Top VR games for 2024

VR gameplay is still niche compared to traditional console and PC gaming, but has advanced rapidly compared to early experiments. We’re now seeing headsets in their third iteration with impressive technology and games like these. While this market is smaller, the library of games is arguably stronger and more creative than any other platform.

And while this market is smaller, the library of games is arguably stronger and more creative than any other platform.

With the exception of the PlayStation VR2, there are few exclusives for individual headsets, and most games made for earlier headsets are fully compatible with the newest versions. If you need a new experience to immerse yourself in, or to see what the future of gaming could be, here are the best VR games on the market.

These are the best VR games on the market.

Half-Life: Alyx

No, it’s not Half-Life 3, but Half-Life: Alyx is undoubtedly a fantastic continuation of a series everyone thought was dead and buried. Valve shows that it can still create a masterpiece, using new technology that requires new ways of building a game. The series has always been a bit creepy, but in VR it borders on outright horror on many levels. You don’t know fear until you’re shooting with wild force at a headcrab jumping right in your face.

However, you don’t know fear until you’ve shot a headcrab with wild force, jumping right in its face.

The control decisions, the way movement, aiming, weapon use and just manipulating objects in the environment work — it’s all cool. Just as the first Half-Life showed what the future of FPS games could be, Half-Life: Alyx was the first real example of what a full VR experience should be, not just a technical demo or an arcade game without a story.

Anything about the game is cool.

Asgard’s Wrath II

Take everything we just said about Alyx and apply it to Asgard’s Wrath 2. The grand vision for VR has always been to transport you to a world you’d like to live in, but no game has ever attempted to accomplish that before. With the power of new headsets and a commitment to trusting the player with deeper role-playing systems, Asgard’s Wrath 2 — is another leap forward for the entire VR platform.

The game’s vision for the VR platform is one that’s a step further.

Battle naturally revolves around hand movement for attacking, blocking, and other actions as you’d expect, but with the same RPG features you’d find in a console game, such as gear, perks, crafting, and more. It’s a full-fledged RPG, albeit one designed with the idea that people may not be ready to wear a headset for hours on end just yet.

Here’s the thing.

Resident Evil 4 VR

After Resident Evil 7 introduced VR support, Capcom has been steadily paving the way for VR by releasing great VR versions of each major game. Each one gets more and more impressive, but a remake of Resident Evil 4 in VR might be the best way to play the game. It’s a great game as it is, but being in the action and being able to directly aim and interact with enemies takes the tension to a whole new level.

And if you can be in the action and be able to directly aim and interact with enemies, the tension is taken to a new level.

It’s amazing how well this game can function in both first and third person. If Resident Evil 4 was replayable enough as it was, playing in VR will keep you coming back for another time or two to really immerse yourself in the world and work out all the crazy stunts you can perform with the new controls.

With the new controls, it’s easy to see how the game can be played in both first-person and third-person.

Tetris Effect: Connected

How can you improve a puzzle game with VR? Make it fully touch-based, that’s how. Tetris Effect: Connected in VR — is such a powerful combination of sights, sounds and gameplay that many claim it—s the definitive VR experience. You already know what «Tetris» is, so this part won’t come as a surprise, but the visuals and music of each stage enhance the flow state to an almost meditative level. You have to feel it yourself to understand it, but even if it’s not as powerful for you as it is for others, you’ll still get a fantastic version of «Tetris».

So you’ll be able to feel it for yourself.

Boneworks

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A physics-based game best suited for those already familiar with VR, Boneworks has an advanced engine and allows for many different approaches to combat. Players have everything from energy weapons and pistols to old-school clubs and swords at their disposal, and you can interact with just about anything. Despite the heavy emphasis on gameplay, the game also has a story: an advanced AI is causing trouble in a mysterious corporation. Boneworks is perfect for those who see modern VR games as rides rather than real games.

Boneworks is a perfect fit for those who see modern VR games as rides rather than real games.

No Man’s Sky

The game didn’t launch with VR support, but No Man’s Sky got it later in one of the giant free updates. The entire game can be played in virtual reality, and considering the game originally promised a vast and immersive universe, that’s ideal. Updates over the years have added base building mechanics, more story content at the beginning of the game, improved the user interface, and even made full multiplayer. No Man’s Sky was certainly disappointing at launch in 2016, but now the game has evolved even more than originally promised.

So far, No Man’s Sky has been a disappointment.

Beat Saber

Who would have thought that a dance game that uses two virtual lightsabers would be one of VR’s biggest hits? In Beat Saber, you’re tasked with chopping up appearing blocks with sword swings, and the intensity of the blows depends on the song you choose and the difficulty level. The game offers plenty of customization options, including the ability to create your own songs on PC, and you’ll be able to practice by simply doing what you’ve been dreaming of for decades: swinging a lightsaber. With regular additions of content, Beat Saber — is a game you can play for months and years.

So you can play it for months and years.