10 PSVR2 Games Actually Worth Playing (2024)

The PSVR2 is a phenomenal piece of kit, bringing VR gaming to a market with little access to that tech. Unfortunately, I don't think it would be unfair to suggest that the PSVR2 feels a little unsupported.

There are a couple of well-known VR titles on the PS5, but I bet the average gamer couldn't even name 10, let alone recommend decent ones.

I'm not hating on the device, and I'm a huge fan of VR gaming. I also think first impressions are everything when trying out a peripheral you may not be used to.

If you're toying with the idea of your first VR headset, here's a lineup of bangers to make that purchase worthwhile.

12 Beat Saber

The Original "Must Have" VR Game

Rhythm

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:86/100 Critics Recommend:91%

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5

Released

May 21, 2019

Developer(s)

Beat Games

Publisher(s)

Beat Games

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

Unity

ESRB

E For Everyone

Metascore

86

PS Plus Availability

N/A

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

See at Playstation Store

I doubt VR gaming would have as big of an audience as it does now if it weren't for Beat Saber. The title swayed me into getting an Oculus Rift, which remains essential for any VR headset owner.

The premise of Beat Saber couldn't be more straightforward as it's a rhythm game. You hold a pair of swords and slash incoming colored cubes as they head toward you in time with music.

There's nothing more to it than that, and that's the beauty of the title. You can use Beat Saber for a light workout if you get into it, and there are dozens of free and premium songs.

Beat Saber is great for VR newcomers, as your feet are always firmly planted, and you don't need to move outside of a few ducks and dodges.

Oh, and I assure you, you look ridiculous swinging invisible swords around, no matter how graceful you think you are!

11 Pavlov

A Next-Level Competitive Experience

The last genre many would associate with VR is competitive FPS. But what if I told you there is one, and it's actually good?

Pavlov is a fully fledged military shooter that uses VR technology to its fullest. You walk around with the controller sticks and lift your hands to your face to use iron sights and scopes.

VR tech allows you to peek corners and windows in a way you simply can't in a traditional shooter. Not to mention, you can look all around you, and it's incredibly immersive when you're sneaking down alleyways and eyeballing windows in the buildings above.

Pavlov proves that multiplayer first-person shooters can work in VR. The only drawback is the low player count, and while only Steam numbers are available, it's something to keep in mind as there's little single-player content.

10 No Man's Sky

Move Over, Starfield

Adventure

Action

Survival

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:72/100 Critics Recommend:36%

See Also

Why is Tetris so iconic? - Games Learning Society'Tetris Forever' Is a Playable History Lesson, But It's IncompleteReview: Tetris Forever (PS5) - Explore 40 Years of Tetris in Digital Eclipse's Best Collection YetTetris Forever Review (PS5) - Tetris and a Whole Lot More - PlayStation Universe

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , Nintendo Switch , PC

Released

August 9, 2016

Developer(s)

Hello Games

Publisher(s)

Hello Games

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer , Online Co-Op

Engine

Proprietary

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood

How Long To Beat

30.5 Hours

X|S Optimized

Yes

File Size Xbox Series

20.36 GB (September 2024)

Metascore

83

Platforms That Support Crossplay

PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Supported VR Headsets

Sony PlayStation VR , Sony PlayStation VR2 , Valve Index , HP Reverb G2 , HTC Vive Pro 2 , HTC VIVE Cosmos , Meta Quest 3 , Meta Quest 2 , Meta Quest Pro

Steam Deck Compatibility

Verified

How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)

150 hours

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Cross-Platform Play

PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

No Man's Sky is famous for pulling off one of gaming history's most highly documented redemption arcs. The game has gone from a laughingstock to an authority in the space exploration genre and is now fully playable in VR.

PSVR2 integration with No Man's Sky is seamless. Exploring the galaxy in first-person is incredible, and space battles are thrilling, provided your stomach can handle it! If you thought planet hopping was amazing on a regular screen, just wait until you see it in a headset.

I've always found shooting a little clunky in No Man's Sky, and it actually feels so much better when you can physically point your weapon in VR. This game throws a lot at you when you start, and it can be overwhelming even without a headset. If you can suffer through the beginner experience, there are hundreds of hours to enjoy.

9 Resident Evil Village

She's Taller In VR...

Survival Horror

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:92%

Franchise

Resident Evil

Platform(s)

PS5 , PlayStation 4 , Nintendo Switch , iOS , Microsoft Windows , Xbox

Released

May 7, 2021

Developer(s)

Capcom

Publisher(s)

Capcom

Engine

RE Engine

ESRB

m

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

If you ever thought Resident Evil was unnerving on a regular screen, it's so much worse on the PSVR2!

Resident Evil Village is an impressive VR title with superb visuals, and it's clear that care has been taken to make the headset experience as comfortable as possible.

There are a ton of features that make movement and combat feel superb. For example, you draw your pistol from your hip and can swap to your shotgun by reaching over your shoulder.

Loading and pumping the shotgun feels awesome in VR, and this level of care permeates the entire game. You can pick up and interact with dozens of objects, and monsters are so much more intimidating when they feel like they are in your face.

We don't get AAA VR titles daily, and Resident Evil Village is a perfect example of the technology at its full potential.

8 Synapse

A Force Simulator

Synapse is a stylish sci-fi first-person shooter with fast-paced combat and Roguelike mechanics.

Movement and combat feel fantastic once you get the hang of them, and the eye-catching art style makes important objects defined and immediately identifiable.

The ace up Synapse's sleeve is telekinetic powers. While it's not mind control, you can manipulate objects with a hand gesture. You can even hold enemies midair while you shoot them with the gun in your other hand.

Synapse does "Force" powers better than any Star Wars game, and it's so addictive, weaving supernatural powers and gun combat together.

7 Legendary Tales

An Immersive Fantasy Adventure

Legendary Tales is a Dark Fantasy ARPG with addictive combat and is arguably the most challenging game on this list.

We trade guns for fantasy weapons like bows and swords for this entry, and while Legendary Tales is a fully-fledged ARPG with a decent story, it's clear that combat is the main focus.

I enjoy shooting bows in VR, and they feel fantastic here. Bopping skeleton warriors with a massive hammer is as fun as it sounds, and exploration is immersive and rewarding.

If you fancy a change from guns and futuristic shooters, Legendary Tales is an excellent PSVR2 game to do it with.

6 Red Matter 2

A Sci-Fi Puzzle Adventure

Adventure

Puzzle

Indie

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:87/100 Critics Recommend:89%

Platform(s)

Oculus Quest , PS5

Released

May 18, 2023

Developer

Vertical Robot

Publisher

Vertical Robot

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

t

Metascore

84

See Also

Tetris Forever review - the history and spirit of the eternal game

PS Plus Availability

N/A

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

See at Playstation Store

The original Red Matter is a fantastic sci-fi adventure game that makes full use of VR hardware. It's a superb title, and the sequel improves the mechanics in every way.

Red Matter 2 is a space-faring first-person adventure with puzzle-solving at its core. There's some light shooting combat, but the title shines brightest when you're solving creative riddles.

The most impressive part of Red Matter 2 is how intuitive the controls are. You have a claw tool in each hand, and you can do more with them than you could ever do with a regular controller.

It's clear that the developers over at Vertical Robot understand the hardware, and puzzles make full use of the range of motion you have in VR.

If you'd rather avoid combat entirely, the original is solely focused on puzzles, but both are great titles and worth a place in your PSVR2 library.

5 Pistol Whip

The John Wick Simulator

FPS

Virtual Reality

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:88/100 Critics Recommend:97%

Platform(s)

PC , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5

Released

November 7, 2019

Developer(s)

Cloudhead Games

Publisher(s)

Cloudhead Games

Engine

Unity

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Violence

Metascore

90

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Developer

Cloudhead Games

Publisher

Cloudhead Games

How Long To Beat

2 Hours

PS Plus Availability

Premium

Supported VR Headsets

Meta Quest 2 , Meta Quest 3 , Meta Quest Pro

See at Playstation Store

Pistol Whip is one of my favorite VR games and makes you feel like a badass, even though you look rather silly playing it.

Similarly to Beat Saber, you shoot enemies in time to the music while dodging incoming projectiles Matrix-style. You can rock one pistol or two, and as the title implies, you can "pistol whip" enemies if they are close enough.

Just ensure you don't punch through a screen or window if you do!

One big difference between Pistol Whip and similar titles is movement. You automatically walk through each stage, which is initially disorienting.

That said, you don't have to navigate manually, so VR legs shouldn't be a problem.

4 Metro Awakening

It's Just As Grim In VR

Shooter

FPS

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:77/100 Critics Recommend:61%

Franchise

Metro

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5 , PC , Meta Quest

Released

November 7, 2024

Developer(s)

Vertigo Games

Publisher(s)

Vertigo Games

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Supported VR Headsets

PlayStation VR 2 Headset , SteamVR , Meta Quest 3 , Meta Quest 2

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

PSVR2 Release Date

November 7, 2024

The Metro games are atmospheric, if bleak, first-person shooters set in a post-apocalyptic future.

The concept transfers flawlessly into a VR experience. The graphics are top-tier, and you can interact with almost anything that isn't nailed down.

Shooting is decent, and I really appreciate how creative items are to use in VR. For example, you have a portable generator and must manually crank it with hand motions.

You could argue that many VR games are light on story, but that's not the case here. Metro titles are known for their rich lore, and you feel like a much more significant part of the world because it feels like you're actually there.

Awakening is technically a prequel to the regular Metro games, so you can comfortably enjoy the title without playing the others first.

3 Walkabout Minigolf

Yes, I'm Serious

Casual

Indie Games

Sports

Simulation

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:88/100 Critics Recommend:100%

Platform(s)

Oculus Quest , PS5

Released

May 11, 2023

Engine

unity

ESRB

e

Metascore

90

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Developer

Mighty Coconut, LLC

Publisher

Mighty Coconut, LLC

How Long To Beat

27 hours

PS Plus Availability

N/A

You may think I'm crazy rating a minigolf game so highly, but Walkabout Minigolf is a superb VR title that you can enjoy even if virtual reality makes you feel woozy.

Walkabout Minigolf makes the list because it's simply the best at what it does. Courses are fun and easy to navigate, and putting is intuitive. There are eight courses in the base game, each with detailed holes that feel well-designed.

Every locale feels completely different, largely thanks to the beautiful environments that feel so immersive with a headset on.

Another great feature of Walkabout Minigolf is the social aspect. You can bomb around a course with multiple players and technically play locally if you're happy to keep the score on paper.

If you're uneasy or uncomfortable in VR, Walkaround Minigolf is an excellent place to build your VR legs. You don't have to move much and can teleport around the holes instead of walking.

2 Tetris Effect

We've Come A Long Way From Green And Black

Puzzle

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:90/100 Critics Recommend:97%

Platform(s)

PS4

Released

November 9, 2018

Developer(s)

Monstars Inc , Resonair

Publisher(s)

Enhance

Engine

unreal engine 4, unreal engine 5

ESRB

e

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Franchise

Tetris

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Tetris may seem like an unusual candidate for VR, but Tetris Effect focuses on the spectacle and jaw-dropping visuals alongside its timeless gameplay.

Effect plays like a standard iteration of Tetris, albeit with modern trimmings. You can instantly drop tetrominoes by tapping the up button, and a handy marker will show where your blocks will fall.

The fancy VR part is justified thanks to the frankly gorgeous presentation of the environments around the playfield.

While you're busy slamming down blocks, your eyes are treated to glorious light shows featuring everything from manta rays to fireworks displays.

If you want a cozy game to enjoy with your headset on, I don't think Tetris Effect can be beaten, and it feels like a futuristic take on the most well-known puzzler of all time.

1 Gran Turismo 7

The Reason To Own A PSVR2

Racing

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:87/100 Critics Recommend:92%

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS5

Released

March 24, 2022

Developer(s)

Polyphony Digital

Publisher(s)

Sony

Engine

Proprietary Engine

ESRB

E for Everyone: Alcohol Reference, Use of Tobacco

Metascore

87

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Franchise

Gran Turismo

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer , Local Multiplayer

Split Screen Orientation

Vertical Only

Number of Players

1-2

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Number of Tracks

108

Number of Cars

484

Local Co-Op Support

1-2 Players

See at Playstation Store

I have already mentioned that I think Beat Saber popularized VR gaming on PC. If you asked me to choose a game that does that for the PS5, it would be Gran Turismo 7.

The Gran Turismo games are beloved staples in any PlayStation racing fans' library, and PSVR2 integration takes the experience to the next level. VR feels like a "tacked-on" addition in many games, particularly in the AAA space. That simply isn't the case with Gran Turismo 7.

Gran Turismo 7 is the new standard for VR racing games. Car interiors are just as stunning as the tracks and environments, and it's pure eye candy if you're a petrolhead.

I've only played with a Dual Sense controller, but you can pair the game with a steering wheel for unrivaled immersion.

It won't be a big deal for most people, but I was particularly impressed with how GT7 responds when you take off the PSVR2. You can freely swap between VR and TV by simply removing the headset, which is particularly useful if you're adjusting.

If you're on the fence about the PSVR2 and want one game to justify your purchase, look no further than Gran Turismo 7.