The Best 15 Paid VR Games for the HTC Vive

vive logo 15 best paid games

After a year with the Vive these are my personal favorite paid games. As you may notice, very popular games like Onward and Pavlov are not on this list because I just do not enjoy those types of games. This list is definitely geared more towards those who prefer the single player type games (although many on the list can be played multiplayer or CO-OP).

 #1 Doom 3 BFGdoom 3 game logo

A massive demonic invasion has overwhelmed the Union Aerospace Corporation’s (UAC) Mars Research Facility, leaving only chaos and horror in its wake. As one of only a few survivors, you must fight your way to hell and back against a horde of evil monsters. The path is dark and dangerous, but you’ll have an array of weapons–including a pistol, a chainsaw, grenades, and more–to use for protection.

Doom 3 BFG requires a free mod to play in VR you can download here  (https://github.com/KozGit/DOOM-3-BFG-VR/releases). The mod has numerous options to configure including various forms of locomotion. Good guide that covers all the options can be found Youtube Video Link here.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/208200/Doom_3_BFG_Edition/)

 #2 Subnautica subnautica scuba diver

Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more – all while trying to survive.

Subnautica, unfortunately, is gamepad or mouse/KB only and the developers have not said they have plans to implement motion control support. Despite that, playing standing with wireless 360 controllers is one of the most immersive and feature rich games you can play in VR right now. The game is not well optimized for VR yet and I wouldn’t recommend this unless you have at least a 1070. Full release is planned for September this year and lot of optimizations are planned. I wrote a small list of tips Youtube video link here which resolve a few issues the game has in VR right now.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/Subnautica/)

#3 The Solus Project the solus project planetscape with alien pyramid

A single player, exploration driven adventure with survival elements, set on a mysterious and seemingly uninhabited alien planet. Survive through exploration, and unlock the mysteries of Gliese-6143-C.

With motion controller and roomscale support this is one of the most immersive experiences available on the Vive right now.  Just be warned, as the game was not designed with VR in mind the motion controller support is a bit limited (i.e., you are using them more as controllers than physically able to interact with the world with them). For those looking for a 15+ hour campaign in VR this is one you won’t want to miss.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/313630/The_Solus_Project/)

#4 Vanishing Realmsvanishing realms rite of steal vr with axe wielding warrior

Vanishing Realms is an immersive RPG designed exclusively for Virtual Reality. Grab your sword and fight life-sized monsters in epic face-to-face melee combat. Explore mystic domains, outwit magical wards, seek lost artifacts, wield sorcery and steel to take on denizens of the Undead Realm.

One of the few built for VR RPGs available, this one is a must have for RPG lovers.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/322770/Vanishing_Realms/)

#5 Serious Sam Second Encounter serious sam the second encounter man with vive mask and machine gun

Serious Sam VR: The Second Encounter is a sequel to Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter – frantic arcade action FPS, featuring singleplay and co-op campaign, various multiplayer modes, all presented in glorious VR and with different locomotion movements.

While the first Serious Sam game is fun in VR the Second Encounter improves upon the first in almost every way. More weapons, better level design, better power ups. The story in the Serious Sam games is very limited so you are not missing much if you skip the first one and jump into this one. Croteam as provided a slew of options in VR so be sure to check out the VR options page.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/552460/Serious_Sam_VR_The_Second_Encounter/)

#6 Raw Data raw data robots with swords

Neo-Shinjuku – 2271. The massive and seemingly benevolent Eden Corporation owns the world. The elite hacker resistance movement SyndiK8 has unearthed the sinister reality behind Eden Corp’s newest line of robotic products. As one of SyndiK8’s elite operatives, your mission is straightforward: infiltrate Eden Tower, steal as much Raw Data as possible, and get out alive–bringing Eden Corp down in your wake.

With 3 unique classes, power unlocks, varied level designs this is one of the most enjoyable wave style shooters available in VR right now. Co-OP play is also availalbe which can be blast as well.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/436320/Raw_Data/)

#7 Arizona Sunshine arizona sunshine undead valley zombie with only half a face

When you hear a flash of a human voice on the radio, your hopes surge – there are survivors out in the blistering heat of the post-apocalyptic Grand Canyon state! Armed with little more than your motion-controlled weapons and the scarce ammo and consumables you find along the way, you need to navigate the hordes of zombies coming for your brain in your desperate search for human contact.

The campaign offers about 5 hours of gameplay and can be played CO-OP. This one also offers an endless horde mode for some wave based zombie action.  With a solid narrative and enjoyable gunplay this is a great addition to your VR library.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/342180/Arizona_Sunshine/)

#8 Narcosis narcosis diver in suit

Survival, horror at the sunless depths of the Pacific Ocean: Stranded on the seafloor with low light and few tools, an industrial diver takes desperate steps to surface before his oxygen — and sanity — give out.

An eerie psychological horror game this one will keep you at the edge of your seat the entire ride.  Unfortunately, this game is a seated non-motion controller experience but despite that is one of the most immersive story driven games in VR.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/366870/Narcosis/)

#9 Distance distance racecar on lit up track

Distance is survival racing. Fusing arcade racing action with exploration, your car must survive by jumping, rotating, and flying through a deadly and mysterious city.

VR support currently only in the beta branch. This is the best arcade racer available in VR right now with custom cockpit view just for VR. The futuristic aesthetic looks amazing in VR. With full workshop support you have access to a ton of custom made tracks. For those prone to motion sickness this one might be a little rough especially doing any sort of flips.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/233610/Distance/)

#10 A Chair in a Room chair in a room greenwater forest

A Chair in a Room: Greenwater is a tense Virtual Reality horror game set in America’s Deep South. Drawing on elements of Southern Gothic and using settings of derelict towns, run-down motels and murky, decaying swamps, A Chair in a Room will take you through an investigation of institutional corruption, religious immorality and murder, which can only be unlocked by searching deep within your own psyche.

One of the first full games released for the Vive this psychological horror game is one of the best around. It’s recommend you have a decent sized play area to get the most out of it as it fully utilizes your room’s dimensions to scale the in game rooms.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/427760/A_Chair_in_a_Room__Greenwater/)

#11 Hot Dogs, Horseshoes, and Hand Grenades hot dogs, horseshoes & hand grenades

Hot dogs, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades is a lazy Sunday trip over to your friends house… if your friend was a retired gun-nut with a warehouse full of toys, a few irritating robot pets, and a grill that’s always running. Head on over to the firing range and learn to operate an arsenal full of firearms, compete in structured challenges with global leader boards. Relax next to the grill, preparing virtual meats, while fending off the ‘wild life’. Or have some friends over and take turns playing classic American lawn games while making an ass of yourself!

This is the best gun sandbox game in VR no question. The developer is constantly adding in new game modes and features. This is a must get for any gun enthusiast.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/450540/Hot_Dogs_Horseshoes__Hand_Grenades/)

#12 Elite Dangerous elite dangerous space station with incoming ship

Starting with only a small starship and a few credits, players do whatever it takes to earn the skill, knowledge, wealth and power to survive in a futuristic cutthroat galaxy and to stand among the ranks of the iconic Elite. In an age of galactic superpowers and interstellar war, every player’s story influences the unique connected gaming experience and handcrafted evolving narrative. Governments fall, battles are lost and won, and humanity’s frontier is reshaped, all by players’ actions.

Easily one of the biggest most expansive games you could play in VR. If you can get into this one you could easily sink 100s if not 1000s of hours into Elite. It’s the most feature rich space sim currently available with VR support.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/359320/Elite_Dangerous/)

#13 Serious Sam: The Last Hope

serious sam the last hope view of earth from space

Step into the shoes of the Earth Defense Force’s greatest hero in this unique VR simulation based on Sam Stone’s own log files from his time as captain of the Battlecruiser Saratoga. Experience the missions that turned Captain Stone into the legend that he is today.

 

The only made for VR Serious Sam game is also one of the best wave based shooters you can get in VR. Since the last update there is plenty of content for me to highly recommend this one. Game is still early access and more planets are still in the works.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/465240/Serious_Sam_VR_The_Last_Hope/)

#14 Vivecraftvivecraft character with vive mask

The VR mod for the widely popular game Minecraft. This mod offers full roomscale and motion controller support to Minecraft. A recent update even added Forge support to the newest versions of Minecraft. With endless mods and possibilities this is easily the biggest game available in VR. VR really takes Minecraft to another level and is highly recommended even those who never got into Minecraft before

(http://www.vivecraft.org/) (works with demo version to test it)

#15 Sairento VRsairento vr masked female character

Sairento VR is a mission-driven, VR action role-playing game set in a reimagined Japan in the near future. In Sairento, you play as a member of the Silent Ones – a righteous but covert organization of seemingly ordinary people who practice the long forsaken code and martial arts of the ancient samurais and ninjas. You are tasked with uncovering the sinister secret behind other members of the Silent Ones turning into crazed nano-infected shells of their former self and in the process, fight your way through multitudes of your past comrades.

Still pretty early in development this game is one I keep coming back to.  Very enjoyable combat with numerous unlocks and ways to customize your playstyle. Matrix style time slow with dashing and long range leaping makes this game a blast to play.

(http://store.steampowered.com/app/555880/Sairento_VR/)

Those are my current Top 15 Paid games I play on the Vive. Of course there are many other great games that I will try to highlight in future top lists.

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