So you picked up shiny new PlayStation VR and you’re ready to dive into VR. Here’s our breakdown of the best PSVR games that you should definitely check out.
The 5 Best PSVR Games
5 – SUPERHOT VR
Though it was created first as a non-VR game, SUPERHOT’s unique ‘the world moves when you do’ slow motion mechanic just so happened to translate beautifully to VR. The world and everything in it is still as long as you are, but as you start to move, everything else does too, including the baddies trying to kill you. In SUPERHOT VR this creates a totally unique experience which plays somewhat like an action game, but with the ability to stop and think about your next move before you actually do it. The game encourages lots of movement and dodging, so you’ll want to maximize the size of your playspace and you’ll also want to play the game while standing.
SUPERHOT VR on PlayStation Store
[Move controller required]
Read Our Review, PC
4 – Farpoint
Sci-fi shooter Farpoint was the debut game to launch with the PSVR Aim controller—an optional, first-party VR gun peripheral—so it’s no surprise that the game plays best with it. In Farpoint you’ll find yourself battling for survival on an alien planet. With strong production values, rich gunplay, and an interesting set of enemies, the game successfully melds traditional ‘space marine’ FPS fundamentals with the rich immersion that comes from playing in PSVR. Farpoint technically supports the PS4 gamepad, but we highly recommend the PSVR Aim controller for the best experience. If you’re thinking about picking up the game but don’t have a PSVR Aim controller, skip the bundle—at this point it’s usually cheaper to buy the game [Amazon] and PSVR Aim [Amazon] separately.
Farpoint on PlayStation Store
[PSVR Aim highly recommended]
Read Our Review
3 – Firewall Zero Hour
If you’re looking for a tactical multiplayer shooter on PSVR, this is the one. Built from the ground up for multiplayer and the PSVR Aim controller, Firewall Zero Hour delivers all the trappings you’d expect from a tactical multiplayer shooter: a gritty, contemporary setting, familiar weapons and weapon classes, and round-based 4 vs. 4 gameplay where you only get one life. It’s tense and tactical, and demands teamplay to succeed. While the game technically supports the PS4 gamepad we highly recommend the PSVR Aim controller for the best experience; especially with all the main weapons being two-handed, playing with the gamepad often feels awkward. If you’re thinking about picking up Firewall Zero Hour but don’t have PSVR Aim yet, consider picking up the game and controller bundle [Amazon], which (unlike the Farpoint bundle) is cheaper than buying them separately.
Firewall Zero Hour on PlayStation Store
[PSVR Aim highly recommended]
Read Our Review
2 – Beat Saber
Yes, Beat Saber is a rhythm game, but even if you don’t think you like rhythm games, you deserve it to yourself to give this one a try. Where traditional rhythm games are typically about pressing buttons to a beat, Beat Saber is about moving your body in a way that turns out to be very satisfying and uniquely suited to VR. It’s very easy to play—which makes it a great game even for non-gamers or quick pass-and-play at parties—but maintains a high skill ceiling which means you can sink hours into refining your technique, and get some exercise while doing it. One warning: if you hate electronic music, Beat Saber probably isn’t for you; the game’s original soundtrack is (currently) just about entirely electronica. On the other hand, if you do like electronic music then you’re in for a treat of memorable original songs. Either way you can sample the soundtrack on Spotify.
Beat Saber on PlayStation Store
[Move controller required]
Read Our Review
1 – ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission
Interestingly, Astro Bot Rescue Mission is the only sit-down gamepad-only PSVR game on our list, and yet it takes the number one spot thanks to its delivery of an expertly crafted, polished, and playable platformer that makes use of VR in unexpected ways. While it might look like ‘just a platformer’ from the outside, Astro Bot actually makes very clever use PSVR by allowing the player to interact with the main character and the world in novel and immersive ways. For instant, the PS4 gamepad is tracked in the game world and throughout the game several ‘controller gadgets’ will attach to it for your use (like a grappling hook, water cannon, or flashlight). While longer levels mean it isn’t quite as suitable for pass-and-play like Beat Saber, the game is firmly rooted in traditional platforming game design language which means even casual gamers who have never tried VR can jump right in and pick it up as they go. That’s a double-edged sword because it means family, friends, or significant others might want to steal some time in your precious headset to play.
ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission on PlayStation Store [demo]
Read Our Review
Honorable Mentions
- Electronauts [our review, PC]: While it’s less of a game and more of an accessible music creativity tool, Electronauts can make anyone feel like a master DJ. If you like EDM or have any interest in mixing or making music, you’ll have a great time expressing your inner musical creativity with Electronauts.
- Moss [our review]: If you liked Astro Bot, Moss should be next on your list. It’s a slightly more ‘serious’ VR platformer, but follows a similar premise of controlling a little character in a big world while occasionally interacting directly between you and the character. It’s also a rather beautiful game world worth experiencing.
- Sprint Vector [our review, PC]: If you’re looking to get your adrenaline pumping (and get in a some exercise to boot), definitely check Sprint Vector. This game’s totally unique movement system has you racing and flying around huge courses while managing to keep most players totally comfortable. You won’t find speed like this anywhere else on PSVR unless it’s inside of a cockpit.
- PlayStation VR Worlds: Consisting of a series of polished VR experiences, PlayStation VR Worlds was originally bundled with PSVR and served as a thought-provoking sampling of where virtual reality gaming is heading. Back in its heyday it was some of the best VR content out there. Today it’s still worth checking out and having on hand as some of the best demo content for showing off PSVR to VR first-timers, especially at the excellent price of $15.
- Skyrim VR [our review]: While unmistakably a port of a (great) game from 2011, if you love RPGs you’ll find no greater depth in a VR RPG today than Skyrim VR. It remains quite clunky despite being adapted in several ways for VR (including Move support for things like swinging your sword, blocking with your shield, and shooting your bow and arrow), and it isn’t easy on the eyes, but if you can overlook its flaws, the game’s sheer depth of content will keep you content in virtual Tamriel for a long time to come.
- Batman Arkham VR [our review]: Something of a hidden gem from the PSVR launch era—Batman: Arkham VR was made by the same studio (Rocksteady) which developed the excellent Batman: Arkham series. And though it’s very different from those games—focusing instead on Batman’s gadgets and crime scene investigations)—it was far ahead of its time in VR game design and still represents some of the best licensed superhero content available in VR today. If you’re a fan of Batman, give this one a go.
- WipEout Omega Collection [our thoughts]: Years before PSVR was released—back when it was still just a prototype called Project Morpheus—people were already fantasizing about how amazing the storied zero-G racing franchise, WipEout, could be in VR. The dream finally came true in 2017 when the WipEout Omega Collection, a remastered bundle of several WipEout games, launched with optional PSVR support, deeply enhancing the game’s adrenaline-fueled arcade racing action. Don’t push yourself though; while the VR mode has been adapted with several options to maintain comfort even at the game’s breakneck speeds, not pacing yourself could lead to nausea. Good thing there’s a free demo available to see if this one’s for you.
Did we miss something? Let us know your top recommendations in the comments below!