whatoplay presents the 15 Most Anticipated VR Games for 2021, arranged by release dates.
To see the full list of all upcoming virtual reality titles visit our Upcoming VR Games page.
1. Hitman 3 An unexpected announcement for the Hitman fans.
The final chapter of the world’s greatest assassin is now fully playable in virtual reality.
Not only that, all three Hitman titles are now rebuilt to support VR.
That means all 20 or more locations across all three games can now be explored and experienced
in an entirely new way. It’s set to release this January 2021 exclusively for the PlayStation VR.
2. Panzer Dragoon: Voyage Record on PC and PS4 A remnant of a bygone era of rail-shooters makes
a return in Virtual Reality. SEGA’s Panzer Dragoon series once won the hearts of players
during the 90s and now they get to relive the experience once again in this dramatic VR
shooter. The reveal trailer showcased the new yet familiar gameplay of the franchise,
and surprisingly, Voyage Record will be a compilation of their three titles,
namely Panzer Dragoon, Panzer Dragoon Zwei, and RPG Panzer Dragoon Saga. It’s still in
development and its ássumed to come out next year for the PC, PS4 and select VR devices.
3. Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife When it comes to VR, the horror genre is a canvass
of infinite possibilities. Fast Travel Games’ project lets players become an object of horror
itself. As a wraith, they navigate a twisted Mansion devoid of pure souls. Players will use
a variety of spectral abilities to solve puzzles and unlock the secrets hidden behind its walls.
The game is set within the World of Darkness universe. Despite its terrifying elements,
it is narrative-driven with focus on exploration and stealth
in a first person perspective. Its doors will open this Early 2021 for the PC and PS4.
4. After The Fall Also pushing VR to its potential
is Vertigo Games’ upcoming IP. From the makers of Arizona Sunshine comes an adrenaline-pumping co-op
FPS set 20 years into the future. After The Fall pits up to 4 players into a living,
breathing world full of doom and gloom. Using VR, coordinate with other players and thwart a
legion of infected monsters from taking over this frozen wasteland. Customize loadouts
and find the perfect mod for some massive firepower. Coming this Early 2021 for the PC.
5. Phasmophobia
The latest gaming phenomenon that dominated gaming charts. Just in time for spooktober,
this first-person virtual-reality game from Kinetic Games is not just a test of patience,
but friendship as well. As a group of amateur paranormal investigators,
enter decrepit zones teeming with abnormal supernatural energy. The main objective
is to document as much paranormal activity as possible without costing the lives of the crew.
That means communing with the dead and placing cameras in strategic locations.
It’s still in its Early Access phase, which means there’s still more content
coming once the game officially releases next year for the PC.
6. Sniper Elite VR When the third-person gameplay of Rebellion’s
acclaimed Sniper game doesn’t feel enough, then this Virtual Reality version might do the trick.
Much like the previous entries, players assume the role of a master marksman determined to topple
a fascist empire to the ground… by popping their heads in satisfying X-Ray killshots.
It’s pretty straightforward, but the joy comes with planning the perfect
execution from its long-list of targets. It’s set to release sometime next year.
7. Space Engine Space enthusiasts can finally enjoy the
stars at the comfort of their own home in this Virtual Reality title from Vladimir Romanyuk.
Manipulate all of time and space using the laws of physics and most importantly,
with the VR gear. It’s a realistic planetarium designed to teach would-be scientists
on how the universe works. It may be theoretical most of the time,
but the endless possibilities of witnessing these moving bodies are a joy to behold. It’s currently
on Steam’s Early Access for quite some time now, but it's planning to come out next year.
8. Myst
A full-fledged remake of the 1993 point and click classic, developer Cyan takes players
once again into this surrealistic island full of vibrant flora and fauna. Now as a VR title,
the original game’s atmosphere is amplified for even greater immersion. Enjoy its breathtaking
sights, now with improved visuals and better sound for that perfect escape from reality.
There are not much details as of the moment, but the game is coming out to the PC next year.
9. The Mighty Eighth An upcoming war-game from
the developers of classic Simulation titles from the 80s and 90s. Take control of iconic warplanes
such as B-17s and Me-109s, all recreated with meticulous detail. MicroProse’s ambitious leap
into VR territory puts players into the cockpit, along with 10 other players in cooperative bombing
missions set during the height of World War 2. For non-VR players, the game is fully playable
without donning that expensive headgear. It’s set to release sometime next year.
10. Blunt Force Speaking of World War 2,
another VR title set during history’s darkest era
is coming next year for the PC. The game promises a rich-story with an action-packed campaign
focusing on two simultaneous storylines. It is loaded with epic set-pieces
that could rival Triple A titles, except this one has Virtual-Reality plastered all over.
It’s part shooter, part arcade fun, which gives players the choice to go
guns-blazing or enjoy simple shooting challenges.
11. The SoulKeeper: Chronicles There’s no denying that Virtual Reality still has
untapped potential, and this ambitious RPG from HELM Systems might be scratching its surface. Set
in a dark fantasy world, players embark on unique open-world scenarios spanning from three different
single-player campaigns. They can also decide whether they want to play with or without VR.
It’s still in early development so what we’re seeing right now is subject to change.
Who knows what the endgame product would look like. It’s slated for a 2021 release.
12. Project Wingman A combat-flight action game is
nothing new these days, but Sector D2’s upcoming VR title looks promising. Instead of using
standard World War 2 warplanes, Project Wingman takes us into an alternate future where dogfights
have left most of the mark in the world. With a selection of supersonic jet planes and more,
each of these flying metallic monsters is equipped with their own futuristic weaponry.
The game is still in development, and it’s scheduled to release next year.
13. Firmament on PC and PS4 Cyan Studios’ other upcoming VR title is
as ambitious as the rest of their catalogue. It’s set within the Cyan’s shared Myst universe and as
usual, it’s brimming with rich atmosphere. Unlike their previous titles where players travel alone,
Firmament introduces a little clockwork companion on their journey.
Work together to unlock the secrets of this mysterious new world.
The game is far from finished and its Kickstarter campaign is in need of more support.
It’s expected to come out this 2022, but the devs remain optimistic for a 2021 release.
14. Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual The classic crime-fighting duo is making
a comeback as a Virtual Reality game. It’s the perfect platform for the comedic adventures of
these anthropomorphic characters. Especially now that most quirky titles from the days of old
fare better in Virtual Reality. There’s still not enough details to report as of the moment, and it
has been a while since players enjoyed a Sam & Max title. It’s slated for a 2021 release.
15. Tin Hearts An Early Access title since 2018,
this adorable VR game is built for simplicity and fun. Guide a squad of tin soldiers in a
miniature toy world. Control the environment around them to make their journey easier.
Watch them as they march their way to new platforms in charming puzzle encounters.
It’s a game built for little kids, or anyone who wants to relax after a long day of work.
It’s expected to officially release next year for the PC, but that’s always subject to change.