2018 has almost come to an end which means VRFocus is rounding up the best videogames for each headset. Now it comes to the turn of HTC Vive. Probably the one head-mounted display ((HMD) with the fewest exclusives, there’s still no shortfall of great content on the device. Looking back over the last 12 months, it’s time for VRFocus to name its favourite HTC Vive experiences.
The Best HTC Vive Games of 2018
Transpose – Secret Location
A truly mind-bending puzzle title from Blasters of the Universe creator Secret Location, Transpose has over 30 levels where you have to bend time and clone your body, in a bid to solve the challenges. Alongside the time loops, Transpose allows players to rotate the environment around them to walk on walls and ceilings, experiencing perspective shifts and multifaceted puzzles in ways only possible in VR. One for the more advanced VR player, nevertheless a highly thought-provoking experience.
Arca’s Path – Dream Reality Interactive
The debut title from Dream Reality Interactive, Arca’s Path VR takes the gameplay style of classics like Marble Madness and updates it for VR headsets. Featuring a dark storyline where you play a girl tricked by an evil witch, you’ve been turned into a ball and must navigate levels in a bid to free yourself and return home. Great for VR beginners as the controls are gaze based.
In Death – Solfar Studios
It featured in VRFocus’ Oculus Rift list and we liked it that much that Solfar Studios’ In Death deserved a place here with HTC Vive. With procedurally generated levels, no checkpoints or saving of any kind, the gameplay is as brutal as it is difficult. With just a bow by your side – until you unlock the crossbow – you need to become proficient at dispatching enemies at close and long range. Fail and you return to the start, a little wiser and a little tougher. Just remember that so are the angels and demons you need to kill.
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Blind – Tiny Bull Studios
Blind – Tiny Bull StudiosWhile the title may look a bit sinister Blind is simply a puzzle experience with one unique feature, you can’t see unless you make a sound, using an echolocation system to see the world around you. This can be achieved via a walking cane or grabbing anything to hand and throwing it. Clocking in at around fours hours of gameplay Blind doesn’t feel too short, and puzzle fans should like the way most of the challenges are designed.
Tin Hearts – Rogue Sun
Currently, in Early Access, Tin Hearts is a wonderfully quaint VR puzzle experience from indie studio Rogue Sun. Tin Hearts requires you to guide squads of little tin soldiers through a magical toy filled world, in a similar vein to Lemmings. This time though you need to use the toys to guide the little guys in the right direction. It may still be in development but Tin Hearts is too adorable to not recommend.
Island 359 – CloudGate Studio
When it comes to massive adventures for HTC Vive, most may instantly veer towards Bethesda’s Fallout 4 VR which is exclusive to the headset. It may be a good videogame but it’s so 2017, and VRFocus isn’t interested in last year. Instead, how about going for CloudGate Studio’s rather epic Island 359. Whether you want to hunt, or just try to survive, Island 359 has something for every dinosaur fan – apart from a visitor centre, just remember there are no fences and they bite back.
Beat Saber – Beat Games
It doesn’t matter which headset you play Beat Saber on you’re more than likely going to enjoy it. It’s just so frustratingly addictive, bopping and swinging your arms around to catchy tunes, slicing away at blocks. Not only can 30 to 60 minutes pass without thinking about it, but you also get a reasonable workout to burn those calories, excellent for when you fancy another Christmas snack.
Transference – Ubisoft Montréal and Spectrevision
Love to be scared witless? Either by things jumping out from the shadows or by creatures you can’t see then VR horror is the way to go. Ubisoft Montréal and Spectrevision collaborated on terrifying psychological thriller Transference that blurs the lines between live-action movies and videogame dynamics. With a multi-branching narrative focused on a scientist and his family experiments, this is one title not for the faint of heart.
Sprint Vector – Survios
If you want a VR title that’s energetic but you don’t fancy Beat Saber then it’s worth trying Survios’ Sprint Vector. There’s still lots of arm swinging involved but this time it’s competitive, racing against opponents to find the best line to the finish. With the ability to jump and glide to find new routes, you can also disadvantage opponents with a selection of armaments.
Evasion – Archiact
For those that are looking for an all-out first-person shooter (FPS) then sci-fi action adventure Evasion is what you seek. A frantic sci-fi shooter that can be played in either single-player or co-op multiplayer modes. Players can choose from four classes (Striker, Surgeon, Engineer and Warden) each having their own unique strengths, weapons and abilities, with players able to customise their class as they level-up. There’s a great feel to the gunplay, and Archiact has built in plenty of movement options for those worried about motion sickness.