While the hype surrounding virtual reality gaming threatened to die off for a while there, it’s starting to gain traction once again. It’s true, VR might not completely transform gaming as soon as expected if at all. However, there are far more VR games available today than ever before. Mind you, they’re not just glorified tech demos anymore, they’re actually legitimate gaming experiences that would not otherwise have worked if it wasn’t in VR.
But while there’s already an excellent selection of VR games available today, it can still somehow feel like there’s not enough. There are still a lot of games out there that we wish were actually available in VR.
These 6 games we rounded up below, for example, would be awesome if they were available in VR as well.
1. Mirror’s Edge / Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
Mirror’s Edge was one of those games that flew under everybody’s radar when it was first released. But years after gaining a cult following, its sequel/reboot, MIrror’s Edge Catalyst, failed to capitalize on modern technologies available to it to create a better gameplay experience.
So what better way to salvage it than to let players experience the highly-touted platforming mechanics of the games in VR?
Even without VR, Mirror’s Edge and Mirror’s Edge Catalyst were able to replicate the experience of running and jumping on top off of rooftops, among other things. Adding VR to that mix will only make for a more immersive if not terrifying sensation as you go from using a controller or a keyboard and mouse to leap from one skyscraper to another to feeling like you’re actually the one doing the jumping.
It’s safe to say that this VR idea is not for the faint of heart. However, for the adrenaline junkies out there, a VR version of Mirror’s Edge and Mirror’s Edge Catalyst would make for the perfect parkour simulator.
2. BioShock
Perhaps no phrase in gaming has ever messed with a gamer’s head than the phrase used to trigger and hypnotize Jack to do Altas’ bidding.
So, you can only imagine just how mindblowing the experience would be if you could just experience it in VR, especially given how beautiful Andrew Ryan’s underwater utopia was for its time — and for the record, the environment remains just as beautiful today.
Beautifully horrific is the term that I would use to describe the experience if we were able to get a chance to dive inside BioShock.
It’s such a huge shame then that the rumours two years ago that the developers of BioShock were planning on working on a VR sequel or adaptation to BioShock turned out to be false and was simply a case of terrible use of hashtags than a proper tease.
3. Earth Defense Force
Also known as Chikyū Bōeigun, Earth Defense Force is arguably the most popular video game franchise that you’ve probably never heard of. But that’s okay. Because now, you’ve heard of it, and you can join the countless fans who’ve been wishing for years for a VR adaptation of this third-person shooter franchise.
A franchise that could be best described with the question, “what would be the weirdest and most fun weapon to use to kill aliens?”, Earth Defense Force would make for a terrific VR game. Not only would you get a chance to defend Earth using weird and wonky weapons, you can also do it in style.
Given the middling success that Earth Defense Force has enjoyed in recent years, it’s highly unlikely that we’re going to see a VR adaption of the series anytime soon.
But then again, who knows? Similar to Mirror’s Edge, which is also on our list, Earth Defense Force has had a cult following for years. If it gains a bit more traction and popularity, the developers and publishers might take a chance on developing a VR sequel or spin-off based on the game.
4. Harvest Moon
Not every game that we wish would have a VR adaption has to be an action game. VR works well for other genres too, like for example, farming simulators.
While Animal Crossing would’ve made our list, the likelihood of Nintendo porting over their beloved franchise to the PC and other consoles with actual VR support — sorry Nintendo, we’re not really big on the Nintendo Labo — are slim. Meanwhile, Harvest Moon has already made its way into the PC with Harvest Moon: Light of Hope, so maybe a VR game might just be a possibility.
We’ve already seen the developers of the franchise take risks by switching up the formula with Harvest Moon: Mad Dash. What’s with another formula changer, right? Only this time, you’re not really changing the formula much, you’re just adding the VR component to it.
Either way, a VR game centred around going fishing, growing plants, and generally, just taking things slow, will be a godsend for those who want something different.
5. Outlast
Capcom’s been on a roll these days with their games. Seriously, who could have guessed that the decision to switch from third-person to first-person would do such wonders for the Resident Evil franchise with Resident Evil 7? Adding to that, no one really thought that a VR Resident Evil game would work, but it did.
Now, more and more people are clamouring to get themselves scared out of their wits by asking for VR adaptations of their favourite horror game titles.
But what if a VR adaptation of Outlast was released? Would people really play it?
I bet they would. What I do doubt is if most would be able to finish it. The original game was already scary enough as it is, to the point that many still label the games today as some of the scariest gaming experiences ever, which is not surprising considering how helpless and powerless the protagonist is in the games.
Add a VR component to that, and you’ve got a recipe for mayhem.
Thankfully, one of the co-founders of Red Barrels, Philippe Morin, didn’t totally rule out the possibility of a VR adaptation of the series. Instead, in one of his interviews, he merely stated that a successful VR game has to be “built from the ground up for it”.
Fingers crossed, that’s exactly what they’re going to do with the highly-anticipated Outlast 3.
6. Pokemon
We’ve already had Pokemon in both 3D and Augmented Reality, so why not go for three-for-three with a VR adaptation? This way, trainers from all over the world can actually walk all the thousands of steps necessary to get their eggs to crack on their way to catching them all, or so to speak.
Game Freak are in need of a win after the less-than-stellar reception of Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield.
While there’s certainly no guarantee that a VR adaptation of Pokemon, especially if it was made for a console outside of the Nintendo Switch, would be a success, it’s a risky move that could blow up arguably much bigger than Pokemon Go did all those years ago.
What Other Games Would You Like to See in VR?
Virtual Reality is nowhere near the point where many predicted it would come to many years ago. However, it’s getting there, and the best part is, VR might even get farther.
With that said, we can only continue to hope that developers are willing to take the jump and create VR adaptations of their beloved franchises. Because, if any of these 6 were ever made as a VR title, fans would definitely come in droves to try out for themselves what it would really be like to live and play inside the game that they’ve come to love over the years.
But of course, these aren’t the only games that would be awesome as a VR title.
What other games do you think would be great in VR? Why do you think so? Be sure to let us know what you think!