The Next Step for VR Gaming: Must-Play Titles for PS VR2 and Meta Quest 3

Virtual reality hardware has seen a massive upgrade recently. Between the wireless freedom of the Meta Quest 3 and the raw console power of the PlayStation VR2, players have better options than ever before. Premium hardware requires excellent software to justify the price tag. If you want to push your headset to the limit, developers are launching a wave of incredible new games.

Here are the must-play virtual reality titles launching for PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 3 that you need to know about.

Blockbusters on the Meta Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3 launched in late 2023 with a starting price of $499. Thanks to the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and high-resolution pancake lenses, this standalone headset can run games that previously required an expensive gaming PC.

Batman: Arkham Shadow

Camouflaj, the studio behind Iron Man VR, is bringing the dark and gritty streets of Gotham to the Meta Quest 3. Releasing in late 2024, Batman: Arkham Shadow is a full-fledged entry in the beloved Arkham franchise. Set between the events of Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Asylum, you play as a younger Bruce Wayne taking on a new villain known as the Rat King. The game focuses heavily on stealth, using shadows to drop down on enemies, and fast-paced melee combat designed specifically for motion controllers.

Asgard’s Wrath 2

If you want an action role-playing game with massive scale, Asgard’s Wrath 2 is the current gold standard for standalone VR. Developed by Sanzaru Games, this title offers over 60 hours of gameplay. You explore vast Egyptian deserts, solve complex physics-based puzzles, and fight mythical gods. The game features four distinct mortal heroes, each with unique weapons and playstyles. Meta bundled this game for free with early purchases of the Quest 3, but it remains a phenomenal purchase at its standard $59.99 price point.

Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded

XR Games is rebuilding Hitman 3 specifically for the Meta Quest 3, aiming for a Summer 2024 release. Unlike the previous VR port of the game, Reloaded introduces a brand new cel-shaded art style to keep frame rates incredibly smooth on a mobile chipset. The biggest new feature is the ability to dual-wield weapons and items. You can now hold a silenced pistol in your right hand while throwing a distraction coin with your left hand, opening up entirely new ways to assassinate your targets.

High-Fidelity Hits on PlayStation VR2

Sony released the PlayStation VR2 in early 2023 for $549.99. Because it is tethered to the PlayStation 5, it offers unparalleled graphical fidelity, incredible OLED displays, and advanced eye-tracking technology.

Resident Evil 4 VR Mode

Capcom continues to lead the industry in AAA virtual reality ports. The VR mode for the Resident Evil 4 remake launched as a free downloadable update for existing owners in December 2023. This is the entire 15-hour survival horror campaign playable in first-person. The PS VR2 Sense controllers allow you to physically hold up your knife to parry incoming chainsaw attacks. The headset also features built-in rumble motors, meaning you will actually feel the vibration on your head when a villager grabs you from behind.

Metro Awakening VR

The post-apocalyptic world of Metro is coming to PlayStation VR2 in 2024. Developed by Vertigo Games, Metro Awakening VR is a story-driven survival horror game built exclusively for virtual reality. Set in 2028, the game acts as an origin story for the character Khan. You will need to manually wipe condensation off your gas mask, physically pump your pneumatic weapons, and manage your limited ammunition in complete darkness. The PS VR2 OLED screens provide true, deep blacks, making the underground tunnels of Moscow terrifyingly realistic.

Synapse

While not a brand new release, Synapse from nDreams remains a vital showcase for the PS VR2 hardware. This stylish, monochrome roguelike shooter uses the eye-tracking feature of the headset perfectly. You have telekinetic powers in your left hand. To pick up an enemy or an explosive barrel, you simply look at the object with your eyes and squeeze the controller trigger. It is one of the most intuitive and empowering control schemes ever designed for a video game.

Massive Cross-Platform Releases

Some of the biggest upcoming games are launching simultaneously on both the Meta Quest 3 and the PlayStation VR2.

Alien: Rogue Incursion

Survios is developing a brand new, original Alien game scheduled for a Holiday 2024 release. Alien: Rogue Incursion is a single-player action-horror game built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. You play as an ex-Colonial Marine navigating a compromised facility overrun by Xenomorphs. The developers have stated that the aliens use dynamic AI to hunt you, meaning they will crawl through air vents and flank you based on the noise you make in the real world.

Skydance’s Behemoth

Following the massive success of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Skydance Games is pivoting to dark fantasy. Launching in Fall 2024, Behemoth is a brutal, physics-heavy action game. You explore a dying empire while fighting both human enemies and towering, shadow-of-the-colossus style monsters. Every weapon has simulated weight. If you swing a heavy broadsword, you must put real-world momentum behind your physical swing to break through an enemy shield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a PC to play games on the Meta Quest 3?

No. The Meta Quest 3 is a standalone device. All processing happens inside the headset itself. However, you can connect it to a high-end gaming PC via a USB-C cable or a wireless Wi-Fi connection to play PC VR games on Steam.

Can I play PlayStation VR2 games without a PlayStation 5?

You absolutely need a PlayStation 5 console to play PS VR2 games. The headset connects directly to the front of the console using a single USB-C cable. Sony recently announced a PC adapter launching in August 2024 for $59.99, which will allow you to use the PS VR2 headset on a gaming PC, but it still requires separate hardware to function.

Will these new VR games cause motion sickness?

It depends on the player and the specific game. Games with smooth, joystick-based movement (like Metro Awakening VR) can cause discomfort for beginners. Most games include comfort settings, such as teleportation movement, vignette blinders that narrow your field of view when sprinting, and snap-turning to help reduce nausea.