by With virtual reality thoroughly and truly becoming mainstream, there’s no time like the present to dive into the best VR experiences on offer. And we’re talking about experiences, not games. Yes, it’s fun to fly through space with an X-Wing or shoot bad guys from the back of a trash can, but VR has so much more to offer.
There is a wide variety of VR apps that allow you to visit places, times, and even entire worlds that you would otherwise not be able to reach, from the comfort of your own home. Sometimes it’s just you, and some titles put you in someone else’s shoes and offer a perspective you might never have thought of. VR fitness apps becoming more popular and even working in VR.
You can take time to immerse yourself in your chosen experience, without needing to fend off murderous thugs or face-eating xenomorphs. If you haven’t bought a VR headset yet (they’re surprisingly affordable), check out our list. best VR headsets here.
The only hurdle is that there are so many VR experiences that it can be difficult to know where to start even if you have a specific interest in mind. For example, type “dinosaurs” and “VR” into the Steam Store and you’ll come across 80+ results.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the ten best VR experiences available. Some are free, others have a reasonable price tag, but all offer the chance to broaden your horizons without leaving your living room. If you want to buy a VR headset to check out these experiences, head over to our page. VR headset deals page to get the best price.
Space Explorers: The ISS Experience
- Platforms: oculus
- Price: $2.99 for each of the 4 episodes (via Oculus Store)
If anyone wants to experience the wonders of space, this VR experience might be close to seeing what it’s like on a space station. The VR experience, filmed over the course of two years, was filmed on the International Space Station. An amazing look at life on the station, told in four episodes as you follow the journey of eight astronauts on some missions. It will give viewers an intimate look at living life in orbit.
There won’t be much interaction, but the experience digs deep into space exploration through the eyes of these astronauts. With these extreme close-ups of these workers side by side in space, you’ll feel like you’re with them in the fun and dangerous moments of their job.
BRINK Explorer
- Platforms: Steam VR, Meta (including Meta Quest)
- Price: $9.99 / £7.99 (via Steam Store, Meta Quest Store)
BRINK Traveler takes you on a tour of twenty stunning scenic spots in thirteen locations. It might not sound like much when you can run Google Earth on most headsets, but BRINK Traveler’s locale isn’t just about 360° videos or footage.
Instead, you wander around each lookout point, looking out over the Grand Canyon for example, watching the strange bird soar above your head. If you’re so inclined, you can grab a rock and throw it into the water or take a photo. Or why don’t you pull up a chair and relax? Not 100% photorealistic, but convincing enough to be almost as good as being there.
The locations are mostly American but the developers are gradually adding more international locations. Besides that, you’ll definitely leave impressed as you take in (almost) California’s Death Valley, Arizona’s The Wave rock formation, and more.
Star Map VR
- Platforms: Oculus, Steam, Google Play
- Price: $9.99
Speaking of space, this VR experience is also out of this world as it lets you explore the solar system in a beautiful rendering of a real-time space simulation. You can take a closer look at all the planets in our galaxy, whether they’re Saturn’s rings or its moons orbiting it. This is a great way to educate yourself on what the solar system has to offer and see how these constellations form in the night sky. Choose from different Star Chart modes to give you some options in your stargazing activity.
There are also tons of experiences like Moments in Time that take you back in history on space expeditions like the moon landing and the rover’s discovery on Mars. Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy what our solar system has to offer with this one-of-a-kind VR experience.
Explore National Geographic VR
- Platforms: oculus
- Price: $9.99
There are many discoveries to be made in this world, and National Geographic makes it possible with their app called Explore VR. There is a myriad of experiences to be uncovered and it’s a great educational tool to see what this world has to offer regarding culture and exploration.
Users can explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and even climb icebergs in the remote region of Antarctica. It’s perfect for the whole family to travel the world without ever leaving home. The main purpose is to take pictures at these exhibits, so the National Geographic Explore VR experience is a beautiful way to explore these vast places to get to know the landscape and learn about its history.
ocean rift
- Platforms: Steam VR, Meta (including Meta Quest 2)
- Price: $9.99 / £7.99 (via Steam Store, Meta Quest Store)
It is estimated that 80% of the ocean’s depths are unexplored, and while the Ocean Rift is based on what we know, it still offers great encounters. While swimming around one of the several underwater areas, you can look out for humpback whales, play with dolphins and, if you wish, swim with a handful of prehistoric animals.
Ocean Rift isn’t the only app that offers a similarly juicy experience, but what’s impressive is the freedom it gives you. Assuming you haven’t chosen the shark cage area and come across some disturbing aquaculture occasionally, you can wander to your heart’s content. Ocean Rift didn’t set out to kill you, but we still had goosebumps when we encountered an abandoned submarine.
All Kinds of Limbo XR
- Platforms: Everything
- Price: £6/$8
Live theater continues to attract large crowds, as does Broadway shows, concerts, and other forms of entertainment. If you prefer to see live entertainment in your own home, look no further than the artists behind All Kinds of Limbo. The musical performance was developed by artists Raffy Bushman and Nubian Brandon with the NuShape Orchestra in the UK.
Using just a VR headset on a mobile device or PC, audiences can participate in this immersive experience that brings Caribbean culture to life in a life story set in ambiguity across different musical genres. The National Theatre’s special production, All Kinds of Limbo XR, uses VR technology to create a place where audiences can watch these musicians perform to Caribbean tunes.
Universe Sandbox
- Platforms: Steam Virtual Reality
- Price: $29.99 (via Steam Store, includes non-VR version)
Universe Sandbox welcomes those who just want to watch the planets slowly orbit the sun or the days go by in seconds with the click of a button or two. Even without touching the extensive and sometimes silly Steam Workshop items (including the space whale), simply examining solar systems (ours and a handful of others) will keep stargazers happy.
However, what really elevates the Universe Sandbox is its trial option. You can move planets, change their size, composition, blow them up – the Solar System is your oyster. Yes, there’s nothing to stop you from replacing the Sun with a black hole, and the resulting planetary chaos really matters. However, you can have just as much fun making small tweaks and observing the chain effects.
Perspectives: Paradise
- Platforms: Steam Virtual Reality
- Price: Free (via Steam Store)
Perspectives: Paradise begins with a bang and ends with a whimper, given that the subject matter is perfectly appropriate. A virtual reality dive into the test explosion of the first hydrogen bomb in 1952 and its impact on both the environment and original residents at Enewetak/Bikini Atoll.
You’ll dive into the disturbing aftermath by standing on top of the sealed mound where radioactive materials are buried, along with an amazing VR recreation of the bomb’s explosion. On top of that, there are 360° views of the island, interviews (including those with people currently living there), and more.
The subject is approached with an appropriate level of seriousness – thanks in part to the involvement of some Finnish journalists, this is not a hand-to-hand celebration of America’s might. And it will definitely leave you with food that will make you think.
Distance Book
- Platforms: SteamVR, Meta
- Price: Free (via Steam Store, Meta Quest Store)
In addition to visiting distant places, VR allows you to experience other people’s stories. The Distance Book tells only one such story about a Japanese who immigrated to America. This may be an interesting story in itself, but what makes his story so important is that he was one of many Japanese American citizens who spent some or all of WWII in American concentration camps. (opens in new tab).
What makes this such an effective experience is that it has a very narrow and personal focus. It was made with the participation of the man’s grandson, Randall Okita, and lets you examine various aspects of his life. Presented as a game of sorts, it’s sure to grab your attention, and it’s the perfect way to illuminate an important but often overlooked chapter in America’s history.
Inside – Cinematic VR
- Platforms: Oculus, Steam, Google Play, Apple
- Price: Free
For those who need a cinematic experience at home, Within VR can make it happen. Immerse yourself in great stories in different genres such as documentaries, horror, music videos, animation and much more. The great thing is that these are displayed at no cost.
You can catch the best from independent filmmakers and studios around the world. These videos can also be downloaded in high definition so you can take it wherever you go if you don’t have an internet connection. If you’re up for some video content, then, you’ll find plenty through Inside.
Best of all, there are no platform limitations, as the website Within proudly states it’s “available wherever good VR is offered.”
- Check it out on Beyond VR Steam (opens in new tab)eyelash, Google Play (opens in new tab)or Apple (opens in new tab).
