30 December 2023 , 12:00
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Despite lacking any true exclusive titles, the Meta Quest 3 headset saw some great games release in 2023 – making a great case for being the most convenient VR headset around.
Although Meta had already established its dominance within the VR space, first with the Oculus Rift and then Meta Quest 2, this year saw the hardware improved exponentially with the addition of hand-tracking, mixed reality and a far sleeker design. This was the story of the Meta Quest 3, which admittedly got off to a very slow start before the platform was treated to several great new game releases. It ended up being good competition to Sony's rival, the PSVR 2, giving players a good deal of choice.
If you intend on picking up a Meta Quest 3 headset soon or have one already and are struggling to find which games to play, we've been busy collating a varied list. With that said, here's the seven best Meta Quest 3 games you can play in 2023 and beyond.
Asgard’s Wrath 2
VR fantasy RPGs don’t get any more impressive than Asgard’s Wrath 2. This souped-up sequel from Sanzaru Games might feature slightly downgraded graphics due to the jump from Rift to Meta Quest, but the amount of content on offer in one neat package is unprecedented. Because alongside the meaty main campaign that sees you step into the roles of four distinct warriors, there’s plenty of side content in the form of Monster Dens, Loki Anomalies, and more.
Throw in the Uncharted Rifts roguelike mode, and Asgard’s Wrath 2 is primed to keep you busy for ages. It’s simply one of the most impressive packages available to play on Meta Quest showcasing the platform’s true potential.
PSVR 2 is already losing to the Meta Quest 2 in the VR headset battle
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR
Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR sees you step into the shoes of three familiar protagonists – Ezio, Cassandra and Connor – to let you truly live out the fantasy of being an assassin in VR. Though not truly an open world game and translated into chapters, the locations themselves are still fairly big, and provide enough stealth opportunities to render this a successful VR translation of Ubisoft’s most famous series.
Using the Meta Quest controllers to dual against enemy guards and unsheathe your hidden blade feels immensely satisfying, as does thrusting the latter into the backs of your target. Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR’s three heroes ensure there’s always plenty of locational variety, too, resulting in an immersive experience that stays true to its namesake and is heaps of fun.
Wallace and Gromit in the Grand Getaway
Fans of Aardman’s cheese-loving inventor and his dog best friend absolutely owe it to themselves to play Wallace and Gromit in the Grand Getaway. Is it relatively short? At only an hour or so, yes, but it’s an excellent Meta Quest exclusive worth playing for just how much of a love-letter it is to the source material. You’ll inhabit both Wallace, Gromit, and their new robot invention, completing puzzles and challenges all as part of an intergalactic holiday.
Most impressive about Wallace and Gromit in the Grand Getaway is just how wonderfully it replicates the claymation and stop motion look within the realm of VR. Everything looks, sounds and feels just as it should, making this a must-play for Wallace and Gromit fans the world over.
Arizona Sunshine 2
Just when you thought you’d seen it all before from zombie shooters in VR, Arizona Sunshine 2 comes along to reset and then surpass your expectations from the genre. The same sun-kissed locations from the first game return in this sequel, with the great gunplay backed up this time around by the new companion system, which lets you sick your trusty dog on flesh-eaters and also use him to solve puzzles.
What begins as a rather standard story of mowing down the undead to try and find a vaccine quickly descends into a different mission that lets you wield and fire all types of different weaponry. Arizona Sunshine 2 is extremely accomplished, and everything an action fan could want from a VR zombie shooter.
Islanders VR
Being my game of the year, it’s no wonder Islanders VR takes a spot on our best Meta Quest 3 games. This city building sim game is perfect for those who want a bit more of a relaxing VR experience where you can just sit in one spot and play God for a couple of hours. Rather than managing an entire city, Islanders VR has you place buildings down on an island to score points. Once complete it vanishes forever, and you move onto the next.
This game takes an absolutely beautiful artstyle and pairs it with a soundtrack that genuinely transports you to a new world, making for a tranquil experience that you’ll constantly be craving.
Samba de Amigo: Virtual Party
For those who enjoy rhythm games, Samba de Amigo: Virtual Party is a must-try. Sega’s spin on the classic Beat Saber-esque rhythm genre will have you wondering what on earth is going on around you all while performing for a crowd and burning calories, and the optional competing in leaderboards worldwide.
This hectic rhythm game will seriously keep you on your toes both physically and metaphorically. Be sure to clear more room than you think you’ll need as you play your way through 40 songs you’ll actually know rather than random songs created for the game, looking at you Beat Saber.
Support for Meta Quest coming to an end this year which is way too soon
PowerWash Simulator VR
If you find yourself constantly craving satisfaction, or you spend way too much time watching cleaning videos on TikTok, then getting ahold of PowerWash Simulator VR will definitely scratch an itch in your brain as it does mine. The game is exactly as it sounds, you get to PowerWash anything from the floor, to vehicles and houses in VR.
With a selection of lovely background music, or the option to turn off sounds altogether and pair the game with your favourite playlist or podcast, this is a surprisingly relaxing experience. The virtual reality adaption of an already insanely popular title has been done so well, it makes you feel like this is what the game should have been all along.