IS VR Worth It?
IS VR Worth It?
It remains primarily a tech showcase at this stage. The main challenge lies in the limited full-feature content, with many titles being either short or merely adding VR as a superficial gimmick. Most available material still resembles tech demos—concepts tested for future VR experiences. When I used the Oculus Rift DK2, TechnoLust stood out as the top option, despite lacking gameplay, because it truly transported me into another world. In my view, this immersive storytelling approach is the direction VR should take. The ability to engage in story-driven games with minimal action is what excites me most. I recommend holding off until next-gen headsets launch or wireless VR becomes commonplace.
Go for a quick search on Google Cardboard to experiment with VR—it’s not perfect, but it’s much cheaper. You can also find basic phone VR headsets for around $5 to $10.
I recommend checking out the Rift. There are many games available now, mainly horror and shooters, and they’re really enjoyable. Most require a single playthrough or structured breaks/chapters. I’ve been curious about where @Sakkura obtains his VR titles—there are plenty on Steam and itch.io.
There are wireless upgrade options for both the Vive and Rift, though they can be costly. The content library has expanded significantly, showing a clear progression from the Rift CV1 to the DK2 era. Developers are now releasing their second or third VR titles, building on previous work. There aren’t many long-duration singleplayer games (mostly converted titles), but I’m not sure that’s essential. Wireless connectivity as a standard feature would be a welcome addition. Oculus store and some Steam releases are available.
I was discussing today’s scenario. When I first owned the DK2, there was almost nothing available. Things have improved now, but most of the content is still in the early stages, mainly focused on testing VR possibilities. On major gaming YouTube channels, VR titles are rare, and when asked, they usually claim they’ve played every worthwhile game and quickly lose interest after a few sessions. You won’t find 50-hour experiences yet; currently, most games last only an hour or two, except for those that convert to VR, which often perform poorly. There are many games with short playtimes since there’s no strong objective beyond casual exploration or wave-based shooters without a clear end. Although there’s more content now compared to the DK2 era, I still think users will grow bored and stop using it after a few months. Still, VR headsets offer good resale value, so you could sell it at that point. I didn’t lose much money on my DK2 because I bought it used and sold it for just under the purchase price.
Major gaming youtube channels never did VR in the first place. There are dedicated VR channels doing a steady stream of VR content though. There are lots of games that last more than an hour or two. Arizona Sunshine, Arktika.1, Brass Tactics, Chronos, Eagle Flight, Echo Arena, Edge of Nowhere, Fantastic Contraption, From Other Suns, I Expect You To Die, Karnage Chronicles, Landfall, Lone Echo, Lucky's Tale, Onward, OrbusVR, Raw Data, Redout, Rez Infinite, Robinson: The Journey, Robo Recall, Serious Sam 1, 2, 3, Solus Project, Sprint Vector, Subnautica, Superhot VR, Talos Principle, The Climb, The Mage's Tale, The Unspoken, Thumper, Ultrawings, Wilson's Heart, Windlands, Witchblood, Xing. That's a fair number right there, and all just from my library (and sorting out some of the shovelware).
For fans of Sims titles (Flight, Racing, Space), transitioning back to a standard monitor after VR playtime can be challenging. Elite Dangerous Project Cars 1 & 2, Assetto Corsa Dirt Rally, DCS World X-Plane all benefit from VR, though many need compatible wheels or H.O.T.A.S for optimal performance. VR truly transforms the experience. I’d hold off until the Vive Pro launches (or use the Samsung Odyssey Windows VR Headset now) for better clarity if you’re serious about it. The current version works, but text readability, gauges, and distant objects are still problematic without an upgrade.
I believe VR will reach its full potential once headsets become lighter, more affordable, and offer extensive supported content. It could become just as popular as 3D TV.