Looking for the most graphically demanding VR games?
The cost to play these games at their full potential might be worth it, especially if you’re an enthusiast looking for a real challenge.
Thanks to continued advancements in technology, VR games have become more accessible and immersive than ever before. We’ve seen an increase in the number of games that support VR, as well as an increase in fidelity thanks to higher-resolution displays like the Oculus Rift S and HTC Vive Pro.
However, not every VR game can run well on every PC, and some require more horsepower than others. To help you navigate the murky waters of PC gaming rigs and the best graphics card to use, we’ve put together a list of the most graphically demanding VR games.
Here are the most graphically demanding VR games:
Star Wars: Squadrons
Star Wars: Squadrons is an upcoming multiplayer space combat game that will be available on Oculus Quest and Rift S. Whether you play in VR or not, the game will require a mid-range graphics card. However, to play in VR mode, you’ll need something a little more powerful.
In order to play Star Wars: Squadrons in VR mode, you’ll need a PC with a GPU equivalent to an RTX 3070 or higher. We’d recommend the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT as it’s one of the best graphics cards around right now.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky offers a VR mode that you can experience using a GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 470, but if you’re looking to push it to the limit, an RTX 3070 or higher is recommended.
Asgard’s Wrath
Asgard’s Wrath is one of the most GPU-intensive VR games around. To run Asgard’s Wrath at a respectable frame rate, you’ll need a PC with an Intel i7-7700 and a NVIDIA GTX 1080.
Hubris
Hubris is one of the most visually stunning VR games currently available. Set in a sci-fi world, this game features a range of methods of navigation from teleporting, to flying, and even a wheelbarrow.
If you want to avoid a performance hit while playing in VR, you’ll need an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti or RTX 2080 Ti. For the smoothest frame rate, you’ll want to check out our Hubris tips guide.
Lone Echo 2
Lone Echo 2 is a deep and immersive VR game that offers an impressive suite of techniques for movement. It also looks absolutely stunning, and to run it at a respectable frame rate, you’re going to need a very powerful graphics card, like the RTX 3090.
Pavlov VR
Pavlov VR is an impressive VR shooter with realistic graphics and lighting effects. If you want to avoid blur and jitter, you’ll want to equip yourself with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti or higher.
Boneworks
Boneworks is a physics-based VR FPS, much like Onward, that demands a minimum of a GTX 1060. However, if you want the best performance, you’ll want to kit out your PC with a GPU 2060 Super or higher.
Half-Life: Alyx
Half-Life: Alyx is a must-play VR game that can be enjoyed with a 12GB RAM rig. If you’re playing on a laptop, however, you’ll want to make sure it packs a punch, and our guide to the best graphics card for gaming laptops should be able to help you out.
While it is possible to play using a laptop with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, we’d recommend using a desktop instead. Why? Because you’ll be able to take full advantage of the graphics settings, and you’ll be able to enjoy the game without worrying about your battery life.
For optimal performance, you’ll need a current quadcore CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or 2080.
Microtransaction Madness
Microtransaction Madness is a multiplayer game that offers a unique gameplay experience. This is a free-to-play game that doesn’t require a super expensive graphics card to play, but if you do want to be the best, you’ll need a high-end graphics card like the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT.
