by Drew Swanson
VR gaming is becoming more accessible each year, and developers continue to refine virtual reality experiences to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers alike. With platforms like the Meta Quest 3 and PlayStation VR 2 playing host to some fantastic titles in 2025, the medium is only going to grow in the coming years, especially with Valve's recently announced Steam Frame on the horizon. Some of these VR titles may not have made waves like other non-VR games in 2025, yet they are still worthy of recognition by the gaming community as a whole.
Although it's getting easier for developers to release VR titles, not every new VR game is going to stand out from the crowd. That's part of what makes the titles on this list so impressive; they have managed to carve a name for themselves not only within a niche medium, but transcend that medium to achieve mainstream acclaim. The following VR titles (presented in alphabetical order) showcase just how great a year 2025 was for virtual reality fans.
Arken Age
Check Out Arken Age on OpenCritic
While 2025 saw the release of several high-profile first-person fantasy games like Avowed and Oblivion Remastered, fans of the genre may have slept on Arken Age. A VR take on the first-person fantasy genre, Arken Age is an action-adventure game set in the Bio-Chasm, a world corrupted by the Grand Arborist and overrun with plant life. Players can utilize both guns and swords infused with Arkenite to battle botanical foes while utilizing the game's unique physics system to freely access the game's open world.
Escaping Wonderland
Check Out Escaping Wonderland on OpenCritic
Escaping Wonderland is a whimsical puzzle-adventure game that leads players through the world of Alice in Wonderland as new protagonist Molly. As a follow-up to developer Cortopia Studios' 2020 VR title, Down the Rabbit Hole, Escaping Wonderland offers players new puzzles, diorama-like environments, and a colorful cast of characters to interact with. Players looking for a light-hearted VR experience in 2025 should check out Escaping Wonderland for themselves.
Ghost Town
Check Out Ghost Town on OpenCritic
The horror genre is a staple of the VR experience, and Ghost Town joins the list of must-play horror titles for VR fans. Ghost Town follows the story of paranormal detective Edith, who travels to a remote Scottish island in search of her missing brother. The tense atmosphere and clever puzzles that players will need to overcome as Edith make this game a worthy successor to developer Fireproof Games' beloved series The Room.
Gorn 2
Check Out Game Rant's Review of Gorn 2
Much like its predecessor, Gorn 2 delivers a similar violent yet comical VR gladiator experience. The combat physics of Gorn 2 allow players to perform brutal decapitations and sever the limbs of their opponents using a massive arsenal of weapons. Gorn 2 essentially takes Free Lives' original Gorn experience and builds upon it to create a far more expanded experience, with even more traps, power-ups, and enemies to conquer.
Hitman: World of Assassination (PSVR2)
Check Out Hitman: World of Assassination on OpenCritic
While Hitman: World of Assassination was originally released in 2021 and an expanded VR experience on Meta Quest 3 (as Hitman 3 VR: Reloaded) was released in 2024, 2025 saw the game get an enhanced release on the PSVR2. With each re-release, Hitman: World of Assassination has only improved, and its PSVR2 version might be the best iteration of the game yet. The PSVR2 release includes a much more immersive gameplay loop that requires players to interact with the world in a more tactile way, like manually reloading weapons and physically swiping key cards. A cleaned-up control scheme solidifies this release as the definitive way to play Hitman: World of Assassination in VR.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
