As we journey through another year in the ever-evolving realm of virtual reality—a field that remains vibrant and forward-moving—it’s clear that VR, with nearly a decade of development now under its belt, continues to transform the landscape of gaming, creativity, and social interaction. The year 2024 has been particularly noteworthy for VR, marking several significant milestones. It stands as a testament that VR, rather than being just a niche interest, is an arena with expanding horizons, offering both developers and gamers substantial opportunities and rewards.
This year is remarkable not only for the release of an array of eagerly-awaited high-profile games but also for an impressive lineup of innovative indie projects. The focus has predominantly been on refinement, bringing enhancements in comfort, immersion, and accessibility. 2024 has introduced us to groundbreaking game mechanics, unforgettable stories, and stunning visuals that together push the boundaries of what we can experience in VR.
Let’s delve into the highlights of 2024 with Road to VR’s 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 occupy a uniquely influential space, distinct from mainstays like Quest and PSVR 2 due to their ability to fully utilize high-end hardware for peak performance. Beyond just stunning graphics, true immersion demands worlds that feel real, authentic non-playing characters (NPCs), and soundscapes so enveloping they transport you entirely. Few games have achieved such a blend, but Skydance’s Behemoth is a standout, masterfully incorporating lessons from past VR experiences, including insights from their previous success, The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners.
Before you even face down the imposing Behemoths, you’ll be engaging with a skill-intensive gameplay experience, combining climbing, grappling, and sharpshooting. Your journey to defeat these fearsome adversaries involves choosing from three Legendary weapons. Or, wield your enemies’ own weaponry, ranging from katanas to massive swords.
Batman: Arkham Shadow
- Developer: Camouflaj
- Publisher: Oculus Studios / Meta
- Platform: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: October 21st, 2024
Against the odds, Batman: Arkham Shadow emerges as our Quest Game of the Year. Reviving a legendary franchise not touched for nearly ten years, yet revamping it for VR was no easy feat. Developers at Camouflaj grasped what gives an Arkham game its unique flavor and reinvented it for VR. The result? A captivating experience in which the series’ signature combat feels fresh yet familiar, inviting you to leap towards foes while delivering Batman’s unique brand of justice.
Metro Awakening
- Developer: Vertigo Games
- Platforms: PSVR 2, Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: November 7th, 2024
The Metro series’ atmospheric world seems tailor-made for VR, and Metro Awakening brings that world to life with immersive, revamped gameplay. Vertigo Games expertly translated the Metro essence into VR, providing innovative, interactive weaponry and a diegetic inventory system that immerses players deeply into its haunting environments—hence, earning our Excellence in Immersion award.
Starship Home
- Developer: Creature
- Platform: Quest 3/S (exclusive)
- Release Date: September 26th, 2024
Starship Home takes a bold step forward in leveraging mixed reality, previously seen as a novelty. By creatively using physical space, the game transforms your room into an interactive sci-fi world, demonstrating mixed reality’s potential in gaming and earning itself a well-deserved spotlight.
UNDERDOGS
- Developer: One Hamsa
- Platforms: Quest, PC VR
- Release Date: January 25th, 2024
One Hamsa earns accolades in both locomotive innovation and indie development with UNDERDOGS. Known for previous hits without traditional locomotion, they’ve now crafted a game where arm-based movements drive both navigation and combat, providing a unique VR embodiment that sets it apart.
Blade & Sorcery
- Developer: Warpfrog
- Platforms: PC VR, Quest
- Release Date: June 17th, 2024
Blade & Sorcery’s robust updates culminate in a complete game experience with its new ‘Crystal Hunt’ mode. Warpfrog, sticking true to its core of physics-based combat, continues to push VR boundaries, promising more innovations in the future.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened!
- Developer: Flat2VR Studios, Holy Wow Studios
- Publisher: Flat2VR Studios
- Platforms: Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2
- Release Date: November 26th, 2024
Turning the viral 2D sensation Trombone Champ into an immersive 3D journey, Trombone Champ: Unflattened! showcases Flat2VR’s adeptness at adapting games for VR, maintaining the whimsical challenge of the original while offering a fresh, hands-on experience that resonates well with players and critics alike.
Road to VR’s Game of the Year Awards highlight these trailblazing achievements, illustrating a year where creators across platforms have seized VR’s potential, crafting experiences that redefine digital interaction and enjoyment.
