One of the most played genres in all of gaming history is, by far, first person shooters, or FPS. Dating as far back as the days of Half-Life, Doom, and Goldeneye 007, gamers have gotten hours upon hours of enjoyment from blasting their enemies away from their character’s POV. The same sentiment still holds true today with the implementation of virtual reality. Now more than ever, players can immerse themselves directly into the action genre with peripherals like the PSVR2, the virtual reality headset for PS5 consoles.
Compiled in this list are a selection of games that are incredible entries into the PSVR2 catalogue. If you’re new to the genre or even VR itself, let this be a guide for some titles to build your library. All of the following VR games can have their immersion levels enhanced with products such as the Glistco Magni Stock+ VR Stock For PSVR2. Click the link for more information. Now let’s talk about some of the best shooter games that the PSVR2 has to offer in 2023.
Resident Evil Village VR
An added mode to the eighth main entry into one of the most terrifying survival horror franchises of all time, Resident Evil Village VR drops you right into the creepy and unsettling atmosphere of Castle Dimitrescu. The base game was nominated for Game of the Year at the Game Awards in 2021 and with the addition of the VR mode, it chills the spines of gamers in whole new ways. With ammo conservation being a staple of Resident Evil games, one can’t help but fear the dreaded “0/0” when you look down at your gun. The PSVR2’s OLED screen will make it crystal clear when you stare down the scope of your sniper rifle at your enemies in the distance. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be face to face with Lady D, herself?
The VR mode is a free add on for players who already own Resident Evil Village, but if you’re new to the series, there is a demo you can check out on the PlayStation Store that teaches you the shooting mechanics as well as give you a taste of the monsters that await you throughout the eponymous village. Just don’t forget the herbs. You’re going to need them.
Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded
Rule #1: Cardio. Rule #18 Limber Up. These are some of the important rules you’ll need to follow if you want to strap on your PSVR2 headset and take on zombie hordes in the arcade shooting gallery gameplay of Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded. Nut up or shut up with the likes of Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock as you unlock new guns and perks to make slaughtering the undead even more fun than it already is.
The cult classic duology of films translates well into VR as the impending threat of slow-moving zombies (a.k.a the truest form of zombie) makes every headshot that much more satisfying. Precision is key as the more headshots you rack up, the higher you’ll place on the leaderboard. And remember Rule #2: Double Tap! Don’t want any zombies playing possum and ruining your high score now, do you?
Pavlov VR
If you have friends who don’t have a VR setup --- first and foremost, how lame! Why are you friends with them? --- then you should introduce them to Pavlov. The PSVR2 version offers so much for so little. Priced at around $30, this team-based multiplayer shooter gives the most realistic weapon handling out of all the games on this list.
With game modes inspired by the biggest FPS series, such as Rainbow Six and Counter Strike, you’ll feel more in your element than ever if you’re a seasoned veteran of shooting games. Did I mention it has over 60 different guns with a myriad of attachments? Shotguns, snipers, and pistols! Oh my! It even has WWII era weapons for all you history buffs out there. The customization is limitless! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Hmm, I think I know why they named it Pavlov. Anyone else hear a bell?
Star Wars: Tales from Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition
Anyone who has ever been to Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland or Disneyworld should be no stranger to the planet of Batuu. Thankfully this version of it doesn’t have endless lineups or the need to book an appointment to build a custom lightsaber when you thought you could just walk in and do it even though you had no idea how you were going to store it on the plane home. I’m not bitter that I didn’t get to make one. What makes you think that? I built a custom BB droid instead and I love him very much.
A smuggler’s paradise for the most part, Batuu still feels the presence of the First Order. In Tales from Galaxy’s Edge, you take on the role of a droid repair technician who has crash landed on Batuu. You’ll face off in blaster battles against rival gangs, the First Order, and more as you immerse yourself in a galaxy far, far away.
The eye tracking on the PSVR2 flourishes as you take in the sights of the various flora and fauna. Make sure to keep your trigger finger ready because on a planet full of smugglers, you never know who might pop up and ambush you. Fans of the Star Wars saga will also get a kick out of some of the familiar faces you’ll see along your journey. The PS store features an extensive demo for PSVR2 users who want to get some target practice in so they can always be the ones to shoot first.
Honorable Mentions
Firewall Ultra (Upcoming Release)
The original Firewall game, Firewall: Zero Hour, released relatively early in the lifecycle of the VR for the PS4, but it remains to be one of the most fun first-person shooters in the VR world. It was a multiplayer tactical FPS in VR, one of the first of its kind on console, and it even came with a nifty (read: meh) peripheral, the PSVR Aim Controller. Since that time, not only have grips for the motion controllers improved --- including the Glistco Magni Stock+ --- but Firewall Ultra, a sequel to Zero Hour, will be releasing less than a week after the writing of this very article. The gameplay trailer looks exhilarating and is worth checking out the full game when it drops.
Arizona Sunshine 2 (Upcoming Release)
I played the first Arizona Sunshine with a buddy at a VR experience where the attendant there laughed at me for wanting to play Job Simulator instead. “Really, you want pay $40 to pretend to have a job for an hour when you could be killing zombies?” It was a fair point and I’m glad they suggested playing Arizona Sunshine.
A co-op zombie shooter set in --- you guessed it! --- Arizona, this game will make you feel like the hot sun of the desert sky is truly beating down on your sweat-covered forehead while you pop caps in the living dead. Speaking of caps, there’s plenty of hats to find and equip throughout the game. Does it provide any benefit to gameplay? Absolutely not! But hey, who said you can’t look snazzy during the apocalypse?
The follow up in the series comes out Holiday 2023 and features more weapons, enhanced graphics, and probably the best feature ever: a dog companion! His name is Buddy and he can help you out with hordes of undead because he is a very good boy. I can’t wait to pet him in VR and give him all the severed arms to gnaw on that his heart desires.
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord (Upcoming Release)
A proton wand is sort of like a gun, right? In Rise of the Ghost Lord, you’ll be able to assemble your squad of Ghostbusters, this time in San Francisco, as you utilize all the iconic equipment from the Ghostbusters franchise. Blast, scan, and trap your way through a brand-new narrative where you take on the titular Ghost Lord, as well as dozens of other things that go bump in the night. When you strap on a proton pack and deploy a ghost trap, it will be a bustin’ good time whenever it releases later this year. Whatever happens though, do NOT cross the streams.
Final Words
The library of titles for shooters goes on forever, of course, but these are some great experiences to get you started if you’re new to the genre while also giving long time fans something new and exciting to play on their PSVR2’s.
If you want to enhance your marksman prowess in the above games and more, be sure to pick up the Glistco Magni Stock+ VR Stock For PSVR2. Be sure to sign up for our Email Newsletter to find out when other cool new PSVR2 accessories become available.
Do you have a favourite VR FPS that wasn’t on this list? Let us know which ones in the comments below.
1 comment
Paul
You missed Crossfire Sierra.