Do you own VR games and not even know it? These are the hit PC games with hidden VR support!
Did you know that among the deepest trenches of your Steam library, you may already have PC VR treasures, which you've never bothered to explore? Well, I wouldn't blame you, because some developers really need to push the hidden VR modes of their games.
And said modes are very important, because it makes PC VR games way easier to get into. Last time I checked, owning a gaming PC is still more popular than having a VR headset around. Thanks to heavy hitters like the Quest 3, that's finally changing.
But now comes the hard part: how do you find said games with hidden VR modes? Well, easy: through this article. Even though these titles don't market themselves as VR games, they all have something to offer when it comes to VR. And you may already own a number of them in your Steam library!
Today’s Menu:
No Man's Sky
Price: $58,99 | Playtime: 30 Hours
Check it out here
Hear me out: No Man’s Sky isn’t the same game that it was when it launched. And unless you have zero interest in gaming — which, if true, what are you doing here? — you’ll know that I’m referencing the outrage towards the game’s seemingly unfinished state.
Phasmophobia
Price: $11,59 | Playtime: 30 Hours
Check it out here
Now, I’m about to praise a game that I’ve watched online and would never actually play. No joke: Phasmophobia in VR would be a nightmare for me! And trust me, that’s the best thing that someone could say about a game like this, because I thrive on horror content.
If exploring a very convincingly haunted/possessed location alone or with friends sounds like a blast to you, then you must check this one out. With the right people, it could be terrifying or hilarious, both of which are enhanced by the addition of a VR mode.
Subnautica
Price: $29,99 | Playtime: 30 Hours
Check it out here
So, let’s get to know each other. I have thalassophobia. That means that I’m afraid of the deep and anything that may be living inside. Which is why I’d never play Subnautica in VR, because the game is basically immersive Minecraft in an alien ocean.
Yet, I’ve still watched over 40 hours of content about Subnautica, because it’s incredibly interesting and entertaining. While I’d love to play it and I can’t due to my actual fear, you could! In VR at that! Which would make this entire conversation so relatable!
The Forest
Price: $16,79 | Playtime: 15 Hours
Check it out here
I just realized how many buildy-buildy, crafty-crafty types of games are featured on this list, but you know what? It only makes sense to have these in VR. And that is absolutely valid for The Forest too.
And if you’ve ever wanted your experience of getting surrounded and mugged, while being naked in a forest to become a lot more immersive, then you’d have a blast with this game’s VR mode.
Tetris Effect
Price: $33,99 | Playtime: 15 Hours
Check it out here
I mean, it’s Tetris. How immersive can Tetris be, with or without VR? Well, actually: a lot. Tetris has this calming effect once you get in the flow of it all and in VR, that is significantly enhanced.
Not only that, but this specific version of the game has tons of audio-visual effects that become really impressive in VR. Now, for hardcore players like me, they are distracting, but for anyone looking to chillax for a bit: it’s a total treat!
Payday 2
Price: $9,99 | Playtime: 25 Hours
Check it out here
If you’ve never heard about Payday 2, then as soon as you read the concept, you may ask yourself the very reasonable question of “I’m about to buy what now?!”. But hear me out: robbing banks is fun while it’s not in the real world!
You can play this one alone or with friends, and the entire experience from start to finish is available in VR. This game came out in 2013 and it’s still getting recommendations left and right, due to its content updates. Oh, and the addition of a VR mode.
Thumper
Price: $19,99 | Playtime: 8 Hours
Check it out here
Thumper is one of the weirdest games that you can find on any list. It’s been very well received, yet it’s still relatively obscure. And that just might be because it’s a literal fever dream in which you navigate a metallic bug through a rhythm hell.
Star Wars: Squadrons
Price: $39,99 | Playtime: 9 Hours
Check it out here
You might’ve heard of this little franchise called Star Wars. It’s about cosmic magicians and swordsmen that wield literal sticks of fluorescent lights as swords and fly on awesome-looking planes.
That last bit is what you can get with this title. And you know what? It’s just as fun as you can imagine it being. If you’re a Star Wars fan and you own a VR headset, then this is basically a match made in heaven. Go for it!
What do I need to know about PC games with VR modes?
As things stand in 2023, VR isn't as straightforward as it should be. It might be a bit confusing as to how titles like these actually work, which is why we've added some additional info here, hoping that we may be able to help you out.
Are these entire games available to play in VR?
Yes! Unlike other titles, which claim to have VR compatibility, only for that to be some sort of minigame or a short VR adventure, all of the games featured here are the real deal. We've chosen to ignore games that aren't available for you to play in VR from start to finish, and focus on the ones that actually let you do that.
Do I need to make separate purchases to play the VR modes of these games?
Nope! Owning the base PC version of any of these games is all that you need to do. If you don't see the VR mode outright, try connecting your headset to your PC and turning on it's PC VR mode. Don't forget to check if it's connected properly.
Do these games have VR modes on other platforms?
What about other games that have VR in their title?
This is another oddity. There are games like Batman Arkham VR, which aren't the full game in VR, but a short adventure built for VR. Then there are cases like with Skyrim VR, where it's the entire game, remade for VR, but it's a separate, standalone purchase. And then there is Rise of the Tomb Raider, which only has a section available to play in VR.
Basically, before you commit to any sort of purchase, you should search the title online and check how does it's VR mode work. Or alternatively: consult our list again, as here you'll find only games that are available to play in their entirety, in VR.
And if we've missed some fantastic PC games with hidden VR modes, don't hesitate to let us know in the comments!
In case you’re eager for more VR gaming:
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