We’ve come a long way with VR, and 2024 has proven to be another pivotal year in the journey of this ever-evolving medium. Despite being around for nearly a decade, VR shows no signs of slowing down, consistently pushing boundaries and transforming the realms of gaming, creativity, and connectivity.
This year, the potential we’ve all been hearing about is finally solidifying into something truly tangible. It’s not only about the emergence of more blockbuster ‘AAA’ titles—though those are certainly a highlight. Instead, 2024 has blessed us with a mix of eagerly awaited releases and ambitious indie projects. Together, they demonstrate that VR is much more than a fringe interest; it’s a lucrative and enriching experience for both game developers and players.
This focus on refinement has been the defining trait of 2024. Developers are putting a decade’s worth of insights into action to usher VR into a new era of enhanced comfort, deeper immersion, and increased accessibility. With groundbreaking mechanics, compelling stories, and stunning visuals that truly pull you in, this year has been a celebration for VR—one packed with achievements and anticipation for what lies ahead.
And now, let’s jump into the Road to VR’s 2024 Game of the Year Awards:
Skydance’s Behemoth
- Developer: Skydance Games
- Available On: Quest, PSVR 2, PC VR
- Release Date: December 5th, 2024
PC VR games hold a special place in the VR landscape. They offer power users the chance to fully maximize their hardware capabilities, unlike the Quest, the most widespread standalone VR platform, and the PSVR 2, a marvel of PS5 optimization.
But there’s more to immersion than just top-notch visuals. It encompasses creating worlds that resonate with players, NPCs that exhibit life-like traits, immersive soundscapes, and set pieces that leave a lasting impression. Few titles can claim to achieve this blend, but Skydance’s Behemoth is a masterclass in VR immersion.
Building on their experience with The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners (2020), Skydance Games has taken the lessons from that hit, particularly the physics-driven melee combat and rich world-building, to elevate Behemoth.
Even before facing your first Behemoth, this game has you mastering various skills—from climbing and swinging with a grappling hook to executing precise shots with a bow. The choice of how to handle enemies, be it with one of the three Legendary weapons or the foes’ own arsenal, is yours to make.
Behemoth encapsulates the essence of what makes VR gaming spectacular. It’s not just our top pick for PC VR this year; it’s a must-play for any VR enthusiast. For a deeper dive, check out our comprehensive review (spoiler-free, of course).
Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Developer: Camouflaj
- Publisher: Oculus Studios / Meta
- Available On: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: October 21st, 2024
Batman: Arkham Shadow is a title that defied the odds. Reviving a beloved franchise dormant for nearly a decade, developed by new hands, and translating its signature gameplay into VR seemed daunting. Yet, Camouflaj rose to the challenge, crafting a game worthy of the 2024 Quest Game of the Year title.
Their success stemmed from not just porting an Arkham game to VR but in capturing the unmistakable feel of an Arkham experience and reimagining it from the ground up for the VR realm.
The renowned Arkham combat posed a particular challenge. Camouflaj’s innovative approach allowed players to zip towards foes with a flick of their fist, creating a combat style that grows more intricate and thrilling. It captures the essence of being the Caped Crusader, and when it’s all said and done, Batman: Arkham Shadow stands as one of the Quest’s best entries ever.
Metro Awakening
- Developer: Vertigo Games
- Available On: PSVR 2, Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: November 7th, 2024
The Metro series has always been synonymous with atmospheric post-apocalyptic worlds, and in 2024, the gaming community’s wishes to experience this in VR were realized.
While escapism often leads us to sunny simulations, Vertigo Games’ expertise turns such a bleak universe into an engaging adventure. They understood what makes Metro a unique experience while redeveloping its core for VR.
The game introduces innovative weapons that feel alive in your hands through VR, like the intricately designed crossbow and shotgun, echoing the series’ homemade aesthetic.
Enemies in Metro Awakening are both ominous and vulnerable, offering the satisfying challenge of precise stealth kills. The immersive inventory system enhances realism, as players physically interact with full-sized items within their backpacks.
Metro Awakening is a testament to the deep immersion possible in VR, earning the Excellence in Immersion award for its innovative blend of elements. It’s a hauntingly unforgettable experience.
Starship Home
- Developer: Creature
- Available On: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: September 26th, 2024
Mixed reality, especially on devices like the Quest 3, hasn’t fully reached its potential due to limitations in understanding physical spaces. Many titles incorporate MR as a novelty, but few have embraced it fully—until now.
Starship Home by Creature sets a new benchmark for MR, offering a glimpse into what could be. Its unique gameplay blends casual ship management and science fiction gardening, utilizing MR to enrich the entire experience.
Modules placed around your room transform everyday spaces into a believable escape pod, indicating where MR gaming is heading. Starship Home marks a significant leap for MR, turning it into an indispensable part of the gaming landscape.
UNDERDOGS
- Developer: One Hamsa
- Available On: Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: January 25th, 2024
The honors for Excellence in Locomotion and Excellence in Indie Development go to UNDERDOGS, the latest from indie studio One Hamsa, known for their unique contributions to VR.
Though their first game, Racket: Nx, featured no player locomotion, that design choice was central to its gameplay. In UNDERDOGS, locomotion is similarly pivotal. Players maneuver stubby mechs using arm-based locomotion, enabling a skating-like flow and transforming how battles are approached.
This robust integration of movement and combat, where players can even use their body as a weapon, enriches the feeling of embodiment and is what garnered UNDERDOGS its dual recognition this year.
Blade & Sorcery
- Developer: Warpfrog
- Available On: PC VR, Quest
- Release Date: June 17th, 2024
Warpfrog’s Blade & Sorcery could have easily rested on its laurels as a beloved physics-based combat sandbox. Instead, it evolved, culminating in its long-awaited 1.0 update.
The addition of the ‘Crystal Hunt’ mode brings a much-needed narrative to its exceptional combat mechanics, resulting in a comprehensive and fulfilling game that retains its original allure while adding depth.
As Warpfrog readies for their next project, their commitment to innovation within VR is clear, and we anticipate their next title with excitement.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened!
- Developer: Flat2VR Studios, Holy Wow Studios
- Publisher: Flat2VR Studios
- Available On: Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2
- Release Date: November 26th, 2024
Trombone Champ has charmed gamers with its quirky rhythm gameplay since its 2022 release. Now, Flat2VR Studios has expertly reimagined it for VR as Trombone Champ: Unflattened!, making the trombone performance an interactive delight.
This adaptation is Flat2VR’s first official port, with the studio’s expertise set to leave a mark on future VR adaptations. The game has been exceedingly well-received, setting high expectations for their upcoming titles.
Each game featured in the Road to VR Game of the Year Awards is available to the public by December 20th, 2024, and supports its respective platform natively, ensuring seamless gameplay and experience.
