master. Additionally, the game is cross-play with other systems and doesn’t actually require VR to play, making it easier to bring your friends on board for online play.
Gran Turismo 7
Driving games are a natural fit for VR, but few games make it as realistic as Gran Turismo 7. Previously available in its “flat” form but now with a free VR upgrade, the game strives for realistic racing at every turn, from the cars’ interiors to the sound of each engine and the way You have to drive around corners. It might not be a game for those who just want fast-paced, arcade-like fun, but it’s perfect for anyone who wants to feel like they’re really racing around a track.
horizon call of the mountain
If PS VR2 has a “system vendor,” it’s probably this one. Not only is horizon call of the mountain It’s one of the few true exclusives on the platform and one of the most complete VR games out there. You’ll scale treacherous cliffs, fire arrows and robotic enemies, and solve puzzles in a game that feels like VR was done.
Kayak VR: Mirage
Sometimes the immersion goal is less about action and more about realism. Kayak VR: Mirage is one of the most beautiful VR experiences with beautiful environments and water effects that can be downright relaxing just staring at it for a while. But when it comes to the actual, physical movement of rowing to move your virtual kayak from one place to another, you might find yourself inadvertently doing a workout.
The last watch winder
Have you ever thought that you could be more productive if you could just clone yourself? Well now you can. Type of. The last watch winder is a sneakily clever puzzler where you take a brief VR “shot” of yourself performing an action in VR, and then watch a mechanized clone perform the same action over and over again, forever. Creating an assembly line for a single person takes a lot of creative thinking.
Moss Book 1 & 2
Have you ever read books such as red wall or mouse protection and wish you could experience life as a warrior mouse destined to save its home? moss is perfect for you. It’s a delightful action game with some puzzle elements and a good lighthearted story that can be fun for all ages. The only downside: The first game in particular is very short (a few hours at most), so if you have a small purse after purchasing the headset, you might want to stick with longer-lasting games.
Nobody’s heaven
If you want to explore Nobody’s heaven will give you a whole universe. This sci-fi game about survival, crafting, trading, space travel and more has been filled with more free content for years since its original release, and now it arrives on PS VR2 with a more immersive virtual reality mode than ever. The entire game can be played through the headset, giving you a seemingly endless supply of planets to spend hours visiting.
Mysterious places
Jigsaw puzzles are a wonderful form of stress relief in my humble opinion. But they can take up a lot of space, and if you have pets or a toddler around, you might risk ruining your hard work. Mysterious places is awesome, not only because it makes the puzzle experience virtual, but also because each puzzle is a high-quality 3D puzzle with real-world locations. You might start small with a boxcar, but you’ll soon find yourself assembling churches, castles, and other impressive landmarks.
Resident Evil Village
I played through Resident Evil Village already twice in its entirety, so I know exactly how each moment is going. However, when playing it in VR, I physically cringe in horror on several occasions within the first hour of play. With the free VR DLC, you can play this fantastic horror action game entirely in virtual reality, without compromise. So that undead werewolf that wasn’t too scary on your little TV? He’s a little scarier up close and personal.
infinite rec
If your idea of VR is more inspired by such Tron or The Lawnmower Man, rec probably deserves your attention. It’s a short but trippy arcade shooter that feels like it was always meant for VR despite originally coming out in the early 2000s.
Star Wars: Tales from Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition
If you’re new to VR, sometimes the best entry point is something that feels a bit like a theme park ride. Tales from Galaxy’s Edge is one of the best examples of this, expanding on the same Star Wars lore that powers the Galaxy’s Edge territory at Disney theme parks. (See? I said it was like a ride.) You’ll work your way through some iconic Star Wars creatures, items, and characters in a fun sci-fi adventure.
tentacle
I have to tell you something: you are not human. You are a giant squid. But no worry. You can earn the love of everyone in your beach community by helping them with things only a giant sea monster can do, such as: Delightfully goofy, Tentacular is a fun physics-based game that works well as a VR showcase.
knocker
Billing itself as a “rhythm violence” game, Thumper is an intriguing and unique blend of time-based gameplay and Lovecraftian-esque horror. Much like a game like Guitar Hero or Rock Band, you have to hit the notes in time to the beat, but instead of delivering sick guitar riffs, you instead avoid spikes and destroy enemies. Although the game can be played without VR, in my opinion the best way to experience it is to fully immerse yourself in its nerve-wracking atmosphere.