The year is coming to a close, and it's time to celebrate some of the best of what 2022 had to offer in VR gaming. Virtual reality is in transition currently, which has affected some of the big players' release schedules. A lot of the industry is anticipating new hardware releases, many of which are scheduled for next year, but there were still many excellent VR experiences that caught our eyes and captured our minds.
While PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest Pro are not here just yet, the crowds of VR-loving gamers have enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment this year in their virtual worlds. Our selections as the best VR games for 2022 range from AAA titles to small indie projects, and from majestic and otherworldly role-playing experiences to interesting and captivating virtual simulations. Here are the selections in no particular order.
Cities VR
Bringing one of the best city simulation games ever created to virtual reality, Cities VR is the VR equivalent of Cities: Skylines, which lets players become the god-like mayors of their own cities, creating structures and moving land with the push of a button. While the game isn't as complex and all-encompassing as the non-VR sibling, it is a great way to enjoy the city simulation with a much more immersive experience. The omnipotent creator aspect of the game is more present than ever using the VR headset, and the controls are more intuitive and fun to use thanks to the VR controllers.
Cities VR is available on Meta Quest 2.
Among Us VR
The party game that took the world by storm after its release in 2018 was introduced to virtual reality this year. Players enter a virtual spaceship where they join teams to compete in tasks while impostors are running amok and killing the Crewmates. Combining team work and betrayal, Among Us VR offers a proven concept to the already strong list of VR party games. The game allows players to play with their friends or build new communities in virtual environments with mini-games, in-game voice chat, and fun for hours. Among Us is an immaculate fit for virtual reality where party games and immersive, communal experiences are a perfect fit.
Among Us VR is available for Meta Quest 2 and Steam.
Moss: Book 2
The sequel to one of the most critically-acclaimed VR titles is one of 2022's best adventure and puzzle game titles. Moss: Book 2 again puts players in the shoes of Quill, the tiny mouse that seeks to protect her precious world. The game series is tailor-made for VR, which exudes from the world, the immersion, and the controls. All this is wrapped in a beautifully created fantastical storyline.
Moss: Book 2 continues Quill's journey from the first game in which she aims to defeat the evil powers that corrupt the world. During her adventures, players will meet new and old friends along the way. Similarly to its predecessor, Moss: Book 2 is an excellent combination of three-dimensional puzzles, action with unique controls, and storytelling that uses virtual reality to its advantage.
Moss: Book 2 is available for Meta Quest 2, PlayStation VR, and Steam.
NFL Pro Era
The sports game genre has been lacking on virtual reality platforms, but this year's NFL Pro Era proves that this isn't going to be the case forever. The game is the first-ever fully licensed NFL game designed for virtual reality. In NFL Pro Era, players enter a virtual football field as quarterbacks, which simulates what it feels like to compete on an NFL team as the star player. The game includes all 32 teams from the league with appropriate, licensed equipment, logos, color schemes, and, of course, players. Players can run the offense and call players, pass the ball, and even sneak in for a touchdown.
NFL Pro Era is available for Meta Quest 2 and PlayStation VR.
Bonelab
One of the most interesting things about virtual reality is how games allow players to interact with the environment. This is where the physics engine and world creation come into play. Bonelab is a physics action game that allows players to explore a variety of laboratories filled with dangerous weapons, magnificent ragdoll enemies, fun challenges, and secrets. The game gives players keys to the world but doesn't tell them how to experience it.
Players can pick their preferred weapon, be it fists or a pump-action shotgun, and go crazy slaying evil henchmen or decapitating skeletons. The game has a storyline that takes the player through various stages, mini-games, and challenges, that introduce myriad worlds - all of which revolve around the physics engine of the game.
Bonelab is available for Meta Quest 2 and Steam.
Ultimechs
Hybrid sports games have become increasingly popular in recent years. Games combining sports and action genres into one package are simple to learn but very hard to master. Ultimechs brings this to virtual reality. In the game, players assume the role of mech commanders that control massively powerful robots in a futuristic sport. As with other games in the genre, the aim is simple: the team that scores more points wins. However, players need to learn to control their mech and its abilities in the 3D virtual space, which is both fun and challenging. The game is essentially Rocket League - just with robots and in virtual reality.
Ultimechs is available for Meta Quest 2 and Steam.
Wanderer
Wanderer is an epic adventure that takes the player in alternate universes throughout history. Players relive historic events, which they need to change to save the future. The collapse of the civilization is in the hands of the player, as they travel through times to change the timeline. Wanderer allows players to experience some of history's most impactful moments from the moon landing to war conflicts, and relive as of rock stars in front of huge crowds or help Tesla with his inventions.
Within this adventure lies a series of challenges and puzzles that players need to complete to save the world. While the game is a compilation of escape room-type puzzles, it manages to make them distinct and interesting thanks to the inventive world creation and storyline.
Wanderer is available Meta Quest 2, PlayStation VR, and Steam.
Red Matter 2
Virtual adventure sequel Red Matter 2 pits players in a dystopian Cold War, following the events of its predecessor. In the game, players take on various puzzles and challenges designed specifically for VR and the tools that mimic the controllers as they uncover the secrets of Volgravia. The adventures of agent Sasha Riss take on many forms exploring the sci-fi world which is specifically designed to be played on a VR headset, and takes advanced of the immersive platform. It is no doubt one of the better story-driven adventure games of the year for VR.
Red Matter 2 is available for Meta Quest 2 and Steam.
Mothergunship: Forge
The hilarious Mothergunship: Forge is a sequel to the 2018's action game Mothergunship. It is a roguelite, this time designed specifically for virtual reality, in which players assume the role of a pilot inside an armored mecha suit. It is no regular Mech Warrior clone, though. Mothergunship: Forge doesn't take itself too seriously, which makes it more fun than the average shooter. As the player advances through stages of increasingly difficult waves of enemies, they'll unlock weapons parts that will deal more damage, destruction, and comical weapon combinations. While shooting in itself is fun with the intuitive VR controls, the creation of the most ludicrous weapons is largely responsible for the likely grin on the players' faces.
Mothergunship: Forge is available for Meta Quest 2 and Steam.
Tentacular
It is safe to say that Tentacular is a VR experience like no other. While on the surface it looks like another physics demo in virtual reality, it has an engaging storyline, lighthearted characters, and interesting building mechanics. In the game, players assume the role of a massive sea monster that has immense power over the tiny creatures running the community of La Kalma. However, as an interesting interstellar technology lands, this tentacle-wielding creature has also the power to help humankind to solve the mystery. The players complete VR puzzles using two clumsy tentacles and, rest assured, hilarity ensues.
Tentacular is available for Meta Quest 2 and Steam.