As we dive further into the ever-evolving world of virtual reality, it’s clear that this year has been a landmark for an industry that’s anything but stagnant. Despite being around for nearly a decade, VR continues to push boundaries, reshaping our expectations of gaming, creativity, and social connections.
The year 2024 has truly highlighted VR’s potential, demonstrating its viability beyond just the release of more blockbuster games—though there have certainly been plenty of those. We’ve witnessed a range of exciting new titles and bold indie projects that prove VR isn’t just a niche pursuit, but a thriving market that promises great rewards for both developers and players.
What really makes this year stand out is the emphasis on refinement. Game creators have taken past lessons to heart, propelling VR into a future defined by greater comfort, deeper immersion, and enhanced accessibility. From revolutionary gameplay mechanics and compelling storylines to breathtaking graphics that transport you entirely into another world, 2024 has been a year rich with achievements and full of exciting promises for what’s next.
And now, I’m thrilled to share the winners of Road to VR’s 2024 Game of the Year Awards.
Skydance’s Behemoth
Developer: Skydance Games
Platforms: Quest, PSVR 2, PC VR
Release Date: December 5th, 2024
PC VR games cater to enthusiasts like no other platform, offering the capacity to maximize hardware capabilities for unmatched visual fidelity, compared to Quest and PSVR 2. Yet, immersion transcends pure graphics. It involves crafting worlds that intuitively make sense and characters that feel vividly lifelike. Behemoth by Skydance Games stands tall among VR’s crowning achievements in consistency and innovation.
Drawing from their acclaimed title, The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners, Skydance harnessed physical-based melee and expert world-building to create Behemoth’s rich universe. Before you even encounter your first formidable enemy, you’ll be mastering a variety of skills—from agile grappling hook maneuvers to accuracy-soaked archery. And when the battles do unfold, you’re presented with creative freedom: deploy one of three Legendary weapons or wield enemy gear for a uniquely personal combat experience. Behemoth embodies the essence of VR gaming excellence and is a must-play for 2024.
Batman: Arkham Shadow
Developer: Camouflaj
Publisher: Oculus Studios / Meta
Platform: Quest 3/S exclusive
Release Date: October 21st, 2024
Batman: Arkham Shadow emerged against considerable odds—it revived a franchise that had been dormant for nearly a decade, crafted by a team unrelated to the original developers, and redesigned its iconic gameplay for VR. The success of Camouflaj in overcoming these obstacles makes it our top Quest Game of the Year.
Instead of simply converting an Arkham entry to VR, the developers explored the fundamental elements of Batman, maintaining its soul while radically reimagining its mechanics. The result delivers a thrilling VR adaptation where every aspect—including the signature Arkham brawling—has been reshaped for virtual reality, granting players the exhilarating sensation of being Gotham’s vigilante hero.
Metro Awakening
Developer: Vertigo Games
Platforms: PSVR 2, Quest, PC VR
Release Date: November 7th, 2024
For years, Metro fans speculated about how its immersive, post-apocalyptic world would translate into VR. Vertigo Games answered by skillfully adapting what makes Metro unique into a VR experience while simultaneously tailoring the series’ mechanics to feel organically sensory.
A standout feature is the imaginative array of weapons that engage players with their interactivity and VR authenticity, elevating the tension and reward in combat. Alongside an ingenious backpack inventory system and atmospheric soundscapes, Metro Awakening delivers a gripping VR saga, earning it our esteemed Excellence in Immersion award.
Starship Home
Developer: Creature
Platform: Quest 3/S exclusive
Release Date: September 26th, 2024
In a year when mixed reality hasn’t fully realized its potential, Starship Home emerges as a beacon of creativity. Creature’s innovative approach allows players to blend virtual and physical worlds like never before, earning it recognition in our awards.
This game stands out with its casual ship management and sci-fi gardening elements, demonstrating MR’s ability to enhance gameplay. Modules intelligently placed around your room transform the environment into an interstellar outpost, paving the way for further MR innovations.
UNDERDOGS
Developer: One Hamsa
Platforms: Quest, PC VR
Release Date: January 25th, 2024
UNDERDOGS, claiming both our Excellence in Locomotion and Excellence in Indie Development awards, is a testament to creativity. Featuring arm-based locomotion that mimics skating yet doubles as combat, this indie gem orchestrates an engaging dance of agility and strategy.
Skillfully balancing innovative movement with dynamic combat, UNDERDOGS exemplifies how indie developers can push VR limits with great success.
Blade & Sorcery
Developer: Warpfrog
Platforms: PC VR, Quest
Release Date: June 17th, 2024
Blade & Sorcery evolved from a mod-friendly combat sandbox to include a profound narrative mode, solidifying its journey with the ‘Crystal Hunt’ update. Warpfrog’s dedication to polishing its cornerstone VR title illustrates a commitment to enhancing player experience, making it worthy of our ongoing development acclaim.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened!
Developers: Flat2VR Studios, Holy Wow Studios
Publisher: Flat2VR Studios
Platforms: Quest, PC VR, PSVR 2
Release Date: November 26th, 2024
Turning the whimsical rhythm antics of Trombone Champ into a rich VR experience wasn’t trivial, but Flat2VR’s masterful port highlights their proficiency. Are they not just adapting games for VR but refining them to fit the platform’s core strengths. With its engaging, fun-filled rendition, Trombone Champ: Unflattened! shows Flat2VR as a rising powerhouse in VR game transformation.
As we close the chapter on 2024, these awards remind us how far VR has come and the incredible potential it holds for the future. With platforms natively supporting these groundbreaking titles, VR’s growth seems unstoppable. Here’s to an exciting horizon in gaming.
