2019 was a crazy good year. 2020, however, shapes up to be even crazier. There are many titles that have potential to surpass all the popular games that are currently on VR.
So, without the sweet talk, here is the list of the upcoming VR games that not only look good from trailers, but have actual communal hype behind it.
Important: Some games may be exclusive to one platform. However, there are programs like ReVive, for example, that let you play Oculus Rift games on HTC Vive headset.
Lone Echo 2
The first Lone Echo truly struck a cord with people, with many of them considering it as one of the most gorgeous games of all time. The movement is really well though out, and the story manages to make this game a decent length.
It was one of the first games that started to give some story to their games, and not only focusing on mechanics of what VR can do. However, don’t be discouraged. Lone Echo was known to have one of the most out-of-the-box solutions and game play mechanics that make the entire journey incredibly fun.
Lone Echo 2 is said to have an even longer story, with reports saying of up to 50% more content. This VR world is also nice in a way that you don’t have to worry about your VR legs, as all the action happens in zero gravity.
The game was supposed to come out in November 2019, but due to some unplanned scenarios (like the release of Rift S), they decided to smooth out some kinks so that the VR experience is as compatible as possible. Personally, I never mind short delays, as long as it means that my immersion is improved down the line. Reminds me of the Cyberpunk 2077 delay. If the end result is better, I am all for it.
Supported VR devices:
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
More info here.
The Walking Dead Onslaught
As title suggests, it’s an official AMC’s VR game that has all the elements of iconic zombie survival games. This game is planned for 2020 and it is made by Survios, a company that is respected by many. By combining Survios with The Walking Dead universe that is loved by many because of its gore and story line, we can truly get something awesome this year.
According to Steam, you will get to de-limb zombies, push and grab them, throw them at other ‘walkers’, remove body parts from any joint (neck, arms, legs), and create realistic wounds anywhere on a walkers body. All that can be done from a variety of weapons, whether melee or ranged.
It has a potential to be a really interesting game when it comes out, so I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for this one.
However, this is not the only Walking Dead games that comes out in 2020.
Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is another title that is actually already out (came out in Jan. 23), and is getting very positive reviews. Some are actually more hyped for this game due to the style of combat and looks. S&S has a more cartoonish look to it compared to realistic Onslaught, and the characters are also different. Onslaught is played through characters we know from the AMC show, while S&S is comics based.
Good comparison can be seen from this video, if you’re interested:
Supported VR devices:
- Valve Index
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
- HTC Vive
More info here.
Flight Simulator 2020
I don’t really like putting simulators in the “games” list, but I couldn’t skip it due to how playfully addictive these experiences are. Especially, when we talk about this one. This is not an ordinary simulator. In here, you will be able to fly over your house, wherever you live. Even if your house is in Zimbabwe, on the 4th Street, next to crazy Munyaradzie.
Yes, it generates the whole world.
It uses Microsoft Azure technology (link) that accurately draws terrain, trees, water and buildings that are in our spheric land (don’t start, flat earthers).
It will take information from a server that is in the cloud, which by the way, has over 2 petabytes of information. That equals to 2,000 terabytes, or 2 million gigabytes. When I was reading that, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Everything will be simulated, from trees moving and cars driving. You will have millions of cities and thousands of airports to explore. I am not even talking about the accuracy of flying and of the assets that Flight Simulator uses.
It seems like an overkill, but it does have a huge potential. Its release date is scheduled for 2020. After Microsoft saw how popular flight simulators are with VR users, the VR support was put on high priority in 2019.
Here is to hoping it comes out soon.
Supported VR devices:
- Unknown for now.
Tarzan VR
If you are looking for a simple, adventure’ish, single player game, then Tarzan VR might scratch that itch. I wouldn’t say it’s a triple-A title, per se, but it does have its charm. It is similar to Borderlands series in terms of art and visuals. It has those black outlines on stuff that makes it pleasant to look at.
As you are the ‘George of the Jungle’ dude, you can do pretty much anything in your landscape. It follows a story line involving Jane, and through the game play you will be able to climb wherever you want, or swim, ride and fight using spears, axes, and our favorite VR weapons known as bows.
It has its own sandbox type of feel. If you are feeling quirky and want to be become a caveman while your wife is sleeping, I find this one a pretty good title for it. You’ll have your own tree house and a home island, as well as interactions with different people and animals that make the journey enjoyable.
Supported VR devices:
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
More information here.
Audica
Audica, as a matter of fact, is already available on PSVR and Oculus Rift, but the full version with Oculus Quest support comes out later this year. As title suggests, it is played using audio. Which means, it is similar to a hugely successful game called Beat Saber.
Its main difference comes from the choice of weapon. Instead of hitting the nodes with light saber, you are required to shoot most of the time. As difficulty increases, so does the way you need to shoot them. You will be required to fire horizontally and vertically, which increases the difficulty by quite a lot. It is difficult to explain. The best explanation is for to try it yourself.
I do have to say though, that the song choice isn’t great yet. Audica is already out, but it is still in early access. By full release, the variety issue should be fixed.
Supported VR devices:
- Valve Index
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
- HTC Vive
More information on Audica here.
Facebook Horizon
If you have seen Ready Player One, you can imagine the scenario a bit easier. Facebook, in the recent years, has been trying to find a successor to Facebook’s time eating structure. As Techcrunch said, “many have already ditched the status updates and smarmy Life Events of Facebook for the pretty pictures of Instagram and silliness of Snapchat.”
It has become understandable that Facebook searches for alternative ways to draw people back, and Facebook Horizon might be that solution. Facebook Horizon is something that AltspaceVR inspires to be, but as Facebook has more than enough money to throw around, this Horizon world might actually be very successful.
This VR world is centralized in town square, where there will be tons of things to do, and many people to speak to. Users, and probably businesses, will get a chance to showcase their creations by inviting them to their own private island. There will be a lot of entertainment, starting from movies and games, of course. You might have seen these ‘worlds’ before, but never in a scale that Facebook promises it to be. For goodness gracious, there will be actual police walking around (they are called Horizon Locals) that ensure that people feel comfortable, that everything is in order, and questions are answered. Better way to think of them is customer support.
Each user will have its own Citizenship, and can presumably build its own home and buy furniture for it. See Black Mirror, episode 2 for more information. I’m just kidding, don’t ban me, Facebook.
It will be available in early 2020. Stay tuned for more information on it. This VR world is going to be crazy!
Supported VR devices:
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
- Oculus Quest
More information here.
Half Life: Alyx
If you’ve been around for some time, you’ve heard of Half Life memes, especially the ones that mention “Half Life 3”. Well, although this title isn’t a direct sequel to a widely successful Half Life 2, it is its own thing that is said to be quite remarkable.
People that have played this upcoming title were truly impressed, and think that it has potential to help VR get to hardcore gamer’s hearts. Although fans were a bit all over the place hearing that it won’t be on PC, the fact that it’s solely built for VR makes me really excited to play it when it comes out around March 2020.
You will be able to interact with the world by throwing supplies, interacting with the interface, and our favorite, make gravity our slave. Every weapon that you carry can be used one handed so that the other hand is free to interact with everything else.
Currently, there is a period where you can play all the other Half Life games for free, so if you aren’t familiar with the world, I’d suggest to dip in. Half Life: Alyx isn’t free for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive users, but those who bought Valve: Index can get Alyx title for free once it comes out.
Supported VR devices:
- Valve Index
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
- HTC Vive
- Windows Mixed Reality
Check it out here!
After The Fall
The creators of Arizona Sunshine, one of the first VR shooters to come to VR, have finally finished a successor. Vertigo Games developers probably have more experience with Virtual Reality FPS shooters than any other company right now.
That is why I’m hyped for what they can deliver. We don’t know much about the game other than it has survival elements, and is similar to Arizona Sunshine. It has a campaign that you can do either solo or through Co-op.
The event itself is happening in 2005, but the world is in the 1980s style because the Apocalypse happened in 1985. It won’t be easy to progress with all the zombies around, just like in Arizona Sunshine. You’ll be able to explore the whole world and scavenge materials that are needed for your own load out. The bosses won’t be easy either and require some tactical thinking in order to proceed.
Zombies are always scary to play against, and in VR that effect is multiplied by a lot. If you enjoy that kind of thrill, this game might be just for you.
There is no determined date for the release of ‘After The Fall’. We only know that it comes out in 2020.
Supported VR devices:
- Valve Index
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Rift S
- HTC Vive
More information is found here.
Automobilista 2
The ones that are racing-sim fans should be pretty excited for it. Automobilista 2 is backed and built on the engine called Madness that powers Project Cars titles. It has been in the works for quite some times now, and is finally ready to be revealed in 2020.
It focuses on Brazilian motor sports scene that includes Brazilian tracks, series and manufacturers. That, obviously, doesn’t mean that vehicles themselves aren’t diverse. You’ll be able to feel the German power on the landscape that is much more exotic than what we are used to.
People are hyped for it because of new technology that might have emerged from years of inactivity in racing simulator scene. Plus, it’s already built with VR in mind, unlike other titles that have added it on the go. The comfort is always important in VR, and knowing that Virtual Reality mixed with cars may turn nauseating for some, I hope they have some solutions that make the experience better. I already noticed that the interior is a lot fatter which makes it easier for our peripheral vision, and I think that our headsets will have its own suspension so that we don’t throw up after one bump.
All in all, I’m actually quite exited for this title myself, so I’ll be checking it out.
Supported VR devices:
- Unknown for now.
More information on Automobilista 2 here.
Conclusion
2020 shapes up to be the year of AAA titles, as many companies are finally ready to start shipping out their products they worked on for years. I’m sure there are many more titles to fit here, so if you have any recommendations for me to check out, add it in the comments. I’d gladly add it to the list for others to see.
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