The heights that VR gaming has reached in modern times are nothing short of incredible, with players unable to believe that they can be present in the games of their choice and use their own movement to control the game. It's an idea that seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream only a few decades back, which is exactly why the rise of virtual reality in the gaming medium is truly incredible.

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There are a lot of different options available for VR headsets and even more games at the players' disposal. The allure of VR gaming is so much that most people will love the idea of playing these games with their friends as people take turns to become sources of amusement for a few minutes or so. There are more than enough VR games around that are fun enough for friends to have a great time with at a party, gathering, or anything else along the same lines.

Updated on March 8, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: VR games are a great way to unwind and have fun with a group of friends who love how immersive this medium is. The games on this platform aren't all that long, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Most VR games are one-and-done affairs, and there are many fun VR games that make the most of this medium and let players enjoy a great time together as they take turns enjoying the fun gameplay loops these titles provide. As the medium finds its legs, more great games will be released, and more will be added to this list.

22 I Expect You To Die

Friends Can Laugh At Each Other As They Face A Wealth Of Creative Deaths

• Platform(s): Meta Quest, PlayStation VR, PC
• Release Date: December 6, 2016
• Developer: Schell Games

Escape room games need to do something unique and interesting to keep players interested in the long run. Thankfully, the medium of VR has given a platform for this genre to thrive, and then some.

I Expect You to Die is one such game that fans will have a great time with, especially with the numerous creative deaths being as hilarious as they can be. A group of friends will find this game to be pretty stimulating and chaotic as each player tries their hardest to avoid a meaningless death.

I Expect You To Die Critical Reception

The escape room puzzle gameplay was a great fit for VR, something that critics pointed out and lauded.

21 Gorn

A Gory, Engaging Combat Game Where Players Can Take Turns To See Who Lasts The Longest

• Platform(s): Oculus Quest, PlayStation VR, PC
• Release Date: July 18, 2019
• Developer: Free Lives

The brutal gameplay of Gorn makes it one of the most satisfying video games for players to check out in VR. The arena-style gameplay makes for some easy playthroughs as players take turns trying to survive the most waves. Each player will take on the role of a gladiator, entering the arena and battling against foes until they're the last one standing.

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The title's gameplay loop is as simple as can be, making it an easy pick-up-and-play game for a group of friends to get into. As long as excessive gore and barbaric brutality don't disgust players, they should be more than happy with what this title has to offer.

Gorn Critical Reception

The violent first-person melee combat is incredibly satisfying in VR, a fact that many critics agree with.

20 Blade & Sorcery

Use Physical And Magical Combat To Survive Against Wave After Wave Of Opponents

One of the best combat games players can enjoy in VR, it's easy to see why Blade & Sorcery has attained such a respectable reputation. The feeling of using physical attacks coupled with magic makes for an immensely satisfying experience.

If players want to make this game even more memorable, then mods are the way to go. Regardless of whether players opt for a modded or vanilla experience, there's no denying that their friends will be more than happy with what this title has to offer.

Blade & Sorcery Critical Reception

The gameplay of Blade & Sorcery has been lauded by fans and critics alike for being smooth and satisfying.

19 Batman: Arkham VR

A Movie-Like Immersive Experience That A Group Of Friends Can Enjoy

Batman: Arkham VR certainly has the problem of being a game that is way too short for its own good. However, while paying money for such a short game can feel rather annoying, this is more than made up for with the unique way in which this title approaches the medium.

The entire experience feels like a movie, and players can definitely have a great time experiencing the story of this game with their friends. The moment when this title makes players freak out in a way that only VR makes possible will be highly entertaining when a group of people can witness their friend being scared out of their wits!

Batman: Arkham VR Critical Reception

The short length of Arkham VR was the subject of major criticism, but the game itself certainly feels great to play and genuinely helps players feel like Batman!

18 Pistol Whip

An Action-Packed Rhythm Game That Makes Players Feel Like John Wick

Players who'd love to combine John Wick-esque gameplay with rhythm-based mechanics will have a blast with Pistol Whip. The game's colorful visuals and engaging gameplay make the experience highly enjoyable from start to end.

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Players can take turns with their friends as they dodge bullets and shoot the many enemies standing in their way. It can take a while to get into the groove of things, but players will eventually be tackling levels like experts. It's easy to see why a group of friends can have a great time taking turns and trying to complete the many challenging levels in this action-packed title that takes no prisoners.

Pistol Whip Critical Reception

The great visuals, arcade-like gameplay, and excellent use of VR all combine to make for a great time.

17 Superhot VR

A Fun Title To Take Turns With

Superhot was one of the biggest indie sensations when it came out. The title was a pretty simple shooter with a core gameplay mechanic that was executed with great finesse. All players have to do is shoot everyone in a level using their weapons while avoiding any attack that can take them out in one shot.

This is easier said than done, especially in the VR version of this game which is an amazing experience that no virtual reality fan should miss out on. Players will have a great time taking turns with their friends as they aim to finish multiple stages and take out these enemies in tough encounters as they dodge bullets like Neo before hitting enemies square in the face with a bullet, a blade, an object, or anything else along the same lines.

Superhot VR Critical Reception

Superhot VR was lauded for its action-packed gameplay, even if the experience was a bit too short for some.

16 Star Wars: Squadrons

Dogfighting In VR With Friends Is A Blast

Any fan of Star Wars will love the idea of engaging in dogfights while controlling one of the many iconic spacecraft in the series. Star Wars: Squadrons does a great job of letting players enjoy the power fantasy of chasing down enemy fighters and gunning them down from the cockpit... and this intensity is heightened considerably if players decide to play this game in VR.

The support for virtual reality has proven to be wonderful for players who own a headset, letting them immerse themselves in this beautiful game as they engage in these high-octane combat sequences. Star Wars: Squadrons is lauded by many as one of the very best games that use this IP, with the title featuring a wealth of unique combat scenarios that are pretty engaging for obvious reasons.

Star Wars: Squadrons Critical Reception

Star Wars: Squadrons' VR component is extremely immersive and heightens the gameplay of the console version quite a bit.

15 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners

Grabbing Zombies And Killing Them In Creative Ways Is A Blast With Friends

The Walking Dead is a franchise that has spread out to so many video games, shows, comics, and everything else along the same lines that it's genuinely impressive. Despite zombies being pretty commonplace in modern pop culture, something about this zombie franchise is extremely likable and has allowed the IP to enjoy such a stranglehold on the entertainment industry.

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This franchise has explored VR gaming as well, with The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners being an excellent title that fans will have a great time with. The immersion that players experience in this game is unmatched and a blast to experience with friends, even if the game can be laughably easy at times because of how brain-dead the zombies in this game are... although perhaps that's fitting given the nature of these enemies.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Critical Reception

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is an immersive VR action title with great horror elements, but the game does lack a bit of challenge.

14 Beat Saber

Tackle Challenging Rhythm Levels With Friends

It would be impossible to talk about VR party games without mentioning Beat Saber. This title is arguably the most popular casual title for VR headsets, featuring incredible community content and a wealth of tracks that players can sink a ton of time into.

Watching friends try and hit all blocks during a tough sequence and nailing all of them is quite entertaining, and players shouldn't be surprised if hours pass by while playing this amazing arcade game. Rhythm games have become quite popular on VR, and Beat Saber shows exactly why.

Beat Saber Critical Reception

Beat Saber received positive critical reception across the board, with many critics considering the title to be a perfect fit for VR.

13 Synth Riders

Move To The Rhythm Of The Beat, Either Looking Cool Or Goofy In Front Of Friends

While Beat Saber is a fun rhythm game with a ton of content, some people may argue that the act of slashing blocks gets somewhat boring after a point. This isn't a problem that players experience with Synth Riders, which ensures that players move to the beat of the music.

Players will genuinely start dancing after a point, which makes for a great time indeed. After all, what's more fun than someone dancing to a great tune while others cheer them on? In fact, some people find this game to be superior to Beat Saber, which is hefty praise indeed.

Synth Riders Critical Reception

Critics consider Synth Riders to be a fun and accessible title that fans of VR games will have a great time with.

12 Fruit Ninja VR

Slice Up Fruits In VR, Trying To Get The Highest Score For Bragging Rights

• Platform(s): Oculus Quest, PC
• Release Date: July 7, 2016
• Developer: Halfbrick Studios

Fruit Ninja is one of the most popular mobile games that players still check out to this day. With the advent of VR, it only made sense for the studio to make a VR version of this title.

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It's brilliant just how accurately Fruit Ninja captures the experience of slicing fruits and avoiding hazards. There's obviously a vast difference between swiping a finger and slashing with one's arms, after all.

Fruit Ninja VR Critical Reception

Critics appreciated the translation of the title's gameplay to VR, although the lack of content was highlighted by some.

11 Space Pirate Trainer

Fun Arcade Shooting Simple Enough For Players To Get Into

Space Pirate Trainer was one of the first VR games to come out that showed the potential of the series. The game has received many great updates ever since and is genuinely a fun title to check out even now.

This game will definitely make players learn how to shoot using a virtual gun, which is great for preparing newbie VR players for more hardcore titles. Of course, it's also a great party game that a group of friends can spend quite some time on.

Space Pirate Trainer Critical Reception

Critics hailed the fast-paced experience of this title, even if some found the gameplay to be somewhat shallow.

10 Onward

A Multiplayer Shooter in VR

No matter if gamers are under the Call of Duty or Battlefield banner, everyone can come together under Onward as the most immersive military-sim experience to date. This VR experience puts the player right in the heat of battle with their closest friends as a deadly strike force against their opponents.

Onward is a relentlessly intense experience that has hooked players from all over the world in the same time-sink that the classic military simulation games have for decades with the increased feeling of actually living it. The cherry on top is that combat can be experienced in community-created content, meaning constant access to new, custom battlefields.

Onward Critical Reception

There aren't too many critic reviews of Onward, but those that exist state that this game is great fun while being challenging and exciting in equal parts.

9 Stormland

A Great Co-op Action Game Developed By Insomniac Studios

• Platform(s): Oculus Rift, PC
• Release Date: November 14, 2019
• Developer: Insomniac Games

Stormland is a charming game that captures the imagination from the beginning of the release trailer. Being able to experience the rich story and diverse landscapes with friends makes it even better. The player is a robot who has awoken in a world they no longer recognize, determined to take revenge on the faction that has destroyed it and attempted to eliminate him.

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Friends can help the player out no matter which part of the story both players are currently working through, and open exploration in the evolving environment is an option once the story is completed. Both exploration and combat offer several hours of entertainment on the alien planet.

Stormland Critical Reception

Critics have mostly positive things to say about Stormland, as it has excellent movement mechanics, wonderful world design, as well as a deep and fun combat system.

8 The Forest

An Immersive Survival Game With VR Support That Can Be Enjoyed With A Friend

The Forest is an amazing survival horror game that takes place on a remote island after a plane crash. Even though the player is the sole survivor of the plane crash, they are not alone on the island. This incredibly detailed simulation is just as frightening as it is addictive.

Scavenging, building, and planning during the day mean survival from mutated cannibals at night. With the help of friends online, chances of survival can only increase. Hunkering down and simply surviving can turn into taking the fight to the enemy once help arrives.

The Forest Critical Reception

Many consider The Forest to be an awesome blend of the horror and survival game genres. Critics also consider the open-world nature of this game to be an immersive trait that adds replay value.

7 Star Trek: Bridge Crew

A Group Of Four Players Serve As The Bridge Crew For A Federation Ship

• Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Oculus Quest, PC
• Release Date: May 30, 2017
• Developer: Red Storm Entertainment

This game is every Star Trek fan's dream and yes, it is every bit as cool as one would hope it would be. Now, the player and three of their closest mates can form a real Starfleet crew and experience all of the adventures and trials that have long since inhabited their dreams.

The roles to choose from include Captain, Helm, Tactical, and Engineer, but the game can be played solo as well. Thanks to procedural generation, the fun of Star Trek: Bridge Crew can go on forever as players travel the stars, fight classic enemies, and command their vessels all from the heart of the U.S.S. Aegis.

Star Trek: Bridge Crew Critical Reception

This VR game gets praised for being very fun to play with friends who are also fans of the Star Trek universe. It provides genuinely immersive experiences that feel appropriate for the setting.

6 Payday 2

A Beloved Co-op Heist Game That Can Be Enjoyed In VR

This game was perfectly designed for players to experience the fast-paced, high-stakes thrill of the heist, all from the comfort of their living room. Work alone or with up to three other friends to cooperate in perfect synchrony to pull off a flawless heist mission.

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Payday 2 plays like a thrilling first-person shooter with stealth elements in a fanciful and intense world with personal customization to make it feel all the more real. Some of their heists include bank robberies, narcotics production, and armored car hijacking. The only real question is if the player can get away with it.

Payday 2 Critical Reception

Despite the massive backlash the game developers at Overkill are getting for the introduction of microtransactions in-game, when Payday 2 was released (and for years afterward), it had a thriving and dedicated community.

5 Rec Room

A Simple VR Experience Where Friends Can Engage With Each Other In-Game

Rec Room is the epitome of bringing people together no matter the distance or barrier. This game features more than 3 million rooms and boasts over 40 million monthly visits from gamers all around the world.

Rec Room is unique in the fact that it has so many different games and experiences, all wrapped up into one free title. The rooms are user-generated and can be crafted by anybody. This has become the hang-out spot for those looking to spend a few hours playing games or just sitting in a gorgeous, fanciful virtual environment to catch up with their friends. Whatever the gamer's interest that day, there is certainly a spot in Rec Room for them.

Rec Room Critical Reception

Playing with a group of friends one knows in real life, or from other online gaming experiences, can make Rec Room a ton of fun. However, there are many consumer complaints about poor room moderation and sometimes toxic players appearing to disrupt the fun.

4 Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes

A Chaotic Party Game Where Players Instruct Each Other On How To Defuse A Bomb

If anyone has ever wondered how they and their friends will respond in an emergency situation, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is the best (and safest) way to find out. The player and their crew are tasked with defusing a bomb, but there's a catch: one player is alone with the bomb, and their friends have the manual explaining how to diffuse it, but they can't see the bomb.

Communication has to be on-point here, obviously, and tensions are high. This is not a game that can be played solo, and is worth noting that the bomb changes each round along with a brand-new manual.

Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes Critical Reception

Despite being a game that's fun factor heavily relies on who one plays with, if they pick the right partner, players can have a blast (pun intended). Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes also won multiple awards for its excellent design.

3 Phasmophobia

An Innovating Ghost-Hunting Horror Game That's A Blast With Friends

Put simply: this game is not for the faint of heart. But that doesn't mean that it isn't an absolute blast. Honestly, even if the player is a notorious "scaredy cat", they will still have worlds of fun playing with friends. There aren't many multiplayer scary games, but Phasmophobia certainly takes the cake of those out there.

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The player and their friends are part of a ghost-hunting team that is tasked with uncovering and collecting evidence of the supernatural. Not only are there over ten types of ghosts to encounter, but they can actually hear the player through their microphone. This game features multiple sites and is cross-platform so everyone can join in on the unsettling fun.

Phasmophobia Critical Reception

Gaining a very positive reception for its incredible sound design and immersive environment, Phasmophobia's in-game features were further enhanced by being multiplayer and VR-capable, so players can get spooked alongside their friends.