The 10 best PlayStation VR2 games

So! Sony’s second PlayStation-based virtual reality system and its first for the PS5, the PS VR2, is now available in retail. It’s an important moment for VR enthusiasts (it will give this technology a much-needed and generous boost), as well as for mainstream consumers (it dramatically lowers the barrier of entry for quality VR gaming). We quite liked the PS5-based VR platform Sony has put together and there’s absolutely no question in our minds regarding its great potential. This is a console peripheral that deserves to do well, despite its high price.

What about the games, though, since they are the actual reason one would consider getting the new PlayStation VR? There are already more than 40 different PS VR2 titles on offer right now, with more coming over the next few months, but they are not all worth your money or time. Which ones actually are, then? Read on!

Horizon: Call of the Mountain

There’s a reason why Sony launched the PS VR2 offering it along with this particular title as a bundle: it is specifically designed for this system and it shows. It is absolutely gorgeous to look at, it takes advantage of practically every advanced feature of the PS VR2 and chooses to show off the most exciting parts of Horizon action, like the fights with all kinds of mechanical beasts and the exploration of dangerous but beautiful environments. It’s the one exclusive title people need to play if they want to know in a short period of time what Sony’s new virtual reality system is all about. It might seem somewhat linear compared to the mainline Horizon PS4/PS5 titles, sure, but then again it has to be: how else would you remain focused on having fun in VR?

Gran Turismo 7

It’s true that Horizon: Call of the Mountain is meant to work as the first showcase for PS VR2, but for millions of PS5 gamers, GT7 in VR may be more of a reason to buy this peripheral. The quality of the graphics is easily comparable to that of the conventional game, the whole of GT7 can be enjoyed in VR (apart from couch co-op for obvious reasons) and the sense of speed has to be felt to be believed. There’s simply nothing else like it out there in any format right now and racing games fans owe it to themselves to experience it (especially since the VR upgrade is offered at no extra cost). Fair warning to all Gran Turismo veterans, though: once one drives the supercars of GT7 in VR, there’s no turning back to playing with “just” a DualSense controller. Yes, it’s that good.

Moss: Book I & II Bundle

Proof of the fact that VR experiences don’t have to be played in first person to be highly enjoyable, these two already successful titles are making the leap from the original PS VR in style: the graphics are obviously way better (particularly when it comes to lighting), but the true motion controls, the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers offered by the PS VR2 make all the difference when commanding the cutest mouse to ever grace a virtual reality environment. Also of note is the excellent art direction and captivating soundtrack but… let’s be honest here: it’s that unmistakable charm that makes both games, especially the sequel, so enjoyable. Getting them both for around 30% less than what they cost when purchased individually is just the icing on a very, very tasty cake.

Tetris Effect Connected

If one was told that he’d just have to experience good old Tetris in VR just a few years ago, one would probably stare back in doubt, but that’s exactly what Enhance has pulled off: Tetris Effect Connected, the absolute best version of the famous game already available in multiple formats, makes its PS VR2 debut in amazing style. Playing this title with a conventional joypad was already a transcendent experience, but the force feedback from the motion controllers and the vibrations from the headset feedback, along with the excellent music coming through the headphones in tune with the action, just push that to another level. This truly is a work of art and the perfect example of how VR can make even simple concepts shine anew through graphics, haptics and sound.

Resident Evil: Village

Not many “flat-screen” video games can be played in virtual reality and be considerably more enjoyable than their original versions were, but RE: Village just happens to be one of those games. It made the transition from conventional graphics to VR environments unbelievably well, it offers a number of improvements in control and interaction, while its level of immersion is higher than ever thanks to 3D audio which works really well in this context. Some of the more action-packed parts of it – like the shooting itself – honestly feel better and more natural than they did in the original version. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for gamers who are up for it this is a true masterpiece of the horror genre, intensified to 11 – and people who already own Resident Evil Village are getting the VR upgrade for free. Nice!

The Last Clockwinder

There are certain types of games only possible to work inside a virtual reality environment and this is a fine example: how else would players teach robots how to execute specific moves and then have many of these robots use those moves in specific ways in order to revive a damaged clock tower? It’s one of the most original puzzlers to come out in recent years, built around a deceptively simple but fiendishly challenging concept that constantly excites. A few PS VR2 games offer much better graphics, yes, but the sense of marvel one enjoys when finally pulling off a complicated succession of moves is something else. Get this and you’ll finally understand why passionate VR fans are so vehemently defending this technology despite its occasional issues: games just like this one is the reason why.

No Man’s Sky

The space epic that went through a lot and came out winning was already available for PS VR, but the PS VR2 version is much, much better after this latest “Fractal” free update. The graphics are cleaner and more detailed, obviously, but the game’s interaction is also much-improved thanks to PS VR2’s advanced controller and headset haptics. There are also a number of changes in the game’s user interface that can greatly help VR players, as well as a few quality-of-life improvements. Flying different spaceships, finding new planets, meeting new forms of life, and, well, just exploring the virtual sci-fi universe of No Man’s Sky has never felt more exciting. The game can be played in VR in its entirety (which is mind-blowing considering its almost incomprehensible scale) and Hello Games will be supporting it in the same excellent way it has every other version so far. For anyone thinking that VR is best suited to short, fast, shallow entertainment experiences: get this, thank us later!

Thumper

Another previous virtual reality darling offering a serious upgrade to PS VR2 owners: this one is purely based on rhythm, which players will have to follow in order to trigger certain actions perfectly timed with the beats of – you guessed it – thumpy electronica. Good thing Brian Gibson’s soundtrack is extremely well-written, then, as engaging and exciting as progressively difficult one expects it to be. The graphics could have been a bit more impressive on this PS5-based version compared to the previous PS4-based one, but the title makes up for that with the careful, extremely effective way the headset’s haptics enrich the already immersive interaction of players with the game’s music. Consumers who already own this on the PS4 can get the PS VR2 upgrade for just five bucks and enjoy what is essentially the definitive version of the game. For people who have not played this yet, just get it, OK?

Rez Infinite

Another Enhance title makes the leap to PS VR2 in spectacular fashion: the spiritual successor to the 2001 Dreamcast classic is breathtaking in virtual reality, simulating the impression of floating in cyberspace and facing firewalls or viruses in the form of abstract geometric shapes even more convincingly than before. As has always been the case, the top-notch electronic music elevates the whole experience considerably (especially now that’s reproduced in 3D), as do the most detailed graphics to ever be offered by any version of the game so far (in 4K resolution and HDR color no less). The haptic feedback and headset feedback added in this PS VR2 version helps the action feel even more immersive. Last but not least: gamers can use the peripheral’s eye-tracking tech to aim at enemies just by following their movement with their eyes. The future is here, apparently, and it only took about 20 years, Mizuguchi-san!

Demeo

A tabletop-inspired, turn-based dungeon crawler in… VR? That’s right: get your D&D-like fix 2023-style by selecting one out of seven classic classes, rolling the dice, using various cards, and clearing different boards of opponents and monsters to face the dungeon boss waiting for you. The fantasy vibe is strong with this one but developers made sure that you’re well aware of modern tech allowing you to enjoy this: haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functionality, for instance, are both very well implemented, adding much to the experience. Controls are great overall, while music and sound effects are fitting and polished respectively. The graphics may not be breathtaking, but the high-quality art direction makes up for that. Single-player content is satisfying, with an extensive campaign and plenty of replayability, while on offer along PSN multiplayer is also cross-play multiplayer with PC gamers using other VR peripherals. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for gamers into D&D mechanics (especially for those with friends interested in those too), this is worth the purchase of a PS VR2 all on its own.

Also worth checking out

Apart from these 10 hand-picked titles currently standing out from the small crowd of PS VR2 games, there are a few others deserving special mention because of their quality, originality, or focused theme catering to specific audiences.

These include Kayak VR Mirage (it may seem simplistic but it’s almost photorealistic and amazingly enjoyable), Synth Riders Remastered Edition (working out hard while trying to keep up with famous beats has never been so much fun), Pistol Whip (the kind of frenetic gun-based action-rhythm entertainment John Wick would love) and Song in the Smoke: Rekindled (amazingly directed moments and atmospheric music make up for time-consuming survival mechanics and some necessary inventory management).

More titles will be added to this list as they become available, so stay tuned for those!