Entering another year with VR, we find ourselves at the heart of an ever-evolving medium. Virtual reality has continually redefined what we expect in gaming, creativity, and human connection. The progress made over nearly a decade is anything but stagnant.
2024 has marked significant milestones, showcasing VR’s undeniable potential. While celebrated AAA games have their role, equally impressive indie projects have emerged, underlining that VR is a lucrative venture for both developers and players.
This year, the focus has been on refining the experience. Developers are harnessing years of insights to enhance VR’s comfort, immersion, and accessibility. With breakthroughs in mechanics, captivating narratives, and breathtaking visuals, 2024 has given us plenty to cheer and anticipate.
Now, let’s take a dive into Road to VR’s 2024 Game of the Year Awards:
Skydance’s Behemoth
- Developer: Skydance Games
- Platforms: Quest, PSVR 2, PC VR
- Release Date: December 5th, 2024
PC VR games are like powerful beasts, granting enthusiasts the ability to max out their hardware and indulge in superior visual experiences. With the PSVR 2 optimizing its alignment with the PS5 and Quest dominating the standalone platform, PC VR stands as a sanctuary for those craving the ultimate in immersive play.
But it’s not all about impressive graphics. The true allure of a game like Skydance’s Behemoth lies in creating an environment that feels intuitively real, populated with credible NPCs and compelling soundscapes. Skydance Games has expertly crafted such a world, much like they did with their earlier hit, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners. Behemoth draws from this success, embedding detailed physics-based melee combat and deep world-building into its framework.
Before a player even faces their first Behemoth battle, they’ll have acquired diverse skills, from climbing and using a grappling hook to perfecting the art of archery. The freedom to dispatch enemies using Legendary weapons, or even salvaged gear like katanas and hefty swords, makes each encounter thrillingly unique.
Behemoth epitomizes VR gaming excellence. It’s our top choice for PC VR this year and undoubtedly a must-play experience.
Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Developer: Camouflaj
- Publisher: Oculus Studios / Meta
- Platform: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: October 21st, 2024
Defying expectations, Batman: Arkham Shadow emerged as our Quest Game of the Year, despite the odds stacked against it. Reviving a well-loved franchise with nearly a decade between entries, and doing so in VR, was a daunting task for any studio, let alone one new to the series.
Camouflaj took a calculated risk, determined to capture the essence of what makes an Arkham game feel authentic while reinventing its mechanics for VR. The result is a game that doesn’t simply port old systems, but breathes life into VR-specific experiences.
Signature Arkham combat, renowned for Batman’s fluid dance through adversaries, is reimagined for direct engagement. The innovative combination of guided motion and movement lets players lung forward with punches, making interactions dynamic and progressively complex as you master the game.
The studio overcame significant design hurdles, creating a Quest game that stands as one of its finest offerings.
Metro Awakening
- Developer: Vertigo Games
- Platforms: PSVR 2, Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: November 7th, 2024
Metro Awakening transports players into an immersive post-apocalyptic setting perfect for VR, proving how visionary titles can create truly atmospheric experiences. Vertigo Games imbued their extensive VR expertise into bringing this dark world alive while reengineering its gameplay for VR immersion.
Players can expect a novel diegetic inventory system and genuinely interactive weapons. The crossbow and shotgun, intricately designed, add depth and realism. They reflect Metro’s characteristic cobbled-together aesthetic and heighten the sense of authenticity as players confront fragile but fearsome foes.
Immersive design excellence is what has driven Metro Awakening to win our Excellence in Immersion award. Vertigo delivers a sinister, gripping environment, compelling mechanics, and immersive sound, keeping players anchored in its intriguing world.
Starship Home
- Developer: Creature
- Platform: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: September 26th, 2024
Starship Home makes a compelling case for mixed reality, challenging past notions and taking the medium a step further than typical VR experiences involving headsets like Quest 3. The game creatively transforms real-world spaces into quirky sci-fi narratives where you manage ship operations and garden in zero-gravity, pioneering a fresh avenue for MR applications.
By integrating system controls into modules set within a room, the game convincingly immerses players in its illusion of space travel, highlighting how MR can be more than a complementary feature—it’s central to an experience that’s as captivating as long-established VR games.
UNDERDOGS
- Developer: One Hamsa
- Platforms: Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: January 25th, 2024
UNDERDOGS is honored with both Excellence in Locomotion and Excellence in Indie Development awards, thanks to its innovative movement mechanics. One Hamsa’s unique approach to designing mech locomotion, wherein players manipulate movements with arms, epitomizes creative flair. The engaging blend of fluid motion and combat challenges, like using arm-propelled attacks, enhances the embodiment aspect in VR, reinforcing its candidacy for these commendations.
Blade & Sorcery
- Developer: Warpfrog
- Platforms: PC VR, Quest
- Release Date: June 17th, 2024
Blade & Sorcery began as an ambitious combat sandbox, becoming known for remarkably visceral combat. Over time, Warpfrog expanded the game, adding deeply integrated storytelling with its ‘Crystal Hunt’ mode. By transitioning from an early-access success to a title with narrative depth, Blade & Sorcery sets a fine example of ongoing development excellence.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened!
- Developer: Flat2VR Studios, Holy Wow Studios
- Platforms: Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2
- Release Date: November 26th, 2024
Capturing the whimsical spirit of its predecessor, Trombone Champ: Unflattened! translates the fun of a rhythm game into VR, ensuring players get the full trombone-playing experience in virtual space. It’s the first in a series of exciting VR adaptations by Flat2VR, showcasing the studio’s prowess in turning beloved flat games into immersive experiences.
In summary, the games featured in our 2024 awards embody the inventive spirit and dedication of developers pushing VR forward. They signal an exciting trajectory for VR’s continuing evolution, promising experiences that increasingly captivate and engage players across diverse platforms.
