Let’s be honest – if given a choice, most gamers would love to immerse themselves in a virtual reality world.
After all, it is much more interesting than playing games on conventional 2-dimensional screens. Players can get to interact with the world in a much more engaging manner, which is one of the most appealing aspects of VR games.
Also, with the rich features that come with modern VR headsets, such as freedom of movement, high-resolution optics, and 3D audio, the engagement and immersion are enhanced even further. But the actual question that comes up now is – what are some good games that can be played on such headsets?
Well, that is what this guide is all about, for it lists some of the top upcoming VR games that are generating a lot of hype. So, grab your gaming gear and get ready to roll!
Best VR Games In 2023
1. Assassin’s Creed Nexus
Platform: Meta Quest 2
Release Date: September 2023
Yes, you guessed it right – the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise is making its grand VR debut with Assassin’s Creed Nexus! According to some early reports, the game will follow the tried and tested Assassin’s Creed formula. But it might not have an open world, unlike many of the previous titles in the franchise. That said, many fan-favorite characters, such as Ezio, Connor, and Cassandra, will be making a comeback.
2. Horizon Call Of The Mountain
Platform: PlayStation VR 2
Release Date: February 22, 2023
The third entry in the critically acclaimed Horizon series, Call Of The Mountain, will be a spin-off of the original games. It will introduce a new protagonist in the form of Ryas – a rebel from the Shadow Carja tribe. Similar to the previous games, you can craft and use different weapons on your adventures. And you will come across many new and old characters, including the series protagonist Aloy.
3. Ghostbusters: Rise Of The Ghost Lords
Platform: Meta Quest 2, Playstation VR 2
Release Date: June 2023
Fans of the Ghostbusters franchise rejoice, for a new Ghostbusters VR game is in the works! Titled Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lords, this game will feature a story-driven co-op campaign. However, there will be an option to play the game solo as well. In this game, you can build your base, upgrade your equipment and hunt ghosts in the typical Ghostbusters fashion but in a fully immersive VR environment!
4. Firmament
Platform: PC VR, Playstation VR 2
Release Date: May 2023
Firmament is a highly-anticipated VR title that will be released by Cyan Worlds – a studio that is renowned for the popular Myst series of adventure games. This adventure game will feature an immersive world with steampunk aesthetics, and you can explore this world along with your mechanical companion. As you journey through the stunning game world, you’ll need to solve challenging puzzles to progress further into the story.
5. Aliens
Platform: PC, Consoles, and other unspecified VR platforms
Release Date: Unknown
Did you enjoy playing through Alien: Isolation but were disappointed due to a lack of an official VR version? Well, with the upcoming action horror game Aliens, that wish will finally come true. Developed with Unreal Engine 5, it is arguably one of the best VR horror games coming out in 2023. Likewise, its story takes place between the first and second movies of the franchise.
6. Behemoth
Platform: PC VR, Playstation VR 2, Meta Quest 2
Release Date: 2023
Behemoth is an original game being developed by Skydance Interactive. In case you are wondering – this is the same studio that made The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, which has been quite well-received by VR gamers and critics alike. The game will take place in a fantasy setting and will have realistic physics-based sword fighting. Players will go on an epic adventure, battling humans and colossal beasts to progress.
7. Firewall Ultra
Platform: PlayStation VR 2
Release Date: 2023
Firewall Ultra is the long-awaited sequel to the popular multiplayer squad-based tactical shooter Firewall Zero Hour, which was released for the original Playstation VR. Using the game’s arsenal of weapons, players can go toe-to-toe against other players in competitive multiplayer matches that consist of three rounds each. Alternatively, you can play PvE (player versus environment) matches against bots if you are a solo player.
8. Hellsweeper VR
Platform: Meta Quest 2, PC VR
Release Date: Mid to late 2023
Are you a fan of the Devil May Cry series? Then you should definitely keep an eye out for Hellsweeper VR, where you can engage in action-packed fights in glorious virtual reality! In this game, you’ll have to take out waves of enemies using nimble movements, magical powers, and a range of melee weapons. Additionally, there will be a co-op mode for those who wish to play with their friends.
9. The Dark Pictures: Switchback
Platform: PlayStation VR 2
Release Date: March 16, 2023
Each game within the Dark Pictures Anthology offers a cinematic survival horror experience to gamers. So, it was only a matter of time before it got a proper VR title. The Dark Pictures: Switchback is a rail shooter horror game that will make use of spatial audio and haptic feedback of the Playstation VR 2 headset. Thus, the level of immersion and scare factor will be even more intense!
10. Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom
Platform: Meta Quest 2, Pico 4
Release Date: March 9, 2023
Have you ever wanted to be a gangster in 1920s England? Then Peaky Blinders: A King’s Ransom is the perfect game for you. Based on the critically acclaimed series, this action-adventure game lets you play as a member of the Peaky Blinders crime gang. In order to progress through the story, you’ll have to take part in different missions and interact with several of the characters featured in the show.
11. Resident Evil 4 Remake
Platform: PlayStation VR 2
Release Date: March 24, 2023
Capcom – the creators of the iconic Resident Evil Franchise – will be releasing a remake of the bestselling 2005 horror shooter game Resident Evil 4. It will follow a similar formula as the previous Resident Evil remakes, being a faithful adaptation of the original. This game will feature both VR and non-VR versions and will follow the story of Leon S. Kennedy as he tries to rescue the president’s kidnapped daughter.
12. Stranger Things VR
Platform: Meta Quest 2
Release Date: Late 2023
The wildly popular science fiction TV series Stranger Things is getting another VR game in the form of Stranger Things VR! This time around, you will be playing as Vecna – the antagonist of the show’s fourth season – as he travels through the Upside Down to gain his powers. In order to progress through the game, you’ll have to face off against different creatures and human characters from the show.
13. Amid Evil VR
Platform: Meta Quest 2, PC VR
Release Date: April 19, 2023
This version of the first-person action shooter game Amid Evil features a similar non-linear, fast-paced gameplay as the original, but in fully immersive VR. In such a game, you will have to traverse different levels of a dark fantasy world and can use different types of weapons to slay hordes of enemies. If you love classic games like Doom and Quake, you should definitely check this one out!
14. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Platform: Meta Quest 2
Release Date: Unknown
Of course, no gamer needs an introduction to the Grand Theft Auto franchise. In that context, the VR version of the breakthrough hit 2004 game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was announced back in 2021 and has been in development ever since. In this game, you will be stepping into the shoes of Carl “CJ” Johnson to complete missions and cause chaos in the fictional state of San Andreas.
Final Words
Obviously, there are many other VR titles under development that are slated to be released in 2023. But the ones we have mentioned here are some of the most anticipated VR games coming this year.
On that note, many of the release dates here are tentative and can change at any time. So, it is a good idea to remain patient and stay tuned for any updates from the developers.
Although, if you are a bit impatient, you can play some existing VR games in the interim. The level of engagement provided by some of the most immersive VR games is leagues ahead of the immersion levels provided by conventional games. So, we can fully understand your impatience.
Therefore, you can check out popular titles like the action-oriented Half-Life: Alyx or the fantasy-based Skyrim VR, among others. You can also play the rhythm game Beat Saber or the VR puzzle game Myst since they are quite engaging as well.
