In this article, we look at the top 15 VR games to download and play in 2023. You can skip our detailed analysis of the gaming industry and VR gaming, and head over directly to the Top 5 VR Games To Download and Play in 2023.
The gaming industry provides entertainment for children and adults alike, and has been a multi-billion-dollar business for years now. The industry revenue is expected to grow from $155 billion in 2020 to over $260 billion by 2025. With improved technology, the gaming experience has continued to evolve over time, and has become more complex and lifelike.
Growing competition between game developers further injects millions of dollars per annum in the gaming market. Currently, there are over 2 billion gamers, which is more than a quarter of the world’s population. The size of the industry continues to grow in terms of users, with gaming gaining traction among all age groups.
The simulated experience of Virtual Reality (VR), using headsets with stereoscopic displays has further enhanced the gaming experience for gamers. The first attempts to include VR in video games was made in the 1980s, most notably with Nintendo’s Virtual Boy and Matter, Inc.’s Power Glove. But it was after 2013 that VR gaming really kick-started with the launch of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)’s Oculus Rift, the first consumer-ready VR product.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the VR gaming market was estimated to be worth $6.26 billion in 2020, and is projected to grow to $53.44 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate in excess of 30%. A primary reason behind the increase in demand for VR gaming is the adoption of VR technology by gamers – software, hardware, and accessories included. Other drivers of growth in the VR gaming industry include cloud-based gaming technology, innovative gaming content, and the advent of 5G.
The leading players in the industry include Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY). In 2019, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) launched an advanced head-mounted display device, called the Oculus Rift S, allowing a large variety of VR-powered games to function on the device. Before that, it released Oculus Quest, an all-in-one VR gaming device.
In September 2020, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) acquired ZeniMax Media – the maker of games like Skyrim VR, Doom VFR, and Fallout 4 – for $7.5 billion to accelerate its growth in the gaming industry. In April 2021, Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY) announced the launch of PlayStation VR for PS5 to further boost adoption of VR in the gaming industry.
Tech giant Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has also involved itself in acquisitions to expand its market presence. In 2017, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) acquired German eye-tracking firm SensoMotoric Instruments, and in 2020 it took over California-based VR gaming company, NextVR, to drive its share of growth in the VR gaming industry. June 2023 marked a watershed moment with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) launching its own Vision Pro VR headset.
In terms of regions, the VR market is fragmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. While North America dominates the market share today, the biggest share (40%) of global growth between 2023 and 2027 is forecasted to come from the Asia Pacific region, according to a report. Emerging markets such as China, India, South Korea, and Indonesia are likely to lead this growth during the forecast period.
Methodology
We have used consensus methodology to rank the Top 15 VR games to download and play in 2023. Data has been sourced from a wide range of websites. These include CNN’s June 2023 article, The best VR games you should be playing right now; VR.Space’s report on the 50 Most Downloaded VR Games of All Time; VG247’s list of The 15 best VR games to play in 2023; Tom’s Guide’s The Best VR Games in 2023; and lastly, CNET’s article published in May 2023 titled The 41 Best VR Games.
Weighted scores were assigned to each game based on how it ranked on each website, and then the scores were aggregated to get a final score. If a list included 50 games, the game that ranked first received a score of 1 out of 1 (50/50). A game that ranked second received a weight of 0.98 (49/50), and so on. We have based our rankings based on these final scores of VR games sorted in ascending order.
Top 15 VR Games to Download and Play in 2023
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Let’s head over now to the list of the best VR games to play in 2023.
15. Pistol Whip
Score: 1.02
Developed by Cloudhead Games in 2019, Pistol Whip is a virtual reality stage-based shooter game in which players advance through to next levels by defeating enemies. The game is available on Microsoft Windows, Oculus Quest, and PlayStation. It ranks 15th on our list of the top VR games to download and play in 2023.
14. The Walking Dead: Saint and Sinner
Score: 1.03
Based on the comic book series, The Walking Dead, this is a first person shooter horror game that was developed by Skydance Interactive. The game is set in New Orleans, and involves two factions vying to take control over the city. The Walking Dead: Saint and Sinner was nominated for the best VR/AR Game of the Year at the Game Awards 2020. It is available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest, and PICO 4.
13. Pavlov
Score: 1.05
Next on our list is Pavlov, a multiplayer VR shooting game, which is available in a variety of game modes, and offers realistic handling of 65 distinct weapons. Pavlov is the third most downloaded VR game of all time, according to VR Space. It also made CNET's recently released list of the best VR games to play this year.
12. Thumper
Score: 1.08
Released in 2016, Thumper is a rhythm game that still remains popular years after its launch. It is available on Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s Windows platform, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. The game involves levels and is based on a beetle-like creature that is travelling at the speed of sound and is at collision with devils on the way. Based on our analysis, Thumper received a score of 1.08 to rank 12th on our list of the top VR games to play in 2023.
11. Iron Man VR
Score: 1.15
Shooter video game Iron Man VR was developed by Camouflaj, and is based on the Marvel superhero Iron Man. The game was released by Sony for PlayStation in July 2020, and in 2022, it was also made available on Meta Quest 2. It is ranked 13 out of 41 on CNET’s list of the best VR games. The story is based on Iron Man getting into a conflict with 'Ghost' who is a computer hacker and a terrorist out for revenge against Tony Stark.
10. Population: One
Score: 1.18
Population: One, is one of the best games currently in the battle royale genre. A great feature of this VR game is that it allows players to climb to and glide from nearly anywhere. Players collect weapons and other equipment to give their team a fighting chance against the enemies. Developed by BigBox VR, the game was released in October 2020 on Oculus Quest 2 and Steam. Population: One, was described by critics as one of the best VR games in 2022.
9. Resident Evil 4
Score: 1.33
Resident Evil is one of the all time classic video games and also ranks in the list of the 30 Best PC Games of All Time. Released in 2005, it is based on the story of a special agent rescuing the daughter of the US President kidnapped and held hostage by a religious group in Spain. The experience of playing this game on VR just goes on to show how good VR actually is. Resident Evil was ranked among the top VR games to play in 2023 by CNN, VG247, and CNET.
8. Tetris Effect: Connected
Score: 1.49
Tetris Effect: Connected, is an arcade style puzzle video game that was released in 2018 exclusively for PlayStation, but is now available on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Meta Quest, and Amazon Luna. Tetris Effect: Connected was named as game of the year by several critics in 2018.
7. Blade & Sorcery: Nomad
Score: 1.58
Blade & Sorcery: Nomad is built exclusively for VR gaming as a mediaeval fantasy sandbox. The game allows the players to do anything to beat the enemy, ranging from casting fireballs to using swords. The game comes in single user mode, and is available on Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro. It was ranked as the nineth best VR game to play in 2023 by CNN. Blade & Sorcery: Nomad is the fourth most downloaded VR game of all time, according to VR Space.
6. No Man's Sky
Score: 1.78
Action-adventure survival game, No Man’s Sky, was developed by Hello Games, and released worldwide in 2016 for PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows, and later in 2018 for Xbox, and 2020 for PlayStation 5. The game is played from a first or third person perspective, and allows players to engage in survival, combat, exploration, and trading. No Man's Sky ranks 5th on CNET's list of the best VR games to play this year.
