Virtual reality hasn’t caught on as quickly as some predicted, but VR headsets have managed to amass an impressive collection of software in the last few years regardless. And given Sony's recent PSVR2 announcements, this could be a big year for virtual reality. If you just bought a Meta Quest or haven’t fired yours up in a long time, there are several great experiences to be had. We highlight some of the best VR titles out now for the Quest, from high octane music games to spooky shooters. Here are 10 VR games you shouldn’t ignore, in no particular order.
Honorable Mentions: Half-Life: Alyx and Lone Echo
If you have a VR-ready gaming PC, you can connect it to a Quest via an Oculus Link Cable or over WiFi using Air Link. Doing so unlocks a number of PC-based VR games, most notably Half-Life: Alyx and Lone Echo. You definitely need some extra firepower to run these impressive games, but those experiences are well worth the trouble.
Beat Saber
Workouts are rarely fun, but Beat Saber is a total blast and it does a fantastic job getting your blood pumping. This intense rhythm game puts two lightsabers in your hands then tasks you with slicing through a steady stream of oncoming blocks while dodging the occasional obstacle, all to the beat of some great tunes. It sounds simple – and it is – but we can’t deny its magic. Over the years, several updates have added music from artists such as Panic! at the Disco, Green Day, BTS, and Lady Gaga, so everyone should be able to find something to jam out to as you slice and dice. | Our Review
I Expect You To Die
Schell Games clearly loves old James Bond films; I Expect You to Die is a love letter to every scene in a movie where a spy has been tied up and left to engineer an escape. You are a special operations field agent who can’t catch a break. Each level you wind up in some precarious situation, such as locked inside a car aboard a cargo plane or trapped in a space station in high Earth orbit. Thankfully, you have psychic powers and can manipulate objects from a distance. Still, can you solve these clever environmental puzzles and escape each trap in time? A sequel came out in August 2021 and is equally compelling. | Our Impressions
Job Simulator: The 2050 Archives
You might think your job is tedious, but what would robots from the future make of it? This cheeky simulation from Owlchemy Labs lets you explore a future museum dedicated to dead-end jobs. You explore wacky approximations of real occupations like auto mechanic, gourmet chef, and office worker. A robot gives you a series of simple tasks to complete, but these literal-minded machines don’t really understand our modern lives. You “burn CDs” by putting them in a toaster and type on a keyboard with only two buttons, a “1” and a “0.” Job Simulator is full of great jokes, and it’s easy to create your own fun in these wacky play spaces. | Our Review
Moss
Quill is a tiny little mouse lost in a big world. Unfortunately, a fire-breathing snake named Sarffog threatens to overrun her kingdom. When Quill's uncle is captured, you must help guide this little mouse through a series of trials and sword fights to save her uncle from Sarffog’s clutches. A series of inventive puzzles break up the action and ask you to manipulate Quill’s environment so she can progress. You also play the entire game from a fixed perspective, so even those most susceptible to VR sickness shouldn’t have to worry about losing their lunch. Moss: Book II is planned for a spring release, and we’re very excited to see how Quill’s story progresses. | Our Review