For the last ten years, gaming publications have covered the latest in VR projects and releases. However, a series of setbacks has stalled the roll-out of VR. The technology has proved a lot more difficult than many developers had predicted, while expensive hardware has priced out many gamers.
But that’s slowly changing. Today, brands like HTC, Samsung, Oculus, and Microsoft are all pushing the boundaries in VR. As the market becomes more competitive and developers optimize their VR tech, the more accessible headsets become available to the public. Still, that brings up another issue tied to VR: the number of titles on offer.
Until now, most headset-ready games have been stand-alone titles created specifically for VR players. For example, PokerStars is one of the leading platforms that offer online poker, offering everything from guides that help beginners to European Poker Tour tournaments. In 2019, the company launched its very own online VR poker tables, which let gamers create customized avatars in unique virtual settings.
These types of projects have proved popular for players who stay at the forefront of tech advances. And now that VR has become more solvent due to lowered hardware costs, more developers are targeting the technology as a port for the world’s most popular titles. Some developers have already released VR ports.
Keep reading for more information on major franchises and series that VR gamers can play right now.
Resident Evil 4
Available on Oculus Quest 2
The original Resident Evil 4 was released for PlayStation in 1996. The series innovated the realm of horror, survival, and first-person shooters—even launching a movie series. In particular, the original release helped steer the mechanics of today’s top FPS titles, including Call of Duty.
The VR version of Resident Evil 4 includes the same Spanish countryside as the original release, which is even more eerie and realistic in the virtual realm. Fans of the Resident Evil series or first-person shooters will find this title endlessly playable.
Skyrim
Available on HTC Vive, Oculus Quest & Rift, PlayStation VR, Valve Index, & Windows Mixed Reality
Storytelling has never been as immersive as in the VR release of Skyrim. The role-playing game takes gamers across diverse settings where they complete tasks to develop their character, including acquiring weapons and spells.
The story’s incredible depth and richness make it a well-rounded project for VR. Not only are gameplay mechanics varied and realistic, but the world’s endless reel of details and side plots transports gamers into another world. Want a fully immersive title? Look no further.
Project CARS 2
Available on HTC Vive, Oculus Quest & Rift, & Valve Index
The advent of VR has been particularly exciting for simulation fans. Simulation fans prefer titles that let them simulate real-life activities, such as piloting, racing or fishing. Back in 2015, Project CARS was released for PC and consoles as a racing simulator for luxury brands like Porsche and Aston Martin.
Project CARS 2 lets racing fans take their setup to the next level. In addition to a VR world, gamers can also hook up their own racing wheel and pedal system—but that’s not necessary. Critics are hailing Project CARS 2 for its incredible visual and environmental details.
Half-Life: Alyx
Available on HTC Vive, Oculus Quest & Rift, Valve Index, & Windows Mixed Reality
Two years after the original Resident Evil dropped in 1996, Half-Life hit the market. The first-person shooter game also drew on horror and survival elements, while tying in cinematic dialogue sequences that stood out. Though it didn’t reach the same level of popularity as the Resident Evil series, Half-Life may have released a superior VR adaptation.
Half-Life: Alyx wasn’t ported to VR like the other games here. Instead, it was developed specifically for VR. The project takes gamers into a storyline set between 1998’s Half-Life and 2004’s Half-Life 2. In the game, players can expect to find all the gore and combat of the originals, just packaged in an almost seamless virtual reality presentation—both in terms of graphics and gameplay mechanics.