Summary
- Virtual Reality opens up new worlds of breathtaking beauty and serene landscapes, allowing players to explore and immerse themselves in stunning visuals.
- From marauding robotic dinosaurs in Horizon: Call of the Mountain to the haunting beauty of Fallout 4's post-apocalyptic Commonwealth, VR games offer a wide range of visually captivating experiences.
- VR technology has come a long way, with games like Half-Life: Alyx showcasing impressive graphical fidelity and optimized gameplay, proving that VR has a bright future in immersive gaming.
Virtual Reality allows us the privilege of living in brand-new worlds that we may never have dreamed of seeing with our own eyes. Sometimes these worlds can be dark and scary, but other times, these worlds can be breathtakingly beautiful and serene.
10 Great VR Games That Are Relaxing To Play
Not every virtual reality game needs to be action-packed. These VR titles are perfect for a relaxing afternoon.
Despite the fact that VR is still relatively new to the gaming scene, developers have wasted no time in crafting endless amounts of awe-inspiring visual buffets for gamers to enjoy when and wherever they desire. From pink, pillowy mountains to sparkling, crystal waters the limit is only as far as the imagination can carry and the headset life allows.
Updated on February 2, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Virtual reality has opened the floodgates for a wealth of immersive gaming experiences that will surely shock and dazzle players for decades to come. While some people may argue that this technology is still a bit too cumbersome to become commonplace, the leaps and bounds that VR headsets have taken since their inception have been nothing short of extraordinary. It's genuinely impressive to see the love and effort that has gone into developing some dazzling worlds that will wow players as they explore these landscapes to their heart's content.
17 Horizon: Call Of The Mountain
The World Of The Horizon Series Comes To Life In VR
Horizon Call of the Mountain
- Released
- February 22, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Firesprite, Guerrilla Games
- Platform(s)
- PS5
- Genre(s)
- Action, Virtual Reality
The world of Horizon is beautiful in its own way, even if it may be plagued by marauding robotic dinosaurs who've forced humanity to evolve backward. Exploring these landscapes in VR is a dream come true for many fans.
Horizon: Call of the Mountain may be pretty lean in the gameplay department, but the visuals more than make up for it. If players have the new PlayStation VR2, then there's no better showcase of this hardware's potential than this title.
16 The Climb 2
Rock-Climbing Is An Absolute Treat, With Stunning Visuals To Match
The Climb 2
- Released
- March 4, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Crytek
- Platform(s)
- Meta Quest
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
There are a lot of people who may think that The Climb 2 is nothing special. Sure, it may seem fun to climb steep surfaces in VR, but this gameplay loop seems like something that can get tiring after a point.
These people have clearly not played the game for themselves. The gameplay is just one part of what makes The Climb 2 special. Its visual design and presentation are top-notch, making it great eye candy for anyone who owns a Meta Quest headset.
15 Half-Life: Alyx
A Dystopia Has Never Looked This Good
Half-Life: Alyx
At a glance, the world of Half-Life: Alyx seems like anything but beautiful. The game takes place in a bleak future in which an alien race has taken humanity hostage, and the urban landscape of Half-Life: Alyx reflects this notion.
15 Best Half-Life: Alyx Mods And How To Install Them
Half-Life: Alyx certainly has a ton of community support., These mods stand out as the game's best, and here's how you can get them running ASAP!
However, it's the amazing graphical fidelity in Half-Life: Alyx that is worth a mention. Most people find it hard to believe that such a good-looking game from a technical point of view even works in VR, showing just how well-optimized this title is.
14 Fallout 4 VR
The Commonwealth Looks Amazing In VR
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Fallout 4 is a great mainline entry in this post-apocalyptic series that has become the stuff of legends. While the reception of hardcore fans to this title has been fairly divisive, there's no denying that the world of Fallout 4 has a haunting beauty to it that is a lot of fun to explore.
Fallout 4 VR might be a mixed bag, but this experience is improved considerably via the use of mods. Exploring The Commonwealth in VR makes for an amazing time as players interact with the world in a way unlike anything ever witnessed before.
13 Elite Dangerous
Flying A Ship Is A Blast In VR
Elite Dangerous
- Released
- December 16, 2014
- Developer(s)
- Frontier Developments
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Flight Simulator
The idea of manning a spaceship in VR sounds like a great time, but the haunting loneliness of space coupled with the complexity of this game is what makes Elite Dangerous such a unique title to check out. Roaming around space after learning the controls and the game's mechanics makes for an oddly relaxing time.
That being said, the barrier to entry to Elite Dangerous is quite high, especially in VR. However, players who manage to get through this hurdle will find themselves enjoying one of the best and most eerily beautiful VR experiences around.
12 Star Trek: Bridge Crew
Players Can Get Totally Immersed As A Part Of A Bridge Crew In The Star Trek Universe
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Release Date: May 30, 2017
Star Trek: Bridge Crew allows Trekkies to live out their fantasies of being part of a flight crew in the Star Trek universe. The fact that players assume multiple roles in this game is a huge part of why this experience is so much fun to get through.
The Best VR Shooter Games For The Meta Quest 2 (AKA The Oculus Quest 2)
The FPS genre is a perfect fit for VR gaming, and these shooter games represent the Meta Quest 2 at its best.
Manning a spaceship and setting its course by performing all critical functions properly makes for a blast. It might not be the deepest game around, but the beauty of Star Trek: Bridge Crew hammers in the immersion that players experience as they explore space in all its vastness.
11 Lone Echo
Games Set In Space Look Amazing In VR, And This Title Is No Exception
- Platforms: Meta Quest, PC
- Developer: Ready At Dawn
- Release Date: July 20, 2017
Speaking of VR games that take place in space, another great game that comes to mind is Lone Echo. Most people would argue that this game and its sequel are good enough reasons to pick up one of the Meta VR headsets.
The adventure of Lone Echo isn't the longest, but most people won't mind after witnessing just how interactive and immersive this game is. As always, the vast reaches of space make for a breathtaking view.
10 Google Earth VR
Not A Game Per Se, But Exploring The World In VR Is Amazing
- Platforms: PC
- Developer: Google
- Release Date: November 16, 2016
On one end of the spectrum of imagination within gaming, this app requires no imagination at all. With the Google Earth VR game, players can indulge in the plentiful sights that our natural world offers that they may not have ever been afforded the opportunity to see before. From the Swiss Alps to the Australian Outback, the sky is the limit...almost. Through Google's technology, players can wander around Mars, too!
This is not only perfect for those with incurable wanderlust, but also for all those who can not only not afford to travel but may also not be allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions. No longer are the seven wonders of the world outside of reach, they're just within one's headset.
9 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
One Of The Greatest Fantasy Games Is Elevated With VR
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
- Released
- November 17, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda, Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Action RPG, Shooter, Action-Adventure
Almost every gamer on the face of the planet is aware of The Elder Scrolls franchise and the magic that comes along with the Skyrim experience. Being able to live in this world through the gamers' own eyes, though, is something entirely brand new. Whether a seasoned player or picking up Skyrim for the first time, this game offers something incredible for everyone.
Skyrim: 25 Tips To Get Off To A Good Start As A Beginner
With The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim available on so many systems, new players could use these handy tips to give their first playthrough a solid start.
While some areas can be dark and scary like the deep caves lurking with Forsworn, other locations will bring a tear to the player's eye with such flawless and peaceful beauty, like the rolling hills near Whiterun. For a real thrill, a quick trip up to the Throat of the World with dragons encircling above will provide an experience unlike any other.
8 Fujii
An Evocative Artist That Looks Amazing In VR
- Platforms: Meta Quest, PC, PlayStation 4
- Developer: Funktronic Labs
- Release Date: June 27, 2019
Fujii is like walking through an artist's canvas while they're still in the upstroke of inspiration. The player helps bring the world back to life by nursing the flora and finding the perfect harmonic balance of creation within it. Collecting creatures and growing seeds within their own enchanted garden have led many players to forget the time as they craft a world they soon don't wish to leave.
A lush, chromatic wilderness springs up from every crevasse with each careful movement soothing the player as they intake the abundance of eye candy this game generously provides. From the darkness, creation, and life can thrive, should the player wish it.