Vertigo 2 is easily one of the best PC VR releases of the last few years. It pays homage Valve classics and others VR releases, but doesn’t fall victim to imitating them. Instead, it uses those inspirations to pave its own way forward and create a uniquely satisfying and epic single player experience. The result is a game that features impressive visuals, amazing gunplay and a constant expression of creativity in both its game design and its world. For PC VR players looking for a solid single player campaign in the vein of Half-Life: Alyx, it’s an essential pick. [Essential]

Ultimately, The Atlas Mystery is a good escape room mystery game but could be greatly improved by adding more interactivity and placing greater emphasis on the story. The setting and particularly the excellent soundtrack is worthy of a greater scope, perhaps with added voice acting and more room to explore. The game is a decent way to spend a couple of hours, but only real escape room buffs will get a higher level of appreciation out of it.

A good horror VR game needs that special formula to keep players coming back and while Phasmophobia is a highly enjoyable experience with friends, it's a tough sell as a single player game. There's still fun to be had and if you can overlook the janky mechanics, which are heightened by the make-believe recreation of a haunted house, then welcome to the life of a paranormal investigator.

Vestige rewards your endurance with a bittersweet reminder of the power of memory and how lucky we are to be able to make them. That’s what makes this short trip through despair worth it; a tough lesson in holding onto what you have, what you love, and making every moment count. Don’t miss it.

Crisis VRigade isn’t a stunningly innovative or even especially deep Oculus Quest shooter, but its demanding rule set gives it a touch of challenge and threat. That’s something a lot of other titles are sorely lacking. If you’re looking for a Quest game that will put your shooter skills to the test, you could do a lot worse.

Walkabout’s flexible blend of low stakes mini golf, beautiful environments on top of satisfying layers of discovery that can be picked up or dropped at any moment puts this game in a category of its own when it comes to multiplayer VR. Walkabout Mini Golf is the reason to keep your headset and controllers charged and it is, perhaps, VR’s first piece of software that’s so good it’s worth scheduling time on your calendar to play it with friends, family, or even your coworkers. [Essential]

All On Board doesn’t feel like a complete experience right now — more of a work in progress. It’s a solid tabletop simulator with standout atmospheric set dressing, but there’s still a lot missing here that is not backfilled by the jovial banter between friends it can capably summon. Features evident on Kickstarter but absent at launch like expanded character customization and custom games feel as though they would really benefit the experience and turn it into a definitive one-stop-shop for VR tabletop. We’ll have to wait and see if it eventually achieves that goal, and I’m keen to return when these updates arrive.

Overall, The Pirate: Republic of Nassau has solid bones on this skeleton crew. While it's possible to count with your fingers the number of available activities, they faithfully deliver what you would expect of a VR pirate adventure. Naval combat, underwater treasure hunting, and bartering in the Caribbean to grow your outlaw society currently feel enjoyable enough. With the promise of multiplayer, treasure caves, and hand-to-hand combat down the line, I'll be watching out for this black flag.

Propagation: Paradise Hotel shows just how powerful VR horror can be when done right. It nails the claustrophobic and oppressive feeling of being penned up in a building filled with creatures straight out of your worst nightmares. Slowly making your way through a dark, creaky hotel whilst being stalked by its horrifying inhabitants makes for an exceptionally creepy and hair-raising experience. The game is on the shorter side and yet also leaves the main story largely unresolved, while featuring some dialogue that leaves a lot to be desired. That said, it still holds its own as one of the best VR horror games of this year. [Recommended]

Virtual Virtual Reality remains an early VR gem. Whether its message of the possible pitfalls of the VR generation ahead is to be heeded seriously is part of its appeal. Is this simply a whacky exaggeration of where we’re headed, or is there something deeper hidden in the depths of Activitude? It’s up to you to decide, but you’ll have a lot of fun doing so.

It’s an absolute delight to unravel the mystery of The Last Clockwinder and beyond satisfying to feel such a strong level of creative and intellectual control over the solutions to each puzzle. With no wrong answer to any given problem, it’s a puzzle game that centres itself around letting you choose your own approach at all times. If you’re looking for a relaxing yet stimulating few hours in VR, The Last Clockwinder comes highly recommended. [Recommended]

Sony Pictures VR and nDreams have built a solid foundation for a decent co-op multiplayer experience with Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord. We've found good mechanics and an overall engaging presentation in what we've played so far, but we'll need to play more to report properly on the online multiplayer experience and performance across different headsets. The biggest lingering question is whether there's enough variety to sustain players coming back for multiple sessions across the main campaign, let alone beyond that.

Quantaar is the kind of experience I can see myself hopping into in the future, enjoying some custom matches with friends across a night or two. At the moment though, the core mechanics aren’t quite ready for primetime just yet.

Though it's in Early Access for now, Out of Sight VR is still a complete game that takes about three hours or so for a complete playthrough. While it's certainly on the shorter side, the game makes great use of its run time, and can easily be completed in a single session if you so choose. The current state of the game is still quite good, and very enjoyable - we're interested to see how the game evolves, maybe to see exactly how those additionally planned control modes work out in the long-run. Stay tuned for our final impressions later this year, once Flat2VR Studios feels confident that Out of Sight VR is ready for its final 1.0 release.

There’s a wealth of blockbuster campaigns and arcade games for PSVR 2, but there’s nothing else quite like Before Your Eyes. This is an essential experience for the platform that leverages eye tracking technology to tell a compelling story that simply wouldn’t work without it.

If one thing’s clear from even just a few hours with Larcenauts, it’s that the game has genuine depth. It’s the sort of texture, in fact, that we haven’t really seen done well in VR yet – Onward covers mil sims, Popultation: One has the Fortnite angle, and you can take your pick of arena shooters, but Larcenauts delivers the class-based, team-driven gameplay that’s been missing from that line-up. And it does it quite well, too.

No More Rainbows takes the classic platformer and brings it crashing into VR in a way that is both innovative and familiar. The excellent mechanics truly capitalize on the physicality of VR, matched with a solid campaign and a creative (and exhausting) multiplayer mode. Squido Games delivers a breath of fresh air for the Quest platform, reinventing the humble platformer in a way that will no doubt become the genre’s benchmark in VR for some time to come. [Recommended]

While the game's storyline lacks depth and explanation regarding the machines' origins and motivations, the gameplay mechanics using cloning and time loops are surprisingly intuitive, offering a refreshing and unconventional puzzling experience. The puzzles are on the easier side, but remain fun to solve nonetheless and should challenge players to think outside the box. The shooting elements complement the puzzle-solving nicely, providing a satisfying physical challenge beyond the intellectual one. Although the game's single player campaign can be completed in a relatively short time, We Are One offers an enjoyable and unique adventure while it lasts.

As a live-service game with a long road map ahead of it, it would be too early to consider this our ‘final’ verdict of Firewall Ultra. However, in its launch state, the game is riddled with bugs, as well as frustrating UI and design decisions that often make it a drag to play. If you nonetheless wade through all that, the core PvP Contracts and the new co-op Exfil mode can still be tense and exhilarating with the right team. If these issues are ironed out, it may have better prospects in the long run with more content to come. However, the pricing structure at launch (with its push towards additional in-app purchases after the initial base game purchase) cynically encourages you to spend more to unlock additional content and features. It’s difficult to recommend Firewall Ultra to PSVR 2 owners right now, especially compared to progression-less but more polished and varied options like Pavlov.

Killer Frequency is a treat. It’s goofy and schlocky in all the best ways without deflating the thrilling tension in its scariest moments and presents a clever twist on the horror genre that doesn’t lean into some of the frustrating tropes you might find in the average horror game. There were moments that had me sweating enough to fog up my headset just as there were moments that had me laughing out loud. I’m usually not the biggest fan of horror games, especially not VR ones, but Killer Frequency hits just the right notes for me to easily recommend this game to anyone looking for a fright, a chuckle or a clever puzzle.

Ultimately Spice and Wolf VR only scratches the surface of VR anime adaptations. It plays out like a 2016 promotional tie-in to a movie, not a VR project worth some $292,000 in crowd-funding, let alone a price tag anywhere north of a few dollars. If you’re a series die-hard, you’ll probably enjoy the fan service on offer. Everyone else should steer clear.

For fans looking forward to the full release of We Happy Few, this is an excellent primer. It really gets you in the mood of the game’s chilling, dystopian world and sets the tone for what is sure to be an unsettling experience. It’s a shame the full game won’t have VR support, but this is a solid free download for any PSVR owner.

As it stands, Stride has a great foundation that doesn’t apply itself properly. A few tricky aspects aside, the game handles incredibly well, capturing the thrills, speed and exhaustion of parkour. But, while certainly addictive, the three modes on offer in the current Oculus Quest release don’t make the most of the mechanics, and feel like they’re in service to missing, larger modes. Those other options are on the way and we’ll take a look at Stride again once they’re here but, for now, Stride is a fun game with modes that can’t keep the pace going.

Cosmonious High is another fantastic place to start for VR newcomers but, four games in, maybe it’s time Owlchemy started to think about loosening those training wheels a little.

Episode 1 is a promising start to Dyschronia and you can tell that MyDearest has taken onboard feedback from its previous games. Despite minor issues with the counselling mini-game and voice acting, it’s considerably more immersive overall and features an engaging story that left me wanting more. By moving the premise away from a visual novel into a full adventure, this could be the VR anime experience we’v been waiting for. I’ve got high hopes for episodes two and three. [Recommended]

Though there’s still room for improvement, Anotherway and Vertigo Games have landed on a concept that is addicting and completely unique. There’s really nothing else quite like Unplugged on the Quest platform – or any VR platform, for that matter. It’s a shining example of how VR and AR technology can offer totally unique experiences, previously thought unimaginable. It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. For that reason alone, every Quest owner should give Unplugged a try. [Upload Essential]

There’s a great concept within Disc Ninja but ultimately, Immersion’s frisbee/golf concept doesn’t completely nail the landing. Offering enjoyable gameplay, a vibrant presentation and entertaining multiplayer, the game’s held back by the odd frustrating level, barebones content and a surprising lack of comfort settings. If you’re playing alone, Disc Ninja won’t last too long, but find some friends to join in and you’ll have a good time.

Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable is a disappointing adaptation of the popular series. While UNIVRS has done well with the combat and the controls, everything else ultimately falls flat. Between the performance issues, inconsistent visual quality, unreliable allies during solo missions and a short yet repetitive campaign, what's here feels rushed and unpolished.

As a competent piece of mature storytelling, Awake’s first episode has few equals in VR. It’s a piece that understands the purpose of telling a story in VR and isn’t afraid to wrestle with new ways of involving you in a story. For that alone, you need to see it.

Even if the overall package doesn't always reach the same high bar set by the first game, Innerspace nonetheless presents a worthy sequel in Another Fisherman's Tale. It's a game that successfully shoots for a wider scope, while still experimenting with unique mechanics that engage with virtual reality in exciting new ways. Fans of the original should be pleased with how the sequel develops on its predecessor, while series newcomers might find themselves impressed by the originality on display. For either group, Another Fisherman's Tale comes recommended. [Recommended]

As an outsider, this is a fun, comprehensive distraction that gave me a different kind of VR empowerment for an afternoon, but also something I’m not itching to return to. If you’ve already made a hobby out of remixing music, though, you owe it to yourself to give Electronauts a go.

Vader Immortal Episode II has the odd tone of a mid-game tutorial, more concerned with laying the foundations for what’s to come narratively and stubbornly determined to explore less-exciting gameplay mechanics. With those foundations established, though, there’s a hope that ILMxLAB has removed some of the hurdles it might have otherwise encountered in Episode III.

For the most part, Moss: Book 2 is the satisfying sequel you’d expect. It adds brilliant new gameplay mechanics that make for some innovative combat encounters, whilst puzzles prove to be a surprise highlight. More impressive, though, are some of the ways the game catches you off-guard with both the story and that series-defining bond you establish with Quill reaching new heights. But, just as with the first entry, you’re left wanting more of just about everything; its a longer game but still on the lean side, ending just as its best ideas start to get fleshed out. Greedy as it may sound, this still isn’t the sweeping epic you know this series has in it, but instead another reassuring step towards getting there. I’m convinced Polyarc has that game in its future but, for now, Moss: Book 2 is another excellent chapter in a wider story for Quill that drives home that familiar feeling that the best is still to come. [Upload Recommended]

I Expect You To Die 2: The Spy And The Liar is a great puzzle game that falls just short of essential given that not all players are going to find a fit with its trial-and-error style of intentionally designed frustration. But this is bigger, better and more richly developed than its predecessor, with escape room-like puzzles that are an absolute joy to unlock one at a time. If you liked the first game, you’ll love the sequel and the added detail is a joy to behold. We can’t wait to see what Schell Games does with this franchise in the future.

Laser Dance is one of the easiest games to play ever made. It's not endlessly replayable, at least not yet, but it belongs in most libraries and should be a go-to party game. Thomas Van Bouwel is introducing us to the idea that dodging your furniture is just part of the fun as mixed reality lasers buzz when you get too close and cut into your carpeting with murderous energy.

I can see this appealing to VR newcomers who've just bought a Quest 3S and existing Just Dance fans will likely have fun, but it's a tough sell for rhythm game veterans over something like Beat Saber. Because I haven't experienced the social hubs with other players yet, giving Just Dance VR a final score would be premature.

This is a full-hearted marvel with the capacity for laughter and amazement, paired with the mechanical intricacy with substance. In short, you’d be a sucker to miss Tentacular. [UploadVR Recommended]

The Last Taxi had such potential to create an interesting, interactive universe, but ultimately fails to properly capitalize on its premise. The game lacks depth, and its half-hearted attempts at political satire fall flat in an experience that lacks significant impact.

Winds & Leaves is an untroubling little VR game, both in the restorative nature of its farming mechanics and, ultimately, how simple and inoffensive it is. Soothing and wholesome, it’s a game about losing yourself in the satisfaction of honest work and clean living. But, even with the game’s angle of relaxation considered, it’s ultimately just a little too straightforward for its own good and some clunky elements end up holding it back. Winds & Leaves is a breezy remedy for a VR’s otherwise action-packed summer, but it’s only a temporary retreat.

After The Fall fills a hole in the VR market that’s been empty for far too long. It’s a polished, engaging shooter that will get its hooks into you after even just a few of its Harvest Runs thanks to the remarkable ease with which you can find friends to play with on any headset. But it’s also true that this is a mechanically straightforward shooter that’s closer to the breezy simplicity of Arizona Sunshine than it is the rivals that have long since surpassed Vertigo’s original VR hit. But that’s a calculated decision, and one that will likely work in After The Fall’s favor as it seeks to grow as large a userbase as possible. The verdict’s not quite in yet, but After The Fall might just be the co-op VR shooter to beat.

Samba De Amigo: Virtual Party benefits greatly from an impressive VR transition. The vibrant presentation, varied soundtrack and enjoyable rhythm gameplay kept me invested, though the comparative lack of multiplayer options is disappointing compared to Party Central. More responsive controls make the VR edition preferable and Amigo's latest outing is well-suited for casual sessions. For anyone seeking a solo rhythm game, Virtual Party comes recommended. [Recommended]

Breachers is a fine effort that delivers on its promise, offering a thrilling tactical VR shooter with satisfying gunplay. Securing victories with carefully planned strategies feels immensely satisfying with friends in co-op. While no competitive mode at launch is disappointing, it’s reassuring to know that option’s coming post-launch. If you’ve been seeking a Rainbow Six: Siege or Counter-Strike experience in VR, I highly recommend jumping in. I believe Breachers has a strong future ahead. [Upload Recommended]

The audience that will find something valuable with this VR reimagining is incredibly small, mostly split between players with experience of the original or those curious about video game history. Even for them, the VR design choices will be jarring and hamper the core Colossal Cave experience, rather than enabling it. That audience, however, does not include those looking for a satisfying adventure in VR and that’s why you should probably steer clear of Colossal Cave until further notice… At least in VR, anyway. [Avoid]

If you’re looking for a cinematic agent-style action game for your VR headset, Defector is a better bet. Silicon Rising could drastically improve with some simple changes over the course of Early Access, but it needs far more work to give it any sort of meaningful substance.

Certainly worth a look, then, even for its profound message alone. Blindfold will be an interesting touchstone for harder experiences to come. There’s more to shake out of this tree, even if this merely forms the foundations for it.

Where Thoughts Go isn’t some marvel of a VR world or a biting bit of narrative, but it does have something to say on an overlooked aspect of this tech. If you can find a few minutes to set aside to yourself, you might find a welcome piece of inner-reflection here.

Overall, Hubris is a bit like that fast food burger you order on a Saturday night. It fails to live up to the impressive image shown on the menu but still satisfies your craving. The game shines in some areas, such the visuals and well thought out mechanics, but is average in others, like the combat and storyline. Beyond the eye candy, Hubris probably won’t leave a huge lasting impression, but it’s still a standard action-adventure shooter that’s enjoyable enough to keep you playing through to the end. [Recommended]

Codemasters has captured Formula 1’s more thrilling aspects brilliantly in VR for F1 22 and I’ve never felt so immersed in a racing game before. While I’m sad to see the story mode go and didn’t care hugely for F1 Life, I can see F1 22 appealing to both long-term series fans and newcomers seeking a fresh racer. Hopefully we’ll see a post-launch patch will fix these performance issues but if you’re happy to compromise for the moment, F1 22 is a great choice that comes recommended.

Vengeful Rites is not a perfect game, but is a solid and engaging Action-Adventure RPG that is ideally suited for those who enjoy combat, exploration and puzzle-solving. Despite the lack of a deep narrative, there’s plenty of room for players to create their own story as they journey through the landscape.

Fracked is a blast to play, even if it isn’t quite the massive shooter epic to round out the PSVR era. By all means, its arena-based action is polished and thrilling, offering refined fast-paced action with intense combat setpieces. But the game’s simply over far too soon, never getting a chance to really expand on its core elements and deliver the rich experience its mechanics deserve. Fracked starts off at a sprint and never really lets up, but the finish line is far closer than it should have been.

Despite some missed opportunities, Humanity is still an excellent release and nonetheless compelling in VR. It's a great fit for the medium and a brilliant example of Sony's PS5/PSVR 2 dual offering strategy, also seen in Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil Village.

For a game promising to fulfill the wonder-like fantasy of riding a hoverbike through a bustling city, it just isn’t fun. And that’s a real shame.

Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission VR succeeds in administering a small dose of arcade nostalgia. However, it not only fails to reach the benchmark of modern VR shooters, but falls short of offering a compelling experience from the very first stage. The short, shallow campaign replicates the simple gameplay loop of an 80s arcade game, but forgets to add enough – or anything – to make it relevant to a modern VR audience. [Avoid]

Ruinsmagus is a gorgeous game with a lot to love, but it’s a padded experience that quickly succumbs to repetition. While the combat itself is engaging, heading into the same set of ruins — often even the exact same rooms — to fight the same enemies for the 100th time soon wears thin, and more could have been done to switch up the experience over the course of its campaign. Still, from a purely presentational perspective, the game is an absolute delight and a joy to spend time in. For some, that will be enough to love Ruinsmagus, but the game would need some core structural changes to become a true VR classic.

Dead GroundZ does at least score some points for having a genuine campaign in which you move through some surprisingly well-realized environments. Even with three more campaign levels to come, though, it’s hard to recommend a game that feels years old on arrival. If Dead GroundZ is to become more than a footnote in a respectable library, its dated design is the real zombie to slay.

Synapse is a strong addition to PlayStation VR2's library that any FPS fan should buy. While gameplay would benefit from greater variety, I remain impressed by how eye tracking complements combat to make telekinesis feel highly satisfying. Reaching the end feels rewarding and when the visuals look this good, early PSVR 2 adopters won't want to miss it. [Recommended]

When you consider this is a free app Spider-Man: Far From Home VR becomes something of a guilty pleasure. It doesn’t have anything like the polish of, say, Marvel Powers United VR but, not unlike the classic Spider-Man 2 from 2004, the swinging is so much fun you can overlook the many technical blemishes. SPVR and CreateVR now have a compelling template down; we can only hope its next step is to refine and expand upon it to give us the Spider-Man VR game we truly deserve.

As it stands, Concrete Genie’s PSVR offering won’t offend with its vibrant palette. It just won’t do much else, either.

At its best, Budget Cuts is a gleeful stealth playground that thrives on the spontaneity it demands of players. But it’s a game that can also succumb to the weight of its lofty ambitions just as often as it realizes them. We won’t be ready to put a final score on Neat Corp’s debut until we see how its bugs work out, but right now Budget Cuts shows how far we’ve come and how far we’ve still got to go.

By offering a compilation of sports instead of going all in on one, each game in Home Sports ends up feeling shallow. There's still fun to be had, it's visually appealing on Quest 3, and the mixed reality support works well. Hockey aside, every included sport has arguably been done better elsewhere, though the comparative convenience of being in one package helps. Ultimately, it's a decent collection of games that I can see appealing to a family-friendly audience; just don't expect anything particularly deep. I'll return to this review soon with my multiplayer thoughts.

HitchHiker is a game that should work best in VR but ends up as likely the weakest version of an otherwise interesting experiment. The core mystery at the heart of the experience is intriguing, but it’s overly protracted by tiresome conversations, visually bland environments and limited VR design. VR storytelling can’t be as passive as its flatscreen counterparts; it needs, brevity, wit and interaction to hold a user’s attention, otherwise boredom sets in quickly. An abridged version of HitchHiker that allows players to fully immerse themselves in their journey without slogging through 40+ minute, technically imprecise chapters might be a much more compelling experience. As it stands, unless you’re really into mystery narratives, you should probably just keep walking.

Fans of God-sims and city builders will find a lot to enjoy in Townsmen VR, and even newcomers to those genres will appreciate how well the extensive tutorial guides players through the process of creation and combat. The ability to change perspectives and enjoy the world from different levels provides a new level of immersion for this genre that is very welcome.

Arashi: Castles Of Sin might not go down as VR’s answer to Tenchu, but it gets a lot right with its open-ended level design and its fantastic realization of Feudal Japan. It’s a rare VR game that gives you genuine choice in deciding how to get from A to B and, when it works, captures the slick elitism of becoming a ninja. But it’s let down by clumsier elements, like bugs, bad enemy AI and underwhelming sword combat. Even these dark forces combined aren’t enough to derail the fun sneaking at the core of the experience, but there’s plenty of room for Arashi to improve with a potential sequel.

Minor warts and all, What The Bat? is a deceptively complex game that begs to be shown to friends and family members who might be interested — or even skeptical — about the medium. It’s a great game to cast to a smart TV and pass the headset around to a room full of people. My problems with What The Bat?’s rare, frustratingly obscured puzzles are so microscopic compared to the joy this game brought me that I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t recommend it. Having played baseball for a solid third of my life, I can confidently say that I had far more fun with What The Bat? than I ever did with the real deal. If Triband keeps releasing games with this cadence, its next might be a contender for best of all time. [Recommended]

A lot of people talk about how VR is an empathy machine, but when the snow comes and you just made life harder for a bunch of cute little animals it can force you to feel not just for them but the seasons themselves. I found it so much fun to change the seasons, do you think that’s why the seasons change? I felt that question while wearing the headset, but it wasn’t until writing this article I figured out how to put it into words.

VR Skater is an enjoyable skateboarding sim that may frustrate anyone seeking quick gratification. Memorizing new tricks is tough, making it challenging to master and a steep learning curve means basic controls only go so far. If you're willing to invest time into learning advanced moves, earning gold medals across maps feels rewarding but rough edges make it difficult to outright recommend.

Adhering so closely to the original doesn’t necessarily make the PC VR version of the game superior to the Quest edition. Dense jungles might be easy to trek through on a flatscreen, but it’s far more tedious in VR, and some of the concessions Quest makes in this regard ultimately suit the platform better. The great news is that, whether you want a deep, demanding survival game with complex systems, or a more welcoming conversion that’s more considerate of VR design, there’s a version of Green Hell VR for you. [Recommended]

At $9.99, Baby Shark VR Dancing isn’t asking a lot from you and what’s here is genuinely well-made, if a little insufferable to the more mature mind. But the point remains that many VR headsets makers set an age limit of 13 for use. This appeals to a much younger audience, one that I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable leaving inside an Oculus Rift or Valve Index, especially when they’re essentially playing a shooter with training wheels. As tempting a lockdown distraction this may seem for families, I’d exercise extreme caution all the same.

Structurally, Mothergunship: Forge is a familiar VR game in an oversaturated genre. But its central feature that lets you endlessly customize a massive arsenal of weapons is so well realized that you can easily brush off any sense of deja vu. Bringing that original hook from the flatscreen game to VR completely revolutionizes how the mechanic works, and you’ll find yourself coming back for runs time and again not just to progress further in the game but simply to see what weapon of unparalleled destruction you can whip up next. Much of Mothergunship: Forge is a tried and true VR shooter, but when you bolt-on that extra grenade launcher and power it up with a fleet of lava mines, what’s old is new again. [Recommended]

Vox Machinae’s single-player campaign is an appreciated if flawed addition to an already-fun multiplayer mech combat title. Plodding pacing and padded story elements slow your progress to a crawl, but it still retains the game’s deliberate and considered combat, which successfully blends a purposeful amount of rustic clumsiness and lumbering heft. Even if you don’t care for the single-player’s offerings, the frantic class-based multiplayer proved it was worth the price of entry years ago — though we’re still to deliver our final verdict there — and, though there are other mech combat games available, few capture the sense of scale and power on display here. Like its own monolithic war machines, Vox Machinae is a scrappy underdog, but one that’s very much worth rooting for.

If you’re able to optimize your setup and come in with the right expectations, I’d still say Gorn is an easy recommendation for PSVR fans. No, you’re not getting an epic adventure comparable to the bar-raising The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, but there’s still some of VR’s most entertaining combat on offer here.

If you’ve ever wanted to leave your universe behind and have a space adventure from the comfort of your living room, I can’t think of a better way to do it than with No Man’s Sky on PSVR 2. [Recommended]

To deliver a consistently engaging tabletop game with intuitive pick up and play mechanics that only get deeper as you progress is no easy feat. Vestiges: Fallen Tribes is a VR experience that will satisfy those craving a strategy-laden campaign without the need to sink hundreds of hours into it. And that alone might be appealing enough for some with not much spare time on their hands. We'll be back soon once we've had the chance to try out the multiplayer mode.

Ancient Dungeon isn’t revolutionary, but it features incredibly satisfying combat and an ever-changing experience, thanks to the randomized items and dungeon layouts. Combined with a beautiful visual style, it’s hard not to have a good time. For fans of roguelikes and hitting things with swords, Ancient Dungeon comfortably settles in on Quest as one of the better options available in the genre. [Recommended]

Blacktop Hoops is an incredibly cool way to play basketball in virtual reality. I’m sure it’s great fun to jump in and flex on people in real life basketball, but as someone who can’t do that, it’s a nice chance to pretend that I can jump and shoot some hoops after hours of practice. The character customization suite is excellent, it has a solid and heartwarming story, and the gameplay feels amazing. I'll return in the near future to see if anything changes, but for now, it's hard to ask for more.

If you’re like me and want something more, Legends is disappointing. While it’s commendable that Codemasters managed to get the game running on mobile hardware, making this a Quest exclusive instead of an optional VR mode on other platforms adds an expectation that simply hasn’t been met. Even though the racing remains enjoyable, you could play this anywhere else and have a better time. The wider compromises on Quest aren’t worth it.

The experience itself is good fun and a mostly engaging horror shooter from start to end. It blends together arcade gameplay elements with intense horror action, bringing some fantastic enemy designs and brilliant settings into the fray. While the visuals might not be the most stunning we’ve seen on the platform, it’s nonetheless competent and what lacks in fidelity it makes up for in style. Though probably not a system seller, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is a good PSVR 2 exclusive and an easy recommendation for fans of horror and arcade action. [Recommended]

Vader Immortal isn’t perfect. It’s very much the first part of a larger series, one that leaves you wanting more of each of its individual elements. But it’s a significant step forward for VR, bolstering a line-up of experiences that emphasize audience emotions over playable technicalities. The pay-off, it successfully argues, is richer than any immersive Star Wars experience before it. ILMxLAB once labeled this as ‘story-living’ over storytelling. A touch hyperbolic, perhaps, but I’m inclined to agree.

For veterans of the genre, this review should perhaps be a warning that Kartoffl may not stretch your gray matter to its limits. But with those expectations appropriately managed, the game is an intuitive, relaxing and altogether pleasant way to occupy a few low impact hours in your Quest. With a focus on accessible difficulty that will allow players of all levels to have an engaging experience, Kartoffl is easy to recommend to casual, nostalgic and younger players alike.

Not For Broadcast successfully balances thought-provoking writing with a mix of clever political satire, light-hearted slapstick comedy and dark humor for a hilariously captivating story. Making morally difficult choices while dealing with the stress of managing a live broadcast gives players plenty to engage with beyond the entertaining narrative. With the exception of some minor interactivity issues, operating a TV broadcasting station translates beautifully into VR, with Not For Broadcast offering up one of the most unique and entertaining VR games I’ve played this year. [Recommended]

Fujii is a soothing, peaceful brand of VR that could stand to get its hands dirty. It’s a fitting destination to whist away an hour or two but often feels too light to make a real impact. With more to see and do, it would be easier to get swept up in its charms and its persistent gardening aspect would be better served. As it stands my virtual garden is likely to go neglected.

ZIX may not win everyone over on presentation, though it does offer one of the most engaging combat systems I’ve played in a long time. The combination of vertical movement and gesture-based weapon switching creates fluid combat encounters with kinetic rhythm that feels unique in a crowded genre. It’s not perfect, but the core experience is strong enough to recommend, even in Early Access. If you’re a fan of free-flowing combat and don’t mind a few rough edges, ZIX is absolutely worth your time.

Death Horizon: Cyberfusion suffers from poor level design, uninspired objectives, ridiculous physics implementation, and tedious combat. The katana makes things too easy, and other armaments/mechanics are not as fleshed-out. As a result, it's currently a highly forgettable experience. I'll revisit the game later to see if these issues are addressed and when it introduces new core features like multiplayer support. As an early access title, Cyberfusion currently has very little to offer and I genuinely cannot recommend it.

If you're seeking a new VR puzzle adventure, Firmament can certainly fit the bill and long-term Cyan fans will likely find plenty to enjoy here. I wanted to like it more but with all above caveats, I can't outright recommend it.

Behind the Frame's biggest strength comes from its strong narrative, which was present in the original flatscreen release. While that hasn't been lost in this 3D reimagining, it's certainly been hindered. Between poor technical performance, uneven visuals and design problems, Behind The Frame: VR feels like a disappointing take on the original concept. Future patches may improve things but right now, I'd suggest the flatscreen game instead.

To understand what makes No Man’s Sky VR so special is to appreciate the underlying appeal of VR as a medium. They’re both about exploring a vast, endless sea of fantastical destinations. They’re both about embodiment and unrivaled immersion. And above all else they’re both about becoming who you want to be by exploring the far corners of seemingly limitless potential. When No Man’s Sky VR is clicking, and that’s the vast majoroty of the time, it’s unlike anything else out there. Sean Murray called it the “perfect kind of sci-fi dream” and I find it hard to disagree.

Despite my issues, overall Pixel Ripped 1978 remains a worthwhile addition to your library, especially for those seeking a dose of retro gaming nostalgia. [Recommended]

Eye of the Temple is an essential VR experience, featuring a well-paced campaign with interesting mechanics. It's a release that demonstrates how intelligent design can work within the constraints of current technology, while ultimately sacrificing very little to do so. [Essential]

Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom is authentic to its source material and it’s good to see Maze Theory create an original in-universe story that leverages new material recorded by members of the original cast, such as Cillian Murphy. However, the many issues and simplistic gameplay mean that The King’s Ransom is probably only of interest to the most hardcore fans of the show. Gorgeous environments, an engaging story and quality voice acting aren’t enough to lift the game beyond what is ultimately an average VR experience.

Barbaria offers an excellent blend of first-person combat and strategic tower defense gameplay. It’s a release that directly rampages into a hole in the Quest library that seemed to be waiting for a game like this. With a decent range of game modes on offer as well as an engaging and satisfying progression system, Barbaria is well worth adding to any VR action enthusiast’s library. [Recommended]

A co-op adventure with a rag-tag bunch of misfits teaming up to wreak havoc sounds great in theory. Unfortunately, the idea is poorly executed with cheap dialogue, repetitive gameplay and a short campaign that feels unfinished. The overall result is a promising but mediocre shooter that’s both underwhelming and forgettable.

The Doctor you’ll meet in The Runaway is lively and captivating, exactly as you would expect, so the moment this animated story concludes, any fan of the TV show will be left aching for more adventures in VR with The Doctor that are put together with this level of polish.

Into the Radius 2's early access launch provides a solid foundation that balances the horror and realism elements well. Unfortunately, it's let down by bugs and issues aplenty. A lack of content also makes this hard to currently recommend, even for diehard fans of the first game, unless you're investing to help CM Games hopefully make a better game than its predecessor.

There is a lot to love about this new addition to the VR platforming catalog. Between the intense moments of blind frustration to the silly near misses and elaborate fails, Toss successfully compelled me to attempt its levels time and time again. While it could definitely benefit from slightly improved tracking and some more bespoke controls for speedrunning, Agera Games has created a more-ish game that would suit both confident VR players and those new to the medium.

Hellsweeper VR is a masterclass in virtual violence. For those with the stomach (or rather, the VR legs) for its unyielding intensity and a penchant for skipping straight to the action, Hellsweeper VR is unmissable – though it's worth keeping in mind the visual differences between platforms, as our review playthrough was on Quest 2. Filled with blistering battles that beg you to master a wide range of gameplay styles, it really is a hell of a good time. [Recommended]

I have to hand it to Kinemotik for making a VR rhythm game that manages to add something new to a genre I thought had already been done to death and back. Even in Early Access form, Audio Trip is quite a bit of fun once you get accustomed to playing it, which is made far easier when you follow along with the virtual dance instructor. That said, it isn’t without its shortcomings. Even though it gets some slack for being in Early Access, it doesn’t immediately feel as approachable or fun as it could. The world environments and the gameplay itself are in conflict with each other at times, and the lack of hit sounds is an obvious improvement in the making.

Vertigo Games has summoned the particular 90s adventure game charm of The 7th Guest in this VR adaptation, reinterpreting it as a spooky, nuanced mystery that feels like a good fit for the medium. I did find myself bogged down by some frustrating puzzles and tension-scuppering interaction issues, but the promise of the narrative and consistent visual spectacle kept me invested throughout. As long as you’re patient enough for its puzzles, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this malevolent virtual manor.

Horizon Call of the Mountain is a brilliant way to kick off PSVR 2 and remains compelling until the very end. By leaning into the medium’s physicality, Firesprite and Guerrilla created a game that could only work in VR and simultaneously feels faithful to the Horizon franchise. I do wish Ryas was a more interesting character and while I wouldn’t call the gameplay revelatory, what’s here feels incredibly polished and looks absolutely stunning. This is an undoubtably an essential game for all PlayStation VR2 owners. [Essential]

Between the enhanced controls, new features and F1 World, F1 23 presents a welcome improvement on its predecessor. While PC VR support feels more reliable, several problems stop this from becoming the definitive VR racing game, and Braking Point sometimes misses the mark. Even still, EA goes beyond a standard roster update and I can see myself returning to the grid frequently. [Recommended]

While there’s some entertainment to be found in the heat of the moment, it doesn’t seem like Battle Bows will have much longevity. Even if WIMO Games is able to successfully attract players with only the current content available in Battle Bows, the distinct lack of things to do will inevitably become a problem without further content updates. There’s only one map, only four (fairly similar) classes and no social space like what you might find in other multiplayer VR games. It might be worth consideration for someone looking to play a new VR game with friends for an evening, but in its current state, you’re unlikely to get much more out of the game than that.

With only 10 songs, you can blow through that track list, beating most all of them on at least Hard, in a single afternoon. Mastering them on Expert takes time, but it gets repetitive. The only game modes are an arcade-style Solo and a pass-the-headset-style Party Mode. We’d love to see a campaign (which is mentioned on the Steam page) as well as more robust multiplayer features. In its current state, we absolutely recommend Beat Saber wholeheartedly.