ThePSVR2is a phenomenal piece of kit, bringing VR gaming to a market with little access to that tech. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would be unfair to suggest thatthe PSVR2 feels a little unsupported.
There are a couple of well-known VR titles on the PS5, but I bet the average gamer couldn’t even name 10, let alone recommend decent ones.
I’m not hating on the device, and I’m a huge fan of VR gaming. I also thinkfirst impressions are everythingwhen trying out a peripheral you may not be used to.
If you’re toying with the idea of your first VR headset, here’s a lineup of bangers to make that purchase worthwhile.
12Beat Saber
The Original “Must Have” VR Game
Beat Saber
I doubt VR gaming would have as big of an audience as it does now if it weren’t forBeat Saber. The title swayed me into getting an Oculus Rift, which remainsessential for any VR headset owner.
The premise ofBeat Sabercouldn’t be more straightforward as it’s arhythm game. You hold a pair of swords and slash incoming colored cubes as they head toward you in time with music.
There’s nothing more to it than that, and that’s the beauty of the title. You canuseBeat Saberfor a light workoutif you get into it, and there are dozens of free and premium songs.
Beat Saberis great for VR newcomers, as your feet are always firmly planted, and you don’t need to move outside of a few ducks and dodges.
Oh, and I assure you, you look ridiculous swinging invisible swords around, no matter how graceful you think you are!
A Next-Level Competitive Experience
Key Information
Vankrupt Games
First-Person Shooter
Release Date
February 2023
The last genre many would associate with VR iscompetitive FPS. But what if I told you there is one, and it’s actually good?
Pavlovis afully fledged military shooterthat uses VR technology to its fullest. You walk around with the controller sticks and lift your hands to your face to use iron sights and scopes.
VR tech allows you topeek corners and windowsin a way you simply can’t in a traditional shooter. Not to mention, you can look all around you, and it’s incredibly immersive when you’re sneaking down alleyways and eyeballing windows in the buildings above.
Pavlovproves thatmultiplayer first-person shooters can work in VR. The only drawback is the low player count, and while only Steam numbers are available, it’s something to keep in mind as there’s little single-player content.
10No Man’s Sky
Move Over, Starfield
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Skyis famous for pulling off one of gaming history’s mosthighly documented redemption arcs. The game has gone from a laughingstock to an authority in the space exploration genre and is now fully playable in VR.
PSVR2 integration withNo Man’s Skyis seamless.Exploring the galaxy in first-person is incredible, and space battles are thrilling, provided your stomach can handle it! If you thought planet hopping was amazing on a regular screen, just wait until you see it in a headset.
I’ve always found shooting a little clunky inNo Man’s Sky, and it actually feels so much better when you can physically point your weapon in VR. This game throws a lot at you when you start, and it can be overwhelming even without a headset. If you can suffer through the beginner experience, there arehundreds of hours to enjoy.
9Resident Evil Village
She’s Taller In VR…
Resident Evil Village
If you ever thoughtResident Evilwas unnerving on a regular screen, it’s so much worse on the PSVR2!
Resident Evil Villageis an impressive VR title with superb visuals, and it’s clear that care has been taken to makethe headset experience as comfortable as possible.
There are a ton of features that make movement and combat feel superb. For example, youdraw your pistol from your hipand can swap to your shotgun by reaching over your shoulder.
Loading and pumping the shotgun feels awesome in VR, and this level of care permeates the entire game. you’re able to pick up and interact with dozens of objects, and monsters are so much more intimidating when they feel like they are in your face.
We don’t get AAA VR titles daily, andResident Evil Villageis a perfect example of the technology at its full potential.
A Force Simulator
Synapseis astylish sci-fi first-person shooterwith fast-paced combat andRoguelikemechanics.
Movement and combat feel fantastic once you get the hang of them, and theeye-catching art stylemakes important objects defined and immediately identifiable.
The ace upSynapse’s sleeve is telekinetic powers. While it’s not mind control, you canmanipulate objects with a hand gesture. You can even hold enemies midair while you shoot them with the gun in your other hand.
Synapsedoes “Force” powers better than anyStar Warsgame, and it’s so addictive, weaving supernatural powers and gun combat together.
10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
One of the best implementations of VR is the workout aspect of it.
7Legendary Tales
An Immersive Fantasy Adventure
Urban Wolf Games
February 2024
Legendary Talesis aDark Fantasy ARPGwith addictive combat and is arguably the most challenging game on this list.
Wetrade guns for fantasy weaponslike bows and swords for this entry, and whileLegendary Talesis a fully-fledged ARPG with a decent story, it’s clear thatcombat is the main focus.
I enjoy shooting bows in VR, and they feel fantastic here. Bopping skeleton warriors with a massive hammer is as fun as it sounds, andexploration is immersiveand rewarding.
If you fancy a change from guns and futuristic shooters,Legendary Talesis an excellent PSVR2 game to do it with.
6Red Matter 2
A Sci-Fi Puzzle Adventure
Red Matter 2
The original Red Matteris a fantasticsci-fi adventure gamethat makes full use of VR hardware. It’s a superb title, and the sequel improves the mechanics in every way.
Red Matter 2is a space-faring first-person adventure withpuzzle-solving at its core. There’s some light shooting combat, but the title shines brightest when you’re solving creative riddles.
The most impressive part ofRed Matter 2ishow intuitive the controls are. You have a claw tool in each hand, and you may do more with them than you could ever do with a regular controller.
It’s clear that the developers over at Vertical Robot understand the hardware, and puzzles make full use of the range of motion you have in VR.
If you’d rather avoid combat entirely, the original is solely focused on puzzles, but both are great titles and worth a place in your PSVR2 library.
5Pistol Whip
The John Wick Simulator
Pistol Whip
Pistol Whipisone of my favorite VR gamesand makes you feel like a badass, even though you look rather silly playing it.
Similarly toBeat Saber, youshoot enemies in time to the musicwhile dodging incoming projectiles Matrix-style. You can rock one pistol or two, and as the title implies,you can “pistol whip” enemiesif they are close enough.
Just ensure you don’t punch through a screen or window if you do!
One big difference betweenPistol Whipand similar titles is movement. You automatically walk through each stage, which is initially disorienting.
That said, you don’t have to navigate manually, soVR legs shouldn’t be a problem.
4Metro Awakening
It’s Just As Grim In VR
Metro Awakening
TheMetrogames areatmospheric, if bleak, first-person shootersset in a post-apocalyptic future.
The concept transfers flawlessly into a VR experience. The graphics are top-tier, and you caninteract with almost anythingthat isn’t nailed down.
Shooting is decent, and I really appreciate how creative items are to use in VR. For example, you have a portable generator and must manually crank it with hand motions.
You could argue thatmany VR games are light on story, but that’s not the case here.Metrotitles are known for their rich lore, and you feel like a much more significant part of the world because it feels like you’re actually there.
Awakeningis technically a prequelto the regularMetrogames, so you may comfortably enjoy the title without playing the others first.
3Walkabout Minigolf
Yes, I’m Serious
Walkabout Mini Golf
You may think I’m crazy rating a minigolf game so highly, butWalkabout Minigolfis a superb VR title that you can enjoy even if virtual reality makes you feel woozy.
Walkabout Minigolfmakes the list becauseit’s simply the best at what it does. Courses are fun and easy to navigate, and putting is intuitive. There are eight courses in the base game, each with detailed holes that feel well-designed.
Every locale feels completely different, largely thanks to the beautiful environments that feel so immersive with a headset on.
Another great feature ofWalkabout Minigolfis the social aspect. You canbomb around a course with multiple playersand technically play locally if you’re happy to keep the score on paper.
If you’re uneasy or uncomfortable in VR,Walkaround Minigolf is an excellent place to build your VR legs. You don’t have to move much and can teleport around the holes instead of walking.
