2017 has almost drawn to a close and what a year its been for Oculus Rift and Touch. Not only has the hardware seen a dramatic reduction in price but there’s been plenty of content for consumers to get their hands on. With so much available VRFocus has decided to compile a short list of the best ten videogames that you should own for the device.
The following list – which is in no particular order – aims to cover the the length and breadth of VR content for Oculus Rift. Whether you prefer a big AAA experience from a well known developer or enjoy sampling the delights of the indie community, there’s so many good videogames it can be hard to chose from, meaning there’s always something decent to play.
Lone Echo – Ready at Dawn
An Oculus Rift exclusive, Ready at Dawn’s Lone Echo was one of the biggest summer releases for the headset. Combining a compelling story alongside stunning visuals, the experience also managed to achieve what few had before it, comfortable movement in a zero-gravity environment.
The Gallery: Episode 2 – Heart Of The Emberstone – Cloudhead Games
The long awaited second installment to The Gallery: Call of the Starseed, The Gallery: Episode 2 – Heart Of The Emberstone went even bigger and better than before, offering more puzzles, grander settings, and more insight into the sci-fi/fantasy story.
ARKTIKA.1 – 4A Games
4A Games, the studio behind the popular Metro 2033 series brought its knowledge of post-apocalyptic first-person shooters (FPS) to Oculus Rift this October. Featuring a point-to-point teleportation system rather than freeroaming, ARKTIKA.1 has AAA visuals combined with intense FPS action for on of the best story driven shooters on the platform.
Robo Recall – Epic Games
Launched near the start of the year, Epic Games’ first proper VR title was Robo Recall and should be part of every Oculus Rift owners library. Not only for the fact that it’s completely free, but also that it’s one of the most polished titles on the platform. Essentially a wave shooter, Robo Recall allows you to dash around beautifully rendered city streets, destroying an army of walking and flying robots, dispatching them however you wish. Choose the pistols for a more ranged approach, or just forget about guns and go in bare handed, ripping apart metallic bodies at whim.
Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality – Owlchemy Labs
If there’s one title that bound to appear on these ‘Best of’ kind of lists then Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality will be a front runner. Created by Owlchemy Labs (Job Simulator: The 2050 Archives) alongside Adult Swim Games, this VR version of the popular cartoon series hit all the right notes with its combination of adult humour and immersive VR gameplay. While you don’t need to be a fan of the series it certainly doesn’t hurt to have seen a few episodes to get some of the awaiting in jokes.
The Mage’s Tale – inXile Entertainment
While PlayStation VR may have The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR, Oculus Rift owners don’t have to miss out on the fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) thanks to inXile Entertainment’s The Mage’s Tale. You play a wizards apprentice who must save their master from an evil force. The Mage’s Tale offers the ability to craft hundreds of spells, both defensive and offensive, helping you solve puzzles and vanquish foes with a wave of your hand.
REZ Infinite – Enhance Games
Originally exclusive to PlayStation VR, Enhance Games eventually decided to bring psychedelic shooter REZ Infinite to PC headsets this summer. Featuring reworked levels from the Dreamcast original, the studio also decided to embrace VR further by creating a dedicated level called Area X. While it may not fall into the parameters of many genres, REZ Infinite is one of those titles that once experienced in VR you couldn’t imagine any other way.
Skyworld – Vertigo Games
Featuring both single-player and multiplayer modes, Skyworld mixes turn-based strategy with real-time battles in which you play a king looking over their battle map. From here armies and buildings can be created to storm enemy strongholds, whether that’s in the campaign, skirmish mode or the online cross-platform multiplayer. A proper table-top experience, Skyworld perfectly personifies ‘the easy to pickup but hard to master’ adage, seemingly unforgiving if your strategy isn’t right. Yet highly satisfying when it is.
Battlezone – Rebellion Studios
Another cross-platform multiplayer to make the list, Rebellion’s Battlezone has been made available for all three major headsets, and that’s a good thing as you wouldn’t want to miss out on this arcade-shooter. This is one of VRFocus’ favourite VR titles thanks to that balance between procedurally generated levels, customisation options and retro design nostalgia.
Killing Floor: Incursion – Tripwire Interactive
Originally released as an exclusive for Oculus Rift, Tripwire Interactive’s Killing Floor: Incursion is a horror shooter based on the company’s Killing Floor franchise. Players can choose to go it alone or team up with a friend in co-op mode and explore several environments, such as dilapidated farmhouses to cold, creepy high-tech facilities, all of which contain hordes of horrific ‘Zed’ monsters, which players will need to terminate with extreme prejudice. The entire experience provides a visceral slice of VR action that’s not very festive but enjoyable none the less.
