Six Must-Try Oculus Rift Experiences

When the Oculus Rift arrived in early 2016, there weren’t many great experiences to choose from. Now more developers are contributing to the system and there are more games you may try.

This list is a list of my favorite experiences for the Oculus Rift, from various categories, giving you a head start when choosing which ones are worth the potential motion sickness and sweaty headgear.

Lost

When starting out with VR or introducing it to someone new, you may want to take things slow. Narratives are interactive videos that you watch unfold around you, and you can look around without movement or controls, so they are the most accessible. Out of the ones that I tried, Lost made the biggest impact.

This story comes from a previous Pixar short-film director and is currently free to view. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the story, although I do recommend standing to get the most out of it. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, so I’ll just say that the story may be short but the characters are not.

Genre: Narrative 
ESRB Rating:
E
Price:
Free (Currently)

Mission:ISS

Sadly, not everyone gets to be an astronaut when they grow up, but with this game you can at least pretend. This Emmy-nominated simulation is a collaborative effort from NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. Float around and complete tasks within a replica of the International Space Station, and don’t forget to look down at Earth.

This is a wonderful experience for science buffs and anyone who wishes they could go to space or defy gravity.

Genre: Educational
ESRB Rating:
E
Price:
Free

Job Simulator: the 2050 Archives

Many people have heard of this game because of its online popularity, and that popularity is warranted. The graphics may not seem impressive, but that doesn’t mean the game can’t pull you in. You go through a series of jobs that are simulated from the perspective of your robot overlords to experience past human life. Each task gets more ridiculous as you play, and there are hidden gems, such as robot NPR stations and CDs that you can turn on for a laugh, and additional challenge modes you can unlock after completing every simulation. Set up an extra screen and play with others in the room to let hilarity ensue as you inevitably botch up your given tasks.

Genre: Casual
ESRB Rating:
E 10+
Price:
$19.99

Star Trek: Bridge Crew

While it may be difficult to find friends with both a matching system and game, there are still plenty of online multiplayer experiences available for the Oculus Rift. Star Trek: Bridge Crew is one of the more expensive games, but, even if you aren’t a diehard fan, you are sure to enjoy being captain of a starship.

In single-player mode, you take on the role of Captain on the U.S.S. Aegis, and you can take over the other positions such as Helm, Tactical, or Engineer, as needed. In co-op mode, you and your friends can each take a different role and boldly go on missions together. There are a lot of missions to choose from, so you really can get your money’s worth out of this game.

Genre: Multiplayer Co-op
ESRB Rating:
E 10+
Price:
$49.99

The Mage’s Tale

If space isn’t your forte, or you prefer magic to sci-fi, there are several spell-casting games for the Rift. The Mage’s Tale takes you on a journey to rescue your master as you create and master spells, solve puzzles, and fight monsters. Adjusting to the interface takes some time in the beginning, but after a rocky start I found myself spending over an hour exploring a dungeon without realizing it. My favorite part of the game is collecting items to customize each spell – tweaking the formula each time to find the best fit. If you like a bit of a challenge or want to throw fireballs and lightning at things, this game is for you.

Genre: RPG 
ESRB Rating:
Teen
Price:
$29.99

Robo Recall

Robo Recall is not only my favorite shooter for the Oculus Rift, it’s my favorite game, period. After playing dozens, this one stood out the most in terms of immersion, interface, and replayability.

Robots from around the city are going haywire, and it’s your job as a recently promoted employee of RoboReady to “recall” them — meaning you need to destroy every last one. The controls are easy and intuitive as you hoist shotguns over your shoulders, override giant robots, rip out parts, and deflect bullets. There is just the right amount of humor to balance out the amount of times I shrieked when robots jumped down on me from the sky. Even after completing the story you can go back with your upgraded weapons to climb up the leaderboards and try the different challenges set for each stage.

Genre: Shooter
ESRB Rating:
Teen
Price:
$29.99 (Free with Oculus Touch)

A new system can be intimidating, especially when finding the right games for your play style without wasting time or money. Hopefully, this list gave you an idea of where to start to get the most out of your Oculus Rift. I’m sure there are more games out there worth trying, so please leave your favorites in the comments.

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