27 Best VR Games To Immerse Yourself Within In 2025The best VR games are bound to surprise, charm, or even scare you in an array of ways. Most importantly, the best VR games thrive in immersion, taking you into different worlds in the blink of an eye, or a quick gesture of your hands. Regardless of which of the current platforms you choose, there's an extensive catalog of great VR experiences to discover. The PlayStation VR 2, Meta Quest 3, and Apple Vision Pro have been leading the charge in recent times with their singular advantages and compromises. Meanwhile, PC VR supports a long list of compatible headsets, including the Valve Index and HTC Vive Pro 2, as well as the recent addition of the PlayStation VR 2--if you manage to find stock of its PC adapter, that is. Our selection of the best VR games has something for every player, regardless of platform and genre of choice. Our picks intersect with the 25 best horror games out there, where you'll recognize a familiar franchise. While there are some VR-exclusive games on the list, some titles originated as so-called flat versions, with a few renowned choices being part of our best PS5 games and best PC game lists, as well. If you're undecided over which headset to pick for your foray into VR, this list can also help you to double-check what you already have in your game library that has a VR version ready to boot, before diving into our list of the best VR headsets in 2025 for additional details. If you don't want to immediately spend more money after acquiring a headset, we've also listed 15 of the best free VR games to play. The future of the VR space might seem uncertain after a taxing 2024, but developers haven't stopped coming up with fascinating ideas. With new games like Reach, Lumines Arise , and Thief VR on the horizon, there's never been a better time to start training your VR legs and enjoying a number of experiences in a way that can't be mimicked by just a TV and a controller. Beat Saber Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2018 Developer : Beat Games VR Intensity : 3 Much like many of the music tracks featured in the Beat Saber catalog, classics never die. At this point, Beat Saber has become an emblem of VR, with the simple premise of giving you two virtual swords to slice through blocks at the beat of Queen, Fall Out Boy, Lady Gaga, and dozens of other artists. Beat Saber is a great option to showcase the capabilities of VR to a newcomer in a quick way without forcing their body to move too much. That being said, there's definitely a steep curve to overcome if you're up for the challenge, including different difficulties to master, multiplayer modes, and even a 360 degree variant where you're rotating in place waiting for the next row of blocks to come. You can't go wrong with Beat Saber, and hey, there are quite a few music packs available for free included with the game, so you don't have to spend additional money right away. Read our Beat Saber review . See at Steam Half-Life: Alyx Platform : PC VR headsets Release Year : 2020 Developer : Valve VR Intensity : 7 It's not easy to live up to expectations when talking about something like a new Half-Life game, but somehow, Half-Life: Alyx exceeds them. It's a different take on a beloved (and, up until its release, dormant) universe that manages to make a standout use of VR. Starring the Gravity Gloves, which are best experienced with the ever-pricey Valve Index, you're invited to fully immerse yourself in the world around you, making use of the environment and your own creativity to deal with puzzles and dangerous situations. Time will tell if Half-Life: Alyx will ever make it outside of the PC ecosystem. If you don't have a dedicated headset for desktop PC, the Meta Quest can be used to play Valve's singular experience via wired connection or wirelessly, the latter thanks to a recent update for Steam Link for Meta Quest . Performance will vary depending on your build specs, however, as well as the method of choice. But all in all, Alyx is an experience you won't want to miss--it was GameSpot's Game of the Year for 2020 . Read our Half-Life Alyx review . See at Steam The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2020 Developer : Skybound VR Intensity : 7 This might come as a surprise, but one of the best zombie games out there is in VR. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a gritty, in-depth simulation title where you need to gather scraps, craft weapons, and supplies while tending to your wounds and hunger in order to survive the apocalypse in a fictional rendition of New Orleans. There are very few VR games that balance both tension and a sense of accomplishment like Saints & Sinners does. Helping the locals with main and side missions while cautiously looking at the watch on your wrist so you can plan your escape before the night comes is a thrilling experience that's rarely replicated elsewhere, especially outside of a headset. If you have a Meta Quest 3 or a PlayStation VR 2, developer Skybound released platform-specific updates for each, offering better visuals and some quality-of-life features. See at Steam Thumper Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR, Playstation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2016 Developer : Drool VR Intensity : 6 There are fever dreams and fever nightmares. Thumper definitely fits the second category. Introduced as possibly the most aggressive take on rhythm games to date, you're entrusted with a handful of actions as a space beetle going at full speed through psychedelic scenarios. Even if you've played the original version, the VR rendition amps up the intensity of the visual and sound design that permeates the whole experience. You're tasked with learning and re-learning patterns until you can make progress, and then you do it all again as obstacles get harder to surpass. Very few games give you the relief that Thumper has in store once you manage to finish a level you've been stuck in for days. Read our Thumper review . See at Steam Rez Infinite Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2016 Developer : Monstars Inc., Resonair VR Intensity : 4 Rez, first released back in 2002, is the sensory overload experience that keeps on giving. Rez Infinite, an HD version released in 2016 with VR compatibility, is the definitive edition of the classic on-rail shooter. Its emphasis on providing a synesthesia effect, as well as some VR-unique capabilities, make the difference. The most notable feature is Area X, a mode made specifically for VR. In contrast to the original version--which also plays great with a headset--you're off the rail and free to move through a number of unique levels. There's an exhilarating feeling in using eye-tracking to aim at targets, as well as your own head to guide the avatar's movements as you fly and dodge projectiles while beautiful visual effects engulf you. Area X must be experienced by everyone at least once. Read our Rez Infinite review . See at Steam Tetris Effect Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR 2, PC VR Release Year : 2018 Developer : Resonair, Monstars, Stage Games VR Intensity : 4 Tetris Effect is excellent on every platform. Even if you aren't a fan of the original Tetris, you're bound to get lost in the immersive visuals and sounds as you slowly get better at lining up Tetrominoes. When you pair the experience with VR, however, the result is somehow even more special. While there isn't a specific level or mode tailored solely for VR like the one Rez Infinite offers, Tetris Effect adapts quite naturally to your headset. You're now bound to move your head around and fully appreciate the often breathtaking vistas up close. Plus, with the additions of the Connected DLC, there's quite a lot to see and do even if you played the original when it first released. Read our Tetris Effect review . See at Amazon Resident Evil Village Platform : PlayStation VR 2 Release Year : 2021 Developer : Capcom VR Intensity : 8 Resident Evil Village marks a big departure from the classic feel of the franchise, building upon the new foundation set by Resident Evil 7. And yet, it works wonders. Controlling Ethan Winters once more--probably one of the unluckiest protagonists in games--you're trusted into a house of nightmarish creatures, from vampires to cursed dolls. Playing Resident Evil Village in VR heightens the tension and presents the whole experience in a new light. The VR rendition of Resident Evil 7 and the Resident Evil 4 remake are worth trying on their own merits, but Village is different: It makes the best use of the newfound immersion, looks and runs great in the headset, and makes your visit to House Beneviento one you'll never forget. Read our Resident Evil Village review . See at Amazon No Man's Sky Platform : PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2018 Developer : Hello Games VR Intensity : 8 Developer Hello Games is already busy working on its next big game, called Light No Fire , but No Man's Sky is far from being forgotten anytime soon. The past few years have seen the space sim grow in size and scope over and over, adding new ships, expeditions, and an array of mechanics that intertwine with anything from combat to crafting. No Man's Sky is one of the best Xbox Game Pass games included in the subscription catalog. If you want to experience it in a new light, however, the VR version amps up the immersion to a great degree. If you were initially underwhelmed with the PlayStation VR 2 port, don't worry, as the developer released a major update to integrate Foveated Rendering, which makes the visuals a lot clearer as a result. Read our No Man's Sky review . See at Fanatical Batman: Arkham Shadow Platform : Meta Quest 3 Release Year : 2024 Developer : Camouflaj VR Intensity : 7 It was fair to assume that Rocksteady Games had closed the curtain on the Batman: Arkham series permanently, but developer Camouflaj picked up the mantle for an unexpected return. Batman: Arkham Shadow is a Meta Quest 3 exclusive, and upon a first glance, it’s easy to see why. It's by far one of the most impressive-looking games on the platform, and thankfully, Camouflaj understood the assignment of respecting the longstanding legacy of the franchise. Set between the events of Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Asylum, you take control of the night hero in pursuit of The Rat King, who's terrorizing the city. Mixing in first-person combat that mimics that iconic Arkham system, investigative sections, and a lengthy story, Arkham Shadow is one of those rare VR experiences that come every once in a while, and deserves all the praise it gets. See at Oculus Thrasher Platform : Meta Quest headsets, Apple Vision Pro Release Year : 2024 Developer : Puddle VR Intensity : 3 The novelty of VR can’t be matched by any other technology, but the experience can be enhanced even further with the right tools and ideas. Thrasher, developed by a team formed by the artist and composer of Thumper, is a singular example of the use of hand-tracking alongside a VR headset. Controlling an ethereal eel across dozens of short, colorful levels, you use your hands to point, pinch, and swipe in the air as the creature dodges traps and confronts bosses, learning movement and attack patterns along the way. It’s as psychedelic as you’d expect from the developer behind Thumper, but with a completely different foundation to boot. See at Oculus Gran Turismo 7 Platform : PlayStation VR 2 Release Year : 2022 Developer : Polyphony Digital VR Intensity : 5 One of the most exclusive VR experiences, requiring both a PlayStation 5 and a PlayStation VR 2, happens to be one of the best VR games out there. If you enjoy the finesse and precision that Gran Turismo 7 demands, you're in luck, as experiencing the races with a headset on only makes it all better. Whether you use the DualShock controller or a racing wheel, wearing the PlayStation VR 2 increases the immersion of races, putting you front and center. Looking out the window as you catch the sunset will make every race you end in second place a lot less painful. Read our Gran Turismo 7 review . See at Walmart The Room VR: A Dark Matter Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR, Playstation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2020 Developer : Fireproof Studios VR Intensity : 3 Sometimes, after a long day, all you want to do is unwind. There are plenty of VR games to distract yourself for a while or cut through floating blocks while following a rhythm. But if you want to use whatever remaining energy you have to solve puzzles instead, The Room VR: A Dark Matter will be perfect for you. The disappearance of an Egyptologist kicks off a series of events involving a police investigation. You're tasked with uncovering what happened as you interact with eerie and cryptic mechanisms. Interactivity is heightened in VR, with the downside that you won't have fast access to your phone to search for a puzzle answer unless you take the headset off. See at Steam The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR Platform : PlayStation VR, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2018 Developer : Bethesda Game Studios VR Intensity : 8 Yes, it's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in VR. Even though it seems safe to assume you've already played Skyrim for countless hours, it's easy to wonder whether or not you should replay Skyrim in VR . Simply put, the VR treatment of Bethesda's epic is quite a sight to behold. The PlayStation VR version might feel outdated by today's standards, especially if you're used to newer headsets, so it's recommended to opt for a PC VR headset instead. Regardless of your platform of use, you're bound to lose dozens of hours wandering around Tamriel again, if only for good old nostalgia's sake. Read our The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim review. See at Fanatical Phasmophobia Platform : PlayStation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2020 Developer : Kinetic Games VR Intensity : 8 If you have any interest in horror or multiplayer games, you likely heard of Phasmophobia by now. Its VR iteration, however, adds a new layer of suspense that can’t be captured on the flat-screen version. The objective remains the same: Investigate an assortment of scary locales and find clues to identify the entity behind the paranormal activity within. Even in a dark room and with headphones on, the prospect is daunting. The first time you head down the stairs to look at a basement on your own in VR with nothing but a flashlight and your wits, however, is something you need to experience at least once. Fingers crossed the spirit isn’t in there with you when it happens. See at Steam Pinball FX VR Platform : Meta Quest headsets Release Year : 2025 Developer : Zen Studios VR Intensity : 3 Zen Studios is one of the pioneers in creating VR experiences that simulate the feeling of using a pinball table in real life. After multiple releases over the past few years, Pinball FX VR is a noteworthy showcase of how far the studio has come during this period, offering a virtual arcade with multiple tables and the option for mixed reality. The base game includes three distinct tables to start, in addition to a campaign mode, challenges and leaderboards for both casual and competitive play styles, and a customizable virtual arcade. If you want to expand your options further, there's already an array of DLC tables which are licensed after classic Williams Pinball tables, from Star Trek to the Twilight Zone, as well as Universal TV classics. While the virtual arcade is a fun space to use as a hub, mixed reality is a substantial addition, allowing you to scan your room and place tables and cosmetic decorations however you see fit. Last but not least, you can now place your (virtual) hands on the side of the tables to play, as opposed to only being able to control the bumpers at a distance in previous releases. See at Meta Horizon Hitman: World of Assassination Platform : PlayStation VR 2 Release Year : 2025 Developer : IO Interactive VR Intensity : 7 IO Interactive has attempted to translate the thrill of 47's contracts to VR, albeit with uneven results. Hitman 3 was the entry point, which was later expanded with missions from previous games (and led to the World of Assassination package), but it lacked environment interactions and other nice-to-have features in VR, such as manually reloading weapons. Hitman 3 Reloaded followed suit as a Meta Quest 3 exclusive, but the version was compromised in terms of performance and graphical fidelity to run on the headset. Thankfully, the PSVR 2 version of Hitman: World of Assassination nailed the assignment while addressing some of the shortcomings of the aforementioned launches. Requiring the base game as well as a $10 purchase to enable the VR version, this rendition features all of the new Hitman missions in a presentation that makes great use of the headset's capabilities. It also includes active reloading, dual-wielding, full ambidexterity to complete different tasks simultaneously, fully usable sniper scopes, improvements to physics, and environmental interactions. If you've been itching for a new playthrough or are just interested in seeing the series in a new light, there's finally a catch-all version to jump in. See at PlayStation Star Wars Squadrons Platform : PlayStation VR, PC VR Release Year : 2020 Developer : Motive Studio VR Intensity : 7 Piloting a TIE Fighter in VR is a no-brainer, and Star Wars: Squadrons lets you do more than just that. Dogfighting while wearing a headset is as exhilarating as you'd expect, allowing you to get up close and personal against dozens of ships in outer space. The VR version also includes head-tracking, which can be a bit tough to parse through if you don't have a steady VR legs. But once you get used to it, you'll be wondering why Star Wars: Squadrons isn't available on PSVR 2 or the later Meta Quest headsets, considering the standout feelings that it manages to offer the moment you jump into your ship. Read our Star Wars: Squadrons review . See at Steam Blade and Sorcery Platform : PC VR headsets Release Year : 2018 Developer : WarpFrog VR Intensity : 7 If you have any interest in VR, it's likely that you've come across Blade and Sorcery at some point. This physics-driven medieval fantasy sandbox is quite complex, but at its heart, it's a hilariously crude exposure to the possibilities of VR. You can make use of melee, magic, and ranged combat in an array of violent ways. Alongside the more rudimentary maps where you fight against others in an arena, the game is regularly updated with new modes and features, including the recent addition of dungeons to plunge into. If you own a Meta Quest headset, Blade and Sorcery: Nomad is a lighter version that can offer similar thrills, if you don't mind a lower graphic quality, fewer enemies on screen, and a few other compromises. See at Steam Walkabout Mini Golf Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2021 Developer : Mighty Coconut VR Intensity : 2 Walkabout Mini Golf, first released for PC VR and then ported to PlayStation VR 2 and Meta Quest headsets, does exactly what it says in the name: It's a breezy mini-golf game in VR where you partake in matches across dozens of courses. Physics play a big part in the experience, but so does the possibility of playing with others in multiplayer. If you're looking to chill or start a new Friday night routine with friends, you can't go wrong with some virtual mini-golf. See at Steam Supernatural Platform : Meta Quest headsets Release Year : 2020 Developer : Within Unlimited VR Intensity : 5+ If you're not enticed by the idea of going to the gym but still want to get some workout done at home, Supernatural is a much more fitness-focused experience than other cardio-intensive games. Yes, the gameplay is fairly similar to the likes of Beat Saber, especially with the use of licensed music. But there's more than meets the eye if you want to organize an actual routine for yourself. As you're punching the air and squatting to dodge obstacles, Supernatural uses real-world locations as a background. There are coaches who can guide you with a voice over during workouts, as well as guidance for meditation and stretching. In contrast to the rest of our best VR games list, Supernatural requires a $9.99 monthly subscription, although there's a 14-day trial that you can opt out of at any time to try it out. See at Meta Horizon Path of Fury - Episode I: Tetsuo's Tower Platform : Meta Quest headsets Release Year : 2025 Developer : Leonard Menchiari and Abonico Game Works VR Intensity : 7 The VR space has been host to a plethora of medieval-inspired games featuring swords and spells, while shooters are in abundance. Not many games, however, prioritize close-quarters, hand-to-hand combat. Path of Fury - Episode I: Tetsuo's Tower marks a difference, inviting you to punch your way up to the highest floor of the namesake tower on an on-rails structure. In a similar fashion to arcade classics like Time Crisis, Path of Fury takes you from one encounter to the next in a fast-paced rhythm. Taking cues from games like Beat Saber, every enemy you encounter has impact points around their body, colored to match either your left or right hand. Of course, they're bound to retaliate, for which you'll have to manually block and deflect punches and kicks with your virtual palms. While some of its mechanics might be familiar to VR enthusiasts, the execution and presentation are unmatched. See at Meta Horizon Pistol Whip Platform : Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR, Playstation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Year : 2019 Developer : Cloudhead Games VR Intensity : 8 Pistol Whip is more than just "Beat Saber but with guns." The rhythm shooter has you traversing through an array of levels in an on-rail fashion as enemies show up from all sides to try and take you down. Your best defense is to fire a weapon, which can vary in type and number depending on which mode you're playing, as well as your own physical prowess to dodge upcoming projectiles. If your actions stick to the rhythm of the song in the background, you'll gain bonus points for your overall score. In practice, it becomes natural to do so, as levels are designed to fit the song, reacting to its crescendos and its beats. Depending on your difficulty of choice, however, Pistol Whip can be one of the most intense VR games out there. Make sure to have a water bottle at hand. See at Humble Before Your Eyes Platform : PlayStation VR 2 Release Year : 2021 Developer : GoodbyeWorld Games VR Intensity : 3 Before Your Eyes was one of GameSpot's best games of 2021 , and for good reason. This narrative-driven story makes use of a simple, yet masterfully implemented mechanic: You progress through the game by blinking. For PC users, this is done by using your webcam, while in mobile, the front camera becomes the main device. On PlayStation VR 2, however, Before Your Eyes uses the headset's eye-tracking to capture your blinking. The headset isn't exactly waterproof, and the story is quite emotive, to say the least, so proceed with caution. Read our Before Your Eyes review . See at Fanatical Gorn 2 Platform : PC VR, Meta Quest headsets (PSVR 2 targeted for Summer 2025) Release Year : 2025 Developer : Free Lives and Cortopia Studios VR Intensity : 8 A gory gladiator-style arena is an easy pitch for VR, and Gorn executed it in exhilarating fashion back in 2019. Six years later, Free Lives is back with a sequel, maintaining the comedy of exaggerated violence and wobbly physics while expanding the tools available at your disposal. Gorn 2 features an arsenal of 35 weapons, new enemy types, and a bigger focus on using the environment for your senseless carnage. Pitfall traps that lead to meat grinders, massive structures to stomp enemies from above, and lava are of great help when dealing with multiple enemies at once. Featuring a four-hour campaign, the sequel is a great trip down memory lane with enough additions to justify the second round. Just be mindful of your real-life surroundings, and roommates, when you swing that axe. See at Steam Asgard's Wrath 2 Platform : Meta Quest headsets Release Year : 2023 Developer : Sanzaru Games VR Intensity : 7 Asgard's Wrath 2 is one of the best VR games out now. Released in December 2023, this RPG is included for free when you purchase a Meta Quest 3. It's not just a tech demo, however, but a lengthy experience filled with gorgeous set pieces and surprising depth. It's hard to describe Asgard's Wrath 2 succinctly, considering it contains a multitude of mechanics. There's wall running, a grappling hook, and swords and magic. You name it. If you're looking for an RPG that will keep you busy for long periods of time, search no further. See at Meta Horizon Ghost Town Platform : Meta Quest headsets Release Date : April 24 Developer : Fireproof Games VR Intensity : 4 Fireproof Games, creators of The Room, are taking another swing at VR with Ghost Town. The story is centered on a paranormal detective agency investigating a family disappearance, which takes you to a remote Scottish island to find clues. The Room series is a synonym of puzzles, and there are plenty of them in Ghost Town. But they’re all presented through the lens of hauntings, asking you to summon spirits, cast spells, and be among ghosts. Don’t worry if you’re easily scared, though, as it’s not a horror game. Instead, the supernatural elements of the story result in a setting we don’t see often in the genre. Ghost Town has also been announced for PSVR 2 and PC VR headsets. See at Meta Horizon The Midnight Walk Platform : PlayStation VR 2, PC VR headsets Release Date : May 8 Developer : MoonHood VR Intensity : 7 The developers of Lost in Random present a new first-person dark fantasy game. In which everything you see has been made with clay in real-life, and then scanned to be used as assets. You play as The Burnt One, who befriends a lantern creature named Potboy. Thankfully, a lantern is the perfect tool to dispel and distract enemies. As The Burnt One, you’ll team up with Potboy during The Midnight Walk, traversing through five different tales set in its quirky world. Alongside being a compelling adventure, it’s a moving showcase of art expression, fusing the print of hand-crafted figures and images with a digital presentation. See at Steam
Popular Content
Explore Topic
