It’s finally happening, it’s finally happening: consumer models of virtual reality headsets are coming to market. Pre-orders are open for both the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive currently, with an expected ship date of March 28 and early April respectively, while the PlayStation VR will be released sometime during October 2016.
So now that long wait is (almost) over, which device should the savvy gamer buy (or pre-order) to explore the world of virtual reality? Well that depends. While the Oculus Rift ($599) is 25 percent cheaper than the HTC Vive ($799), the device is launching without the Oculus Touch motion tracking controllers, which will eventually require an additional purchase.
The HTC Vive on the other hand, widely lauded for its ability to translate a user’s movements smoothly to virtual space, has its wireless controllers included as part of the list price. For more Oculus Rift vs. HTC Vive technical details and what’s inside the pre-order bundles, check out this breakdown.
Games-wise however, it’s anybody’s virtual ballgame. The Oculus Rift is aiming to capture market share with exclusive titles, ala console gaming’s marketing strategy, while the HTC Vive is approaching the market more in the same vein as PC gaming. Let’s explain the software basics between the two devices first.
The HTC Vive runs on a platform called SteamVR, which is easier to think of as an API or a VR shell for Steam rather than an operating system. This means that games that run on SteamVR can “call” on SteamVR hardware tools such as Lighthouse Tracking.
However, SteamVR incorporates the Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) API, meaning that SteamVR will be able to run on other VR devices, including the Oculus Rift. That being said, the cross compatibility comes with a couple caveats.
One of those is that SteamVR is not designed to work on the Oculus Rift, as Oculus Founder Palmer Luckey mentioned on reddit. So while any game that runs via SteamVR should theoretically work on the Oculus Rift, actual mileage may vary. On the flipside, games that run solely via the Oculus Rift runtime will require a physical Oculus Rift device to play.
The Oculus Rift has another advantage to it as well, the independently developed vorpX. This third-party app allows you to play a whole host of “regular” games as VR games, including Fallout 4 and GTA. There is an open source version of this called Vireio Perception. SteamVR currently has a similar capability, but it’s via a workaround, buggy and not very smooth. It is unknown when or if something similar to vorpX or Vireio Perception will be released for the HTC Vive.
Now that we’ve covered the basic differences software-wise between the two devices, let’s get down to the fun stuff: Finding out exactly what you can play with a VR headset when you finally get your hands on one.
Bundles
Oculus Rift
EVE: Valkyrie [Oculus Rift, PSVR]
EVE: Valkyrie, the soon-to-be released little sibling of the MMORPG EVE: Online, is a multiplayer dogfighting spaceship game that was specifically designed to be used with virtual reality headsets. EVE: Valkyrie will be included in pre-order bundles for the Oculus Rift and while it’s not strictly an Oculus Rift exclusive — it will be playable on the PS4 with the PlayStation VR, whenever it is released — the HTC Vive will not be able to support the game.
Lucky’s Tale [Oculus Rift]
Lucky’s Tale, a third-person platform adventure game which Wired says will “blow your mind” and Polygon is calling a “virtual reality Mario 64,” is another Oculus Rift exclusive title and is included in the Oculus Rift pre-order bundle alongside EVE: Valkyrie. In Lucky’s Tale players use the VR headset to aim and throw bombs at enemies, with the game’s camera, controlled with the VR headset, following the foxy protagonist from above.
HTC Vive
Job Simulator
Job Simulator, the go-to demo game for VR headsets, is the first of two games included in the HTC Vive pre-order bundle. In Job Simulator, players step into a world where robots have taken over the workforce and an actual job, like working as a gourmet chef, an office worker or a convenience store clerk, is something simulated for entertainment. Job Simulator is available for all three of the VR headsets.
Fantastic Contraption [HTC Vive]
Fantastic Contraption, which originally launched in 2008 as a non-virtual reality game, has been reimagined in the world of VR for the launch of the HTC Vive, and is the second game included in the HTC Vive pre-order bundle. In Fantastic Contraption, players build contraptions to get a pink ball to a pink square by any means possible, and they have to build those means with the tools given, such as wheels and rods. Fantastic Contraption requires the use of the HTC’s motion tracking technology and controllers, but could theoretically work on the Oculus Rift once the Oculus Touch controllers are released.
Exclusives
Oculus Rift ( SRC )
Minecraft [Oculus Rift]
Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition will be officially supported on the Oculus Rift, but support for the HTC Vive is only assumed at this point. The game will be updated to support VR natively sometime this spring, but third-party developers have created ports of Minecraft that are playable currently — Minecrift and Vivecraft.
Damaged Core [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
Damaged Core is a first-person shooter developed by High Voltage Software as an exclusive title for the Oculus Rift. In Damaged Core, the gamepad controls movement, but the game’s camera does offer a 360-degree stereoscopic view range. Players play as a rogue AI construct fighting to liberate humanity by sniping enemies in the robot army in a personal quest to uncover the truth behind its existence.
I Expect You To Die [Oculus Rift, Oculus Touch; Mouse]
I Expect You To Die is a VR-based puzzle game where players step into the role of a secret agent trying to survive a series of increasing lethal situations with only their wits, a little bit of telekinesis and whatever resources they can find immediately around them. I Expect You To Die was a finalist in the “Best VR Experience” category at the 2015 Unity Awards, and was awarded “Best Overall VR Experience” at the 2015 Proto Awards.
VR Sports Challenge [Oculus Rift] [Oculus Touch]
Developed by Sanzaru Games, VR Sports Challenge hopes to become to the Oculus Rift what Wii Sports was for the Wii: A smashing success. In VR Sports Challenge, players take the role of the quarterback and receiver simultaneously, both catching and throwing the ball with the use of yet-to-be-released Oculus Touch controllers. The games supports virtual football, basketball, hockey and baseball.
ESPER [Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR] [Gamepad]
ESPER is a VR-based puzzle game that tests a player’s ability to use their VR headset and gamepad to together solve a series of room based challenges. Players will take on the role of a telekinesis guinea pig in the 1970s whose special powers are being researched by government scientists. Expect to levitate and move objects around. Developed by Coatsink Software, ESPER is currently available for purchase ($4.99) in the Samsung Gear VR store.
ESPER 2 [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
While ESPER was a launch title for the Samsung Gear VR, ESPER 2 is an Oculus Rift exclusive title. As the name implies, ESPER 2 is a direct sequel to ESPER, and is also developed by Coatsink Software. The only difference is that in ESPER 2, players join the ranks of the ESPR organization. Eric Meyers, Nick Frost, Sean Pertwee and Lara Pulver will all feature as voice actors on ESPER 2.
AirMech VR [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
AirMech VR is a port of the popular RTS game for the Oculus Rift. According to a developer’s comments on reddit (Carbon Games), in AirMech VR the player’s desk will become the map while the camera is controlled by the VR headset. Multiplayer mode will ( obviously ) be supported, and players will control actions in the game via a gamepad.
AirMech VR Multiplayer TestThis is how you see the game in VR, but imagine it's all around you. This is only 10% of what you see. It's amazing to see the whole map spread out the size of a room around you. Even people who are excited about it are not prepared for what they experience when they try it on the Oculus Rift.Have you tried it? What did you think? Oculus shows it off at all their events. AirMech VR will be a launch title early next year for the consumer version of the Rift.VR is the true "next gen" of gaming, a larger leap than from the NES to the PS4/XB1 in our opinion. All these years playing games with a gamepad connected to a flat screen. Having the world around you changes everything.Skeptical? Can't blame you, we were too. Wait until you try the final Oculus Rift, you will be blown away. We can't find anyone who has tried AirMech VR who doesn't love it. :)
Posted by AirMech on Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Chronos [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
Developed by Gunfire Games, Chronos is a VR-based adventure RPG where players will take on the role of a young hero on a quest to stop a great evil from taking over their homeland. Chronos combines gameplay elements and mechanics from both the adventure and RPG genres together to create what Gunfire Games calls, “an atmospheric fantasy world in full Virtual Reality.”
Defense Grid 2 Enhanced VR Edition [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
Defense Grid 2 Enhanced VR Edition, developed by Hidden Path Entertainment, is a port of the 2014 console and PC tower defense game optimized specifically for a VR experience. The VR port of the game brings with it the first official story expansion for Defense Grid 2, which includes five new levels and a new storyline involving the A.I. character General Fletcher. Players will be able to use the Oculus Rift headset to zoom in and around their base, to either watch the action up close personally or from afar.
Dragon Front [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
Dragon Front is a collectible card game (CCG) (think Hearthstone) designed to be played in virtual reality. Developed by High Voltage Software (Who also developed the previously mentioned Damaged Core), Dragon Front has 280 characters, more than a 100 spells and 80 different encampments in store for fans of the CCG genre. Dragon Front also comes with a champion system, which allows players to summon legendary boss units to turn tide of a battle in a pinch.
Herobound: Spirit Champion [Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR] [Gamepad]
Herobound: Spirit Champion is an RPG action adventure game developed by Gunfire Games (Who also developed the previously mentioned Chronos) that is already available for purchase ($9.99) for the Samsung Gear VR. To collect and upgrade items and powers in Herobound: Spirit Champion, players will need to use their wits to solve a various assortment of puzzles to advance through the game’s levels.
ADR1FT [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
A first person adventure and space exploration game developed by Three One Zero, ADR1FT may one day be released on other VR platforms (but not Steam VR in the foreseeable future). That being said, a PS4 version of ADR1FT is scheduled for release sometime in 2016 . . . In ADR1FT, players step into the shoes of an astronaut who finds themselves floating in the wreckage of a destroyed space station with no memory or recollection of the event. Players are tasked with finding and piecing together clues to figure out just exactly what happened.
Dreadhalls [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
Dreadhalls is a horror dungeon crawler that was originally developed for the 2013 VR Jam (Demo playable here). Developed by White Door Games, Dreadhalls draws its inspiration from games such as Eye of the Beholder and Dungeon Master. Each level’s map in Dreadhalls is randomly generated, meaning players will never be able to figure out what to expect to be lurking around a corner, and there are no weapons. The only tools players in Dreadhalls have to avoid the creepy crawlers blocking their way to the exit are stealth, and speed.
Edge of Nowhere [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
Edge of Nowhere is a third-person action-adventure game from the infamous Insomniac Games. In Edge of Nowhere, players take on the role of a member of a search and rescue party tasked with finding a missing expedition team lost in the Antarctic mountains. However, things are not what they seem and players will finding themselves creating makeshift weapons in Edge of Nowhere to survive the madness threatening to engulf them.
The Climb [Oculus Rift] [Gamepad]
Developed by Crytek, The Climb has received some significant press coverage as a game worthy of showing off the possibilities and potential of just what exactly a VR headset like the Oculus Rift can do. As a game about mountain climbing, in The Climb, players adopt a first person camera view rock-climb their way through luscious rocky island and jungle scenery. Reports from people who tried the game describe playing The Climb as dizzy inducing, and a perfect way to make your palms sweat. Supposedly, The Climb will one day support the wireless Oculus Touch controllers.
Games
Rift (SRC)
Casino VR [Oculus Rift, Gamepad] [Samsung Gear VR]
Casino VR, the brainchild of a team of developers located in Switzerland, allows players to use their VR headsets to play Texas hold ’em poker with other players live over multiplayer. Events and tournaments are scheduled to coordinate between players, and a leaderboard is calculated to show off the resulting triumphs and losses. At the moment, Casino VR is only available on the Oculus Rift, but plans are in place for a Samsung Gear VR version.
gear_rift from Casino VR on Vimeo.
Classroom Aquatic [Oculus Rift, Gamepad] [Steam VR] [PSVR]
Players in Classroom Aquatic take on the role of a foreign exchange diver student enrolled in a semester of dolphin school who hasn’t studied for an unfortunately timed series of tests. Fortunately, players can cheat their way to a passing grade by snooping on other students’ tests, as long as their classmates don’t tell on them of course. Dolphin school teachers differing styles of patrol, so players will need to stay on their toes to make sure they don’t get busted.
Floor Plan [Oculus Rift, Gamepad] [Samsung Gear VR]
From the same developers as the Adventure Time VR game, Floor Plan is a first person VR game that is all about an elevator. In Floor Plan, players solve puzzles on the different floors of a building, using an elevator to travel. Players interact with the game’s characters when the elevator doors open, eventually collecting clues that solve the major mystery that is the game’s main storyline.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes [Rift, Gamepad] [Vive] [Gear VR] [PSVR]
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is available for the Oculus Rift and the Samsung Gear VR at the moment, but plans are in store to release the game for the PlayStation VR and HTC Vive, according to a developer on the Steam Community forums. In Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, players must work together to defuse a bomb. The catch is, only one player can defuse the bomb. The other members of the team relay instructions from bomb defusal manuals. Gameplay is adrenaline inducing, to say the least.
Proton Pulse [Rift] [Vive] [PSVR] [Google Cardboard]
Originally funded via a Kickstarter campaign, developers PushyPixels announced they were dropping support for the Oculus Rift and refunding contributions before changing course and releasing a playable demo months later. Proton Pulse is also currently available for purchase to play on iOS and Android with Google Cardboard. Players control their movements in Proton Pulse by (literally) using their head to move a paddle, the only thing capable of bouncing back an energy ball that threatens to destroy the sensitive core behind them.
Gang Beasts VR [Rift, Gamepad]
Gang Beasts VR is a port of the popular PC 2014 party game, Gangs Beast, by VR-focused developers Coatsink Software (ESPER 2). Much like in the original version of the game, players control their gelatinous avatar in Gang Beast VR via the third person, and can brawl their friends in multiplayer battles to emerge victorious. The first publicly playable debut of Gang Beast VR will take place April 2016, but Coatsink will showcasing the game behind closed doors at GDC, so keep an eye out of for press coverage.
Korix [Rift, Gamepad] [Vive]
Korix is a RTS game that draws its inspiration from the retro-style, 8-bit era, according to developer StellarVR. A tower defense game set in 3D space, Korix supports multiplayer, both co-op and PvP modes, and offers a variety of different of troop units, defensive structures and weapons to fling against opponents. Supposedly, the game has been designed to work with less beefy computer rigs, so if your computer is struggling to play anything else, try Korix out.
Metro Warp [Rift, Gamepad]
Metro Warp is a 3D puzzle game by developer Another Yeti that is all about guiding pedestrians through a twisting 3D world full of potential pitfalls. Oh, and the oblivious commuters? They can only turn left. Players will need to place obstacles in front of these pedestrians to help guide them on their way to the exit. Metro Warp currently has over 50 levels and is available for purchase on Steam as well.
Nebulous [Rift, Gamepad] [PSVR]
Nebulous is a third-person physics-based puzzle game by developers Namazu Studios where players take control to help guide a trapped astronaut through a series of maze-based levels. Players arrange puzzles pieces in Nebulous to set the map so momentum and gravity will see the poor astronaut fall and tumble to safety. Available for purchase on Steam, Namazu Studios recently announced they were planning on integrating support for the PSVR in the near future.
Nighttime Terror [Rift, Gamepad] [Gear VR] [Google Cardboard]
A top-down shooter by developer VR Bits, players in Nighttime Terror fight toys coming straight out of a childhood nightmare to compete for a high score with other toy-fighting players. Nighttime supports Google Cardboard and the Samsung Gear VR, as well as the Oculus Rift, and has a free demo available so that players can try the game out. Players in Nighttime Terror can use weapons such as tommy guns, power pistols, miniguns, rocket launchers and shotguns on maps with titles like “Bleak Bedroom,” “Ominous Office” “Killer Kitchen,” “Playground Panic,” “Creepy Christmas” and “Attic Angst.”
Orc Assault [Rift, Gamepad]
Orc Assault is a tower defense game by Texas-based developers Ghost Machine that pit players against waves of orc hordes that threaten to destroy the fair kingdom. Players will need to use their wits and strategy in arranging the defensive measures that best can stem the tide of the onslaught. Support for Orc Assault is planned for other platforms and systems, such as on Mac OS X and Linux, but players will need an Oculus Rift headset to play Orc Assault currently with a virtual reality headset. HTC Vive support is planned however.
Tactera [Rift, Gamepad] [Gear VR]
Tactera is a third-person RTS game that features a variety of bombers, gunships and tanks for players to use in fighting on a holographic, tabletop battlefield . Players step into a virtual command center with the use of a headset and control the unit actions by creating troops and guiding them to battle positions. Available to be played as a demo on the Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift, the full version of Tactera will be launching sometime in upcoming months.
P.O.L.L.E.N [Rift, Gamepad] [Vive] [PSVR]
P.O.L.L.E.N is a first-person adventure exploration game by Finnish developers, Mindfield Games, set on Titan. In P.O.L.L.E.N, players explore an abandoned research base situated on the largest moon orbiting Saturn, and progress through the game by solving puzzle games and unlocking new areas. Something is lurking beneath the surface of Titan however, and players will not be able to help but notice signs of it leaving clues of its presence behind in previously explored areas.
American Truck Simulator [Rift]
Digital Combat Simulator (DCS)
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Flight Simulator X (with FlyInside)
Flying Aces VR
iOmoon
iRacing
Live for Speed
Lunar Flight
Narcosis
Project CARS [PSVR]
Radial-G [PSVR]
Sublevel Zero
Subnautica
Time Machine VR
Valiant
Vox Machinae
VR Karts
War Thunder
World of Diving
Albino Lullaby
Crystal Rift
ARK: Survival Evolved
Dead Secret
Eagle Flight [PSVR]
Euclidean
Kumoon
Mind: Path to Thalamus Enhanced Edition
Obduction
PULSAR: Lost Colony
Spellbound
SNOW
Technolust
The Assembly [PSVR]
The Hum: Abductions
The Town of Light
Vanguard V [PSVR]
Windlands
Adventure Time: Magic Man's Head Games
Anshar Wars 2
Kittypocalypse
BlazeRush
Vive
Anarchy Arcade
Aperture Robot Repair
Chunks
Elite Dangerous
Fantastic Contraption
Final Approach
InCell VR
Job Simulator
Longbow
Metaverse Construction Kit
Minigolf VR
Ninja Trainer
Paradise Island: VR MMO
Secret Shop
Shufflepack Cantina Deluxe VR
Skyworld
Surgeon VR
Time Machine VR
Team Fortress 2
Tiltbrush by Google
TheBlu
The Gallery: Six Elements
PSVR
100ft Robot Golf
Ace Combat 7
ARK Survival Evolved
Dead or Alive Xtreme 3
DriveClub
Earthlight
Eclipse
Faceted Flight
Futuridium VR
Ghost Machine Golf
GNOG
Godling
Golem
Gran Turismo Sport
Harmonix Music VR
Headmaster
Heavensward Final Fantasy XIV
Holodance
Joysound VR
Jurassic Encounter
Loading Human
Lucid Trips
Megaton Rainfall
Modern Zombie Taxi Co.
Omega Agent
Paranormal Activity
Psychonauts In the Rhombus of Ruin
Rez Infinite
RIGS Mechanized Combat League
Robinson The Journey
SuperHyperCube
Surgeon Simulator Experience Reality
Tekken 7
The PlayRoomVR
Until Dawn Rush of Blood
Wayward Sky
Whiteday
