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.

Vendetta Forever shows the benefits minimalist game design can offer, using only the bare essentials to deliver a satisfying action game. While you won't need ages to see everything and some levels can be frustrating, there's a clever puzzle game disguised as a shooter with great replayability. It's a strong debut from Meatspace Interactive that's worth exploring.

Arkham Shadow feels faithful to the flatscreen Arkham games while innovating in its own way through VR-specific design. Combat remains familiar yet incredibly satisfying, Detective Mode feels like a natural fit for first-person gameplay and the strong narrative held my interest throughout. With the flatscreen games, you never stepped into the caped crusader's shoes but with the VR game, I didn't want to leave them.

Undead Citadel is an action game redeemed only by its combat. Dark Curry's game features a raft of graphical issues on Quest, a narrative that offers little in the way of plot or progression, and a campaign mired by repetition. There's still some great moments and good fun to be had, and that'll be enough for some. If you're after a more arcade-style take on physics-based melee, this may have enough to keep you interested.

With all the polish of the acclaimed sequel fused with the ample character of VR’s elder statesman of zombie shooters, it’s hard not to recommend grabbing Arizona Sunshine Remake. The limited campaign length, rehashed horde maps, and the lack of a few notable features (here buddy, here boy) mean that if you have only the time or patience for one jaunt through the undead-infested desert, the sequel remains the seminal Arizona Sunshine experience. Still, the excellent gunplay, polished presentation, and great sound design make Remake worth a look.

Double Jack's bold choice to make a rhythm game focused around hand tracking succeeds with style. Maestro is a breath of fresh air compared to every other VR rhythm game I’ve played over the years. While I lose interest in most rhythm games quickly, I can't stop playing Maestro, and there's a lot of room for growth from here.

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.

Despite its numerous technical issues, I've enjoyed the adventure Starship Home provided. Creature's creative uses of mixed reality and narrative are passable and show a glimpse of what a fully realized MR title can achieve. However, persistent glitches and repetition make it a somewhat frustrating experience. With more refinement and polish, Starship Home can potentially be one of the top mixed reality experiences out there. Playing it made me yearn for a deeper, more mature space adventure. If you want something less cartoonish, ASTRA offers a shorter but similar narrative-driven mixed reality experience with more realistic visuals. Overall, Starship Home is a good start and with some technical improvements, it could truly reach the stars.

Exploding Kittens is, in pretty much any format, a fantastic game. Despite a few elements that could be improved, the VR iteration successfully delivers the core of what made the franchise an international success. It’s hardly a must-have for every VR library, but if you have long-distance family or a game-night group that is too far away to get together with physically, Exploding Kittens VR is easy to recommend as part of your next virtual game night.

The novelty of Metal: Hellsinger VR showcases how the original's premise remains strong after two years. Despite having a decent list of visual and accessibility options to improve the experience, the Quest 3 version is heavily compromised by technical shortcomings. The stellar soundtrack is still a good incentive to push through despite everything. But given the current state of this version, you're better off playing Metal: Hellsinger in a non-VR fashion.

I can see this game becoming a part of my routine even if this 36-song selection remains the limit, although space remains for post-launch DLC song packs that could certainly expand the experience even further. That’s something for the future, though. I’d go as far as saying Starwave is one of the best VR rhythm games on the market. If you love music, want to improve your fitness, or simply want to immerse yourself in an experience like no other, the answer is clear.

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.

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.

Zero Caliber 2 is an excellent follow-up to an already decent game. Offering a six-plus-hour campaign complete with four-player co-op, PvP, and native mod support, XREAL Games has delivered an experience that will undoubtedly thrill fans of the genre and keep them coming back for more. If you enjoy linear campaign shooters, this is an easy recommendation.

Hello Cruel World takes you to an underground facility where all sorts of nefarious experiments have taken place. Regrettably, the atmosphere isn't quite chilling and the villain isn't that insidious. Worse, puzzle mechanics lack the creativity to keep you engaged, nor the intuitive design to prevent you from smacking your forehead and going, "Who on earth would think of that solution?"

Thrasher combines the exhilaration of chasing moving targets with a unique visual style and a superb soundtrack. Yet, unfortunately, its beaming esoteric personality is dulled by some technical hiccups that keep it from feeling like a total success. Regardless, Thrasher’s uncompromising vision and challenging but approachable gameplay are to be admired.

Death Game Hotel is an absolute blast in multiplayer, and White Owls Inc. delivers well on its premises. However, if you don’t enjoy the Uno-style gambling mini-game that sits at its core, then you won't have much fun with the rest. It's a niche concept that won't universally appeal, but if you're up for some anime-inspired gambling, Death Game Hotel handles this nicely.

Spin Rhythm XD is built on a simple yet engaging novelty, one that lets you take reign and customize it to your needs and preferences. I could play for hours during an extremely atypical situation without issues and, most importantly, without feeling that the experience wasn't challenging or engaging enough. The versatility of the control schemes, accessibility options inside and outside VR, and a plethora of subtle changes at your disposal to personalize the look and feel of everything is a remarkable feat.

In the end, I came away disappointed. A diehard fan of Riven may find appreciation in its meticulous reproduction of a world from their memories, yet even then, it has issues that hold it back, some of which are exacerbated by its otherwise successful shift in perspective. If you’re a newcomer to this world, the choice is obvious: as majestic as its world may be, it’s difficult to recommend.

Taskmaster VR isn’t a complete waste of time. Some challenges and moments are legitimately fun and entertaining, capturing the iconic British comedy show's spirit, look, memorable characters, and comedic style. Unfortunately, the frustrating parts far outweigh them. The throwing mechanic is almost useless, even if you’ve got a Hawkeye-grade aim. Some tasks that you’ve clearly completed have to be done repeatedly to meet the game’s metrics of what it can recognize as completed, all while time melts away in challenges where every second counts. Those are crucial for a game where you only get one shot at pleasing the Taskmaster. Two points, there. It’s done.

Neon Squad Tactics is a genuinely likable and generous game. The presentation is subjective, so if you like the look of these headache-inducing colors, there’s a good chance you’ll like what you hear and have an enjoyable time with the rest. It’s a shame we couldn’t try out the multiplayer table options, but what there is for the solo player is worth trying. It’s not the most challenging or diverse game, and the controls could do with an overhaul, but if a snarky sci-fi take on Demeo is what you need right now, Neon Squad Tactics should do you tactically until a more polished offering comes along.

Even if you aren't the most avid sports fan, this title is satisfying simply for being a great racing sim. VRIDER is a great balm in the absence of professional racing games in the Quest Store. It balances optimization against an immersive experience that's a lot more enjoyable than first expected.

For everything else, F1 24 remains a fun racer and offers a couple of notable improvements from its predecessor. Career mode is more enjoyable with its new mechanics and handling feels better, though other meaningful changes are minimal. Existing Formula 1 fans will likely have plenty of fun, and I still had a great time hitting the tracks; just don't expect a major upgrade.

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.

Sushi Ben is an impressive effort from Big Brane Studios, one that delivers a heartwarming tale filled with great humor and a charming cast. The basic minigames, sudden ending, and quiet open world let this down, though the expressive manga-inspired presentation delivers one of the most visually distinctive VR adventures in recent memory. If you're searching for a new VR narrative adventure, Sushi Ben comes recommended.

Even when it turns up the tension as you sweat out your anxieties, Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire still makes you feel cool. Painstakingly prying nails, cautiously clipping chords, and building rocky runes feels satisfying and nervous at the same time, thanks to this game's clever approach to puzzle and sound design. Even though it has some rougher edges, they're part of what makes this delicate balance between tension, challenge, fun, and satisfaction work as well as it does. This tight testament to Schell's prowess in the VR space should not be overlooked.

Journey to Foundation tells a compelling story with no shortage of ambition in its methods to make you a part of it, ultimately shaping its outcome. This doesn't always come together, and many of your actions in between make the experience feel like a time capsule of a bygone VR era in which studios still experimented with this space. That period might be in the past now, but in a time where many VR games continue to bet on spectacle and feel rather than worlds and characters leaving a mark, I'm glad that Archiact committed to the premise's strengths from the beginning.

Altogether, Five Nights At Freddy's: Help Wanted 2 is a great all-ages horror game that makes excellent use of VR. It won't redefine horror gaming or minigame collections, but it's a well-executed return to form for the franchise. While its story may leave new players scratching their heads, the variety of solid, replayable stages more than makes up for it. Whether you've been facing down Freddy and co. since 2014 or are just looking for something spooky to play on your headset, this one is definitely worth grabbing!