3 Must-Play VR Games for Oculus Rift

The future of gaming is finally here. As the buzz continues to build around how VR will reshape the way we experience games, the first wave of impressive offerings are hitting the market and blowing minds by giving gamers an entirely new dimension of play.

With its ergonomic design, user-friendly setup, and slew of exclusive games, the Oculus Rift is a smart and affordable go-to for anyone eager to get their face wet with VR. To get you started down the path to virtual reality bliss, here's a look at a trio of games that you absolutely need to get your hands (and eyes) on while strapped into an Oculus.

3 Must-Play Oculus Rift Games

The Oculus Rift already has a ton of interesting and immersive VR games to explore right from the get-go, and these three picks each offer something entirely unique through the lens of this high-tech headset.

Chronos

If you love the brutal challenge and grim doomscape of Dark Souls, then Chronos is the VR game for you. This gorgeous third-person RPG adventure sends you into a dark fantasy labyrinth to battle warped creatures and quest to restore life to your dying world. As its title suggests, the passage of time adds an unexpected twist to the adventure, too. Every time you die, your character ages, which affects your abilities in different ways. Playing with the Oculus takes advantage of the game's Resident Evil-style camera angles, which change perspective as you travel throughout the game and let you move your head to get a better view of your surroundings. This is one awesome atmospheric RPG romp you won't soon forget.

EVE: Valkyrie Founder's Pack

Fancy yourself a sci-fi nerd? Prepare to salivate! EVE: Valkyrie uploads your consciousness into the cockpit of a souped-up star fighter, as you zip around and send opposing forces to the scrap heap. Even better: this space flight combat game is set in the wildly popular EVE Online universe, though it's a standalone game that isn't directly tied into that online ecosystem. The Oculus Rift is perfectly suited for this style of gameplay, and being able to turn your head around to look outside of the cockpit at different angles - just as you would if you were the actual pilot - is amazing. Fast-paced space flight combat and stunning visuals make this multiplayer-centric frag fest a real treat.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

With many VR games focusing on the solo-experience, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes stands out as one of the most inventive uses of the Oculus for local party play. In this pressure-cooker first-person puzzler, one player dons the Oculus and is tasked with defusing a ticking time-bomb by tackling a series of randomized puzzles. Without help, however, you're a goner, which is where this game ramps up the silliness and the fun. A team of other players, who can't see the bomb, must decipher a cryptic and intentionally absurd bomb disposal manual, then relay information to help you disarm the bomb in time. The end result? A hilarious, intense game that's sure to be an instant party hit.

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Eager to play these games and other cool launch titles for Oculus Rift? Check out our article on DirectX 12 for a breakdown of VR-ready PC specs and recommendations for gaming rigs that'll run everything you can possibly throw at them.

 

By Nathan Meunier