Summary
- VR enables new gameplay mechanics like interactive environments & natural controls.
- Moss: Book 2 combines 3rd-person platforming with 1st-person puzzles in VR.
- Star Wars: Squadrons and other games show how VR enhances realism & immersion.
Virtual Reality (VR) has been used in many revolutionary ways in games to date, and as VR hardware becomes more affordable, it is likely that many new uses will be found by game designers. VR provides developers with an entirely new way to immerse players in a game world, and in the case of some titles, has delivered a unique gaming experience.
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VR opens up many new gameplay mechanics, such as fully interactive environments, natural-feeling control schemes, and new ways to involve the player within the narrative. Even though VR is yet to fully mature, there are already some great titles that have shown what its immersive potential could be.
8 Moss: Book 2
Third-Person Platforming Meets First-Person Puzzle Solving
|
Platforms |
PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Meta Quest 2 |
|---|---|
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Released |
March 31, 2022 |
|
Developer |
Polyarc |
|
Genre |
Platformer, Puzzle, Adventure |
Moss: Book 2 follows the adventures of a mouse named Quill. The player acts as a spirit guardian for Quill, and can interact with the world and its protagonist in many ways. In effect, the player is both an observer and an influencer, which gives the game a unique perspective.
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Using VR, the game world combines a finely detailed setting and third-person platforming gameplay. However, when the player comes across a puzzle that Quill must solve, the perspective switches over to first-person, and the puzzle becomes tactile, showing off how VR can be used very effectively.
7 Star Wars: Squadrons
A Space Dogfighting VR Game Set In The Star Wars Unniverse
Star Wars: Squadrons
- Released
- October 2, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- Action, Flight Simulator
Star Wars: Squadrons could be called an up-to-date version of the classic X-Wing V. TIE Fighter game in many ways, but it is also so much more. The player can fly for either the Empire or the Rebel forces, and climb into the cockpit of several iconic Star Wars ships.
VR adds a whole new level of realism and immersion to Star Wars: Squadrons. Indeed, alongside driving games, space games are a genre that has shown just how impressive VR can be. The player has free head movement and can view the detailed interiors of the ship they are flying. VR during space combat is like being in one of the Star Wars movies. It is a unique feeling and one that space sim fans won’t want to miss.
6 Lone Echo 2
Narrative-Driven Deep Space Adventure
Lone Echo II
- Released
- October 12, 2021
- Platform(s)
- PC
Set in deep space, in Lone Echo 2 the player controls a synthetic humanoid named Jack. Jack has one task: to take care of his human companion, Olivia. The action takes place in zero gravity, which can be challenging to master at first. As the plot unfolds, the mystery deepens.
The way that VR is used in Lone Echo 2 is pretty amazing. With the player floating in zero gravity, they need to reach out using VR to grab onto surfaces and move themselves around. This means that movement in Lone Echo 2 is completely different from what most players will be used to, and makes for a fantastic example of how VR opens up new options for game designers.
5 Asgard's Wrath
First-Person Swords And Sorcery
Asgard's Wrath
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 100%
- Released
- October 10, 2019
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Fighting, Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows
Asgard's Wrath was released to showcase the capabilities of Oculus VR equipment. It's a shame it was never released for some of the more affordable VR headsets that are now available to consumers, as it is a fully-fledged RPG and very playable.
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VR is used throughout this title, as the player explores dungeons, solves puzzles, and becomes involved in melee combat that is entirely physics-based. The inclusion of AI-controlled companions really helps the VR experience feel alive and dynamic. For a title that was arguably intended as an advanced tech demo, it is very well-polished and offers many hours of gameplay.
4 No Man's Sky
Limitless Open-World Space Survival And Exploration
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
No Man’s Sky is one of the definitive titles in the open-world space exploration and survival genre. It has overcome its rocky launch to become one of the best games in the genre to date. The game also includes baked-in support for a range of VR equipment.
Playing No Man’s Sky in VR is nothing short of breathtaking, the game world takes on a level of depth that a simple flat-screen display cannot portray. Standing on the edge of a cliff and looking out across an alien landscape is an incredible gameplay experience. Creatures walking across the landscape become more real, and overall, VR entirely transforms the game.
3 Resident Evil 4 VR
The Iconic Survival Horror Is Now VR-Enabled
Resident Evil 4 VR
- Released
- October 21, 2021
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Shooter
Resident Evil 4 VR is a reworked version of the classic survival horror game that brings VR support to the table. VR is used in many ways throughout the game. For example, VR gestures are used to reload weapons, block incoming attacks, and get a glimpse of the game world by peeking around corners.
Something that Resident Evil 4 VR does well is using the full VR perspective to implement jump scares, which can be quite shocking at times. Overall, VR makes the game more immersive and manages to amplify the feeling of tension for players.
2 Half-Life: Alyx
The Most Complete Blend Of VR And Narrative
Half-Life: Alyx
- Released
- March 23, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- FPS
The gameplay in Half-Life: Alyx t akes place between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. The player battles the Combine in City 17, taking on the role of Alyx Vance. The game has been designed to use VR in as immersive a way as possible.
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Good examples of VR use in Half-Life: Alyx include using gravity gloves to lift and move objects, as well as movement and interaction with the environment. From solving puzzles to epic gunplay, VR enhances everything about this game.
1 Beat Saber
A Simple But Impressive Rhythm Game
Beat Saber
- Released
- May 21, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Rhythm
Beat Saber may be a simple game, but if the sheer volume of videos shared on social media sites is anything to go by, it is widely beloved. Where other games on this list have used VR for more immersion, or to provide innovative control schemes, Beat Saber is a little more basic, but a whole lot of fun.
Using VR, the player needs to strike or move their virtual sabers to hit the right notes and stay in time with the music track and graphics, which is immersive and bordering on hypnotic. This might sound simple, but it quickly becomes incredibly challenging as the tempo of the music is increased and the complexity of the score rises.
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