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Do you own VR games and not even know it? These are the hit PC games with hidden VR support!

By Stanislav Serbezov

Updated: Feb 09, 2024, 1:58 AM

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Do you own VR games and not even know it? These are the hit PC games with hidden VR support!

It's 2024 and at this point, I'm willing to bet that you've got a Steam account. Better yet: I'm willing to bet that you've got a pretty solid library. And if you're like me, you've yet to explore at least 30% of it, but that's another topic. What we're here to discuss is PC VR games.

Because you might just own some without even realizing it.

I already told you about how 2024 is likely to be the year you get a VR headset, so I won't be surprised if you've already gotten yourself one of the best VR headsets around. So hear me out: if you already have a Steam library and, let's be honest, most likely a Quest 3, why not check if you don't have some PC VR games to play?

I totally understand if your initial reaction is "But how can that be?!", but no worries: that's what I'm here to explain. Basically, some of the high-profile PC games have hidden VR modes, which you can totally miss out on if you don't know that they're already there.

So if you already own them and you can play said VR modes, then you kind of owe yourself to at least check them out, right? And here comes the hard part: how do you know which ones have these hidden VR modes?

Don't worry: I've made things easy for you with this nifty list, containing some of the best PC games with hidden VR modes. Check them out (or better yet: consider getting them if you're into VR gaming).

No Man's Sky

Price: $58,99 | Playtime: 30 Hours
Check it out here

Hear me out: No Man’s Sky isn’t the same game that it was when it launched. And unless you have zero interest in gaming — which, if true, what are you doing here? — you’ll know that I’m referencing the outrage towards the game’s seemingly unfinished state.

But now? It’s a charm to play, so long as self-made space-opera exploration games are your thing. Oh, and it supports all of that in VR now too! So if you’ve been disappointed in the past by this one, it’s time to go back and try it again. In VR!

Phasmophobia

Price: $11,59 | Playtime: 30 Hours
Check it out here

Now, I’m about to praise a game that I’ve watched online and would never actually play. No joke: Phasmophobia in VR would be a nightmare for me! And trust me, that’s the best thing that someone could say about a game like this, because I thrive on horror content.

If exploring a very convincingly haunted/possessed location alone or with friends sounds like a blast to you, then you must check this one out. With the right people, it could be terrifying or hilarious, both of which are enhanced by the addition of a VR mode.

Subnautica

Price: $29,99 | Playtime: 30 Hours
Check it out here

So, let’s get to know each other. I have thalassophobia. That means that I’m afraid of the deep and anything that may be living inside. Which is why I’d never play Subnautica in VR, because the game is basically immersive Minecraft in an alien ocean.

Yet, I’ve still watched over 40 hours of content about Subnautica, because it’s incredibly interesting and entertaining. While I’d love to play it and I can’t due to my actual fear, you could! In VR at that! Which would make this entire conversation so relatable!

The Forest

Price: $16,79 | Playtime: 15 Hours
Check it out here

I just realized how many buildy-buildy, crafty-crafty types of games are featured on this list, but you know what? It only makes sense to have these in VR. And that is absolutely valid for The Forest too.

But while in Phasmophobia you’ve got your teammates beside you and in Subnautica you’re all alone, in the Forest, everyone can become your enemy in a matter of minutes. That’s right: this is an online game with a very healthy player count.

And if you’ve ever wanted your experience of getting surrounded and mugged, while being naked in a forest to become a lot more immersive, then you’d have a blast with this game’s VR mode.

Tetris Effect

Price: $33,99 | Playtime: 15 Hours
Check it out here

I mean, it’s Tetris. How immersive can Tetris be, with or without VR? Well, actually: a lot. Tetris has this calming effect once you get in the flow of it all and in VR, that is significantly enhanced.

Not only that, but this specific version of the game has tons of audio-visual effects that become really impressive in VR. Now, for hardcore players like me, they are distracting, but for anyone looking to chillax for a bit: it’s a total treat!

Payday 2

Price: $9,99 | Playtime: 25 Hours
Check it out here

If you’ve never heard about Payday 2, then as soon as you read the concept, you may ask yourself the very reasonable question of “I’m about to buy what now?!”. But hear me out: robbing banks is fun while it’s not in the real world!

You can play this one alone or with friends, and the entire experience from start to finish is available in VR. This game came out in 2013 and it’s still getting recommendations left and right, due to its content updates. Oh, and the addition of a VR mode.

Thumper

Price: $19,99 | Playtime: 8 Hours
Check it out here

Thumper is one of the weirdest games that you can find on any list. It’s been very well received, yet it’s still relatively obscure. And that just might be because it’s a literal fever dream in which you navigate a metallic bug through a rhythm hell.

And I mean that in the best possible way, trust me. This is one of the most visceral and intense experiences that you can play, and in VR? Oh, it gets so much better. But be warned: this is a very difficult game, so it’s certainly not for everyone.

Star Wars: Squadrons

Price: $39,99 | Playtime: 9 Hours
Check it out here

You might’ve heard of this little franchise called Star Wars. It’s about cosmic magicians and swordsmen that wield literal sticks of fluorescent lights as swords and fly on awesome-looking planes.

That last bit is what you can get with this title. And you know what? It’s just as fun as you can imagine it being. If you’re a Star Wars fan and you own a VR headset, then this is basically a match made in heaven. Go for it!

What do I need to know about PC games with VR modes?

As things stand in 2023, VR isn't as straightforward as it should be. It might be a bit confusing as to how titles like these actually work, which is why we've added some additional info here, hoping that we may be able to help you out.

Are these entire games available to play in VR?

Yes! Unlike other titles, which claim to have VR compatibility, only for that to be some sort of minigame or a short VR adventure, all of the games featured here are the real deal. We've chosen to ignore games that aren't available for you to play in VR from start to finish, and focus on the ones that actually let you do that.

Do I need to make separate purchases to play the VR modes of these games?

Nope! Owning the base PC version of any of these games is all that you need to do. If you don't see the VR mode outright, try connecting your headset to your PC and turning on it's PC VR mode. Don't forget to check if it's connected properly.

Do these games have VR modes on other platforms?

Yesn’t. Which is to say, that some do, others don’t and then there are the ones that do, but only on certain consoles. A great example are the PlayStation versions of the latest entries in the Resident Evil franchise, which have VR modes, but only on PlayStation. There is no universal way to respond to this one, so you’ll have to check each title individually online.

What about other games that have VR in their title?

This is another oddity. There are games like Batman Arkham VR, which aren't the full game in VR, but a short adventure built for VR. Then there are cases like with Skyrim VR, where it's the entire game, remade for VR, but it's a separate, standalone purchase. And then there is Rise of the Tomb Raider, which only has a section available to play in VR.

Basically, before you commit to any sort of purchase, you should search the title online and check how does it's VR mode work. Or alternatively: consult our list again, as here you'll find only games that are available to play in their entirety, in VR.

And there we have it! Did you find any game that you didn’t suspect has a special VR version to offer? Well, even if not, hopefully the existence of a VR mode in these titles has inspired you to check them out and maybe pick them up!

And if we've missed some fantastic PC games with hidden VR modes, don't hesitate to let us know in the comments!

In case you’re eager for more VR gaming:

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Stan, also known as Stako, is a smartphone enthusiast who loves exploring the limits of Android customization. His journey with mobile tech began with the Nokia 5110 and evolved with devices like the BlackBerry 9350 Curve and Samsung Galaxy A4. Despite his love for Android, he holds equal respect for Apple, considering the iPhone 4s as a significant milestone in mobile tech. Stan started his writing career early, contributing to MetalWorld, and harbors a passion for creative writing. Beyond smartphones, he's interested in photography, design, composition, and gaming, often preferring solo projects to hone his objective thinking. He's also an avid student of open-source technology and consoles, with a special fondness for the Pebble Watch, Arduboy, and Playdate.