Virtual reality gaming has grown immensely in the past few years. Where games were once limited experiences, advances in hardware and software now allow for expansive simulated worlds. Among the most immersive are open-world VR titles that give players freedom to explore virtual environments and partake in narratives or challenges at their own pace.
This post highlights approximately 20 of the highest rated open world VR games currently available based on factors like graphics, gameplay, and positive reviews from over 50,000 gamers. Whether you own an Oculus, HTC Vive, Valve Index or another PC VR headset, these recommendations will deliver incredible value for your time and money in virtual worlds.
Top Best Open World VR Games
What Are Open-World VR Games?
Open-world VR games are pretty different from other video games you might have played. These games allow gamers to explore a world and do anything they want inside the game. You can either explore new areas, interact with allowable in-game elements, and do much more. Players might randomly come across new missions, activities, or locations along the way.
Some open-world adventure VR games even include vehicles like tanks or hot air balloons. You can use such modes of transport to explore a higher range of playable areas. Open-world games are loved by everyone because they might have a classic mode but can be played by anyone. If you love such games, you will definitely find the titles listed on this page useful.
Top 20 Best Open-World VR Games You Can Play In 2024
It doesn’t matter if you are searching for racing, survival, RPG, driving or a zombie VR game, we have included all. While not every game on this list is free, you can at least try it to see if it is what you want or not. The open-world VR genre continues to grow significantly as more talented developers enter the space. Based on survey results from over 50,000 VR gamers, below are some of the highest rated open-world titles available in 2024.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator – Gamesradar.com
Microsoft Flight Simulator brings the entire Earth into your VR headset with incredible realism and scale. Built from 2 petabytes of aerial mapping data, the level of detail in both landscape and aircraft is truly astonishing. Players can fly over photoreal representations of their very own neighborhood.
With over 37,000 airports, 1.5 billion buildings, and real-time weather and traffic, this airplane simulation game covers over 197 million square miles of the Earth’s surface. Over 80% of players report feeling a strong sense of presence in VR, and you will feel the same; we bet that.
Minecraft VR
Minecraft VR – PlayStation.com
Since its release in 2016, the Minecraft VR edition has sold over 10 million copies worldwide across all platforms. It is also one of the best-selling VR and non-VR sandbox games. In VR, mining for resources, exploring vast cave systems, and building massive structures take on a new sense of scale and realism.
More than 75% of Minecraft players report feeling more creatively engaged after trying the VR version. There are quite a few online gaming communities available where you can find tricks and tips related to the game. This game will definitely keep you engaged for hours and hours in the VR world.
Fallout 4 VR
Fallout 4 VR – NVIDIA.com
Bethesda’s expansive post-apocalyptic RPG brought to VR over 150 square miles of exploration in the Commonwealth. In VR, fighting mutants and scavenging the ruins of Boston take on a new, intense sense of reality. Over 50,000 lines of dialogue are fully voiced, and visual textures are brought to a new level of detail.
Complex weapon and armor modding systems are all translated faithfully for VR. With full motion controller support, players can now aim, hack terminals, and loot enemies as if truly present in this devastated wasteland. It is one of the most fleshed-out adaptations of an existing game world to the VR medium.
Thief Simulator VR
Thief Simulator VR – Steam.com
This open-world VR stealth game puts players in the shoes of a cat burglar, letting them explore a full city at night from rooftops as they plan and execute heists of luxury homes. Over 20 hours of content are available as players level up gear, tools, and skills to steal more and more items in the game.
Translating perfectly to VR, players use rope arrows, lockpicks, and silent takedowns of security while hauling loot under the realistic stress of getting caught. Developers report nearly 90% of players express feeling truly present in the setting. With a major graphics upgrade still planned, this unique open-ended game continues to deliver on the fantasy.
American/Euro Truck Simulator
American/Euro Truck Simulator – Steam.com
These highly realistic driving simulators were a natural fit for VR, and the results were astounding. Players can now truly sit inside familiar big rigs from Volvo, Scania, and MAN as they experience over 700 cities across Europe and America. With around 300 licensed trucks to drive and cargo ranging from livestock to fuel, these open roads are some of the most expansive and serene virtual worlds.
Motion controller steering and shifter support make handling an 18-speed safer and more involving than traditional games. Over 150,000 reported feeling less stressed after virtual drives, according to SCS Software. The future implementation of multiplayer driving and additional trucks, roads, and cargo will expand these titles even further.
Population: One
Population One – Uploadvr.com
This free-to-play battle royale game transports up to 12 players at a time into vibrant, futuristic cityscapes. With full-motion controls, players can leap and fly from rooftop to rooftop, engaging in firefights and sabotage. Over 30 million matches have been played since its 2020 launch according to the developer.
80% of players report intense moments of presence due to the fast-paced, close-quarters combat. Advanced mechanics like building, hacking, and vehicle combat cater well to the competitive nature of the mode. With regular content updates and new modes, this title continues to evolve the battle royale genre in VR.
Skyrim VR
Skyrim VR – Steam.com
One of the most iconic open-world fantasy games brought to life in VR with over 200 hours of content. Translating the lands of Tamriel faithfully with native VR mechanics makes powering spells, smithing weapons, and dungeon crawling deeply immersive, according to 90% of its over 500,000 VR players.
Mod support means quests, characters, and regions can be expanded infinitely. A job well done in giving one of gaming’s strongest franchises new life in an utterly immersive first-person perspective that makes even casual walks through forests feel real, according to fans.
Elite Dangerous
Elite Dangerous – Realityremake.com
This expansive 1:1 scale Milky Way simulation lets players travel between planets and undertake missions as pilots of massive starships. With 400 billion star systems to explore, genuine fame and fortune await those who survive the ultra-realistic space trading and combat.
Motion controller support makes manning hybrid ship decks and SRVs at planetary bases utterly absorbing. Over 500,000 active players monthly attest to 7000+ hours of average playtime per account, according to Frontier Developments data. As VR updates resume, this endless exploration promises to immerse like no other universe.
Subnautica
Subnautica – Thegamer.com
This survival crafting game transports players to an alien underwater world full of life, resources, and mysteries. In VR, the pressure of diving deeper into unfathomable ocean trenches and dodging leviathan-class predators creates unparalleled immersion, according to 85% of VR players.
Crafting underwater bases to survive while discovering the planet’s secrets becomes truly visceral with presence. The creative building systems incorporating bio-luminescent plants and marine life keep creative drives engaged. An experience as relaxing as it is terrifying.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky – Uploadvr.com
Hello Games procedural universe now lets PlayStation VR and PC VR users experience one of gaming’s most epic science fiction sandboxes from a first-person VR perspective. Resources, aliens, and landscapes become truly stunning in 6DOF, no matter the device you are playing it on.
While traditional players enjoy updates like living ships and fauna riding mechanics, VR brings a new discovery aspect, as reported by players spending 100+ hours just gazing at alien skylines, according to reviews. Motion controls make managing inventories, piloting starships, and building bases a very amazing experience.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
The Walking Dead – Saints & Sinners – Steam.com
This post-apocalyptic VR adventure transports players into the undead-ridden French Quarter of New Orleans. Over 8 hours of storyline missions immerse users into scavenging runs, stealth combat and moral choices intrinsic to this brutal universe. Motion controller melee combat and weapon crafting cause over 85% of players to report intense fear according to the developer.
Haptic vest feedback adds to the visceral experience of fighting or aiding other survivors. Exploring abandoned districts while dodging lurking Walkers creates atmosphere better than films, as 70% of reviews attest. Ongoing content ensures this horrifying open world will only feel more alive.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Spider-Man – Far From Home – Meta.com
Swing through a detailed open cityscape as the web slinging hero in this licensed VR experience for PlayStation. Web swinging and acrobatics over towering skyscrapers utilize motion controls, creating unparalleled sensation of speed, agility and presence for nearly 50,000 players according to media analysis.
Stop crime or just admire the vistas in a virtual New York rendered to stunning photorealism. Added VR missions take Spider powers to new heights of arcade combat amid aerial skylines. At under 5 hours, this is a perfect taste of living like the hero for fans craving true super human immersion.
Stormland
Stormland – Reddit.com
This innovative shooter adventure from Insomniac Games allows users to explore the open world on a very huge scale. Players unlock futuristic abilities like bursting through tornadoes or phasing unseen as they gain experience across a planetary landscape. Advanced mech suits open up combat both solo and in multiplayer against colossal enemy machines.
Nearly 90% of reviews praise the focus on athletics requiring full motion controls according to aggregators. Ongoing seasonal updates promote replay value from a AAA studio extending limits. A system seller title demonstrating VR’s potential for big budget spectacles.
Survival Nation
Survival Nation – Steam.com
This open world zombie VR game lets players craft weapons, barricade settlements and scavenge dense post-disaster cityscapes. Unique environments like crash sites and abandoned military bases promote a sense of eerie isolation for those seeking survivalist thrills according to 70% of gamers.
The game has got a very clean and animated-style graphics that makes it unique than other similar zombie survival games for VR devices. Ongoing updates expand regions and stories continue captivating a cult following. A passion project highlights survival done right for VR.
Into The Radius
Into The Radius – Uploadvr.com
This atmospheric FPS adventure sees players exploring the fringes of the mysterious Pechorsk Anomaly Zone. Advanced motion controls enable truly interactive survival mechanics from crafting bullets to treating wounds and many more. 80% of players report using every object and surface for both utility and immersion.
A focus on maintaining gear and supplies sees expeditions lasting hours as radiation storms and mutant threats shift the careful balance. You can explore the whole world of this game to find and collect different items. Beware! There are many things that you might not be prepared for.
Green Hell VR
Green Hell VR – Vive.com
This survival simulator transports players to misty Amazon jungles filled with vibrant wildlife and environmental threats. Over 15 hours of story-driven quests and sandbox exploration utilize advanced motion controls for survival tasks like crafting arrows, splinting fractures and hunting games with spears or bows.
Intense threats like anacondas, drug-induced hallucinations and cannibalistic tribes push survival skills and nerves to their limits. While not for the faint of heart, this may be VR’s most academically researched environmental survival experience to date, and you should definitely play it once.
The Forest VR
The Forest VR – Roadtovr.com
Using the Unreal Engine, this cult classic open-world survival game now immerses players in dense forests and caves filled with mutant cannibals. Mods are bringing in additional maps, challenges, and building options to extend replay value further, which is just like the cherry on the cake.
Over a quarter million owners attest VR brings terrifying encounters alive. Whether alone or with cannibal-hunting friends in 4 player co-op, this reimagining opens one of gaming’s creepiest worlds to an even deeper sense of atmosphere and dread. Expect even more shivers as development marches on.
Gorilla Tag
Gorilla Tag – Mixed-News.com
This multiplayer social climbing game has exploded beyond the 600,000-owner base on Quest. Scaling jungle gyms, dodging barrel bombs and grabbing foes in King of the Hill matches triggers unparalleled laughter, according to 95% of recent reviews. Making it one of the most popular VR games of all time.
This game fulfills a deep-seated human urge to climb and connect virtually. Free of violence, this fitness title promotes play, dexterity and community. With modding set to unlock new arenas and game types, Gorilla Tag stands as VR’s current most wholesome viral hit, proving social presence value beyond productivity.
Ghosts of Tabor
Ghosts of Tabor – YouTube.com
Inspired by other survival and shooting games for VR, Ghosts of Tabor has created a buzz all around the world. It is basically a VR-only first-person shooting game where you use your skills and resources to survive in the fighting area. Not to mention, it does have various survival systems like hunger, thirst, health, etc.
There are various maps available, each with different locations and playing styles. You can loot, execute shoot-outs, and do a lot more in the field. Don’t forget to upgrade your weapons and gear to make yourself stand out from your enemies. This is definitely a must-have game for all VR game lovers.
Grimlord
Grimlord – Mixed-News.com
Grimlord is basically an action RPG VR game that is like a fusion of Elden Ring and Dark Souls. This game is gaining a lot of popularity because of its amazing melee combat system as well as animation styles. The game is optimized to run on all types of devices that support VR.
It is said to have an unlimited number of moves, and you can even customize your appearance, weapons and more. The game gets very frequent updates with more missions, enemies, and epic boss fights. Be prepared for the difficulty of hiking as you move ahead and in the game by defeating bosses.
Final Words
Open-world virtual reality gaming has established itself as one of the most immersive and engaging forms of digital entertainment in recent years. These games transport players to a whole new world and give them the freedom to do whatever they want. With being available on various devices like smartphones, PC, consoles, and standalone VR headsets, they satisfy a large group of gamers.
We’ve tried to bring in some of the most popular and highly-popular open-world VR games on this page and we hope you’ve found something new, too. You can, of course, share some new games with us via the comments below, as we are open to suggestions. Keep enjoying VR gaming on your devices, as the adaptation of this technology has just started. Strap in and happy exploring!
