It’s been quite challenging to keep track of VR games in 2024, and that’s a significant concern. The Batman Arkham series introduced a major new installment, Batman: Arkham Shadow, exclusively for Meta Quest 3. Metro Awakening has emerged as a VR adaptation that serves as a prequel to the Metro series, while Skydance’s Behemoth is venturing into dark fantasy, building on the concepts of the underrated The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners titles. The trippy Thumper received a spiritual successor with Thrasher, and there has even been a quality remake of the classic VR title, Arizona Sunshine, following a sequel released in 2023.
From an external standpoint, VR appears to be navigating through a pivotal period. When considering 2023, the industry was already prepping for this momentum with Asgard’s Wrath 2, Assassin’s Creed Nexus, and the VR version of the Resident Evil 4 remake, set to release in the latter half of the year. However, these are all significant investments given that the sector remains a niche market; motion sickness continues to be one of several challenges. Although some games have improved accessibility features, the platform is far from accommodating for gamers with disabilities.
While game launches have been a highlight, the same cannot be said for the companies behind them and the headsets. Sony reportedly suspended production of the PSVR 2 in March to clear a surplus of units, and PlayStation London Studio (known for titles like Blood & Truth and PlayStation VR Worlds) was shuttered in May. Meanwhile, Meta let go of employees in the Reality Labs division; canceled multiple titles since last year, including the studio behind Echo VR, which the company acquired four years ago; scrapped plans for a high-end mixed reality headset to compete with Apple Vision Pro product; closed the augmented reality studio Spark; and has delayed the VR version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas indefinitely into the future.
It remains uncertain how long Meta will persist in funding VR game development, which would represent a significant blow to the industry, considering its publishing division was responsible for games like Among Us VR, Rock Band VR, and Batman: Arkham Shadow. With Sony reportedly cutting back on investments in VR development, with only two first-party titles slated for release, it’s unclear whether we will see another release calendar like 2024’s, or if we are witnessing a final farewell in disguise.
Aces of Spades, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Zombie Army VR are just a few titles that have been postponed to 2025. Throughout 2024, there have been numerous instances of not just delays but also inadequately executed launches. Bulletstorm VR was considered unplayable until a series of patches improved everything from physics to visuals and enemy AI. Two highly anticipated horror games, Madison VR and Phasmophobia, were delayed multiple times. For the latter, critics have advised avoiding it until the port quality enhances–similar to the situation with Hitman 3 VR Reloaded.
In a conversation with Inverse, developers highlighted one of the key challenges facing VR creators: engine compatibility issues with games originally and primarily developed for specific versions of Unity, utilizing reprojection to artificially boost frame rates at the cost of visual clarity (leading to blurry images), and demanding VR certification processes (a virtual reality checklist of technical specifications every game must meet for approval). Even quality assurance testing is far more strenuous than usual. In discussions with Game Informer, testers noted that the work is physically taxing, and it takes time to adapt to testing in VR, especially over extended periods, with one former developer mentioning he often felt “detached from reality” for the first couple of weeks on the job.
Looking forward, some studios continue to display strong interest in the field. In an interview with Game Informer concerning the VR adaptation of the Resident Evil 4 remake, producer Masato Kumazawa expressed that one of the reasons for releasing VR versions of Village and RE4R at no cost is to help expand the VR market.
“VR aligns well with the Resident Evil series,” director Keisuke Yamakawa stated. “I want VR to become considerably more popular among the public. As headsets can still be quite expensive and cumbersome, I would love to see these kits continue to evolve.”
“getting lighter and more cost-effective to make it more [accessible] to the general public.”
Headsets are indeed becoming lighter, yet the initial investment remains elevated. The Meta Quest 3 256 GB version retails at $499, whereas the PSVR 2 is priced at $549 and the Pico 4 Ultra at €600 (approximately $630). Among these three, the PSVR 2 lacks the wireless capability and initially required a PlayStation 5 console. In August, Sony introduced a PC adapter for $59. For those with a capable PC to run VR games, the available library significantly expands, thereby extending the headset’s usability. Speaking of options, there are several PC-centric headsets available, like the Valve Index ($999) and the Vive series, starting from the $600 to $700 range. However, the previously mentioned headsets are currently the ones sparking widespread interest. (The Apple Vision Pro, with a starting price of $3,499, is undoubtedly not aimed at the typical consumer, which is why it is not included in this discussion.)
Market fluctuations also play a role in this landscape. The Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro will discontinue sales by the end of 2024, as will the Meta Quest 3 128 GB model, which has already been selling out online. The company aims to fill these voids with the Meta Quest 3S, which was launched in October at a price of $299. However, this model does feature some hardware compromises, such as utilizing the Quest 2’s single-display setup instead of the Quest 3’s dual-display configuration, leading to reduced resolution and bulkier lenses.
Regarding gaming, the occasional uniqueness, such as Triangle Strategy presenting its campaign as floating dioramas in mixed reality, continues to surprise. Smaller studios also warrant attention—The Exit 8, Sushi Ben, and Umurangi Experience VR all shone in 2024. Genres like rhythm games continue to flourish, with more studios venturing into adaptations like Metal: Hellsinger VR and Gallop Rhythm this year, and existing titles receiving regular updates.
Beat Saber continues to add both free and paid tracks, while Synth Riders now includes a mixed-reality mode on Quest 3. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to ignore the reality that many games that toyed with innovative trends have not stood the test of time. Rock Band VR, Audica, and Dance Central, all by Harmonix, have not received meaningful support in years. Yes, Just Dance VR was released back in October, but new entries seem more like fleeting substitutes rather than noteworthy additions to emerging subgenres.
As we approach 2025, the future remains uncertain. Meta appears increasingly focused on the ‘metaverse’ aspect of the headset, promoting an ecosystem better suited for meetings and networking, complete with avatars for joining “got a minute?” calls or integrated calendar features.