In 2024, keeping track of all the new VR games is like trying to catch a runaway train.
Batman: Arkham Shadow landed on Meta Quest 3, adding another chapter to the Arkham saga, while Metro Awakening gave fans a VR prequel experience. Skydance’s Behemoth is diving into dark fantasy, following the footsteps of The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Thumper got a spiritual cousin called Thrasher, and Arizona Sunshine was dusted off for a remake after its sequel last year.
From an outsider’s perspective, VR seems to be in a crucial phase. In 2023, the groundwork was already being laid with titles like Asgard’s Wrath 2 and Assassin’s Creed Nexus, and even a VR twist on Resident Evil 4. Still, despite these strides, VR remains a niche world with hurdles like motion sickness. Although more games are adding features for easier access, it’s not quite there yet for disabled players.
The games themselves are shining, but the companies behind them? Not so much. Sony hit pause on PSVR 2 production to manage leftover stock, and PlayStation London Studio closed its doors in May. Over at Meta, layoffs hit Reality Labs, several games were axed, and plans for an Apple Vision Pro rival got canned. The studio behind Echo VR was also shut down, and projects like VR Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are now on indefinite hold.
Sometimes, fans feel like the VR world is a rollercoaster ride, thrilling yet unpredictable.
What’s next for Meta and VR game funding is a big question mark. Their publishing wing has churned out hits like Among Us VR and Rock Band VR, but with Sony reportedly scaling back on VR investments, the future looks cloudy. Could 2024 be the last hoorah for such a rich VR game lineup?
Delays have become a theme, with games like Aces of Thunder and Zombie Army VR pushed to 2025. Bulletstorm VR had a rocky start until patches fixed it, while horror games Madison VR and Phasmophobia faced multiple setbacks. Reviewers suggest steering clear until improvements are made, much like with Hitman 3 VR Reloaded.
Developers have shared challenges they face, like compatibility hiccups with Unity and the struggle to meet VR certification standards. Testers find the job physically taxing, often feeling “detached from reality” during the initial weeks.
Some studios remain committed to VR. In an interview with Game Informer, Masato Kumazawa explained that releasing VR versions of Resident Evil games for free aims to expand the VR market.
“VR also matches with the Resident Evil franchise really well,” said director Keisuke Yamakawa. “I would like VR to get much more popular with the public. Since headsets can still be quite expensive and heavy, I would love for the kits to continue getting lighter and more affordable to make it more [approachable] to the general audience.”
Headsets are slimming down, yet prices stay steep. The Meta Quest 3 costs $499, PSVR 2 is $549, and Pico 4 Ultra goes for around $630. Only the PSVR 2 needs wires and a PlayStation 5, but Sony’s PC adapter expands its game library. High-end options like the Valve Index ($999) and Vive series start from $600 to $700, but they’re not the most mainstream picks. The Apple Vision Pro’s $3,499 tag puts it way out of reach for most.
Market shifts are in motion. Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro end sales by late 2024, and the Meta Quest 3 128 GB model is already selling out online. The Meta Quest 3S hopes to fill the void with a $299 price tag, though it compromises on hardware.
Surprises still pop up, like Triangle Strategy’s floating dioramas in mixed reality. Smaller studios, like The Exit 8 and Sushi Ben, captured attention, while rhythm games stay strong. This year brought Metal: Hellsinger VR and Spin Rhythm, with ongoing updates for existing titles.
Beat Saber keeps adding new songs, and Synth Riders has a mixed-reality mode on Quest 3. But many games that once experimented with genres didn’t last. Rock Band VR and Dance Central, among others, haven’t seen support in years. Just Dance VR showed up in October, but new releases often feel like temporary stand-ins rather than fresh additions.
Looking at 2025, the future remains a mystery. Meta seems keen on the metaverse, focusing on virtual meetings and productivity apps more than gaming. Community projects like Flat2VR push VR mods for various games, with a studio now working on official adaptations like Trombone Champ: Unflattened.
VR’s audience might be small, but interest isn’t waning. Gorilla Tag boasts over 12 million players, led by Gen Alpha kids. We hope future growth leans toward gaming for both young and old, rather than turning everyday life into a digital realm. With PSVR 2 and Meta Quest 3 nearing two years, let’s hope studios see 2024 as a stepping stone rather than a peak.
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