
If ever there were a year to try games that can drop you into an alternate reality, 2020 would be it. As the coronavirus pandemic restricts our travel and the never-ending news cycle weighs on our minds, a virtual reality headset can provide some relief, escape and distraction (at least for a little bit) from actual reality. It’s one of the best ways to leave home from the comfort of your home.
The goggle-like gadgets, which float a screen in front of your eyes to create a virtual 360-degree landscape, offer an immersive way to play increasingly powerful video games, make art, exercise, and even spend time with friends. And it’s a good time to get in on the action: In the past, VR headsets were attached to a computer and were, for most people, prohibitively expensive. But the new generation is surprisingly approachable. Facebook recently launched the Oculus Quest 2, a $300 headset that Wirecutter named its top pick because it doesn’t require cords or a computer — you can slip it on and start playing just about anywhere, though it does require a Facebook account to use. An alternative is Playstation’s PSVR, but with outdated specs and a new PlayStation due in November, the PSVR will soon be obsolete. Other VR headsets, like the Vive and Valve Index, are pricier and require PCs.
The rapidly expanding VR universe, which is accessible from an app store within the headset, will please beginners of all tastes and ages, from an experienced PC gamer to your 8-year-old niece. Here are some tips on where to begin.
For the ‘Matrix’ Superfan
For the Kids (and Adults, Too)
“Angry Birds” helped to hook the world on mobile gaming more than a decade ago, and the game works well in VR, too, where flinging feathered avians at green pigs and their flimsy dwellings in a tropical island setting has a surprisingly relaxing effect. Angry “Birds VR: Isle of Pigs” ($15) also has the option to build custom levels, adding the ability to choose your own pigs, block materials, and use as much TNT as you want, for players who are into that sort of thing.
For the Serious Gamer
Who else dreamed of being Ender Wiggin as a kid? “Echo Arena,” part of “Echo VR” (free) transports players to a zero-gravity battle room that looks like it’s straight out of “Ender’s Game.” Competitors fling themselves off walls and obstacles in hopes of tossing a disc through the opposing team’s goal — but watch out for opponents trying to land a punch. This is a great game to try with a friend who also has a headset, and shows a promising future for sports games reinvented for VR. Players should be sure to clear out a room before playing so they don’t go careening into any furniture.
Interested in learning more about the best things to buy and how to use them? Visit Wirecutter, where you can read the latest reviews and find daily deals.
Leave a Reply