Virtual reality is a three-dimensional environment or image generated by a computer. The applications of this technology are only limited by the imagination of a person. In the real sense, virtual reality is whatever you want it to be. Gaming is the most popular use of virtual reality technology. Moreover, many have said it is the next evolution in the gaming movement. There are many companies trying to take advantage of this fact, and are producing a lot of games. This may make it hard to find the best VR adventure games. Here are the top 10 VR Adventure Games:
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10. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platform: Microsoft windows and PlayStation4
Year of release: 17 November 2017
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was originally released on November 11, 2011, and instantly caught the world by storm. People loved the game so much that it is not unusual to find people playing it today. The VR version of the game does not change the story. The game is set 200 years after the events in Oblivion (Elder Scrolls IV). The story revolves around your character and their quest to take down Alduin the World-Eater, a mystical dragon that is prophesied to end the world.
Pros
- The VR vision of Skyrim is very immersive. This would be an absolute delight to anyone who played the first installments.
- The movement system supports either teleportation or free movement. This is good as teleportation breaks the immersion.
- The controls are realistic and immersive. Also, you can customize the controls to what best fits your play style.
Cons
- The free movement option is not for inexperienced VR players due to the motion sickness involved.
9. Robinson: The Journey VR
Developer: Crytek
Publisher: Crytek
Platform: PS4 and Microsoft Windows
Year of release: November 2016(PS4) February 2017(Microsoft windows)
The story follows young Robin on an adventure after his ship, the Esmeralda, crashes on a paradise planet called Tyson III. However, Tyson III is not the paradise it seems when he comes face to face with a dinosaur. Robin has to rely on nothing but his wits and companions to survive. This VR game is beautiful. It immerses you in a mysterious world with the power of virtual reality.
Pros
- Its graphics are very impressive. Everything feels so real like its living and breathing. The game is so immersive you could finish it in one sitting.
- The storytelling aspect is also on point. For instance, when the game starts you have a chance to look at Robin’s makeshift home and it looks like he is lonely.
Cons
- The game’s puzzles can be very brutal. They are often unclear and hard to solve.
8. Farpoint VR
Developer: Impulse Gear
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Platform: PS4
Year of release: May 16, 2017
Farpoint follows a lone astronaut just crash-landed on an alien planet. At first glance, the planet seems uninhabited. However, the astronaut soon finds out that the planet is full of aliens who have a taste for human flesh. The astronaut then has to fight their way to the crashed space station so they can get out. This game has been praised as the most user-friendly to new VR players. The game takes into account the limitations of VR. This saves it from looking like a proof of concept or tech demo. Besides, it supports the new PlayStation VR Aim Controller for added immersion.
Pros
- It is user-friendly to new VR players. It is very forgiving when it comes to motion sickness.
- It supports coop play. It is always fun to play with a friend
- The shooting aspect is also enjoyable. The sights on the guns are very responsive and easy to use.
Cons
- The campaign feels too short.
7. Moss
Developer: Polyarc
Publisher: Polyarc
Year of release: 27 February 2018
Platform: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Oculus Quest
In Moss, you play as a reader who found an old book in a library. As you go through the pages you are transported to a mystical fantasy land within the book. There you meet a young mouse called Quill. An evil fire-breathing snake, Sarffog, has taken over the kingdom and captures Quill’s uncle. You then have to guide Quill on a quest to defeat Sarffog and save his uncle.
Pros
- It has a creative storytelling aspect. This leaves you wanting more even when you are done with the game
- The scale aspect is fantastic. Quill looks like a tiny mouse. This increases the immersion aspect.
Cons
- There are some technical issues. One will often have to reset the calibration.
6. Edge of Nowhere
Developer: Insomniac Game
Publisher: Oculus Studios
Year of release: June 6, 2016
Platform: Microsoft Windows
You play as the protagonist, Victor Howard who is searching for his wife who went missing in an expedition in Antarctica. However, things soon take a turn for the worst when the rescue plane crashes leaving you alone. Unfazed, Victor continues to look for his wife venturing deeper into a monstrous environment. Moreover, Victor is also experiencing some flashbacks that have him questioning reality itself. The main feature Edge of Nowhere is that it is a third-person view VR game. Nevertheless, it does not sacrifice much when it comes to gameplay or immersion.
Pros
- The story is well written. The use of flashbacks to advance the narrative is creative.
- The action is also placed very well. The constant need to keep moving while fighting for your life is one of the best aspects of this VR game.
Cons
- Some elements in the game are not very clear up close.
5. Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin
Developer: Double Fine, React Games
Publisher: Double Fine
Year of release: March 2017
Platform: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin is a good story that bridges the gap between the first Psychonauts produced in 2005 and the upcoming sequel. The story reunites Raz, Milla, Lili, and Sasha after they graduate the Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp. This VR sandbox games takes an awesome approach with the teleportation movement mechanics. Raz, the protagonist, makes use of his Clairvoyance ability to move from person to person through mental projection. This is a smart way to find and solve puzzles without having the discomfort of motion sickness.
Pros
- It smartly counters motion sickness by the use of Clairvoyance ability to move around.
- It has a good story as it was written by Tim Schafer who is a great adventure game designer.
Cons
- It is too short and it is not repayable.
4. Batman: Arkham VR
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Year of release: (PlayStation 4) October 11, 2016, (Microsoft Windows) April 25, 2017
Platform: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Batman Arkham VR takes place between the events of 2015’s Batman: Arkham Knight and 2011’s Batman: Arkham City. The story follows you as Batman trying to find Robin and Nightwing in a first-person perspective. The game utilizes the use of Batman’s gadgets and skills to explore the environment to find clues.
Pros
- The use of Batman’s gadgets feels more intimate in VR than in regular Batman games.
- The story is quite interesting and it is possible to finish it in one sitting.
Cons
- The story lacks any hand to hand combat that we have come to expect in Batman games.
3. Trover Saves the Universe
Developer: Sqaunch Games
Publisher: Sqaunch Games, Sqaunch Games, Inc.
Year of release: June 4, 2019
Platform: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Trover Saves the Universe is a fun action-adventure platformer that is one of the best VR games in 2019. It is written and voiced by Justin Roiland, co-founder of the hit TV series Rick and Morty. As you would expect it very funny with tons of messed up dark humor. The story follows you as a Charopian a race of aliens who never leaves a fancy chair. This chair teleports and is controlled by a device similar to a PS4 controller. Trover and you team up to find your dogs that have been kidnapped by an evil alien named Glorkon.
Pros
- The game is thoroughly entertaining. The dark humor paired with the characters constantly breaking the fourth wall and will always leave you laughing.
- It has a good combination of action and easy puzzle solving making it enjoyable all the way through.
Cons
- Any real fan of Rick and Morty will not appreciate the fact that the game is a bit too short.
2. Lone Echo
Developer: Ready At Dawn
Publisher: Oculus Studios
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Year of release: July 20, 2017
The Lone Echo follows you as a robot named Jack awoken by your companion Liv. You are currently orbiting Saturn on board a space station. As go about your mission, mining Saturn’s rings, your equipment starts going crazy for unknown reasons. The game boasts of some of the smoothest hand-tracked controls in virtual reality adventure games right now.
Pros
- The game has a free multiplayer expansion called the Echo Arena.
- Sharp graphics.
- Great controller experience.
Cons
- There are some glitches that can see you going back to previous saves.
1. Arizona Sunshine VR
Developer: Vertigo Games, Jaywalkers Interactive
Publisher: Vertigo Games, Vertigo Arcades
Platform: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
Year of release: 6 December 2016
Arizona Sunshine VR has you wake up in a cave found in an Arizona river valley. Arming yourself, you start killing zombies and exploring till you find a radio. The radio has a human voice that instructs you to go a refinery. You oblige, killing a ton of zombies on your way.
Pros
- It has a multiplayer horde mode.
- It has some good voice acting.
Cons
- The graphics are not the best
Verdict
As far as gaming goes, VR technology is the way forward. These are just some of the best VR adventure games out there but the list is always growing. What a good time to be a gamer, check out our gaming blog for more game news and reviews.