Even if virtual reality is no longer gaming's exciting new fad, the hardware is still in its infancy and has plenty of room to grow. Developers are constantly exploring and pushing the technology's limitations, striving to craft experiences capable of delivering a sense of immersion beyond anything previously produced by the industry.
With the market offering a myriad of headsets at different price points, VR is now more accessible than ever. That said, it is still generally a costly investment that some people might struggle to justify. Beyond just the hardware, building a library of games can get pretty expensive as well, at least if freebies are entirely ignored. However, there are plenty of great free VR games.
Updated February 17, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Free virtual reality games are not extremely rare, but genuinely great ones are fairly difficult to come by. Generally, if a project is good enough to play, it is good enough to pay for. Still, there are enough free options out there to keep players busy for a while, even if it is just to kill time between other games. Also, one of the best VR games is free, on some platforms.
1 Gorilla Tag (PS VR2 & Meta Quest)
Not Free On Steam, But Probably The Best Free VR Game On PS5 And Meta Quest
Gorilla Tag
- Released
- December 15, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Another Axiom
- Supported VR Headsets
- Meta Quest 3, HTC Vive, Valve Index, PlayStation VR 2 Headset, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Party Game, Virtual Reality
OK, here is a bit of a strange one. For the most part, free virtual reality games are consistent across the board. As long as they are available on a system, they will not require an investment. However, Gorilla Tag is an exception since it is free on PS5 and Meta Quest, but not on Steam. If somebody goes with the latter option, they will need to drop $19.99, which would be required if they do not happen to be part of the Meta ecosystem or own a PS VR2.
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One exception might not sound like a big deal, but Gorilla Tag is among the most popular VR games on the market, to the point that the term "monke" has become something of a meme. More importantly, the game's movement is notoriously an acquired taste with a steep learning curve. There is no guarantee that a new player will take to it, an outcome that is easier to stomach with a free rather than premium title.
Conversely, if someone does come to grips with its peculiar motion controls, they could very well find Gorilla Tag to be the best free VR game on the market. If it clicks, it is addictive, granting players a fun "tag" style multiplayer game that can also act as a socializing platform.
2 Moon Rider
Rhythm Games Similar To Beat Saber
Moon Rider
- Released
- May 6, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Supported VR Headsets
- Meta Quest 2, HTC Vive, Valve Index
- Genre(s)
- Rhythm
- Easily Accessible
- Fun Rhythm Gameplay Akin To Beat Saber
- Plenty Of Songs
Beat Saber has seen massive success thanks to its fun and engaging rhythm-based gameplay that sees players slicing and dicing their way to the beat through their favorite songs. It also features a dedicated modding community that is dedicated to filling its libraries with as much as possible. Those who are looking for a free-to-play alternative to the musically-infused smash hit can check out Moon Rider.
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As a web-based program, players won't even need to download anything to get started. Instead, they'll simply need to head to the website (moonrider.xyz) in their Meta Quest web browser (or using another applicable headset browser). Once there, players will have immediate access to over 15,000 songs that they can play, with a very similar feeling to Beat Saber.
Moon Rider is available as a web-based program, meaning players with all types of headsets can hop into the release so long as they can access a web browser on their device. It's considered one of the better Beat Saber-like releases out there and plays incredibly well for a browser-based title.
3 Mine Souls 3
Itch.io Rating: 4.2/5
Mine Souls 3
- Released
- 2021
- Supported VR Headsets
- Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest, Valve Index
- Genre(s)
- Action, Virtual Reality
- Interesting Blend Of Minecraft & Dark Souls
- VR Souls-likes Are Basically Non-Existent, So This Scratches A Unique Itch
Itch.io is great for short and sweet fan games, and the platform has quite a few free VR titles. Along with known properties, the site has a wide range of creative games that try to scratch an itch that official and mainline releases cannot reach. Mine Souls 3 is one such project, and as its name suggests, it combines Minecraft and Dark Souls. On the surface, this might just seem like a novelty that won't hold value beyond a minute or two, but that's not really the case. These two franchises blend surprisingly well, and there is enough content here to keep someone busy for half an hour. More importantly, Mine Souls 3 oozes charm as it pays tribute to both of its inspirations.
The game can be played like a standard third-person Soulslike, and it delivers a reliable experience through this avenue. However, Mine Souls 3 also supports virtual reality, which shifts things to a first-person perspective. Outside a few somewhat related titles like In Death: Unchained, VR Soulslikes are almost non-existent, and Mine Souls 3 shows that this could be an untapped market. Also, considering Minecraft has expanded into different genres in recent years, who is to say the official franchise won't eventually go down this route?
4 The Lab
Steam User Rating: 95%
The Lab
- Released
- April 5, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Good VR Showcase
- Mini-Games
- Not That Replayable
Any relatively new technology needs to familiarize users with its functionality, which is essentially the purpose of Valve's The Lab. Consisting of eight mini-games, The Lab drops players into a pocket universe where they can become accustomed to the wonders of virtual reality. None of the games are long or especially deep, but they are all polished and enjoyable in their own right.
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The Lab might not have too much value for those who are already deep into the world of VR, but newcomers should consider starting with this free package. Although the game did not receive enough critical reviews to earn an open-critic score, The Lab's reception was largely positive. The same can be said for its reviews on Steam.
5 Cactus Cowboy - Plants At War
Steam User Rating: 89%
Cactus Cowboy - Plants at War
- Released
- May 3, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Supported VR Headsets
- Sony PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest 2, Oculus Quest, Meta Quest Pro, Valve Index
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Rare Free PSVR2 Game
- Decent Single-Player Campaign
Largely created by one developer, Cactus Cowboy - Plants At War was the first free VR game to come to the PSVR 2. Unsurprisingly overshadowed by the hardware's other launch releases like Horizon Call of the Mountain and virtual reality updates to Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village, Plants At War is nevertheless a decent addition to pretty much any VR library. The game has been out on PC for roughly a year too, so someone does not have to own a PS5 to try this release.
A first-person military shooter that trades harrowing realism for army cacti and massive bugs, Plants At War is a single-player experience with charming visuals, a sense of humor, and decent gameplay. While it might not revolutionize the gaming industry, this release is nevertheless impressive considering its small production team.
6 RaceRoom Racing Experience
Steam User Rating: 74%
RaceRoom Racing Experience
- Released
- February 12, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- KW Studios
- Supported VR Headsets
- Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
- Genre(s)
- Racing
- Solid Driving Mechanics
- Good Showcase For VR Racing Games, Especially Since The Genre Mostly Consists Of Premium Products
- Limited Free Content
- Uneven Performance
RaceRoom Racing Experience has been around for a long time, and it is firmly established as one of the better sim racing options on Steam. The genre does not have too many free-to-play greats in its ranks, and while RaceRoom's non-priced content is not extensive, it does provide more than enough material to allow new players to make an informed decision on whether they would like to invest their time and money. Free users can utilize more than 10 cars and access five tracks, which should help them decide if they like the feel of the game. More importantly, players can take premium cars for a spin before purchasing them, and the game is overflowing with options in this area. There are also plenty of tracks. Along with purchasing tracks and cars individually, RaceRoom also has a few available packs, including a premium option that unlocks nearly everything.
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RaceRoom's VR is a mixed bag since the performance can fluctuate extensively depending on someone's setup. Still, it is a nice option to have alongside the standard non-VR version. When it comes to free VR racing games, the selection is almost non-existent, so RaceRoom should help fill that void even if it might not be the best on the market when compared to releases that are priced out of the gate.
7 Republique VR
Steam User Rating: 73%
République VR
- Released
- July 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Supported VR Headsets
- Sony PlayStation VR, Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Stealth
- Fun Story & Setting
- Respectable Puzzles
- Gameplay Can Be Polarizing, Especially Stealth
Camouflaj's Republique is an episodic stealth game that debuted in 2013. Garnering a decent overall reception, this title understands its genre, without necessarily bringing too much new to the table. In 2022, Republique VR made its way to PC and PS VR, making it one of the few stealth games on the market.
Initially sold for $14.99, Republique VR and its non-VR version are nowadays free-to-play, and they are both solid experiences. Rather than control Hope, the protagonist, players essentially act as an overlooker who assists the main character by hacking doors and completing puzzles. The gameplay might not be to everyone's tastes, but it is well executed. The storyline is also quite engaging, and the episodes do not overstay their welcome.
8 Dagon: By H. P. Lovecraft
Steam User Rating: 95%
Dagon: By H. P. Lovecraft
- Released
- September 24, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Supported VR Headsets
- Valve Index, HTC Vive, Meta Quest 2, Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift S, HTC Vive Pro, HTC Vive Pro 2
- Genre(s)
- Horror
- Great Horror Game Inspired By A Master Of The Genre
- While Mostly For Lovecraft Fans, It Should Still Entertain The Uninitiated
Dagon: by H. P. Lovecraft is one of the best free horror games on Steam. A loyal Lovecraftian experience, Dagon is short and, for a lack of a more appropriate word, sweet, one that will surely hit the mark for any fans of the author's works.
While not available at launch, virtual reality support was eventually added to the game, taking an already intense experience and maximizing its fear factor. Now, it should be said that intractability is not Dagon's priority, as this title predominantly focuses on presenting Lovecraft's ideas through a more visual medium.
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Developed by Bit Golem, Dagon has garnered near-universal praise, particularly for its dedication to authentically capturing the essence of a Lovecraftian story. Fans of the source material should definitely check this out, and even people who have never read anything by Lovecraft are likely to find something to appreciate in this title.
9 War Thunder
Steam User Rating: 75%
War Thunder
- Released
- November 1, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Gaijin Entertainment
- Supported VR Headsets
- HTC Vive, Sony PlayStation VR, Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, Meta Quest 2
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Immersive
- Quite A Lot Of Content
- VR Gives The Action A Sim-Like Quality
- VR Is Very Much Optional
Launching in 2013 as an open beta, War Thunder is approaching its 10-year anniversary, and the free-to-play vehicular combat game is still very active on Steam. Offering three styles of battles that range from arcade goodness to war sims, War Thunder covers a wide spectrum of preferences, and it handles most of these areas quite well.
Virtual reality support was eventually added to the MMO, introducing a new dimension to an already robust package. Now, it should be said that War Thunder is still primarily designed to be played without VR, and the game's standard version plays better; nevertheless, this option elevates the immersion to the next level. Through VR, War Thunder becomes a proper flight or tank sim, and a pretty fun one at that. Even if it is treated more like a neat bonus than a required part of the experience, War Thunder's VR mode is considered decent.
10 Shattered Lights
Steam User Rating: 88%
Shattered Lights
- Released
- June 11, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Simple But Intense Horror Game
- Realistic Visuals
- Requires A Fairly Large Space
Horror and VR are made for each other, and Shattered Lights showcases this wicked union beautifully. Team Morbid's title uses non-euclidean geometry to create a fully immersive experience designed around the player's physical movement. Consequently, the game requires a rather large play area, and anyone looking to try this title should first check they have the necessary space.
Conceptually, Shattered Lights is a relatively straightforward horror game. Players investigate an abandoned medical facility with just a flashlight. The visuals are quite great as well, and they certainly make for an intense playthrough.