As we step further into the ever-evolving world of virtual reality, it’s fascinating to witness how this immersive medium continues to break boundaries in gaming, creativity, and social connectivity. Over nearly a decade, VR has transformed both subtly and dramatically. This year, 2024, has truly been momentous, showcasing VR’s undeniable promise. We’re not just talking more ‘AAA’ titles; from anticipated blockbusters to bold indie projects, VR proves to be a thriving ecosystem for developers and gamers.
What makes this year notable is the emphasis on finesse. Game developers are applying a decade’s worth of insights to elevate VR experiences, enhancing comfort, immersion, and accessibility. Whether it’s through innovative mechanics, compelling stories, or stunning visuals, 2024 has offered much to admire and anticipate.
So, let’s jump into Road to VR’s 2024 Game of the Year Awards:
Skydance’s Behemoth
- Developer: Skydance Games
- Available On: Quest, PSVR 2, PC VR
- Release Date: December 5th, 2024
PC VR has a distinct niche. It allows hardware enthusiasts to push their systems to the edge, far beyond what’s achievable on standalone VR platforms like Quest or the optimized PSVR 2. Yet, true immersion in gaming goes beyond mere graphics. It’s also about crafting believable worlds, lifelike characters, enveloping soundscapes, and thrilling scenarios that immerse you entirely. Few VR titles have managed this, and Skydance’s Behemoth is one such rare gem.
Skydance Games, famous for their previous hit, "The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners," have adeptly applied and expanded on what made that game a classic. They’ve integrated those hard-learned lessons into Behemoth, crafting dynamic melee physics and sophisticated world-building. The game intelligently merges a variety of skills—from climbing to using a bow, and offers freedom in weapon choice, be it through Legendary weapons or an arsenal of gear spanning katanas, throwing daggers, and hefty buster swords.
Incorporating elements that define VR excellence, Behemoth was our top pick for the PC VR award this year and a standout must-play. Discover more insights in our detailed review.
Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Developer: Camouflaj
- Publisher: Oculus Studios / Meta
- Available On: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: October 21st, 2024
Batman: Arkham Shadow might not have seemed feasible. Reviving a franchise absent for nearly a decade, it wasn’t created by the original developers. It required reimagining established gameplay for VR, yet Camouflaj brilliantly rose to the occasion. They didn’t simply port an Arkham game to VR—they distilled its essence, retaining its iconic feel while innovating its mechanics.
They faced numerous challenges, particularly revamping the renowned Arkham combat style for VR, where Batman weaves through foes, combining pugilistic and stealthy tactics. Camouflaj introduced a unique approach, blending movement and combat, where players can dash towards enemies, engaging in increasingly complex fights. By the game’s end, you’re empowered to overcome any adversary.
Though I could delve into the design intricacies faced by the team more, suffice it to say that Batman: Arkham Shadow stands as one of Quest’s finest titles.
Metro Awakening
- Developer: Vertigo Games
- Available On: PSVR 2, Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: November 7th, 2024
The Metro series, known for its atmospheric, post-apocalyptic allure, has long seemed destined for VR. In 2024, that vision materialized with Metro Awakening. Despite VR’s limitless possibilities, players eagerly plunge into Metro’s grim world, courtesy of Vertigo Games’ savvy adaptation.
Like Batman: Arkham Shadow, they skillfully extracted and translated the Metro essence into VR, redesigning its nuances. The game introduces ingeniously interactive weapons—particularly the crossbow and shotgun—that capture Metro’s signature handcrafted aesthetic. These weapons aren’t just visually interesting; they’re satisfying to use against enemies that feel real and vulnerable.
Furthermore, Vertigo Games innovated a diegetic inventory system, where players physically interact with items, enhancing realism. The ambient sounds and visuals cultivate a persistent sense of suspense, a hallmark of Metro’s immersive design. Deservingly, Metro Awakening also clinched the Excellence in Immersion award for its unparalleled VR adaptation.
Starship Home
- Developer: Creature
- Available On: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: September 26th, 2024
While mixed reality (MR) has ostensibly lagged in maximizing VR headsets’ potential, Creature’s Starship Home marks a pivotal shift. Few MR titles had exploited the room-sensing capabilities of Quest as thoroughly, yet Starship Home felt like a breakout hit.
A delightful blend of ship management and sci-fi gardening sits at its core, and MR enhances this. Modules transform your space into an immersive pod, promising future MR innovations. Starship Home is a game that uses MR compellingly, worthy of its own accolades. Discover why we admired it in our comprehensive review.
UNDERDOGS
- Developer: One Hamsa
- Available On: Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: January 25th, 2024
UNDERDOGS, from indie studio One Hamsa, wins both Excellence in Locomotion and Indie Development awards. Known initially for Racket: Nx without player movement, One Hamsa deeply understands movement’s integral role in gameplay.
In UNDERDOGS, arm-based locomotion turns you into a mech pilot. You can glide and attack with your arms, creating a unique and delightful movement experience. Tactical choices between moving or fighting add depth to gameplay, ensuring UNDERDOGS earns its accolades for both innovative movement and combat.
Blade & Sorcery
- Developer: Warpfrog
- Available On: PC VR, Quest
- Release Date: June 17th, 2024
Despite Blade & Sorcery’s viral success for its physics-based combat, Warpfrog, now a 30-person team, continued to build on it. The June release of Blade & Sorcery’s version 1.0 introduced the ‘Crystal Hunt’ mode, completing the game with cohesive narrative elements. The studio promises more ambitious projects, drawing inspiration from years of VR combat experience.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened!
- Developer: Flat2VR Studios, Holy Wow Studios
- Publisher: Flat2VR Studios
- Available On: Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2
- Release Date: November 26th, 2024
Initially a flat game sensation, Trombone Champ exploded on social media thanks to its quirky rhythmic gameplay. Flat2VR, a studio specializing in VR adaptations, skillfully reimagined this title for headsets with interactive gameplay that feels entirely fresh yet retains the original’s charm. With Trollbone Champ: Unflattened! earning a perfect reception, we eagerly await more from Flat2VR’s promising adaptation endeavors.
Note: Eligible games for Road to VR’s Game of the Year Award must be publicly available on or before December 20th, 2024, with full platform compatibility.
