In recent years, virtual reality has exploded within the mainstream, with more and more games becoming readily available for gamers to play in their shiny new VR headsets. Some traditional video games that were originally intended for regular screens have even made the jump to VR, with titles such asSuperhotandSkyrimgetting their own virtual reality versions. Some AAA titles, like the recently releasedStar Wars Squadrons, have been developed with virtual reality in mind from the start, and it’s fantastic to see more love and care getting devoted to the new medium of gaming.
The horror genre is one facet of virtual reality that has seen a particularly large amount of support from game developers, withthe recent online horror titlePhasmophobiabeing VR-supported from day one, and other horror games likeLayers of FearandBlair Witchgetting VR ports. In celebration of the Halloween season, it seems only appropriate to discuss a few other horror games that would be perfect to play in virtual reality.
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Outlast
Outlasthas always been a bit of a roller coaster of an experience, with an incredibly fast-paced story through bothOutlastandOutlast 2. The games feature some frightening enemies and locations, from a cornfield to an insane asylum to a lab testing facility. The game is terrifying as it is, so the implementation of VR would only increase the game’s scariest.The upcomingOutlast Trialswas originally rumored to be including virtual reality, however, the feature has since been de-confirmed by Red Barrels Games. The idea of theOutlastseries adding VR support has not left the minds of many fans, however, as players continue to wonder what a VR Outlast game would be like. It would be nice if the first game, or even a brand new title, could include this at some point in the future.
Observer
Bloober Team has already ported two of its very popular horror titles –Layers of FearandBlair Witch– to virtual reality, so it would only make sense for the team to give the same treatment to its other popular game,Observer.Observeris very different from Bloober Team’s other titles, in that it takes place within a science-fiction universe reminiscent ofBlade Runner. The player works as a private investigator who interrogates their suspects by hacking into their memories and experiencing them first-hand. This game would work well in VR, and seems like the perfect fit for the platform.
Silent Hill
TheSilent Hillseries has been around for over two decades, with the first several titles all regarded nowadays as some of the greatest horror games of all time. If the series was ever to return, it would do very well in virtual reality. Whether it be a full remake or a brand new game entirely,Silent HillVR sounds like a match made in heaven. One fan on YouTube even made a trailer for a fakeSilent Hill 2VR game, and it looks simply incredible.
Additionally, fans of the canceledSilent Hillsmight be aware that the original demo of the game,P.T., was remade for PC and has a virtual reality option. So in a way,Silent Hillis already available to play in VR, albeit unofficially and only in the form of a small demo. But the demo does indicate what a fullSilent HillVR experience could potentially feel like.
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Call of Duty - nazi zombies
Virtual reality already has a handful of great zombie experiences: bothArizona SunshineandThe Walking Dead: Saints & Sinnersoffer some great zombie killing fun. However, it would be great if fans could experience the original Nazi Zombie killing gameplay that they grew up loving. A port of the Nazi Zombie mode from theCall of Dutyseries would be a fantastic VR experience in its own right. Whether it was just a port of the zombie mode fromCall of Duty: World at War, or some sort of compilation, any form of the classic side mode would be an incredible experience on virtual reality.
Slender
Slenderseems like an obvious pick for virtual reality, considering its pick-up-and-play nature. Many VR players are unable to play for extended periods of time, andSlenderis one game that works perfect in short bursts, and features incredibly simple gameplay and controls to boot. The original game,Slender: The Eight Pages, was actually ported unofficially to VR awhile back, and it proves that the title can very easily work on the platform. An official release ofSlenderto some capacity could be a truly great on virtual reality, with many possibilities for VR-specific features and controls.
Resident Evil 8
2017’s release ofResident Evil 7showed fans that theResident Evilseries fits perfectly into the VR world, and more of its titles would greatly benefit from getting released for virtual reality headsets. Though it technically hasn’t been released yet (andhas not yet been de-confirmed to be coming to VR), many fans are hoping thatResident Evil 8will get the same treatment as its predecessor by receiving an optional VR mode. Whether or not it will remain exclusively for PlayStation or will be available for all VR platforms, any sort of VR support would be welcome for the new game. Given the fact thatResident Evil 8is running on what appears to be the same engine asResident Evil 7, a VR mode will likely be very easy for Capcom to implement. Fans will have to wait and see if the upcoming horror game includes this feature, but at the moment it doesn’t seem terribly unlikely.
These are just a few horror games that could benefit from getting ported to virtual reality headsets, but there are many more games out there that could also be great picks as well.
