The Most Anticipated VR Games in 2022

Virtual reality is mostly known for its use in games. It could be said that Sega was the first company to attempt VR gaming, way back in the ’80s. That said, the company’s Master System 3D glasses don’t exactly match our concept of VR today. They were essentially VR-powered shades that showed 3D effects while users played particular titles (such as Space Harrier and Maze Hunter) on other screens. Fast-forward to the 2010s and VR as we now recognize it was introduced –– specifically via the Oculus Rift in 2012. Since then, the VR market has been growing, and it’s predicted that it will hit $12 billion by 2024.

This growing popularity is due in part to VR’s versatility since it can be utilized in various industries ranging from education to architecture. However, another big factor of its boom would be its rapidly improving accessibility. While it’s not something consumers always hear about, innovations regarding the internal hardware in headsets are transforming the market. Software design platforms for PCB design layouts are leading to far more standardization of the electronics within these devices. This in turn makes it easier for designs to be shared and manufactured in bulk –– which helps to make better and more affordable products. Developments like this are expected to make VR headsets far more “mainstream” in the coming years, for industrial and consumer use alike.

On the consumer front specifically, it’s a safe bet that much of VR’s growth will ultimately revolve around games. With headsets becoming more reasonable and widely available that is, more consumers will purchase them to see just what the virtual reality gaming craze is all about. This brings us to our main point, which is that new games will also help to drive VR’s popularity forward. And for this reason, we want to take a look at some of the most anticipated titles for the year to come.

Zenith

Zenith is an MMORPG that combines anime-inspired fantasy and cyberpunk themes. It also draws some inspiration from games such as Dark Souls and Ultima Online. Ramen VR, the developer, describes the game as hyper-immersive, especially in scenes that involve first-person combat. What’s most interesting about the game however is that classes are customizable, and not just in the sense that players can design and accessorize their characters however they want. In other MMORPGs, character types like healers and mages typically stay away from the frontlines, but in Zenith you can tank as a mage or heal as a blade master.

Oculus Quest and HTC Vive are known to be among the headsets that will support this game.

Assassin’s Creed VR

Assassin’s Creed is an action-adventure series that’s been beloved since its introduction in 2007. It has since produced titles playable on various consoles, as well as mobile devices. Then last year, a 2019 rumor was confirmed, with Ubisoft announcing that Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell (another of the developer’s popular series) would be adapted to virtual reality. We barely know anything about the games as of now save what we might assume based on existing titles, but Facebook has apparently signed to support them on Oculus headsets. It’s also known that the games will be developed by Ubisoft’s Red Storm, alongside their other branches.

Little Cities

If you’re fond of city-building simulations like SimCity and Cities Skylines, then Little Cities may be right up your alley as well. It looks to be visually similar to those games, although more simplified and on a smaller scale (for now). The game publisher, nDream, reports that the game will have familiar city sim features, such as area zoning and utility planning. And because it will exist within a virtual environment, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with your city in a way that simply hasn’t been possible in PC and console sim games to date. That alone makes for a thrilling concept, and we’re betting this game will be expanded on in the near future if players are pleased early on.

Little Cities will be available on Oculus Quests headsets.

Assetto Corsa

This game was actually released this year, but if you’re looking to try a new VR game before the 2022 titles roll out, it’s a great one to consider. Assetto Corsa is a racing game that represents a step up from its pre-VR predecessors. This is because the developers, and even VR headset manufacturers, have finally managed to make a truly immersive racing game in virtual reality. In this game, you’re actually able to get a genuine drifting experience (minus the motion sickness), as long as the latency between your headset and computer is low. It’s awfully fun to try –– not to mention the game itself is both beautiful and pleasantly challenging.

You can play this game through Oculus Quest 2 or HTC Vive Pro 2.

Undoubtedly there will be many additional exciting games coming out in 2022, as well as all sorts of other VR applications. But these are the titles we’d point consumers toward right now as VR prepares to accelerate to new heights.