It’s been nearly four years since Sony first introduced PlayStation VR, but even now, its virtual reality hardware continues going strong. While it remains a niche platform, PSVR has undeniably broken down barriers with an affordable price and easy to use setup, reaching a staggering 5 million sales back in January since 2016. Few triple-A publishers have pushed it harder than Sony.
It marked the first modern attempt to bring real VR to consoles, utilising the PS3-era’s PlayStation Move controllers. We’ve seen some fantastic first-party efforts previously like Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Déraciné, and Blood & Truth, bolstered by a solid third-party line-up like Beat Saber, Tetris Effect, and Superhot VR.
2020’s already seen strong releases across both sides with The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Dreams, Iron Man VR, and Paper Beast, but despite focusing on the PS5’s upcoming launch, Sony isn’t done yet. Confirming PSVR compatibility with PS5 and rumours of a second headset to follow, there’s still plenty of PSVR games left to come. Here’s 10 of the biggest ones we’re looking forward to.
After the Fall
Vertigo Games saw early success on VR with Arizona Sunshine, but after three years of content updates, its final DLC The Damned released last October. So what’s next for Vertigo right now? Back in June last year, it revealed its newest title After the Fall, bringing us a new FPS game with co-operative mechanics, scavenging, and RPG elements.
This time we find ourselves in Los Angeles’ icy ruins, set two decades after civilisation collapsed in 1985. A new enemy has emerged called the Snowbreed, humans that mutated into these horrors after taking an experimental drug. We’ve heard little since last year, but Vertigo has recently finished porting Arizona to Oculus Quest, so we’re hopeful for another update soon.
Budget Cuts
Budget Cuts was pretty successful when it launched on PC in 2018, receiving a sequel last December, but PSVR owners are still waiting on the original entry. Having been delayed until September, developers Neat Corporation revealed that it will come with an exclusive stage called Panopticon, advising it’s been designed "specifically with PSVR in mind".
Combining corporate satire into an action-stealth premise, you play a human employee of Transcorp that finds both their life and job under threat from automation, as Transcorp seeks to replace the human workforce with a robot army. Budget Cuts was a lot of fun on PC, so we’re curious to see how well it translates to PSVR, and to make life better, a physical release is also planned.
Humanity
Enhance Games has made an excellent name for itself on PSVR, most recently bringing us Tetris Effect back in 2018. While that’s due to get a multiplayer expansion in 2021, last September’s State of Play conference revealed Enhance is working on a separate project called Humanity, developed by THA under the supervision of Rez Infinite's director, Tetsuya Mizuguchi.
Humanity’s trailer left quite an impact, and while it did little to explain what actually happens in-game, THA founder Yugo Nakamura gave us more of an overview via a PlayStation Blog entry. It looks like we’ll be in control of the masses, using them to surpass obstacles and considering the talent backing this, we’re intrigued to see how this bizarre project unfolds.
Low-Fi
Back in June, UploadVR released its 2020 Showcase and among it was Low-Fi, having been successfully crowdfunded last September. Playing a police officer assigned to city-block 303, this cyberpunk VR game promises open-ended choices, allowing you to “Patrol the streets and the skies, solving mysteries, fighting crime, or giving in to corruption and your own desires”.
It’s a promising concept and most interestingly, developer IRIS also confirmed Low-Fi would be coming to PS5 in 2021, making it the only PSVR game currently announced for Sony’s next-gen console. Seeking further clarification, we confirmed with IRIS that there’s no plans for a PS4 version either, so whether this uses existing PSVR or ties into the rumoured PSVR 2 headset remains unclear.
Pistol Whip
Pistol Whip was a massive hit when it came to PC last year, and looks set to extend this success to PSVR. Developed by Cloudhead Games, it’s a game best described as a mix between John Wick and Beat Saber, bringing us an action-rhythm FPS to VR that also becomes one hell of a workout. Each level is on-rails and you need to take down enemies to proceed, avoiding their bullets and awarded a higher score for shooting them in time with the beat. Support isn’t letting up either, having seen five new levels since launch, but Cloudhead recently outlined its 2020 roadmap, promising even further content like the Heartbreakers Trilogy pack.
Sniper Elite VR
Rebellion is no stranger to PSVR. Releasing Battlezone as a launch title and publishing Arca’s Path in 2018, last year saw confirmation that Rebellion’s popular Sniper Elite series is also making the jump. Rather than adapt an existing title, Sniper Elite VR is a brand new game, bringing an original campaign based around the Italian Resistance in World War 2.
Marking a transition to first-person gameplay and featuring PlayStation Aim support, we’ve not heard much since Rebellion’s initial reveal, and there’s no confirmed release date just yet. Previews from this year’s PAX East were mostly positive, though, so things appear to be heading in the right direction.
Solaris: Offworld Combat
We weren’t the biggest fans of Firewall: Zero Hour when it first dropped in 2018, but it proved quite successful, coming packaged with the PlayStation Aim controller. Ever since, First Contact Entertainment has been working hard on Solaris: Offworld Combat, a VR arena shooter designed for eight-player matches online with faster paced gameplay and a sci-fi aesthetic.
Unlike Firewall’s tactical approach, Solaris is more of a competitive run-and-gun that feels like a futuristic eSport. You’ll play a cyber athlete within this deadly arena filled with weapons, but this time, you can respawn. FCE has confirmed cross-play support and dedicated servers for Solaris, and while PC players get it next month, PSVR users will be waiting until later this year for launch.
Star Wars: Squadrons
Since EA’s acquisition of the Star Wars licence, we’ve seen no end of PS4 entries. From its Battlefront revival to last year’s acclaimed Jedi Fallen Order, this year now brings us a rather different experience with Star Wars: Squadrons. Developed by EA Motive, Squadrons focuses more on starfighter combat and is set for release on 2nd October, excitedly featuring full PSVR support.
Taking place after the Battle of Endor, Squadrons’ story sees a campaign split between two pilots on both sides of the conflict, flying for the Empire's Titan Squadron and New Republic's Vanguard Squadron. There’s a large multiplayer focus with online 5v5 battles between these two squads, bringing a level of space dogfighting not seen since EVE: Valkyrie, and it looks rather promising.
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series
It’s been a couple of months since we got the news, but you may recall that Squadrons isn’t the only Star Wars coming to PSVR this year, as Vader Immortal is also making the jump. Written by David S. Goyer of The Dark Knight trilogy fame, you’ll play a smuggler operating near Mustafar, finding yourself tasked by Darth Vader directly to investigate an ancient mystery.
Having previously released in three episodes, developer ILMxLAB confirmed plans to bundle them into one package on PS4, aiming for a summer 2020 release. Set to bring us a vastly different Star Wars experience than Squadrons, each episode takes under an hour and is more of a cinematic experience. There’s also a lightsaber dojo for battling enemies, and this is what will keep fans coming back.
The Walking Dead Onslaught
Saints and Sinners received critical acclaim upon launching this year, so The Walking Dead fans may be pleased to know a separate VR game is on the way. Having previously developed Raw Data and Creed: Rise To Glory, Survios’ next project is TWD Onslaught. Taking us back to AMC’s television universe, it’s been confirmed that Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, and Josh McDermitt will reprise their roles as Daryl, Carol, and Eugene respectively.
Utilising Alexandria as an in-game base, Onslaught promises some rather brutal combat, placing a strong emphasis on its dismemberment system and melee combat. We were disappointed to learn that co-op gameplay was recently dropped, but Survios confirmed that it's committed to a strong single-player experience, and we’re looking forward to its eventual release.
There’s still a lot of life in Sony’s VR platform yet. Any particular games you’re looking forward to? Let us know in the comments section below.
Comments 20
Totally forgot about After the Fall! So much great stuff on the horizon for VR. Man, I love VR so much! Great list!
I haven't played vr in a while now, did give walking dead a go but just couldn't get into it. I always keep going back to beat saber, super hot. I think it's mostly due to the move controlers not having a analogue stick just makes some games really annoying. Don't get me wrong I love vr but they have to get something better than the move controlers. some interesting games in that list though, can't believe you guys weren't a big fan of firewall think that is one of my favourite played so much of it when it came out, but stopped playing for few months and couldn't get back into it seemed like the community had got there own party's and some ppl never used their headset which was really annoying. Would have loved if they had done a free for all game mode but totally understand they didn't want to split the community as not many ppl played it.
Where is Vader Immortal???? They said this summer and then not a dicky bird I want it NOW 😥
@Daleaf I was going to say the same. Skyrim was unplayable with move controllers. Well bit unplayable but as it was so clumsy they made the combat absurdly easy it was dull. Psvr needs a custom controller setup like Vive and occulus have.
And please pick up Dreams if you haven't. So many VR adventures waiting to happen and explore.
@Genejoke yea if they just sorted the move controler out it would be great, as it is I just play on the rails games or stuff such as beat saber etc. I played a few hrs of Skyrim and had same issues as you, think it's same with walking dead just feels wrong lol. I did enjoy no man's sky though, but played with the dual shock, and played way too much where after a week or so of hammering it got a really bad migraine and that stopped me from going back to it. Playing firewall with the aim though felt so good, that analogue stick made everything so much smoother and fluid and felt like how vr should be done.lets hope they bring new controllers with the ps5. Otherwise not sure if I would bite again on vr untill they sort it out. Still loads of good games though, I loved hollo ball gutted they never brought the online which they promised. Oh and resi although couldn't finish it on vr was too much haha, will give it another shot someday lol.
@sciteach yea I'm defo going to give dreams vr a shot, that was one of reasons I bought dreams, and the dilluded side of me thinking I'm going to make something amazing, then had a go on making something took me about half a day to make a wonky pavement haha. But fair play dreams is brilliant even just for a couple of hrs just to browse what ppl have done some great stuff there.and I'm sure we will be treated to some great stuff for the vr.
So glad we’re getting games like Star Wars Squadrons, sniper elite, etc... Hope we get some new releases for the VR on PS5 too. Would definitely give me more incentive if we get some of that PS5 power to use with VR too!
@Daleaf hah yeah, I remember that's why I bought Little Big Planet, too. I was going to create the best games! Same with Dreams.
Reality: How do you rotate the item to make a stupid shape? Throws controller. Goes into the community to see what they've made.
I ADORE my PSVR. So many games that have been amazing spectacles and really impressive given the relatively low entry cost. Everyone I've got to play it has been blown away and spread the word. I'm also so pleased that Sony has continued support given how things went with the Vita. I just wish that they had, at the very least, added analogue sticks to the Move controllers. They were fine for PS3 shooters (House of the Dead Overkill) with the navigation controller but are limited for VR. Here's hoping for decent controllers on PSVR 2.
Glad to see there's still some big names coming. I love my PSVR, but it's been a couple months since I last had the chance to fire it up thanks to my new work schedule (also still haven't been able to get my hands on any move controllers, which limits my options).
It is great to see VR getting plenty of support, I am looking forward to Squadrons and Vader Immortal the most but also TWD and After the Fall look good, I have heard good things about Pistol Whip too so it's all good for VR 😎
@Terra Nice one buddy, I'll be sure not to miss it. I am really happy with the state of Playstation VR some great games so far and looks like some great ones on the way!
Hope Squadrons turns out well. All it needs to be is a remake of any of the Rogue Squadron games, with cockpit view and updated VR graphics.
@Daleaf back when the move controllers were launched for ps3 they did launch a controller with an analog stick i still own mine from when they launched i just dont know how possible it is to buy them now but at least the aim controller has one built in i guess. Beat saber i love though one of my fav games.
I didn't realise they were still making games for this - good to know I guess.
@hoffa007 well I did not know that, will have to have a look for them, and do they work with vr as well? Yea beat saber is amazing, put it on every so often for a good work out, love the 180 degree levels so much more fun. Just a pity that only some songs have it, and some with only easy or expert, I can only manage normal and a few hard levels getting old lol, don't know how ppl manage the expert levels they are bloody crazy haha.
@Slippship driveclub was pretty good in vr, and heard that the dirt rally vr was amazing but haven't tried that one. Also gt had a few racing levels I think. Also wipeout omega vr was good but that one was too much for me lol
Yea will have to have a go on the dirt rally vr. Yea think the best fun I had with racing game was probably Colin McRae rally on the ps one, that was amazing. Hopefully we get a good racing game for vr soon. Thought that the new F1 might have had a vr mode but no. Someone might get something done on dreams vr.
@Daleaf that im not sure on working with vr but I assume games that support movement with an analog stick should work but that i cannot tell you sorry.
I agree on the beat saber part, expert plus is mega hard like you say no idea how they do it but if you do the tutorial bit you can slow thr song down to 50% but even then its still hard coz so many you have to remember in order of the song, anyway brilliant game and good fun to keeps you fit like you say
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