Virtual reality has completely revolutionized the gaming space, and the best VR FPS games are undeniably blossoming because of it. Gone are the days of sitting in front of a monitor for hours on end. Instead, you can be thrust right into the heat of the action, complete with immersive visuals, audio, and gameplay.
I’m going to be walking you through the 12 best VR FPS games you can play right now. I can’t promise you’ll like every entry, but there’s bound to be something here for you.
From tactical shooters and zombie survival to all-out multiplayer warfare, these are the best virtual reality FPS games to play right now:
Half-Life Alyx
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive/Cosmos, Oculus Rift/S, Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Quest/2
Half-Life: Alyx is not just one of the best VR FPS games, but it’s one of the best VR games, period.
I didn’t play the original Half-Life games back in the day, so I didn’t have to go through the agonizing wait between Half-Life 2 and Half-Life: Alyx. That being said, this prequel is everything fans of the original could have asked for, and more.
It has an incredibly immersive world, fleshed-out characters, and top-notch shooting mechanics. As far as I’m concerned, Half-Life: Alyx has set a new standard for what an FPS game can be in VR.
What sets Half-Life Alyx apart from other entrancing VR games is that it’s not just a shooting gallery. In order to progress, you’ll need to solve various puzzles that make use of the unique capabilities of VR. The storyline and plot are also a leg up against other VR shooters that focus purely on mechanics.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Platforms: PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift/S, Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Quest/2, PICO 4
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is also among the best VR games I’ve ever played. It’s a full-fledged survival horror RPG, placing you in the shoes of an unlucky soul trapped in walker-infested New Orleans.
Of course, it wouldn’t be The Walking Dead if zombies were the only threat. Instead, you’ll be thrust into the middle of a war for territory between two rival factions. You’ll be navigating the politics of post-outbreak New Orleans battling off humans and Walkers alike as you attempt to survive, for however long that may be.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is unique. Most VR FPS titles focus strictly on gunplay, whereas this offers a more immersive, rounded survival experience. I typically don’t enjoy survival games, TellTale’s The Walking Dead is more my cup of tea. Despite that, I couldn’t put this one down.
Phantom Covert Ops
Platforms: Oculus Rift/S and Oculus Quest/2/Pro
If you’re like me and love stealth games then Phantom Covert Ops is the perfect VR FPS title for you.
You’ll be taking on the role of a secret agent who must infiltrate enemy territory and complete various missions. You’ve got the option to go in guns-blazing, sure, but where’s the fun in that?
Phantom Covert Ops also shines in how it incorporates water traversal in its missions with a military kayak, which grants players a whole new layer of exploration. It’s got a rich campaign mode and an expansive map, so there’s plenty of thrilling content to keep you occupied.
Superhot VR
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest/2, PSVR
Superhot VR is an FPS game with a unique twist: time only moves when you do.
This mechanic creates some of the most intense and strategic gunplay I’ve seen in a VR FPS game. Because you can see all of your enemies’ movements before they happen, you can plan out each shot with pinpoint precision.
However, this also means that every mistake you make is amplified. One false move and you’ll be swarmed by enemies. If you like a splash of strategy in your VR FPS games, then this stylish shooter is definitely worth picking up.
Onward
Platforms: Valve Index, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PSVR
Onward is a military-sim style VR FPS game that pits 10 players (two teams) in a VR multiplayer arena where they’ll be forced to fight to the death. If that’s not the truest representation of an FPS game, I don’t know what is.
While Outward’s graphics are nothing to write home about, it shines in its tactical and realistic gameplay. I would recommend playing in a spacious room and playing with a good CPU is also recommended as Onward has a particularly intensive physics system.
Onward forces you to take a more methodical approach as you slowly try to outplay your opponents. This makes each sequence feel all the more intense when trying to avoid the negative consequences of dying and losing progress.
Platforms: Oculus Quest 2
You can’t complete a list of popular VR shooter games without including at least one VR horror title. And when it comes to the best VR FPS game with zombies, Resident Evil 4 VR takes the cake.
This classic title from the Resident Evil franchise has been updated with virtual reality support, and it does not disappoint. The slow and shambling zombies are more unsettling than ever through the VR lens.
I’m a sucker for classic Resident Evil games, and I’ll admit I was skeptical about a VR adaptation. After playing Resident Evil 4 VR, though, I’m all in on the idea (even if the game did result in a sleepless night or two).
Population: One
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift/S, Windows Mixed Reality, Oculus Quest/2
Population: One is a fast-paced VR FPS Battle Royale with a heavy focus on cooperation and engaging squad-based gameplay. I’m not a big BR person – but even I can have a bit of fun with this one.
You’ll be paired up with at least two other players, together tasked with out-maneuvering, out-smarting, and out-shooting your opponents in a vertically designed BR arena. You can climb anything you see out in the world, including cover you can craft yourself in the form of walls, giving you a lot of freedom in how you approach encounters.
When you get bored of that typical BR gameplay, you’ll be able to hop right into Population: One”s Sandbox mode to create custom maps, game modes, and more.
Pistol Whip
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, PSVR, Oculus Quest/2
Ever heard of Beat Saber? Think of Pistol Whip as the FPS equivalent of that game.
While most VR shooters require you to move around to progress and run and gun toward hordes of enemies, Pistol Whip does all the movement for you, letting you focus on mastery on the fun part – shooting!
With a mix of upbeat and electric songs, you’ll be head-banging as you blast your way through enemies in 30 arcade-style levels. There are also several customization options to increase the game’s replayability outside of the campaign mode, such as different guns, modes, and frequently-updated gameplay modifiers.
BONEWORKS
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality
In BONEWORKS, you’re trapped in a mysterious and hostile facility where robots have gone rogue. And it’s up to you to shoot, punch, and solve your way through a variety of puzzles in order to escape. That’s not a setup you typically see for an FPS title, but it works well here.
What makes BONEWORKS stand out to me is the sheer amount of weaponry at your disposal. While aiming for critical headshots with a rifle is certainly effective, you can also use the environment and a host of melee tools to crash whatever cybernetic combatants you come across.
On top of the main campaign, an Arena mode also allows you to test your skills against waves of adversaries using mechanics that weren’t previously seen in the campaign. If you enjoy messing with physics, this game’s a top pick.
Sniper Elite VR
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, PSVR
Here’s another one for my stealth fans out there – Sniper Elite VR.
This game puts you in the shoes of an elite sniper during World War II. With 18 replayable missions, you’re bound to spend hours upon hours perfecting the art of stopping, scoping, flicking, and firing. If you’ve never dipped your toes in this series’ water before, now’s the time.
While there’s a console version of this game, the VR version offers some platform-exclusive perks like a rebuilt kill cam built for the VR screen – and that really does make a difference.
Platforms: Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift/S, Windows Mixed Reality, PSVR, Oculus Quest/2
If you’re looking for a more tried-and-true VR shooter game, Pavlov VR is the way to go.
This Counter-Strike-like FPS has garnered a large following since its release in early 2017, and for good reason. Pavlov VR features a variety of game modes familiar to FPS fans, all repackaged and reskinned for the VR world.
Not only that, but Pavlov VR also provides support for players who want to make custom mods and community servers. If a thriving and ever-evolving community is something you’re looking for in a VR shooter, Pavlov VR has got you covered.
Platforms: PSVR
Blood & Truth puts you in the shoes of an elite Special Forces soldier who’s essentially forced to fight his way through a series of interactive action sequences and intense gunplay to press forward.
Fun characters may be the last thing on your mind when thinking about FPS games, but Blood & Truth has several colorful and memorable characters that help bring the game’s story to life. The spy story is a refreshing tale amidst all the gunfights, something that I can appreciate over the typical “do this, shoot that” narrative we tend to get in VR FPS games.
With 19 different story missions and a variety of different gun types, your journey through Blood & Truth’s campaign will always feel fresh and exciting.
resident evil 4 VR best horror game Virtual reality :O
i prefer snipers game