Summary

  • VR gaming is on the rise with impressive open-world titles that offer immersive experiences.
  • Games like Green Hell and No Man's Sky provide unique and engaging gameplay in VR.
  • Modding VR titles like Fallout 4 and Skyrim enhances the immersion, making them must-play experiences.

Virtual reality is a medium that is growing bit by bit in the gaming industry. As VR headsets become more advanced and accessible, it's only a matter of time before this immersive gaming medium becomes a household staple.

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Several genres have already made a name for themselves in VR, and it's only a given that players would love to be immersed in a wide-open sandbox where they can explore anywhere and everywhere. The following open-world virtual reality games are perfect for players who want to make the most of their headsets.

8 Green Hell VR

The VR Version Of This Tough Survival Game Is A Blast

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Green Hell
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Released
September 5, 2019
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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Developer(s)
Creepy Jar
Publisher(s)
Creepy Jar
Genre(s)
Survival
OpenCritic Rating
Strong

Green Hell is a tough survival game where players are dumped in the Amazon rainforest and must survive by any means necessary. This includes hunting for food, taking preventive measures against infections, finding a place to rest, and fending off predator attacks.

All of this becomes particularly harrowing in VR, making Green Hell one of the harder virtual reality games fans can sink their teeth into. However, the payoff is worth it as players slowly but surely get accustomed to the game's systems.

7 The Forest

The Game Becomes Scarier In VR When Cannibals Come Running Out Of The Dark

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The Forest
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Released
April 30, 2018
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DIGITAL
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Developer(s)
Endnight Games
Publisher(s)
Endnight Games
Genre(s)
Survival Horror
Platform(s)
PC, PS4
OpenCritic Rating
Strong

Another excellent survival game with VR support is The Forest. The elements of horror in this game are quite effective, especially when players are being hunted down by cannibals in the hostile wilderness.

They must slowly but surely build up a base of operations and develop tools that can help them fend off attacks. As brutal as the early gameplay loop is, players who stick with this game for the long run will love how satisfying it feels when they make meaningful progress.

6 Stormland

Players Explore An Alien World And Engage In Combat

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stormland
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8 /10
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Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 56%
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Released
November 14, 2019
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Platform(s)
PC

Players who want to check out a fun open-world game that has a little something for everyone will have a great time with Stormland. Exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving are just a few of the many gameplay loops in this scifi title.

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The cherry on top is that this sandbox can also be explored in co-op. The fact that the game's procedural generation switches up missions and locations every week ensures that players will always have an excuse to boot up Stormland whenever they get the chance.

5 Fallout 4 VR

The VR Version Of This Game Is Great And Becomes Better With Mods

Fallout 4 VR
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RPG
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Adventure
Fighting
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Released
December 11, 2017
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
Genre(s)
RPG, Shooter, Adventure, Fighting
Platform(s)
Windows

Fallout 4 VR may have its flaws, but the prospect of checking out this massive open world via the medium of virtual reality is enticing for obvious reasons. Players can always mod the game to iron out its issues and make the experience as immersive as possible.

The end result is a brilliant FPS open-world RPG that is full of beautiful locations to explore. Targeting enemies in an immersive way and looking around to find interesting items will never not be engaging in this generational title.

4 Into The Radius

A Compelling VR Take On The STALKER Series

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Into The Radius
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Systems
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Released
July 20, 2020
ESRB
m
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Genre(s)
FPS, Survival, Horror
Platform(s)
PC
OpenCritic Rating
Strong

Players who want to check out a VR game inspired by titles like STALKER will have a great time with Into the Radius. The Pechorsk zone is full of tough encounters and unique anomalies that can change the way they play this game.

It's a surprisingly great title that does justice to STALKER's mechanics and is perfect for VR gaming aficionados who want to bite down on something substantial. It has its issues, but players who give Into the Radius a shot will be quite pleased by how harrowing and immersive the gameplay can be.

3 No Man's Sky

Exploring Planets And Reaching The Center Of The Galaxy In VR Is A Blast

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No Man's Sky
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7 /10
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Released
August 9, 2016
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Developer(s)
Hello Games
Publisher(s)
Hello Games
OpenCritic Rating
Fair
no-mans-sky-nintendo-switch-2-edition-free-upgrade-june-5

The redemption story of No Man's Sky is amazing and goes to show that games shouldn't be written off despite the issues they have at launch. Players love hopping from one planet to the next as they slowly explore the massive amount of content that has been added over time.

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This includes VR support, which makes No Man's Sky possibly the most immersive space exploration game fans can get their hands on right now. Players who want to relax and enjoy the zen exploration loop of this title will have a ton of fun playing No Man's Sky in VR.

2 Subnautica

The Game Becomes Immersive And Scarier Than Ever In Virtual Reality

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Subnautica
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Released
January 23, 2018
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DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Publisher(s)
Gearbox Publishing
Genre(s)
Survival, Horror
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty

As horrifying a prospect as it may be to play Subnautica in VR, there's something magical about this experience that fans should not miss out on if they can check out the game via this immersive medium. The original game is already in a class of its own compared to other survival-exploration titles, and VR elevates the fun factor to new heights.

The sinking sense of dread as players venture further from their base and pray that no massive aquatic monster jumpscares them is something that needs to be experienced at least once. If players have been tentative about getting into Subnautica, then the prospect of enjoying one of the most immersive modes released for a video game should be more than enough to convince them.

1 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim VR

Mods Make This Open-World RPG A Blast In VR

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
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Released
November 17, 2017
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Developer(s)
Bethesda, Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher(s)
Bethesda Softworks
Genre(s)
Fighting, Action RPG, Shooter, Action-Adventure
Platform(s)
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4

Skyrim is one of the greatest video games ever made, and the prospect of playing this in VR is too appealing for most players to ignore. While Bethesda's barebones work to port the title to VR should be criticized, things become entirely different when players download and install the most in-demand mods for Skyrim VR.

A decent open-world VR experience turns into one of the most immersive and groundbreaking VR titles that fans can get their hands on. It may be unfair to give Skyrim the top spot based on its mods, but words aren't enough to describe just how ahead of its time Skyrim feels with recommended VR mods compared to most other virtual reality games.

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