VR has become a new sensation in the gaming world today. And why it shouldn’t? Virtual reality lets gamers engage in stuff far beyond what’s possible with traditional video gaming.
The availability of economical VR headsets like Oculus Quest 2 and cross-platform compatibility has also played a part. This article brings you the ten best free VR games you can play now. So you can gain some VR experience without spending a dime. Let’s dive in.
10 Best Free VR Games
1. Propagation of VR
Propagation VR should be right up your alley if you like horror and survival shooters. It combines survival horror with VR in the best possible way. Right from the get-go, you are thrown into apocalyptic chaos in a subway, where you have to fight your way out with hordes of scary monsters turning up wave after wave. This makes it one of the best scary free VR games
Fighting the monsters seems tough initially because you have a pistol and a handgun to defend yourself. However, once you get the hang of it, half an hour of the game becomes easy. Overall, it has a very intense gameplay which feels very immersive thanks to the VR experience. PS: While the game is free, you can purchase a DLC for co-op play and voice chat functionality.
2. The Lab
If you’re a beginner to VR, you’d appreciate a game that familiarizes you with the technology in a fun way. Valve’s The Lab is designed to serve the same purpose. It accustoms players to various aspects of VR technology with not one but eight different games. All free! But if you are already familiar with VR, there may be little value for you.
The gameplay drops players into a pocket universe. Here gamers can get used to the wonders of virtual reality in a fun, engaging way. None of the eight video games are too long or deep to become boring. On the contrary, all of them provide fully polished environments, enjoyable in their own right.
3. The Red Stare
Are you a fan of spy thrillers? The Red Stare is a free VR game that turns you into a spy. You have to monitor the activities of your neighbors, collect vital information and find any communist spies nearby. All the action takes place in your virtual apartment, where you receive critical mission information from your handler via the fax machine and phone.
The Red Stare can be classified as a low-action strategy video game. It tests your deductive reasoning skills as you observe your targets and have to pay attention to everything they are doing. You must gather enough evidence to find the communist spy in your neighborhood. Please note you need a minimum play area of 2 x 1.5m with 360 degrees tracking.
4. SCP Labrat
Taking inspiration from the 2012’s SCP: Containment Breach, the SCP Labrat thrusts players into an underground research institute. As a prisoner and a test subject, your objective is to escape the facility, discover various anomalous objects and collect valuable resources. The journey offers a fair share of thrills and fright as you complete the game.
While the game is still in early access, there’s enough content to justify a decent playthrough. Its multiplayer beta was also released in December 2021 and the title is currently poised to become one of the best best free VR games multiplayer.
If you are a fan of horror video games, you will enjoy this short VR game. Likewise, the fans of the 2012 title will also find some solace in reliving it from a different perspective this time.
5. Echo
Echo VR is among the first batch of sports video games for VR. It is designed for the Oculus platform and offers some of the best gameplay you have come to expect from mainstream sports games. But it’s still a very simple game. You and your team must score a goal against the opponents in a zero-gravity setting. Oh, and you can play solo as well.
The game offers a very immersive zero-g arena in a stunning sci-fi setting. The player’s movements are intuitive and enjoyable. However, mastering the game can prove to be quite challenging. All said and done, Echo VR is an excellent game for enthusiasts. We suggest joining different online tournaments to challenge your skills and win prizes.
6. Horizon Beyond
Most free VR games are designed with only one goal: to give beginners a taste of what to expect. Horizon Beyond is no different. It is short & sweet and gives you a peek into the glorious world of VR through a different lens. It puts you on a ship and makes you the pilot. You can then take to the skies and witness the beautiful scenery within the clouds.
Horizon Beyond lasts roughly 20 minutes, introducing you to what can be achieved with Virtual Reality. Overall, it’s a very fun experience, but most people will probably never return to this bite-sized package after playing the game once. It was released in 2019 and is available on Oculus Rift, Valve Index, and HTC Vive.
7. Rec Room
Rec Room is a casual open-world MMO. It lets you make friends, chat, and play with them in real time. You can gather friends, create fun new games, play together and meet people from all over the world in your world or hang out with them in their worlds. From laser tag to paintball and bowling, you can play all sorts of mini-games and have fun.
The biggest draw of the Rec Room is the ability to create almost anything. You can create anything you imagine, develop unlimited games and play unlimited games. Not just that, it’s also a cross-platform game, meaning that you can play it on Xbox, PlayStation, IOS, as well as Android, among other platforms. You don’t have to spend all of your time in VR.
8. Republique VR
Republique comes from Camouflaj. It’s an episodic stealth game that was released back in 2013. Over the years, it has garnered quite a fandom. Its VR version was released on March 10, 2022, and is now free to play and enjoy. While the game doesn’t bring anything new to the table, the VR is a solid experience. Instead of controlling the protagonist, the game lets you act as an onlooker who assists them in hacking doors and completing puzzles.
The gameplay is well-executed, and the episodes are just the right length to leave you wanting more. While the game is fun, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as playing on the sidelines has drawbacks. Lastly, Republique VR is available on Oculus Rift, Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Playstation VR.
9. Spider-Man: Far From Home VR
You’ve probably imagined yourself swinging from buildings like spiderman at some point in your life. Now you have a chance to experience that in full VR glory. Spider-man Far From Home VR is a fun web-slinging and building-hopping experience. You can scale Manhattan’s skyscrapers, fight with enemies by shooting webs from your wrist or race away if you want.
While the game is pretty basic, it offers the joy of web-slinging as you jump from one rooftop to another. This is more than enough if you are looking for a quick thrill ride.
The game’s physics are immersive as you can fight and web-sling at the same time, making you a real Spiderman. So, if you’re looking for free Steam VR Games, go for FFH. It’s also available on other VR platforms like Oculus Rift, Playstation VR, etc.
10. Ultimechs
It’s still early days for multiplayer VR games, but Ultimechs is an interesting offering. It has that unique mix of accessibility and depth that can elevate multiplayer VR gaming to become just as successful as regular games like Fall Guys or Rocket League. The game lets you control various mechs as you venture into soccer-like arenas. You can play solo or with a partner to outhit your opponent and score a goal.
Sure the concept of the game is very straightforward. It’s an interesting game, nonetheless. The VR works well, and the fast-paced action gets your heart pumping. Not to mention the thrill of playing professional athletics, meeting the precision of machines is quite an experience. The game is available on select platforms like Oculus Rift and Valve Index.
Final Thoughts
This brings us to the end of the list. So, what’s the best free VR game out there? Well, all the best free VR games mentioned in this list are well worth your time. However, finding the best VR game will ultimately depend on your unique tastes and preferences.
Take our list as an inspiration and choose a suitable game. Play it a couple of times and make up your mind. Once you have experienced a few of these virtual realities, you will find out which one you like the most. Good luck, and thank you for reading!
