Best HTC Vive Cosmos, Vive and Vive Pro games: Incredible experiences to play right now
We've been playing with the various HTC Vive headsets for a while now and in both testing and enjoying these devices we've played a fair few different games and VR experiences.
With an ever-growing catalogue of games available on Steam and through Viveport there are many different experiences to choose from. For the most part, the same games work on all the Vive headsets, so whether you're using Vive Cosmos, the original HTC Vive or the Vive Pro, we've got you covered.
Knowing what to game buy can be tricky. Which is why we've put together a list of the very best games to try to help you decide.
Best VR bullet-time experience
Superhot VR
- Type: Bullet-time shooter
- What makes it interesting? A brilliant and interesting take on bullet-time for VR that's thoroughly enjoyable
- Publisher: SUPERHOT Team
- Developer: SUPERHOT Team
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Superhot VR is a simply brilliant gaming experience. This game takes the classic bullet time mechanic and puts a fresh spin on it. In the VR world of Superhot you're pitched against angry red men made of glass looking to end your existence. You need to fight them off in order to win - the twist is time is at a standstill until you start to move and it's only when you start swinging your hands or moving your head that the action kicks in.
The result is a game that not only requires you to punch, shoot or stab your way to victory, but to think about what you're doing before you start doing it each time a new level loads. Playing a game like this feels unnatural, confusing and extremely exhausting too. This is why Superhot VR is one of the most interesting and enjoyable games we've played. This is surely a unique VR game worth checking out.
Read the full review: Superhot VR review: Virtual reality's most frustratingly enjoyable game
Best puzzle games
Boneworks
- Type: Action-adventure
- What makes it interesting? Boneworks is a clear demonstration of just how engaging VR can be.
- Publisher: Stress Level Zero
- Developer: Stress Level Zero
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Before you even start playing Boneworks it warns you that it uses "advanced VR mechanics" and is recommended for experienced VR gamers. That in itself is a sign of just how brilliant this game is, as it's designed to make the most of virtual reality with clever hands-on puzzles, interesting physics mechanics and much more besides.
It first glance, this game feels like a mix between Portal and Half-life, but it's so much more. Boneworks is designed to encourage a lot of movement, puzzle solving and engagement with the world around you. The result is an incredibly immersive and thoroughly enjoyable game that's well worth picking up.
EscapeVR: The Basement
- Type: Indie puzzle game
- What makes it interesting? A brilliant imaging of an escape room experience but in VR
- Publisher: Five Mind Creations
- Developer: Five Mind Creations
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
If you've ever considered the idea of doing an escape room experience interesting, but have been put off by the idea of actually being shut in a room then this game might be the perfect solution.
Donning your headset you're tossed into a virtual basement with one single mission - to escape. A variety of objects lay scattered around the room for your pocking, prodding and investigation.
Many of them are red herrings that will leave you scratching your head wondering what you're meant to do with them. But at least no one will know your shame as you try to pick a lock with a screwdriver or throw a bowling ball through a window.
Doing an escape room experience in VR is a great way to get away with leaving an utter mess behind you while you go about your business trying to solve the various puzzles. Of course, the game is fairly short and don't expect much in the way replayability, but it is cracking fun and utterly satisfying when you finally uncover a solution to the various mini problems that lay within.
A bargain price certainly doesn't mean this one should be thrown in the bargain basement.
Best VR boxing games
Creed: Rise to Glory
- Type: VR boxing sim
- What makes it interesting? This game is not only a great work out, but you also get to box with Rocky. What more could you want?
- Publisher: Survios
- Developer: Survios
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Creed: Rise to Glory puts you in the shoes of Adonis Creed, son of boxing champion Apollo Creed who is following in his father's footsteps, battling his way to greatness with the help of Rocky Balboa. Yes, that does mean you get to see and train with Rocky in the game, which is something special indeed.
We've previously played, reviewed and enjoyed Knockout League, another VR boxing game but Creed: Rise to Glory might be ever-so-slightly superior. Not just for the fact that you get to spa with Rocky, but also for the classic Rocky-themed soundtrack and the brilliant fighting mechanics that feel a touch more realistic.
It's utterly exhausting, but incredibly good fun. An ace campaign, free play mode, PVP fights and multiple leaderboard-focussed mini-games make this one worth picking up time and time again. As long as you can find the energy to keep on playing!
Knockout League
- Type: Arcade style VR boxing
- What makes it interesting? This is a VR boxing game that doesn't take itself too seriously, but is hilariously enjoyable
- Publisher: Grab Games
- Developer: Grab Games
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Creed Rise to Glory might be a serious boxing sim, but Knockout League is another brilliant boxing game that shouldn't be overlooked. We worked up a real sweat when playing this game for review and had a lot of good things to say about it.
Knockout League is not just great fun, it's also a good way to keep fit and have a blast doing it. You can track calories burnt and have a smashing time dodging, ducking and bashing it out with a variety of weird and wonderful opponents. It's also cheap and well worth every penny in our book.
Most unusual VR experience
The Invisible Hours
- Type: VR mystery adventure
- What makes it interesting? The Invisible Hours is a VR experience like no other. It's a story-rich adventure that's brilliantly crafted and as intriguing as it is enjoyable.
- Publisher: Tequila Works
- Developer: Game Trust
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
The Invisible Hours is a VR experience like no other we've seen. This is more of a voyeuristic story-telling adventure than a traditional game. You don't play the hero or the protagonist, just an onlooker witnessing events unfold as a body is found and things kick off in a "whodunit" fashion.
As a floating virtual head, you're able to explore your surroundings and move freely around the environment following the characters as they go about their business. The controls allow you to pause, rewind and fast-forward time as you watch the story unfold.
This design makes for a brilliant virtual reality experience and shows the possible future of VR for story-telling. It's incredibly immersive, well acted and well written too. We found ourselves wrapped up in the intrigue of each character and their backstories as we marvelled at the intricacy of each of the twists and turns in the story.
We were immediately hooked and wanted to discover everything the game had to offer. Think of this game as a film played out in virtual reality, where you can see each of the actors throughout the story and see what they might be doing, who they're talking to or where they are when other things are happening. This gives you an idea of the power of the experience and just how brilliant it is.
Read the full review: The Invisible Hours review: A voyeuristic VR delight
Best turn-based strategy
Skyworld VR
- Type: VR strategy game
- What makes it interesting? Quirky graphics, quaint characters and an amusing take on turn-based strategy for VR.
- Publisher: Vertigo Games
- Developer: Vertigo Games/Wolfdog Interactive
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Turn-based strategy might not be the first game styles that leaps to mind when you consider VR gaming, but with a brilliant design, Skyworld VR makes it really interesting.
The premise of Skyworld is simple enough: you're dropped into a magical land full of demons, dragons and floating little kingdoms.
Your job is then to gather resources, build your army and battle your enemy for control of the region. Play against friends, other online players or just computer controlled AI.
Turn-by-turn gameplay might make for a lazier gaming option in virtual reality, but it's far from dull. This style of this game actually makes for a refreshing change and a break if you're looking for something with a slightly slower pace.
Read the full review: Skyworld VR review: Turn-based strategy fun in virtual reality
Most atmospheric experience
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
- Type: Psychological atmospheric adventure
- What makes it interesting? Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a moving and thoroughly intriguing psychological game that's now VR compatible thanks to a free update.
- Publisher: Ninja Theory
- Developer: Ninja Theory
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
When it launched, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice garnered a lot of praise and attention for the way it explored mental illness and psychosis. It was also an incredibly atmospheric game set in a hauntingly disturbing world.
The game follows a warrior's brutal journey into myth and madness during the Viking age as the heroine of the story battles to save the soul of beloved.
We loved this game when we first played it and a recent update means if you own the game, you can also play the entire campaign in VR.
In virtual reality, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is even more breathtaking and perhaps, even more troubling. It's also utterly marvellous and we'd highly recommend it as an experience.
Best VR detective action-adventure
L.A. Noire The VR Case Files
- Type: VR detective adventure
- What makes it interesting? L.A. Noire has been reimagined for VR and it's a fantastic update to an ageing but brilliant game.
- Publisher: Rockstar Games
- Developer: Rockstar Games
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
L.A. Noire is a game well-known for its story-telling abilities and immersion thanks to the facial animation that set a high gaming bar all those years ago when it was first released in 2011.
L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files is an edited and updated version of the original game built for virtual reality. It's much more than just a port as this traditionally third-person game is now a first-person virtual reality experience. The result is a game where you're much more involved in the action. Poking about for clues, engaging in a spot of fisticuffs or shooting it out with some pesky crims who don't want to come quietly. This game is a brilliant experience and a wonderful update.
The facial capture technology really shines here too. The realistic facial expressions really add to the immersion when you're staring a suspect square on, trying to judge their guilt or innocence based on the way they look when they reply to your questions.
We found L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files to be everything we hoped it would be. It's not a hashed-together port, but a remastering of a classic. If you've ever played the original L.A. Noire then you'll really love this update. If you haven't then this is a great detective romp that has it all.
Read the full review: L.A. Noire The VR Case Files review: Criminal investigation has never been so much fun
Best free VR experiences
Google Earth VR
- Type: VR open world simulation
- What makes it interesting? A virtual view of our world where you can literally go anywhere instantly
- Publisher: Google
- Developer: Google
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Just when you thought Google Earth couldn't possibly get any better, the search giant released a VR version, then added Street View too. With Google Earth VR you have the ability to go almost anywhere in the world in an instant.
You start in outer space with a god-like view of Earth, then you can spin the globe and find a location that interests you. With the flick and click of the controllers, you can easily zip and zoom around the world. You can switch viewpoint and put the world beneath your feet or zip across the skies flying off to another location.
If you know where you want to go, you can search for a location and get there in an instant too. One minute you can be on top of the Empire State Building, the next standing beside the Pyramids of Giza or just outside your house.
With the power of Street View, Google Earth VR is an amazing experience. In an instant, you can see travellers Photospheres or Google's own footage captured by cars or cameramen from almost anywhere in the world. This means you can travel the world from the comfort of your own home without all the hassle of booking expensive flights or actually leaving the house. See what a place is like before you visit or just explore the world through the eyes of others.
This is a VR experience that's entirely free too, so it's a must download for any HTC Vive owner.
Read the full review: Google Earth VR review: Now with virtual reality Street View
1943 Berlin Blitz
- Type: Historical recreation
- What makes it interesting? A virtual view from the cramped confines of an Allied bomber during WW2
- Publisher: BBC
- Developer: BBC
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
- See the official site
During the height of the Second World War, a BBC reporter (Wynford Vaughan-Thomas) joined the crew of a Lancaster bomber during a nighttime raid over Nazi Germany. They made an audio recording of that event and now the BBC has used that recording to re-create the experience in virtual reality. This means you can don your VR headset and put travel back in time into the cramped confines of the bomber and witness the events of the raid. This includes watching as friendly and enemy planes get shot down, seeing enemy anti-aircraft fire and searchlights scanning the skies for the bombers and more. It's a really moving and incredible experience, especially knowing that the crew of that plane have likely long since passed from this world. You can see the experience via a 360 video on YouTube but it's much more impressive in VR and it's free.
Best underwater experience
TheBlu
- Type: VR simulation
- What makes it interesting? An underwater experience you can enjoy without getting wet.
- Publisher: Wevr, Inc.
- Developer: Wevr, Inc.
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
TheBlu is very much an experience, rather than a game. It's also one of the shortest, yet best we've tried. A series of different underwater experiences are available for jaw-dropping viewing in VR.
Look on in awe as a whale casually swims over to eye you up or a swarm of jellyfish waft through the nearby waters. The depths of the sea are available to enjoy from the comfort of your own home and it's fantastic.
This 360-degree video is a taste of what it's like but doesn't entirely do the experience the full justice. We'd highly recommend giving it a go.
Best virtual spacewalk
Home - A VR Spacewalk
- Type: VR action adventure
- What makes it interesting? Now you can go to space without having to train to be an astronaut.
- Publisher: BBC
- Developer: BBC
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Ever wondered what it would be like to be an astronaut and go into space? Wonder no more, thanks to Home - A VR Spacewalk. This is another free experience that's a must-see for any HTC Vive or Vive Pro owner. Set 250 miles above the surface of Earth, this VR experience puts you in the shoes and space boots of an astronaut aboard ISS.
It's a relatively short experience, but a breathtaking one for sure. This space-based experience is not one for the faint-hearted, nor those prone to problems with vertigo, but it is a brilliant space outing we'd highly recommend trying.
Best military style FPS
Zero Caliber VR
- Type: VR FPS
- What makes it interesting? Wicked gunplay mechanics that includes various realistic gun handling including reloading, cocking and much more
- Publisher: XREAL Games
- Developer: XREAL Games
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Zero Caliber VR is very much in the early stages of development, but it shows incredible promise. This is a military style FPS developed exclusively for VR with realistic weapon handling, impressive graphics and a fantastic bit of co-op gameplay. We've played a bit and love it.
A range of fully customisable guns make for impressive handling. Sights, lights, suppressors, grips and more are available and can be snapped on with ease. All the mechanics of this game are very much hands-on which adds to the immersion and the hilarity too.
We particularly enjoyed playing about in the sand-bagged arena that made the game feel like a cracking paintball day-out with friends.
There's much more to come as this game develops too. We have a feeling it's going to get better and better.
Best atmospheric VR zombie shooters
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
- Type: VR action RPG
- What makes it interesting? All the atmosphere of the Walking Dead but in virtual reality form.
- Publisher: Skydance Interactive
- Developer: Skydance Interactive
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a fascinating VR outing. It's a superbly crafted and convincing zombie game that puts you into an apocalyptic New Orleans rife with broken homes and walkers.
Your challenge is to scavenge, survive and take on missions for people you come across as you progress through the game. Like other RPGs, you can search the world for weapons, loot and crafting materials to assist your survival efforts. The difference here is you have to do it while keeping an ear out for zombies.
We felt a real sense of panic when using one hand to open drawers and another to hold a torch while we searched for goodies only to have one sneak up behind us. We had to quickly drop what we were doing and desperately grab for our revolver to dispatch the brain nommer. Only to find there was just round in the weapon and a shot to the gut wasn't enough to stop them.
That's right, just like in the TV series, the walkers in this game need to have their brains decimated in order to stop them coming. Headshots and stabbings abound. This is certainly something frantic to get used to in VR and brilliantly immersive.
Killing Floor Incursion
- Type: VR action horror
- What makes it interesting? A fantastic zombie shooter with oodles of atmosphere
- Publisher: XREAL Games
- Developer: XREAL Games
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Zombie games are quickly becoming a bit of a cliché. They also lend themselves incredibly well to VR where the experience of fighting off hordes of undead is much more intense and immersive in VR than it is on any other platform.
If slaying zombies is your bag, then there are a massive amount of games to choose from on the Vive, some are hit and miss, some are brilliant. We're happy to report that Killing Floor: Incursion is likely the most atmospheric, well-crafted and enjoyable zombie shooter we've played in VR.
Killing Floor: Incursion drops you into an eerie, foreboding and immersive zombie-filled world with a mass of weapons are your disposal. The mechanics of this game make it easy to play and far less frustrating than some other shooters we've played in VR. But it's also a lot of fun. You can blast, bash and bludgeon zombies with a variety of guns and melee weapons that even include detached zombie limbs that you can batter them with if you're running low on bullets.
Killing Floor: Incursion includes a good range of enemies which make for an interesting bit of VR combat. The campaign levels are also varied and interesting too. Better still it's open to play in co-op mode with a friend and blasting zombies is always more enjoyable when you've got a buddy to watch your back.
Read the full review: Killing Floor Incursion review: A zombie-slaying VR adventure
Alternative to consider: Dead Effect 2 VR review: An action-packed sci-fi joy that's rammed full of content
Best zombie game to play with friends
Arizona Sunshine and Dead Man DLC
- Type: VR zombie action horror
- What makes it interesting? A zombie shooter that's cracking fun to play with friends.
- Publisher: XREAL Games
- Developer: Vertigo Games/Jaywalkers Interactive
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
If the idea of VR zombie slaying appeals, but Killing Floor: Incursion looks a bit too dark and scary, then Arizona Sunshine might be another option. This is a zombie shooter based in the baking heat of Arizona state - so a lot of the battles take place outside in the sunshine as you move around the maps scavenging for ammo and food to get by.
Gunplay is superb and there are plenty of weapons to play around with. You need a good grip on reloading and rationing ammo to ensure you don't find yourself surrounded by flesh eaters with nothing to deal with them. This lack of ammo is nothing new, but it certainly adds an intensity to the game. Other highlights include both a co-op campaign mode and a multiplayer survival mode too.
An excellent in-game voice system and hilarious character animations on your friendly human players make this game a joy in a multitude of ways.
There's plenty of gaming content here and hours and hours of playtime too, so you certainly get value for your money. Arizona Sunshine is one of the best zombie VR games we've played and it's a brilliant purchase for your HTC Vive.
The addition of extra content with the Dead Man DLC is a welcome addition here too. More co-op, more guns, more bikini-clad zombies and around an hours worth of extra gaming for around £2/$2. Bargain.
Read the full review: Arizona Sunshine review: Zombie shooter is at the pinnacle of VR gaming
Alternatives to consider: The Brookhaven Experiment review: Virtual reality monsters in your living room
Best wave shooter
Space Pirate Trainer
- Type: VR space shooter
- What makes it interesting? A great soundtrack and plenty of different guns for a wave-based shooter. This one has been regularly updated since launch too.
- Publisher: I-Illusions
- Developer: I-Illusions
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Space Pirate Trainer is an exhilarating virtual reality space-based shooter with a simple premise and a banging soundtrack. You're dropped onto a platform in space with two pistols and waves of flying bots that need to be shot out of the starry sky.
To make things interesting the guns can be changed into different modes including pistol, shotgun and grenade launcher or you can swap them for a shield or laser whip. This allows you mix up your play styles as you try to survive the waves of droids, while ducking and dodging the shots they fire at you. With the shield, you can even do things like deflect enemy fire back at them and blow them to smithereens that way.
With only three lives to play with that don't replenish between waves, you're always close to failure which makes Space Pirate Trainer as intense as it is enjoyable.
Space Pirate Trainer is all about high-scores and aching trigger fingers. This is a room-scale VR experience right to its core that's physically challenging and demanding. We found it utterly exhausting to be ducking and diving out of the way - slipping across the floor trying not to get shot as we returned fire. There's a lot of fun to be had here, exhausting, enjoyable fun. The best part is it's one of the cheapest games on our list too.
Read the full review: Space Pirate Trainer review: A fantastically exhausting VR shooting gallery
Most frustratingly enjoyable VR shooter
Shooty Fruity
- Type: VR space shooter
- What makes it interesting? Frustratingly difficult to play but thoroughly enjoyable at the same time. This game also boasts some brilliant visuals and tongue-in-cheek humour.
- Publisher: nDreams
- Developer: nDreams/Near Light
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Shooty Fruity is one of the most frustratingly exhausting VR games we've played, but the highlight to this one is the interesting gaming mechanics.
Shooty Fruity is set in a supermarket and you're manning the tills as a checkout assistant or working in the canteen serving up snacks. The twist is an infestation of mutant fruit on the loose that you need to deal with. These fruits are determined to destroy your checkout, so you need to stop them while you work.
Management has kindly supplied a range of weapons to enable you to splat the fruit before they can do any harm. But in order to access these guns you need to successfully carry out your job while also fending off the fruit. This means you need to transform from an average gamer into sharp-shooting multi-skilled shop assistant - scanning groceries with one hand while blasting a hand-cannon with the other.
If that doesn't sound complicated enough, the guns also aren't reloadable and will eventually just explode uselessly in your hand. This means you not only need to be constantly scanning to unlock more guns and complete the level, but you also need to think about how many shots you have left in your gun and if you have enough to deal with incoming threats.
There's a surprising amount of thinking involved in this one. Hand-eye coordination is essential, as is the ability to multi-task. The result is a thrilling experience that set Shooty Fruity apart from the mass of wave-based VR shooters out there.
Read the full review: Shooty Fruity review: A VR experience with plenty of juicy bits
Best virtual reality role-playing game
Skyrim VR
- Type: Open world VR adventure
- What makes it interesting? Just when you thought Skyrim couldn't possibly get remade again, here it is in VR. It's surprisingly good like this too. And not cut down or belittled for VR either.
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is now an old game, but like L.A. Noire, it was a highlight of its time. Also like L.A. Noire it's seen several different iterations since it's initial release that includes enhanced editions, a Nintendo Switch version and now an update into virtual reality.
This is the same Skyrim that we know and loved all those years ago, only with an update control system and a whole new experience thanks to the wonderful immersion of VR.
Despite the dated graphics, Skyrim VR somehow still manages to be a magnificent RPG romp with all the freedom, fun and frolics we remember. The update for virtual reality includes a number of options for "physical sneaking", "realistic bow aiming", "realistic shield grip" and "realistic swimming" that make Skyrim an interesting gaming experience.
Blocking with a virtual shield, parrying with your sword, blasting spells or using Dragonborn shouts - all are so much more interesting in virtual reality than they were on PC with a mouse and keyboard. Other things too, like riding a horse across the barren lands are incredibly enjoyable.
We found it was easier to get lost in the Skyrim universe in VR than in other versions we'd previously played. The hours quickly slip by as you carry out quests, grow your skills or learn to harness your Dragonborn abilities.
Skyrim is likely the definitive role-playing experience and it's magnificent in VR too. It's not cheap, but it's also likely one of the biggest games you'll play on the HTC Vive. Hours and hours of content await in a wonderful world that's moddable too.
Alternatives to consider: Sairento VR review: Fast-paced ninja action with a shuriken serving of role-play
Best multi-experience game
The Lab
- Type: Free to play action
- What makes it interesting? Loads of mini-games and adventures to be had in one neat (free) package
- Publisher: Valve
- Developer: Valve
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Whenever we've talked to people who have briefly tried the HTC Vive, TThe Lab s one of the games they've dabbled with. It is Valve's own free demo software and is, therefore, an essential title to download right from the bat.
It's actually a collection of mini-games, experiences and tech demos, but is also something we've happily revisited a lot during our testing.
As the developer of Portal and its sequel, Valve has used the setting and characters to present The Lab, with many of the little challenges and games themed around Aperture Science Laboratories and experiments it carries out.
We particularly like the Longbow game, where you have to fire arrows at a horde of Vikings who are trying to sack your castle. One controller represents the bow, the other arrows. Soon you genuinely feel like you are stringing arrows and firing them at foes.
We also like one where you can play fetch with a mechanical dog. So cute. Its face lights up, and its tail wags. You can walk around the top of a mountain, looking at clouds float by and birds soar over your head - all while this adorable pup runs around your ankles, waiting for you to pick up a stick and throw it. We haphazardly threw the stick off the side of the mountain and where the dog would run off the cliff.
Instead, he found a path and eventually reappeared with the stick. This little demo is called Postcards, and it made us think that in the future parents could use it as a mean of letting their kids take care of a virtual pet before owning a real one. There are so many possibilities with virtual reality. Heck, you can even relive the golden era of gaming - only this time, it's all around you.
We recommend TThe Lab o anyone who wants to dip their toes into VR as soon as they get their headset, because it gives you a full array of demos that work your brain and body and occasionally pull at your heartstrings
Best VR rhythm game
Beat Saber
- Type: VR music game
- What makes it interesting? Banging tunes and plenty of fun
- Publisher: Beat Games
- Developer: Beat Games
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Beat Saber has quickly become synonymous with rhythm games in VR. It's game with a really simple premise that's easy for anyone to pick up but tough to master.
You essentially have two light sabers. A red one and a blue one. With one in each hand, you then need to hit coloured blocks as they come towards you in time with the music. Hit them in the relevant direction and with perfect timing and you'll get the best results.
Beat Saber shines not only because it's fun to play but also because it has plenty of awesome songs to get stuck into, including 11 classic songs from Linkin Park.
Another essential for Vive owners we feel.
Best gladiatorial combat game
GORN VR
- Type: VR gladiator simulator
- What makes it interesting? Over-the-top gore and gladiatorial combat
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Developer: Free lives
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
GORN is pitched as a "ludicrously violent VR gladiator simulator" and we're certainly sure this isn't something you shouldn't let your kids play. Blood-curdling brutality abounds as you smash, stab and stomp your way to victory.
GORN is chocked full of gruesome gore, hilarious battles and the promises of a smashingly good time. The graphics and gameplay on this one are nothing short of hilarious. Cartoon-like cel-shaded graphics and amusing physics take away from the blood-curdling brutality and only help to add to the amusement.
You need plenty of space to play this one. We'd highly recommend clearing a good amount of play space to avoid bashing and boshing things in the real world while you're having a smashing time in the virtual one.
There's loads of content to play through here - with a multitude of different levels to play, weapons to fight with and bosses to battle. Weapons can be unlocked and upgraded too, so there's plenty of reason to keep coming back for more. We really enjoyed our time with GORN. It's exhausting, but a brilliant stress reliever and full of chortles too.
Read the full review: GORN VR review: Hilarity and brutality abound
Best space-based experiences
Elite Dangerous
- Type: Space sim
- What makes it interesting? All the space-based adventures of Elite Dangerous, but in VR.
- Publisher: Frontier Developments
- Developer: Frontier Developments
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Both Elite Dangerous and the Elite Dangerous Horizons pack are VR enabled and compatible with the HTC Vive.
We played the original game on an Oculus Rift a couple of years back and loved it then. It is just as great a VR experience now, although you will need a decent PC graphics card to play without lag or low resolutions, we found.
The normal, 2D version of both games are already brilliant, but add the ability to look around your craft and gaze into space and it further becomes the simulation game promised.
It requires a controller or, better still, flight controls, and you can't use the Vive's own controllers, but we used an Xbox One controller with a wireless adapter for our PC and it handled well. Be prepared for a steep learning curve though, as this isn't a mere shoot-em-up.
No Man's Sky
- Type: Space sim
- What makes it interesting? It's the same game, but with a VR view of the world
- Publisher: Hello Games
- Developer: Hello Games
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
No Man's Sky is easily one of our favourite PC games. It's a brilliant open-world space adventure with procedurally generated planets that can be explored on your own or with friends.
It's also possible to play the game in VR now, which is likely the closest you'll ever come to going to space yourself and it's fantastic.
Best causal VR experience
Arca's Path VR
- Type: Casual adventure
- What makes it interesting? A thoroughly unusual and relaxing VR adventure experience with casual style.
- Publisher: Rebellion
- Developer: Dream Reality Interactive
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Arca's Path VR could easily be dismissed as one of those casual games that's essentially a non-game. Think of it as more of an experience than the classic gaming setup and you get an idea of what we mean.
This is a hands-free, controller-free VR experience where movement is controlled with your head. An enchanting fairytale land awaits your exploration with 25 different levels to explore. Beautiful graphics and a chilled out ambient soundtrack make Arca's Path VR a wonderfully different experience.
If you're looking for something unusual to try out, then this might well be it.
Best space battle shooters
EVE: Valkyrie Warzone
- Type: Sci-fi space-based FPS
- What makes it interesting? Space-based combat when you're right in the cockpit.
- Publisher: CCP
- Developer: CCP
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
EVE: Valkyrie Warzone is a reasonable space battle romp with all the joys of VR without the misery of motion sickness. This is another space game that requires a controller or keyboard and mouse to play, rather than the HTC Vive controllers. But if you're lucky enough to own a compatible gamepad then it's well worth considering.
This is a fantastically fun VR game to play while seated on your sofa. Strapping on your Vive you're suddenly in the cockpit of a spaceship and blasting off into space. This is a multiplayer game first and foremost, so the idea is to learn how to play with the various ships and blast your way to victory.
Massive hulking guns and flak cannons that track your head movement so you can shoot where you're looking rather than where the ship is pointing are among some of the highlights. Each spacecraft has different defence capabilities and handle in different ways - some are more manoeuvrable than others, some have more powerful firepower.
Each level sees you being blasted out into space through a high-speed magnetic launch tube which in itself is a thrill to behold and rarely gets boring. Then you're battling it out against seasoned players who'll surely blast you to pieces on a regular basis. Nevertherless, it's a thrilling ride and a great game.
Read the full review: EVE Valkyrie review: Virtual reality space battle fun without the motion sickness
Star Trek: Bridge Crew
Star Trek: Bridge Crew is a brilliantly geeky VR experience that Star Trek fans will love. We certainly do! Highlights include the ability to play in co-op, manning the bridge of a starship with all your buddies while adventuring around in the depths of space. You can engage in numerous space adventures that include everything you'd expect as well battles with the Borg. The game has been updated since it launched and there's even DLC to let you play in the Next Generation era. It's nerdtastic and we love it.
Best action-adventure games
Half-Life: Alyx
- Type: Action/adventure
- What makes it interesting? The fantastic wonder of Half-Life bought to life in VR
- Publisher: Valve
- Developer: Valve
- See it on Steam
Half-Life: Alyx was much hyped before launch and after completing it we can say the hype came with good reason. This is a brilliantly polished outing into the Half-Life universe with all the puzzles, looting and rich environments we've come to love from the series.
It might not be Half-Life 3 as such, but it's certainly something very special. There's nothing quite like having head crabs leaping out at you from the dark or solving holographic puzzles with your hands. Valve have crafted some ace gaming mechanics into this game including the ability to force grab loot and pull it to you in a flash. It's a bit short, at around 11 hours, but is well worth picking up if you're a fan of the series.
Trover Saves the Universe
- Type: Comedy action/adventure
- What makes it interesting? All the hilarity of Rick and Morty but in game form with plenty of swearing and chaos
- Publisher: Squanch Games, Inc.
- Developer: Squanch Games, Inc.
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Trover Saves the Universe comes from the co-creator of Rick and Morty and that should immediately give you an idea of the vibe of this action adventure game. This game is compatible with both standard desktop play and virtual reality using HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. We've played it on PC and loved it, but in VR it's something special too.
You play a Chairopian - a weird space alien who's bound to a comfortable recliner that's able to zip around the place with the use of teleportation portals. As this character, you control Trover - another alien with purple skin and power babies for eyes. And you do so using a virtual controller your character is clutching in his hands. By now, you're getting an idea of the vibe of this game and just how weird and wonderful it is.
As you might expect, it includes unnecessary amounts of space-based weirdness, rude language and plenty of hilarity too. Trover Saves the Universe is almost certainly the most insane and inane action adventure game you're likely to come across but it's a total blast if you're a fan of the humour of Rick and Morty.
We found this game to be a refreshing change from the norm. It's a fantastic game with plenty of daftness to enjoy and even more so in VR.
Accounting+
- Type: Comedy action/adventure
- What makes it interesting? Bonkers visuals, weird characters and an indescribable vibe.
- Publisher: Squanch Games, Inc.
- Developer: Crows, Crows Crows and Squanch Games, Inc.
- Platform: Steam
- See it on Steam
Accounting+ starts off in an incredibly relaxing way that lulls you into a false sense of security - with a soft and gentle voice narrating you into the basics of the game in a way that feels like an ASMR video but then suddenly becomes something very different indeed.
This game is partly built by Squanch games, so there's a Rick and Morty vibe here - in that there's bonkers humour, weird and wonderful visuals and insane/unnecessarily vulgar happenings. This is not necessarily a bad thing if you want a break from the norm and don't mind being weirded out.
The enjoyment of Accounting+ comes from working out what the heck is going on and just having the freedom to do weird stuff without having anyone judge you. Like what happens if you drink acid? Or stab the king and wear his innards as a VR helmet? There's only one way to find out.
Best VR driving games
Dirt Rally 2.0
- Type: Racing Sim
- What makes it interesting? Dirt Rally was one of our favourite racing sims and the second edition also includes VR support.
- Publisher: Codemasters
- Developer: Codemasters
- See it on Steam
We've always enjoyed a bit of the Codemaster's Dirt games. We also loved playing Dirt Rally in VR but that was only available (sadly) on the Oculus Rift. When Dirt Rally 2.0 was launched Codemasters promised VR support in a free update. Now that's come and we're happy to report it works with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive devices. It's also fantastic.
It is, of course, not the only driving game with VR capabilities, Project Cars 2, Assetto Corsa Competizione are also options, but this is the newest and best in our mind.
The detail is fantastic here, as are the VR thrills. Turning your head to see spectators, observing the world rushing by as you tear up the track or just glimpsing at your body responding to your movements as you blast through the game, all are magnificent touches.
Warning though, if you suffer from VR motion sickness problems, this might not be the game for you.
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