As one of the apparently three people who purchased a PlayStation VR2 at launch, it was a bit of a rough go. Sure, the VR unit was $550 on top of the $500 console and you absolutely needed the official Controller Charging Station for another $50. But hardware aside, there was a serious drought of quality games. Such is not the case any longer. The PS VR2 library has grown considerably and here are the 10 best titles to add to your collection as judged by my family.
The 10 must-have games for PS VR2
10. Tentacular
Tentacular is an adorable puzzle game where you take on the role of a good-natured squid monster who must tend to the various denizens of its island home. This is one of my favorite titles to kick back on the couch with and watch as my son uses his sucker-filled appendages to build rockets and chuck cargo containers.
9. Swordsman VR
Since Blade and Sorcery isn’t available for the PS VR2, the best option for medieval combat is Swordsman VR. Titles like this are great for VR as everyone understands the concept and it’s easy to get into. It’s one of those “easy to learn, difficult to master” games that sucks you in until you’re a sweaty mess flailing around your living room.
Should you pick it up, my son would like to inform you that you can simply choke out many of your opponents for a much easier win.
8. Among Us
Among Us is one of those titles that transcends boundaries and gets everyone across the gaming spectrum in on its shenanigans. So, when the murder mystery phenomenon came to VR, it only made too much sense. Sure, your lobbies are going to be hit or miss due to that widespread appeal, but you can’t deny the charm that’s on display. Plus, if you do end up as the Imposter, you get to live out that Xenomorph fantasy hunting down your very own crew of the Nostromo.
7. Pistol Whip
There are plenty of John Wick games out there, but none of them capture the essence of the film like Pistol Whip does. Placed on a colorful treadmill with some incredibly catchy tunes, your goal is to avoid obstacles and bullets while gunning down nondescript Reboot enemies. Pistol Whip is another one of those VR games that will leave you slick with sweat and gulping down air after a play session, but is so addictive that you won’t mind looking like a goober to your mail carrier.
6. Horizon Call of the Mountain
Horizon Call of the Mountain was the showcase piece for the PS VR2. Bundled with the VR unit, Horizon Call of the Mountain was one of the three most impressive titles for the new platform. Much like the other entries in the series centered around Aloy, Call of the Mountain is gorgeous and is a true treat to explore in VR. However, with its short campaign and excessive climbing sections, it feels more like a tech demo than a full-fledged game. That being said, taking on your first Thunderjaw in VR is just as amazing as the first time in Zero Dawn.
5. Job Simulator
If you’re looking for an unlikely but fantastic party game, look no further than Job Simulator. While it might be designed as a single-player experience, I can personally vouch for the hilarity that can ensue when a group of disgruntled adults decides to kill an evening playing this. The humor is on point and the various scenarios pretty much guarantee something relatable for everyone whether it’s shredding incriminating documents or filling a gas tank with hot sauce.
4. Beat Saber
Beat Saber might just be the definitive VR experience. When you first strap on the headset and find yourself in what is essentially The Grid from Tron, it’s a bit surreal. Then comes the lightsabers and cutting blocks to your favorite songs. Beat Saber is the spiritual successor to Guitar Hero and Rock Band and reaffirms there will always be a place for rhythm games. It’s just a shame that the cost of entry for peripherals is so high.
3. Resident Evil 4
Capcom struck gold when it started remaking the Resident Evil series. When VR support was added to the PlayStation 5 version of Resident Evil Village, gamers everywhere began salivating when they realized it was only a matter of time before the next remake, Resident Evil 4, would get the same treatment.
The original Resident Evil 4 was a juggernaut that breathed new life into the series. The remake took everything great about the original and rocketed it to new heights. Finally, the VR version put players in the tight muscle tee of Leon S. Kennedy and forced them to get up and close and personal with Doctor Salvador. It’s just a shame that the PS VR2 version doesn’t support Mario mods.
2. Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil Village completely changed the series for me and it remains one of my all-time favorite games. So, when I saw that it was going to get VR support via the PS VR2, I was instantly sold. The only trepidation was realizing I would be dealing with House Beneviento’s monster with less distance between me and the screen.
Being able to wander the eponymous village, Castle Dimitrescu, and everywhere else is an experience like no other. The way Capcom made actions like storing and pulling weapons, reloading, and solving puzzles is what sold me on VR as a whole. Village in VR isn’t just a fancy tech demo or a port. It was the first time where I was able to experience something I deeply loved for the first time again.
1. Gran Turismo 7
I need to get something out of the way first. Gran Turismo 7 takes the top spot with a gigantic caveat. For the best possible experience, you’ll want to invest about another $400 in peripherals, namely a steering wheel, pedals, shifter, and mounting system. It’s a steep investment and I won’t deny that, but I cannot overstate how worth it that extra cost is.
Gran Turismo 7 is already a stunner with a controller and TV. However, once you sit down in a cockpit that you’ve built and pull on the headset, you’ll have a hard time playing any other racing game. Being able to downshift going into a turn while physically turning your head to look at nearby cars from your own incredibly realistic interior is the way this game was meant to be played. It’s that kind of experience that puts Gran Turismo 7 at the top of the list.
