Within just over a year, we saw the commercial launch of the Oculus Rift (the first VR HMD to be released commercially) as well as the release of numerous great titles for the platform. I think it’s safe to say that Oculus had a good year in some respects – but they also had a pretty dark year, full of messy lawsuits, people leaving the company and a lot of bad rumors in the press.

However, as life goes, things seem to be picking up for the company again since their huge discount announcement earlier this week. Since the Rift and Touch controllers, priced normally at a $600 bundle, is now down to a whopping £399. Which puts it close to the PSVR sale price of $300, making the Oculus Rift a much more desirable offer than before. And people certainly noticed. The company hasn’t released any sort of number on how many Rifts they have sold during their Summer of Rift campaign but I’m betting that the number isn’t small.

So since a lot of new people will be joining the ranks of Oculus Rift players soon, we thought we would compile a list of great Oculus titles you should take a look at. This list is for first timers, sure, but also contains titles that more veteran players might not know about and will enjoy as well. This list isn’t all-inclusive but I did try to incorporate a wide range of genres and gameplay styles so you can find what you like.

Robo Recall



Robo Recall is probably one of the most known Oculus Rift exclusives. Developed by Epic Games, Robo Recall takes you to a world filled with robots that are trying to kill the human population. So basically The Terminator in VR. They were created to serve but got corrupted on too many cat videos (weird right?) and so started on a killing spree. Lucky for you, as a Tech Repairman, you get to go ballistic on the metal humanoids with an array of weapons – including your fists. Robo Recall normally goes for $29.99 on the Oculus Store but the game is free when you buy the Oculus Touch (which is included in the sale bundle).

Star Trek: Bridge Crew



Star Trek: Bridge Crew is one of the most anticipated VR games to come out this year. It’s a co-op game where you and some friends (or strangers) take over the USS Enterprise on her voyage of discovery. Every person takes on a specific role and everyone has to work together in order to complete the missions in the game. Including fighting off alien enemies. So if you’re looking to have a great multiplayer experience where you get to be an Enterprise officer or even the captain himself then make sure to check Star Trek: Bridge Crew out. Just keep in mind that it is one of the more expensive titles on this list – going at $49.99 on the Oculus Store.

Wilson’s Heart



If you’re looking for a game with a deep and intriguing storyline, but still want to be able to interact fully with your environment and the characters within it then take a look at Wilson’s Heart from Twisted Pixel. A Hitchcockian-type horror, in this game you wake up as Robert Wilson – a patient in a creepy mental hospital with your heart replaced by a strange metal contraption. Strange happenings and a mysterious plot makes Wilson’s Heart a rewarding game for those of us who like a heart thundering, story-driven experience. The game is available at $39.99 on the Oculus Store.

The Unspoken



From Insomniac Games comes a wizarding duel like no other. In The Unspoken you get to flex your spellcasting hand and go up against others in magic fight club. With many spells at your disposal that allow you to achieve feats like manipulating the environment and summoning monsters to your aid, you can feel truly powerful in this game. The Unspoken was also recently announced as one of the games that would feature in Intel’s VR Challenger League. So even though you might not be eSports level yet, you can still watch others battle it out and learn some valuable strategies. The Unspoken is available on the Oculus Store for $29.99.

Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality



Based upon the popular series Rick and Morty, this game is one fun and wacky ride. See your favourite characters go about their funny antics in full virtual glory. In Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality you get to play the role of Morty’s clone. Interact with the environment and help Rick perform his experience as you travel through portals to strange worlds. If you’re in the mood for something light and loony game then make sure to check Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality out on the Oculus Store, where you can get it for $29.99.

Rock Band VR



Much like in its flat-screen counterpart, Rock Band VR, from Harmonix, places you in the shoes of a rock star. This time even more directly so as you can take to the stage and rock out while looking around at your adoring fans. Rock Band VR also focuses more on improvisation and making each performance your own as well as some interaction with the other musicians so you can strut about the stage like a real rockstar. The game is available at $49.99 on the Oculus Store. But note that you will need the Rock Band VR guitar connector for Oculus Touch in order to play.

The Assembly

If you’re looking for something more akin to a visual novel where your decisions influence your character as well as the game’s storyline then look no further than The Assembly. This interactive story has a deep and dark narrative that follows two individuals that work for an organization called the Assembly. As you progress through various decisions you’ll discover a morally challenging organization from contrasting perspectives and ultimately the fate of everyone involved will be up to you. The Assembly is definitely worth its price as it was designed to be a long-form narrative meaning you’ll get hours of gameplay time out of it. Get the game for $29.99 on the Oculus Store.

Battlezone VR



Battlezone VR is a futuristic neon tanks game with procedural campaigns. With Battlezone VR you’ll get to live out your fantasies of blasting things to smithereens with a tank but in a futuristic TRON-like setting. The game is actually a VR remake of the classic 1998 arcade game of the same name. The game offers various upgrades for your tank, a big arsenal of weapons, and both solo and co-op modes. So if you’re keen on blasting away then make sure to head on over to the Oculus store and get Battlezone VR for 39.99.

Eve: Valkyrie



If the first thing you thought of when you bought your Rift was of the epic space battles you were going to have, then look no further than EVE: Valkyrie. Easily the most popular VR space dogfight sim out there, EVE: Valkyrie offers intense battles with great vistas. Along with that, there are many well-balanced ships and upgrades to buy with the ingame currency you earn with every fight. The game also offers full support for cross -platform multiplayer gameplay so you shouldn’t have a problem finding matches. Get EVE: Valkyrie for $39.99 on the Oculus Store.

The Climb



The Climb allows you to climb huge rock formations without having to do any of the actual physically exerting work. Plus you get to see beautiful landscapes inspired by natural structures in North America, Europe, and Asia. So why go out if you can safely climb mountains from the comfort of your living room? The Climb offers both single-player mode and multiplayer if you feel like challenging some people to see who can climb the fastest. With beautiful vistas in over a dozen locations – this is a must buy for nature lovers who hate going outside. Get it for 49.99 on the Oculus Store.

So there you have it – our list of great Oculus Rift games to give a try if you’ve just bought your HMD and not sure which games to try first. Make sure to let us know which experiences you liked best!