VR Games
VR games I own and/or have played.
109 Games
VR: Optional.
SKILL: None required.
NAUSEA: Bright lights and free movement.
VERDICT: Menus don't seem to work in VR, which must be enabled through beta. This locks players into just one of the worlds it has to offer.
SKILL: None required.
NAUSEA: Bright lights and free movement.
VERDICT: Menus don't seem to work in VR, which must be enabled through beta. This locks players into just one of the worlds it has to offer.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Controls are simple, but sensitive. Large movements will cause spin-outs.
NAUSEA: Very high nausea tolerance required, as the fast free flight movement includes spins, loops, and quick changes in direction.
VERDICT: Flying around a small cyberpunk city is neat, and so is doing barrel rolls to make yourself sick on purpose. Light recommendation.
SKILL: Controls are simple, but sensitive. Large movements will cause spin-outs.
NAUSEA: Very high nausea tolerance required, as the fast free flight movement includes spins, loops, and quick changes in direction.
VERDICT: Flying around a small cyberpunk city is neat, and so is doing barrel rolls to make yourself sick on purpose. Light recommendation.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Difficulty selection available, but players are expected to think and act fast, including navigating a weapon wheel while in-game.
NAUSEA: Snap turning and seated modes available, but movement is fast and players can fall from heights. Picking up certain items causes the screen to flash briefly.
VERDICT: A solid VR port of AMID EVIL that provides a fun challenge.
SKILL: Difficulty selection available, but players are expected to think and act fast, including navigating a weapon wheel while in-game.
NAUSEA: Snap turning and seated modes available, but movement is fast and players can fall from heights. Picking up certain items causes the screen to flash briefly.
VERDICT: A solid VR port of AMID EVIL that provides a fun challenge.
VR: Required.
SKILL: It's a roguelite, so you're likely to die more often than win. Victory will require some dedication.
NAUSEA: Players have free movement, and might fall down pits or small cliffs.
VERDICT: A voxel-based dungeon crawling roguelite. Even as someone who is tired of the genre, I have a good time playing this—there's something about physically swinging a sword that never gets old. I've yet to get to the end of a dungeon, but it's fun.
SKILL: It's a roguelite, so you're likely to die more often than win. Victory will require some dedication.
NAUSEA: Players have free movement, and might fall down pits or small cliffs.
VERDICT: A voxel-based dungeon crawling roguelite. Even as someone who is tired of the genre, I have a good time playing this—there's something about physically swinging a sword that never gets old. I've yet to get to the end of a dungeon, but it's fun.
VR: Required.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Practically none required.
NAUSEA: The player is placed at the edge of a seemingly bottomless pit, which may cause vertigo. A moment in the game intensifies this.
VERDICT: Teaches players to use individual fingers on their Index controllers. Portal fans will get a bit more out of it, but otherwise it's best to show this to family and friends unfamiliar with VR.
SKILL: Practically none required.
NAUSEA: The player is placed at the edge of a seemingly bottomless pit, which may cause vertigo. A moment in the game intensifies this.
VERDICT: Teaches players to use individual fingers on their Index controllers. Portal fans will get a bit more out of it, but otherwise it's best to show this to family and friends unfamiliar with VR.
VR: Required.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Easy to learn, but tough to master. For the most part, players stand in one spot for the duration of the game, but there's a significant amount of limb movement required.
NAUSEA: Bright, flashing lights.
VERDICT: A must-have—easily one of my top 5 VR games—but modding is essential to get the most out of it.
SKILL: Easy to learn, but tough to master. For the most part, players stand in one spot for the duration of the game, but there's a significant amount of limb movement required.
NAUSEA: Bright, flashing lights.
VERDICT: A must-have—easily one of my top 5 VR games—but modding is essential to get the most out of it.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Requires a good amount of movement from the player, but enemy waves range from easy to difficult.
NAUSEA: Free movement and moderately tiring gameplay. Players may fall off cliffs or ledges.
VERDICT: Unlock this thing's full potential with mods and it becomes one of the best VR games for people who like bashing skulls.
SKILL: Requires a good amount of movement from the player, but enemy waves range from easy to difficult.
NAUSEA: Free movement and moderately tiring gameplay. Players may fall off cliffs or ledges.
VERDICT: Unlock this thing's full potential with mods and it becomes one of the best VR games for people who like bashing skulls.
VR: Required.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Fairly high, recommended for those familiar with VR. Reloading guns is a multi-step process and needs to be done in tense situations.
NAUSEA: Free movement with full-body physics. Heights and horror elements come into play in some levels.
VERDICT: Some of my favorite gunplay in any VR title, and it has plenty of fun gimmicks. I'm a big fan of its physics-based approach to the game world, though it feels like it never reached its full potential there. The campaign is just okay, with an uncompelling plot and overly long levels, but it's also got a couple other game modes and sandboxes to support it. Enemies are basically just the same as Half-Life: headcrabs, zombies, and boot boys. In other words, it's a mixed bag, but full of potential and ultimately worth it.
SKILL: Fairly high, recommended for those familiar with VR. Reloading guns is a multi-step process and needs to be done in tense situations.
NAUSEA: Free movement with full-body physics. Heights and horror elements come into play in some levels.
VERDICT: Some of my favorite gunplay in any VR title, and it has plenty of fun gimmicks. I'm a big fan of its physics-based approach to the game world, though it feels like it never reached its full potential there. The campaign is just okay, with an uncompelling plot and overly long levels, but it's also got a couple other game modes and sandboxes to support it. Enemies are basically just the same as Half-Life: headcrabs, zombies, and boot boys. In other words, it's a mixed bag, but full of potential and ultimately worth it.
VR: Optional.
SKILL: Brain-intensive falling block puzzles.
NAUSEA: Extremely disorienting view.
VERDICT: Wasn't a fan of this one, but it seems to be more about the concept than how playable or fun it actually is.
SKILL: Brain-intensive falling block puzzles.
NAUSEA: Extremely disorienting view.
VERDICT: Wasn't a fan of this one, but it seems to be more about the concept than how playable or fun it actually is.
VR: Optional.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Practically none.
NAUSEA: Extremely bright colors, flashing and pulsing lights. Players can stand or be seated, but movement must be done in real life.
VERDICT: Essentially a cool interactive visualizer for your music that you can surround yourself with. Full review on its page.
SKILL: Practically none.
NAUSEA: Extremely bright colors, flashing and pulsing lights. Players can stand or be seated, but movement must be done in real life.
VERDICT: Essentially a cool interactive visualizer for your music that you can surround yourself with. Full review on its page.
VR: Required.
SKILL: None.
NAUSEA: Psychedelic, pulsing colors and moving patterns.
VERDICT: Its visuals seem pretty limited, but it was neat to play around with while listening to psytrance.
SKILL: None.
NAUSEA: Psychedelic, pulsing colors and moving patterns.
VERDICT: Its visuals seem pretty limited, but it was neat to play around with while listening to psytrance.
VR: Required.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Simple logic elements.
NAUSEA: Free movement or blink movement. Bright colors, but not blinding.
VERDICT: Would probably have enjoyed this if I was a young teen, but more than anything, I just found it tiring. The humor wasn't landing, and the quests felt more like busywork.
SKILL: Simple logic elements.
NAUSEA: Free movement or blink movement. Bright colors, but not blinding.
VERDICT: Would probably have enjoyed this if I was a young teen, but more than anything, I just found it tiring. The humor wasn't landing, and the quests felt more like busywork.
VR: Optional
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Required.
SKILL: High impact gameplay requiring a decent level of fitness.
NAUSEA: Free movement, high impact gameplay.
VERDICT: Dry-heaving from how much of a workout this is, but at least you get to punch Sylvester Stallone. Physically demanding. Surprisingly decent quality for a movie tie-in game.
SKILL: High impact gameplay requiring a decent level of fitness.
NAUSEA: Free movement, high impact gameplay.
VERDICT: Dry-heaving from how much of a workout this is, but at least you get to punch Sylvester Stallone. Physically demanding. Surprisingly decent quality for a movie tie-in game.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Brain-bending jigsaw puzzles requiring spatial reasoning. They start easy and get very difficult later.
NAUSEA: Very low. Seated play, environment is a white void.
VERDICT: Brain-bending 3D jigsaw puzzle game. The tweezers you grab pieces with can be a bit touchy.
SKILL: Brain-bending jigsaw puzzles requiring spatial reasoning. They start easy and get very difficult later.
NAUSEA: Very low. Seated play, environment is a white void.
VERDICT: Brain-bending 3D jigsaw puzzle game. The tweezers you grab pieces with can be a bit touchy.
VR: Optional.
SKILL: Moderate to very high, depending on the selected track. The driving in this game can become very tricky and features advanced techniques.
NAUSEA: The environment moves quickly around the player. Nausea will be much higher in first-person in-car views.
VERDICT: Distance is a solid game, and the VR is neat, but it's not what I would call a "VR must-have." The third-person view is really neat, making the vehicle look like a toy car.
SKILL: Moderate to very high, depending on the selected track. The driving in this game can become very tricky and features advanced techniques.
NAUSEA: The environment moves quickly around the player. Nausea will be much higher in first-person in-car views.
VERDICT: Distance is a solid game, and the VR is neat, but it's not what I would call a "VR must-have." The third-person view is really neat, making the vehicle look like a toy car.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Low.
NAUSEA: Low. Blink movement. Bugs are present but can be turned off.
VERDICT: An okay experience. Lacking in content despite its procedurally-generated caves, so the replayability isn't as high as I'd like. Controls are also very touchy, especially when it comes to equipping items to the tool belt.
SKILL: Low.
NAUSEA: Low. Blink movement. Bugs are present but can be turned off.
VERDICT: An okay experience. Lacking in content despite its procedurally-generated caves, so the replayability isn't as high as I'd like. Controls are also very touchy, especially when it comes to equipping items to the tool belt.
VR: Required, but based on a non-VR game.
SKILL: Moderate. Players must react to combat situations and physically mimic using weapons.
NAUSEA: Free movement. Large cliffs. Light horror elements.
VERDICT: You have to spend a whole day modding this to make it worth playing, and once that's done, you're playing Skyrim Special Edition but standing up. I like Skyrim—in spite of its many flaws—but you would be a fool to buy this broken, no-effort VR port at full price. Negativity aside, Skyrim is a comfort game for me, and I did enjoy my time playing a heavily-modded (and gorgeous) VR version. If you love Skyrim, and really want to see it in VR, and are willing to spend several hours following SIRVAGG's intricate modding guide, then get this on sale.
SKILL: Moderate. Players must react to combat situations and physically mimic using weapons.
NAUSEA: Free movement. Large cliffs. Light horror elements.
VERDICT: You have to spend a whole day modding this to make it worth playing, and once that's done, you're playing Skyrim Special Edition but standing up. I like Skyrim—in spite of its many flaws—but you would be a fool to buy this broken, no-effort VR port at full price. Negativity aside, Skyrim is a comfort game for me, and I did enjoy my time playing a heavily-modded (and gorgeous) VR version. If you love Skyrim, and really want to see it in VR, and are willing to spend several hours following SIRVAGG's intricate modding guide, then get this on sale.
VR: Required.
SKILL: High.
NAUSEA: Very low.
VERDICT: Going online at 12 AM to get my ass kicked by Europeans. 10/10 would recommend. In seriousness, though, this has some decent training modes and the simulation is pretty solid, even if it does take some time and settings adjustments to get used to.
SKILL: High.
NAUSEA: Very low.
VERDICT: Going online at 12 AM to get my ass kicked by Europeans. 10/10 would recommend. In seriousness, though, this has some decent training modes and the simulation is pretty solid, even if it does take some time and settings adjustments to get used to.
VR: Optional.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Required.
SKILL: None needed.
NAUSEA: Free movement, but fairly low.
VERDICT: An odd building evoking similar feelings as liminal spaces, but perhaps more sterile. An exploration of negative space in architecture. Maybe not for everyone, but I got something out of it.
SKILL: None needed.
NAUSEA: Free movement, but fairly low.
VERDICT: An odd building evoking similar feelings as liminal spaces, but perhaps more sterile. An exploration of negative space in architecture. Maybe not for everyone, but I got something out of it.
VR: Optional.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Requires some puzzle-solving logic skills.
NAUSEA: Teleport movement. Potential vertigo in parts of the game with heights, vehicles, and Portal-like imagery.
VERDICT: The game's cute enough but I found myself annoyed at the dialog that repeatedly gave me hints at how to solve the puzzles—despite having hints turned off.
SKILL: Requires some puzzle-solving logic skills.
NAUSEA: Teleport movement. Potential vertigo in parts of the game with heights, vehicles, and Portal-like imagery.
VERDICT: The game's cute enough but I found myself annoyed at the dialog that repeatedly gave me hints at how to solve the puzzles—despite having hints turned off.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Logic puzzles require some deductive reasoning skills.
NAUSEA: Pretty moderate, though there are some pits that might cause vertigo.
VERDICT: Really strong visuals with middling puzzles and shallow, tacked-on plot and themes. Fairly short.
SKILL: Logic puzzles require some deductive reasoning skills.
NAUSEA: Pretty moderate, though there are some pits that might cause vertigo.
VERDICT: Really strong visuals with middling puzzles and shallow, tacked-on plot and themes. Fairly short.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Light platforming, light puzzling.
NAUSEA: Free movement, slow and easy vehicles.
VERDICT: Part planting sim, part puzzle-platformer. It's cute, but in the end I thought it was just fine.
SKILL: Light platforming, light puzzling.
NAUSEA: Free movement, slow and easy vehicles.
VERDICT: Part planting sim, part puzzle-platformer. It's cute, but in the end I thought it was just fine.
VR: Required.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Requires logic-solving skills and precise, steady movements.
NAUSEA: Low.
VERDICT: The puzzles are fun, though I didn't get as much out of the sandbox as I'd have liked. A big part of making Rube Goldberg machines is showing them off, and it's not always easy to stream a VR game.
SKILL: Requires logic-solving skills and precise, steady movements.
NAUSEA: Low.
VERDICT: The puzzles are fun, though I didn't get as much out of the sandbox as I'd have liked. A big part of making Rube Goldberg machines is showing them off, and it's not always easy to stream a VR game.
VR: Required.
SKILL: It's a fairly chill game, though some puzzle-solving skills and light platforming are required.
NAUSEA: Moderate. Free movement and cliffs. Nausea potentially strongest during boating segments.
VERDICT: A potentially addicting farming simulator, though a couple of the islands feel significantly less finished than the others. Cute art style, though.
SKILL: It's a fairly chill game, though some puzzle-solving skills and light platforming are required.
NAUSEA: Moderate. Free movement and cliffs. Nausea potentially strongest during boating segments.
VERDICT: A potentially addicting farming simulator, though a couple of the islands feel significantly less finished than the others. Cute art style, though.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Very low.
NAUSEA: Standing stationary play. Blink teleportation with optional free movement.
VERDICT: Neat to visit some photorealistic locations with flowing water in VR, but movement is limited unless you want to break the illusion pretty badly. I've been to the Watkins Glen location in real life, and it's neat to see it captured here. Unfortunately, there aren't many locations, and despite plans to add more, I don't think it's received updates.
SKILL: Very low.
NAUSEA: Standing stationary play. Blink teleportation with optional free movement.
VERDICT: Neat to visit some photorealistic locations with flowing water in VR, but movement is limited unless you want to break the illusion pretty badly. I've been to the Watkins Glen location in real life, and it's neat to see it captured here. Unfortunately, there aren't many locations, and despite plans to add more, I don't think it's received updates.
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Adjustable skill levels, but the expectation is that players are not casual gamers. Requires a lot of precise movements in tense situations—for example, reloading a gun is a multi-step process and must be done mid-combat.
NAUSEA: Several locomotion options. Nausea is lower with blink locomotion. Zombie gore and horror sections are prevalent.
VERDICT: Still the most well-polished, AAA-esque VR game I've played. Highly recommended. Worth playing the other Half-Life games first if you haven't yet.
SKILL: Adjustable skill levels, but the expectation is that players are not casual gamers. Requires a lot of precise movements in tense situations—for example, reloading a gun is a multi-step process and must be done mid-combat.
NAUSEA: Several locomotion options. Nausea is lower with blink locomotion. Zombie gore and horror sections are prevalent.
VERDICT: Still the most well-polished, AAA-esque VR game I've played. Highly recommended. Worth playing the other Half-Life games first if you haven't yet.
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
VR: Required.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Has plenty of different mini-games, some of which require very little skill. Others require precise movements, fast reaction times, and knowledge of how guns work.
NAUSEA: Moderate. Free movement.
VERDICT: Heaven for 2nd Amendment fans and other gun enthusiasts. I personally got the most out of playing ski-ball with grenades. Not my cup of tea, but the appeal isn't entirely lost on me. Dedicated developers.
SKILL: Has plenty of different mini-games, some of which require very little skill. Others require precise movements, fast reaction times, and knowledge of how guns work.
NAUSEA: Moderate. Free movement.
VERDICT: Heaven for 2nd Amendment fans and other gun enthusiasts. I personally got the most out of playing ski-ball with grenades. Not my cup of tea, but the appeal isn't entirely lost on me. Dedicated developers.
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required
SKILL: Moderate-high
NAUSEA: Moderate-high
VERDICT: Odd controls paired with open-world levels that don't really feel like there was any thought put into their flow or structure. I don't really love Jet Island, either, but stick to Jet Island.
SKILL: Moderate-high
NAUSEA: Moderate-high
VERDICT: Odd controls paired with open-world levels that don't really feel like there was any thought put into their flow or structure. I don't really love Jet Island, either, but stick to Jet Island.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Moderately high. Players need to manage their movement speed, direction, and enemies at the same time, using several mechanics at once.
NAUSEA: The player moves very quickly through the environment, and may fall from extreme heights.
VERDICT: It feels cool to go fast, and frankly, "Shadow of the Colossus but on a hoverboard with a grappling hook" is one of the greatest ideas ever. Unfortunately, it's very easy to go TOO fast, and clip through the world—especially in the underground levels. In fact, it's those same underground levels that really highlight how poorly designed the world map as a whole is. Too much of the world feels completely unplanned, as if every hill was created at random and then just had stuff placed on it after.
SKILL: Moderately high. Players need to manage their movement speed, direction, and enemies at the same time, using several mechanics at once.
NAUSEA: The player moves very quickly through the environment, and may fall from extreme heights.
VERDICT: It feels cool to go fast, and frankly, "Shadow of the Colossus but on a hoverboard with a grappling hook" is one of the greatest ideas ever. Unfortunately, it's very easy to go TOO fast, and clip through the world—especially in the underground levels. In fact, it's those same underground levels that really highlight how poorly designed the world map as a whole is. Too much of the world feels completely unplanned, as if every hill was created at random and then just had stuff placed on it after.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Basic puzzle-solving logic skills required.
NAUSEA: Very low, as players and levels are stationary.
VERDICT: A cute little game, best played early on in one's exploration of VR games. The jobs themselves are a mixed bag but there's charm to be found in each section of the game.
SKILL: Basic puzzle-solving logic skills required.
NAUSEA: Very low, as players and levels are stationary.
VERDICT: A cute little game, best played early on in one's exploration of VR games. The jobs themselves are a mixed bag but there's charm to be found in each section of the game.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Requires a lot of large, but precise, movements. Free roaming is more casual, while racing is actually rather difficult.
NAUSEA: Free movement in a vehicle requiring precise controls. Players might not be able to stop the kayak from moving.
VERDICT: Absolutely beautiful. The option to free roam is appreciated, as the racing challenges are very tough (but fun). A really unique experience, and the level variety is nice.
SKILL: Requires a lot of large, but precise, movements. Free roaming is more casual, while racing is actually rather difficult.
NAUSEA: Free movement in a vehicle requiring precise controls. Players might not be able to stop the kayak from moving.
VERDICT: Absolutely beautiful. The option to free roam is appreciated, as the racing challenges are very tough (but fun). A really unique experience, and the level variety is nice.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Quick puzzle-solving skills will be needed to complete the tasks. Players will need to be able to crouch.
NAUSEA: None.
VERDICT: The short time limit puts a strain on looking through the junk in the room, and it's very easy to accidentally drop objects. Gripping onto objects for long periods of time cause hand pain.
SKILL: Quick puzzle-solving skills will be needed to complete the tasks. Players will need to be able to crouch.
NAUSEA: None.
VERDICT: The short time limit puts a strain on looking through the junk in the room, and it's very easy to accidentally drop objects. Gripping onto objects for long periods of time cause hand pain.
VR: Required.
SKILL: A mixed set of mini-games, some of which are more difficult than others. Several require no skill, as this is intended to be an introduction to VR.
NAUSEA: Very low. If you experience VR significant motion sickness during The Lab, it's a sign that VR might not be for you.
VERDICT: A collection of tech demos, but worth looking into as an introduction to VR. Portal fans will get a bit more out of it. Great for showing family members what VR is like.
SKILL: A mixed set of mini-games, some of which are more difficult than others. Several require no skill, as this is intended to be an introduction to VR.
NAUSEA: Very low. If you experience VR significant motion sickness during The Lab, it's a sign that VR might not be for you.
VERDICT: A collection of tech demos, but worth looking into as an introduction to VR. Portal fans will get a bit more out of it. Great for showing family members what VR is like.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Puzzles require logical deduction, a decent range of motion, and quick reflexes.
NAUSEA: Choices between smooth locomotion and teleportation. Choices between snap turning and smooth turning.
VERDICT: One of my favorite VR titles, a strong indie first-person puzzler with good voice acting, a unique concept, and a solid execution.
SKILL: Puzzles require logical deduction, a decent range of motion, and quick reflexes.
NAUSEA: Choices between smooth locomotion and teleportation. Choices between snap turning and smooth turning.
VERDICT: One of my favorite VR titles, a strong indie first-person puzzler with good voice acting, a unique concept, and a solid execution.
VR: Required.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Optional, in development.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Very low.
NAUSEA: Bright pastel colors, free flight movement but no spinning.
VERDICT: This could be interesting if it had more variety to it. As a standalone experience, it doesn't have much replay value.
SKILL: Very low.
NAUSEA: Bright pastel colors, free flight movement but no spinning.
VERDICT: This could be interesting if it had more variety to it. As a standalone experience, it doesn't have much replay value.
VR: Via modding.
SKILL: Minecraft has something for every skill level, from creative mode's unlimited building possibilities to the intense one-life Hardcore mode.
NAUSEA: Frankly, I found movement in this to be really jarring.
VERDICT: Questionable stability, limits certain game options. I really don't like playing Minecraft with the Index controllers. Worth looking into later in its development, maybe?
SKILL: Minecraft has something for every skill level, from creative mode's unlimited building possibilities to the intense one-life Hardcore mode.
NAUSEA: Frankly, I found movement in this to be really jarring.
VERDICT: Questionable stability, limits certain game options. I really don't like playing Minecraft with the Index controllers. Worth looking into later in its development, maybe?
VR: Optional.
SKILL: A fairly casual score-based shoot 'em up.
NAUSEA: Seated play. Bright lights and lots of particle effects.
VERDICT: Simple but surprisingly fun scrolling shooter in which players are given free reign to move backward or forwards through a looping plain. The neon retro aesthetic looks good in VR.
SKILL: A fairly casual score-based shoot 'em up.
NAUSEA: Seated play. Bright lights and lots of particle effects.
VERDICT: Simple but surprisingly fun scrolling shooter in which players are given free reign to move backward or forwards through a looping plain. The neon retro aesthetic looks good in VR.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Moderate. Some combat challenges on top of platforming and light environmental puzzling.
NAUSEA: Low. Seated play.
VERDICT: A charming little puzzle-platformer in which you are a forest spirit guiding a mouse named Quill on her journey to save her uncle. There's a neat duality to the game where you're technically controlling Quill, but you also need to use your own hands to influence the environment. Short, but really worthwhile. Looking forward to a PC port of the sequel!
SKILL: Moderate. Some combat challenges on top of platforming and light environmental puzzling.
NAUSEA: Low. Seated play.
VERDICT: A charming little puzzle-platformer in which you are a forest spirit guiding a mouse named Quill on her journey to save her uncle. There's a neat duality to the game where you're technically controlling Quill, but you also need to use your own hands to influence the environment. Short, but really worthwhile. Looking forward to a PC port of the sequel!
VR: Required.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: As a roguelite, losing the game frequently is expected. To dodge bullets, players are expected to utilize both real movement and a joystick that moves the player's position within the small play area. There is a seated mode, however, and using the guns in combat is very simple. Players are expected to strategize as they build their guns between waves of enemies.
NAUSEA: A couple of movement options as well as a seated may ease nausea, but the levels should be pretty low here to start with.
VERDICT: A strong FPS roguelite—building guns as you play is a fun gimmick, though enemies and bosses do get a little repetitive. Looks great, with an art style that should age well.
SKILL: As a roguelite, losing the game frequently is expected. To dodge bullets, players are expected to utilize both real movement and a joystick that moves the player's position within the small play area. There is a seated mode, however, and using the guns in combat is very simple. Players are expected to strategize as they build their guns between waves of enemies.
NAUSEA: A couple of movement options as well as a seated may ease nausea, but the levels should be pretty low here to start with.
VERDICT: A strong FPS roguelite—building guns as you play is a fun gimmick, though enemies and bosses do get a little repetitive. Looks great, with an art style that should age well.
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Very low—the interactive experiences tend to not be skill-based.
NAUSEA: Free movement and blink movement available. Some installations may contain bright and flashing lights, horror elements, or fast-moving environments.
VERDICT: A very cool digital art and interactive entertainment museum. Swaps out the art every once in a while, though some of the pieces seem permanent or semi-permanent. There are limited-time premium experiences as well, though I haven't done any of those. Highly recommend bringing a friend that's interested in this sort of stuff, it makes the whole thing more fun. Unfortunately, there's some NFT pandering in here, but that's the nature of digital art in the current age.
SKILL: Very low—the interactive experiences tend to not be skill-based.
NAUSEA: Free movement and blink movement available. Some installations may contain bright and flashing lights, horror elements, or fast-moving environments.
VERDICT: A very cool digital art and interactive entertainment museum. Swaps out the art every once in a while, though some of the pieces seem permanent or semi-permanent. There are limited-time premium experiences as well, though I haven't done any of those. Highly recommend bringing a friend that's interested in this sort of stuff, it makes the whole thing more fun. Unfortunately, there's some NFT pandering in here, but that's the nature of digital art in the current age.
VR: Optional.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Very low.
NAUSEA: Free movement.
VERDICT: Something like this needs to be more graphically impressive—and it would probably help if the wildlife didn't clip through trees. Bad menu navigation and awful sound design also set this back quite a bit.
SKILL: Very low.
NAUSEA: Free movement.
VERDICT: Something like this needs to be more graphically impressive—and it would probably help if the wildlife didn't clip through trees. Bad menu navigation and awful sound design also set this back quite a bit.
VR: Optional.
SKILL: Not particularly high, though the game does seem to offer a lot of goals to keep track of all at once.
NAUSEA: Free movement and blink movement. Nausea levels higher during flight.
VERDICT: Flying in VR was neat, and probably my favorite part of the game. Tired of most survivalcraft games, though, so the gameplay loop didn't capture me.
SKILL: Not particularly high, though the game does seem to offer a lot of goals to keep track of all at once.
NAUSEA: Free movement and blink movement. Nausea levels higher during flight.
VERDICT: Flying in VR was neat, and probably my favorite part of the game. Tired of most survivalcraft games, though, so the gameplay loop didn't capture me.
VR: Required
SKILL: Very high—with its sensitive and unique controls and requirement of high nausea tolerance, Omega Pilot isn't a racing game for beginners.
NAUSEA: Very high. Players are seated, but the free-flight vehicles move fast and can turn or spin in any direction. Beginner players may accidentally spin out.
VERDICT: A solid early access title with stylish graphics and plenty of levels. Controls take a bit of getting used to, and mastering them is difficult, but it's a rewarding game to play. With some more development time, this one could become a VR favorite.
SKILL: Very high—with its sensitive and unique controls and requirement of high nausea tolerance, Omega Pilot isn't a racing game for beginners.
NAUSEA: Very high. Players are seated, but the free-flight vehicles move fast and can turn or spin in any direction. Beginner players may accidentally spin out.
VERDICT: A solid early access title with stylish graphics and plenty of levels. Controls take a bit of getting used to, and mastering them is difficult, but it's a rewarding game to play. With some more development time, this one could become a VR favorite.
VR: Required, but a non-VR version is available ("Folded Edition").
SKILL: Logic-puzzle solving skills needed.
NAUSEA: Free movement, including a ride in a hot air balloon. Bright, flashing lights.
VERDICT: A weird and surreal little puzzle-adventure game, perhaps best played in two sessions. Recommended. The sandbox is unfortunately lacking, though.
SKILL: Logic-puzzle solving skills needed.
NAUSEA: Free movement, including a ride in a hot air balloon. Bright, flashing lights.
VERDICT: A weird and surreal little puzzle-adventure game, perhaps best played in two sessions. Recommended. The sandbox is unfortunately lacking, though.
VR: Required.
SKILL: It's pinball, take that as you will.
NAUSEA: Very low.
VERDICT: Some cool visual effects to enhance the tables, but the Index controller support is poor and there are barely any tables.
SKILL: It's pinball, take that as you will.
NAUSEA: Very low.
VERDICT: Some cool visual effects to enhance the tables, but the Index controller support is poor and there are barely any tables.
VR: Required.
SKILL: High skill level. Even on easy modes, the game is a work-out, and some levels are trickier than others to complete.
NAUSEA: Levels auto-scroll past the player. Some levels feature bright, flashing lights.
VERDICT: A solid and stylish rhythmic on-rails shooter that awards more points for shooting to the beat. Not a massive selection of songs by any means, but each one has its own unique level and visuals. Physically demanding.
SKILL: High skill level. Even on easy modes, the game is a work-out, and some levels are trickier than others to complete.
NAUSEA: Levels auto-scroll past the player. Some levels feature bright, flashing lights.
VERDICT: A solid and stylish rhythmic on-rails shooter that awards more points for shooting to the beat. Not a massive selection of songs by any means, but each one has its own unique level and visuals. Physically demanding.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Logic-solving required, though nothing particularly difficult. Comparable to early post-tutorial Portal 2 maps.
NAUSEA: Free movement. Large cliffs and ledges.
VERDICT: A small set of Portal levels in VR, none of which utilize portals. Even the hardest puzzles are very basic—this feels like a proof of concept.
SKILL: Logic-solving required, though nothing particularly difficult. Comparable to early post-tutorial Portal 2 maps.
NAUSEA: Free movement. Large cliffs and ledges.
VERDICT: A small set of Portal levels in VR, none of which utilize portals. Even the hardest puzzles are very basic—this feels like a proof of concept.
VR: Required.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Logic puzzles need solved to escape each room.
NAUSEA: Players are largely stationary throughout the game, and it can be played seated.
VERDICT: Expensive for its length, but ultimately worth experiencing for fans of Psychonauts. It gives players a little more insight into Dr. Loboto that gets glossed over in the second game.
SKILL: Logic puzzles need solved to escape each room.
NAUSEA: Players are largely stationary throughout the game, and it can be played seated.
VERDICT: Expensive for its length, but ultimately worth experiencing for fans of Psychonauts. It gives players a little more insight into Dr. Loboto that gets glossed over in the second game.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Bowling in VR can be a little tricky, but getting the hang of it just takes time.
NAUSEA: Fairly low. Most movement will be occurring in real-time.
VERDICT: It takes some settings adjustments to get the ball to feel "right," but this is a pretty solid bowling game for those who want something a bit more simulation-oriented and serious.
SKILL: Bowling in VR can be a little tricky, but getting the hang of it just takes time.
NAUSEA: Fairly low. Most movement will be occurring in real-time.
VERDICT: It takes some settings adjustments to get the ball to feel "right," but this is a pretty solid bowling game for those who want something a bit more simulation-oriented and serious.
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Requires rhythmic skill, though each song is available in several difficulty levels.
NAUSEA: Moderate-low. Environments quickly move past a stationary player.
VERDICT: Probably a pretty solid drumming rhythm game if you like the types of music on offer, though I wasn't particularly grabbed by its gameplay.
SKILL: Requires rhythmic skill, though each song is available in several difficulty levels.
NAUSEA: Moderate-low. Environments quickly move past a stationary player.
VERDICT: Probably a pretty solid drumming rhythm game if you like the types of music on offer, though I wasn't particularly grabbed by its gameplay.
VR: Optional, via command line.
SKILL: High-octane futuristic racer with tricky twin-stick controls.
NAUSEA: Seated play. The world moves very quickly around the player. Some visual glitches in the UI.
VERDICT: Redout is a really solid game, but I wouldn't suggest buying it for the VR aspect. While I've enjoyed playing it in VR for that little extra bit of immersion, the UI really takes a hit. For example, while playing the game in cockpit view, pieces of your vehicle cover UI elements. Some sources online state that third-person view isn't available, but that's no longer true. While the VR elements are lacking, some of the negativity I've seen is a little overblown. Still, I see myself playing this more in desktop mode.
SKILL: High-octane futuristic racer with tricky twin-stick controls.
NAUSEA: Seated play. The world moves very quickly around the player. Some visual glitches in the UI.
VERDICT: Redout is a really solid game, but I wouldn't suggest buying it for the VR aspect. While I've enjoyed playing it in VR for that little extra bit of immersion, the UI really takes a hit. For example, while playing the game in cockpit view, pieces of your vehicle cover UI elements. Some sources online state that third-person view isn't available, but that's no longer true. While the VR elements are lacking, some of the negativity I've seen is a little overblown. Still, I see myself playing this more in desktop mode.
VR: Optional.
SKILL: For a shoot 'em up, Rez's campaigns aren't particularly difficult to beat. Mastering the game's scoring system, however, requires a bit more skill.
NAUSEA: Seated. The world moves quickly around the player. There are moments in the game where the view is ripped from the player and briefly orbits boss enemies to introduce them, which can be disorienting.
VERDICT: Beautiful remaster with an additional short game attached to it. Strong recommendation for people who like to master short games and beat their own score.
SKILL: For a shoot 'em up, Rez's campaigns aren't particularly difficult to beat. Mastering the game's scoring system, however, requires a bit more skill.
NAUSEA: Seated. The world moves quickly around the player. There are moments in the game where the view is ripped from the player and briefly orbits boss enemies to introduce them, which can be disorienting.
VERDICT: Beautiful remaster with an additional short game attached to it. Strong recommendation for people who like to master short games and beat their own score.
VR: Optional.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Via mods.
SKILL: It's a tough roguelite, but easier with friends who know what they're doing. The VR mod is fairly straight-forward.
NAUSEA: Moderate. Free movement, high jumping, tall cliffs and ledges.
VERDICT: Feels great to play gunner characters in VR (MUL-T is especially amazing) and you really get a grasp of how big the world and enemies are when you're seeing it all in first-person. Playing melee characters, however, is a nightmare.
SKILL: It's a tough roguelite, but easier with friends who know what they're doing. The VR mod is fairly straight-forward.
NAUSEA: Moderate. Free movement, high jumping, tall cliffs and ledges.
VERDICT: Feels great to play gunner characters in VR (MUL-T is especially amazing) and you really get a grasp of how big the world and enemies are when you're seeing it all in first-person. Playing melee characters, however, is a nightmare.
VR: Required
SKILL: High to very high
NAUSEA: Moderate
VERDICT: Only played the demo. Seemed to have some promise, but reviews say it's repetitive and lacks content and depth. Unfortunate, since I was looking forward to its release.
SKILL: High to very high
NAUSEA: Moderate
VERDICT: Only played the demo. Seemed to have some promise, but reviews say it's repetitive and lacks content and depth. Unfortunate, since I was looking forward to its release.
VR: Required, but based on a non-VR 2D game.
SKILL: None.
NAUSEA: Bright colors. Teleport movement.
VERDICT: A very small, very lightly-interactive room to explore. Seems to be intended for a small audience of friends, so can't really be recommended to others.
SKILL: None.
NAUSEA: Bright colors. Teleport movement.
VERDICT: A very small, very lightly-interactive room to explore. Seems to be intended for a small audience of friends, so can't really be recommended to others.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Low.
NAUSEA: Free movement.
VERDICT: The sculpting is somewhat voxel-based, so the build quality isn't as high as I was hoping. The multiplayer servers are all dead, too.
SKILL: Low.
NAUSEA: Free movement.
VERDICT: The sculpting is somewhat voxel-based, so the build quality isn't as high as I was hoping. The multiplayer servers are all dead, too.
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Required.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Optional, but only available on Steam version.
SKILL: Low, once menus are figured out.
NAUSEA: Seated game. Going from place to place causes the universe around the player to quickly warp around them as they travel. Players may be suddenly subjected to bright lights.
VERDICT: An extremely neat experience allowing players to explore the whole known solar system—and beyond. You'll have to spend some time learning the potentially frustrating controls and menus to get the most out of it, though.
SKILL: Low, once menus are figured out.
NAUSEA: Seated game. Going from place to place causes the universe around the player to quickly warp around them as they travel. Players may be suddenly subjected to bright lights.
VERDICT: An extremely neat experience allowing players to explore the whole known solar system—and beyond. You'll have to spend some time learning the potentially frustrating controls and menus to get the most out of it, though.
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[WON'T PLAY IN VR]
VR: Required.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Optional.
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required, but a non-VR version is available.
SKILL: The game is challenging and requires puzzle-solving as well as some moderate movement.
NAUSEA: Each level is stationary, which keeps the required nausea tolerance fairly low.
VERDICT: Of all the non-VR games to get a "VR version," SUPERHOT is one of the most deserving and rewarding. Feels great to play in VR, and the levels have been adjusted to suit the medium. The campaign is still pretty short, but there are multiple endless game modes that make it worth it.
SKILL: The game is challenging and requires puzzle-solving as well as some moderate movement.
NAUSEA: Each level is stationary, which keeps the required nausea tolerance fairly low.
VERDICT: Of all the non-VR games to get a "VR version," SUPERHOT is one of the most deserving and rewarding. Feels great to play in VR, and the levels have been adjusted to suit the medium. The campaign is still pretty short, but there are multiple endless game modes that make it worth it.
VR: Required.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Optional.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Required
[BACKLOGGED]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required
SKILL: Fairly high skill required. The game centers around making precise movements despite having large, ungraceful tentacles for arms/hands.
NAUSEA: Low. Slow free movement.
VERDICT: It was decent at first, and it has a good sense of humor, but I found myself unwilling to complete some of the challenges that required movements that were both precise and tiring. Failure to complete a task several times in a row meant having to restart, and the repetitive movements could be exhausting and ultimately frustrating.
SKILL: Fairly high skill required. The game centers around making precise movements despite having large, ungraceful tentacles for arms/hands.
NAUSEA: Low. Slow free movement.
VERDICT: It was decent at first, and it has a good sense of humor, but I found myself unwilling to complete some of the challenges that required movements that were both precise and tiring. Failure to complete a task several times in a row meant having to restart, and the repetitive movements could be exhausting and ultimately frustrating.
VR: Optional.
SKILL: Tetris is easy to understand, but hard to master. Completing the campaign requires some high skill regardless of your difficulty settings.
NAUSEA: Low nausea thanks to being a seated game, but has bright lights. The settings sometimes move around the player.
VERDICT: The definitive Tetris game for casual players, and it's stunning in VR. I will say, though, that I personally performed better in desktop mode. Fantastic regardless.
SKILL: Tetris is easy to understand, but hard to master. Completing the campaign requires some high skill regardless of your difficulty settings.
NAUSEA: Low nausea thanks to being a seated game, but has bright lights. The settings sometimes move around the player.
VERDICT: The definitive Tetris game for casual players, and it's stunning in VR. I will say, though, that I personally performed better in desktop mode. Fantastic regardless.
VR: Required.
[WON'T PLAY]
[WON'T PLAY]
VR: Optional.
SKILL: Thumper is a challenging game requiring quick reflexes and rhythmic capabilities.
NAUSEA: Somewhat low, since it's a seated game, though the environment does move quickly around the player, and the lights and visuals may be intense to some.
VERDICT: Intense rhythm game. Virtual reality is definitely the coolest and most immersive way to play this, but it's also just a solid game all-around. I wouldn't get this "for" the VR, per se, but if you have VR it's a nice plus.
SKILL: Thumper is a challenging game requiring quick reflexes and rhythmic capabilities.
NAUSEA: Somewhat low, since it's a seated game, though the environment does move quickly around the player, and the lights and visuals may be intense to some.
VERDICT: Intense rhythm game. Virtual reality is definitely the coolest and most immersive way to play this, but it's also just a solid game all-around. I wouldn't get this "for" the VR, per se, but if you have VR it's a nice plus.
VR: In development.
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
[PLAYED IN DESKTOP]
[BACKLOGGED]
VR: Required.
SKILL: Very high skill ceiling due to its roguelite nature and required amount of movement. This game is a workout.
NAUSEA: Free movement, high impact gameplay.
VERDICT: One of the most exhausting games I've ever played, and I'm going to include real physical sports in that assessment. The combat's tight and arcadey, though it could use some variety in the visuals and enemies.
SKILL: Very high skill ceiling due to its roguelite nature and required amount of movement. This game is a workout.
NAUSEA: Free movement, high impact gameplay.
VERDICT: One of the most exhausting games I've ever played, and I'm going to include real physical sports in that assessment. The combat's tight and arcadey, though it could use some variety in the visuals and enemies.
VR: Required.
SKILL: Only enough to get used to the contols—it's fun even if you don't know how to paint!
NAUSEA: Very low. Seated play.
VERDICT: A worthwhile painting simulator. The plus side is, you don't have to pay for all this expensive paint.
SKILL: Only enough to get used to the contols—it's fun even if you don't know how to paint!
NAUSEA: Very low. Seated play.
VERDICT: A worthwhile painting simulator. The plus side is, you don't have to pay for all this expensive paint.
VR: Required.
SKILL: High. There is a difficulty selection. The game requires players to be able to aim and shoot during action scenes, but reloading is done automatically. Players will also need to use their arms to swing from rope to rope during one section.
NAUSEA: Free movement. There are several scenes where players are in moving vehicles, some of which are far above the ground and require high nausea tolerance.
VERDICT: It's a decent romp through an underground facility with nice combat against robots and aliens, but the menus are really touchy and function poorly at times. More excited for the second game.
SKILL: High. There is a difficulty selection. The game requires players to be able to aim and shoot during action scenes, but reloading is done automatically. Players will also need to use their arms to swing from rope to rope during one section.
NAUSEA: Free movement. There are several scenes where players are in moving vehicles, some of which are far above the ground and require high nausea tolerance.
VERDICT: It's a decent romp through an underground facility with nice combat against robots and aliens, but the menus are really touchy and function poorly at times. More excited for the second game.
VR: Required.
SKILL: High. Requires piloting a mech during intense combat situations with other players.
NAUSEA: Free movement. Players are positioned high above the ground in a lifted vehicle and can move and jump quickly.
VERDICT: Controls well, once you get the hang of it. Seems fun, but I need to play a bit more to give a real verdict. It's intended for online play, but you can play with bots as well.
SKILL: High. Requires piloting a mech during intense combat situations with other players.
NAUSEA: Free movement. Players are positioned high above the ground in a lifted vehicle and can move and jump quickly.
VERDICT: Controls well, once you get the hang of it. Seems fun, but I need to play a bit more to give a real verdict. It's intended for online play, but you can play with bots as well.