The Meta Quest 2 and 3 are home to many of the best virtual reality games out there, and FPS games are one genre that has particularly flourished on the platform. Pointing and shooting from a first-person perspective translates exceptionally well to a VR headset, delivering very direct action that tends to feel especially immersive. Even those who struggle to aim well on a mouse or gamepad can often adapt quickly in VR, as the skill set is more similar to classic light gun games or actual target shooting than anything else.
Virtual reality has also allowed many FPS games to get particularly creative, and many of the best titles on Meta Quest 2 and 3 take advantage of these opportunities. Whether diving deep into authentic physics, exploring rhythmic possibilities, or manipulating time itself, there's no shortage of interesting angles in the genre. From cartoony fun to gritty realism, VR FPS games have something to offer everyone.
20 Breachers Is Perfect For Tactical 5v5 Fans
Triangle Factory, 2023
Breachers doesn't necessarily do as much to stand out as some other great Meta Quest FPS games, but it gets a lot of things right. Straightforward mechanics and accessible design make it easy to get into the loop of its tactical 5v5 experience, especially for anyone already used to the notably similar Rainbow Six Siege.
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Total realism isn't the goal of gunplay in Breachers, but the general feel of the weapons is consistently strong, and a nice mix of gadgets adds some diversity to the gameplay. Matches can easily come down to tense, memorable encounters, making the strategy needed to secure a win feel rewarding.
19 Robo Recall: Unplugged Is A Classic
Drifter Entertainment/Epic Games, 2019
If there's such a thing as a classic VR FPS, it's Robo Recall, which first debuted as an Oculus Rift title in 2017. Robo Recall: Unplugged brings the experience natively to the Quest, and it remains just as compelling today as it ever did. Originally intended to showcase the then-new touch controller technology, Robo Recall shows just how precise VR motion can be, taking advantage of it for fast-paced enemy juggling and unique opportunities for interaction.
The one caveat for Robo Recall is that it only supports teleporting movement, with no option for smooth locomotion to walk freely from one place to another. With how great the gunplay is, however, it's hard to get too hung up on this limitation.
18 POPULATION: ONE Is The Go-To VR Battle Royale
BigBox VR, Inc., 2020
The battle royale market generally has a surplus of options, but when it comes to the Quest 2 and 3, the number of strong choices is slimmer. The definite standout, however, is POPULATION: ONE. This FPS hits all the marks, with approachable mechanics and fun movement options to assist its engaging social experience.
If any VR FPS is easy to sink countless hours into, it's this one, and the fact that it's now free-to-play means that no investment is even required to check out the experience. There's a learning curve to getting genuinely competitive at POPULATION: ONE, but it's easy to get excited about mastering it.
17 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Has Variety
Skydance Interactive, 2020
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Shooting is just one option in The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, which asks players to survive the zombie horde through any means necessary. Hatchets, swords, nail bombs, and more are all on the table, and it can be fun to give everything a whirl. It's still possible to focus on the FPS element, though, which is fun enough to carry things on its own.
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What really makes the game worth it, however, is the inclusion of a significant story with a lot of options for choices and decision-making. It's not the kind of experience that comes along often in VR, and for fans of The Walking Dead especially, this one should be a no-brainer.
16 VAIL Has Quickly Earned A Strong Reception
AEXLAB, 2024
VAIL is a fairly recent addition to the Quest 2 and 3 library, entering early access on the platform in 2023 before officially releasing in 2024. In the short amount of time since its release, though, it's carved out a spot as a common favorite among the VR FPS options.
The big selling point of VAIL is how well it recaptures the feeling of the best tactical shooters on traditional consoles and PC. Excellent gunplay balances realism and snappy responsiveness, and a variety of game modes can keep things entertaining for a long time. The community isn't as big as some other options, but it's still easy to find games.
15 Arizona Sunshine 2 Is Zombie-Killing Fun
Vertigo Games, 2023
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Released December 7, 2023
Developer(s) Vertigo Games
Publisher(s) Vertigo Games
ESRB M Due To Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
Arizona Sunshine 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel for FPS games on Meta Quest 2 and 3, but it does build upon the first Arizona Sunshine with moderate improvements to elements like enemy variety (and the addition of a dog). As a zombie-killing extravaganza, the game is more or less what it says on the tin, so anyone who thinks it looks fun will likely enjoy the experience. The price is a bit rough considering the competition, but if money isn't an object, it's one of the better options on the market.
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14 Resident Evil 4 VR Has FPS Scares
Armature Studio, 2021
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Released October 21, 2021
Developer Armature Studio, Capcom
The original Resident Evil 4 and the remake on modern consoles might both be third-person games, but the VR translation hops into first-person for immersive action. Converting a game's perspective doesn't always work out, but Resident Evil 4 VR does it quite well, and the result is one of the best FPS experiences on the platform.
The overall focus in Resident Evil 4 VR is mostly on survival and scares, but that doesn't mean that the gunplay is lacking. All the shooting found throughout the adventure is satisfying, with good physics that seem especially impressive when considering the game's roots on traditional consoles.
13 Pavlov Shack Has Many Game Modes
Vankrupt Games, 2023
Pavlov Shack spent years in an early access form before finally releasing in full on the Meta Quest platform in 2023, but even in an incomplete state it was well worth a look. In finished form, it's a clear standout among VR FPS offerings, with excellent weapon physics and mechanics and a variety of fun game modes.
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Pavlov Shack lacks certain touches present in the PCVR alternative Pavlov VR, but it's still surprisingly complex compared to most Quest alternatives. More populated servers on the platform help make up for any disadvantages this version has, and it's easy to find people to play with.
12 Pistol Whip Adds Rhythm To The Mix
Cloudhead Games, Ltd., 2019
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Released November 7, 2019
Developer(s) Cloudhead Games
Publisher(s) Cloudhead Games
Pistol Whip isn't quite a traditional FPS, focusing on linear rhythm action in a way that shares a lot of DNA with Meta Quest excercise hits like Beat Saber. Constant thrills and dynamic level design make it an easy sell, and updates have added content and improved the game since its launch.
Pistol Whip is a perfect choice for anyone less interested in the micro-management or detailed understanding of gun physics that other FPS games on the Quest 2 and 3 might require. With streamlined, colorful graphics that keep the focus on the targets, Pistol Whip is an instant dopamine hit for any FPS or rhythm fans.
11 Contractors Is The Best For Mods
Caveman Game Studio, 2020
Contractors has a lot of general appeal as an FPS on Meta Quest 2 and 3, with a Call of Duty-esque balance of realism and arcade elements that makes for plenty of fast-paced fun. Although the development team moved its focus to the follow-up Contractors: Showdown in recent years, the first title remains an easy recommendation.
What really sets Contractors apart is the modding community, which has picked up where development left off. There's no shortage of exciting community-made maps and more, keeping the experience consistently fresh several years after its release.
10 Into The Radius Is An Immersive FPS
CM Games, 2022
Into the Radius isn't a casual pick-up-and-play FPS on Meta Quest 2 and 3, but anyone who appreciates deep mechanics and immersion should be able to find plenty to enjoy. The bleak and atmospheric environment is particularly reminiscent of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series.
However, Into the Radius is by no means a clone, and it might be even more lonely and unnerving. It has one of the most passionate communities of any VR game, and it doesn't take much playtime to realize that there's a good reason.
9 Onward Is An Impressive Mil-Sim
Downpour Interactive, 2020
Onward is the perfect VR choice for anyone interested in a more realistic and tactical experience. Although the learning curve can be higher than more casual alternatives, the realism and potential for mastery can be especially rewarding.
Close teamwork is definitely necessary in squad-based multiplayer modes, but a strong community makes this goal generally attainable. Although the dedication of the fanbase also means that complaints about where updates have taken it are common, it's a game that continues to maintain a following for a reason.
8 Action Hero Is A Genre-Bending Caper
Fast Travel Games, 2024
Action Hero puts players into the perspective of the main character in several high-octane action movies. As the titular "action hero," players will have to shoot, fight, and bypass obstacles across five different movies. Each "movie" spans a different genre, and each gets more and more ridiculous and fun.
The VR game has players punching dinosaurs, battling armed ninjas, searching for treasure in a jungle, and more. Besides the typical combat mechanic, Action Hero also challenges players to dodge, weave, and move to solve puzzles and progress the action. There's always something exciting to do in this fun title, that doesn't take itself too seriously.
7 Spatial Ops Turns Your Home Into The Battlefield
Resolution Games, 2024
As a mixed reality game, Spatial Ops lives up to its name. The short but fun campaign turns players' space into a battlefield, playing not only with the visuals of reality but also with the space where the game is taking place. In a nutshell, the game turns any space into a laser tag arena by pitting up to eight players against each other in a battle that takes place both in the real world and in the virtual space.
At its core, Spatial Ops is a competitive shooter, giving each player an arsenal and setting them loose on the mixed reality world, where real objects are integrated into the gameplay. There's also a campaign for solo players that tasks them with defending the world from enemies invading through portals.
6 Metro Awakening
Vertigo Games, 2024
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Franchise Metro
Released November 7, 2024
Developer(s) Vertigo Games
Publisher(s) Vertigo Games
This spinoff game from the popular Metro series won at The Game Awards 2024 and the Steam Awards for Best VR Game Of The Year. The game takes place in the post-apocalyptic world of the Metro series created by the author Dmitry Glukhovsky.
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Metro Awakening follows Doctor Serdar as he fights through a world ravaged by a nuclear Armageddon to find his wife and the medicine she needs. This immersive Metro experience mixes exploration and combat with stealth and a reality-bending story and world. The title mixes the adventure genre with the heart-pounding side of horror as players find themselves in a strange and supernatural environment, surrounded by monsters and running low on supplies.
5 Batman: Arkham Shadow Lets Players Become The Dark Knight
Camouflaj, 2024
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Platform(s) Meta Quest 3 , Meta Quest 3S
Released October 21, 2024
Developer(s) Camouflaj
Publisher(s) Oculus
While all the other Arkham games let players assume the role of Batman, none of them do it as literally as Batman: Arkham Shadow. This VR title turns players into the Dark Knight as they fight their way through baddies, take down criminals, and save the city yet again, all from the perspective of Batman.
The city is threatened once again, this time by the nefarious Rat King and his followers. The threat turns a Fourth of July celebration into a massacre in the making, with rioting starting up all over the city. It's up to the player, in the role of Batman, to stop the violence and end the Rat King's rampage before it's too late. Arkham Shadow has all the Bat-gadgets and fighting that fans know and love, created especially for the VR for smooth and satisfying play.
4 Swarm Is A High-Flying Rush
Greensky Games, 2021
One of the benefits of VR is its hands-on approach to gameplay. While other shooters use this to their advantage by letting players walk and run while shooting at bad guys, Swarm cranks the experience to 11 by hurling players into the sky. Players must fight and shoot at enemy bugs, all while grappling through the air. The experience sends players zooming and swinging high above solid ground, for a more extreme take on the shooter genre.
Swarm arms players with a grappling hook and twin pistols and sends them into the depths of the insect hive. The game demands quick thinking and fast reflexes, as well as the ability to multitask and shoot while maintaining speed and height. A delightfully vibrant and colorful environment makes the title stand out among others and provides a fun but challenging gameplay loop for lovers of the shooter genre who want something a little different.
3 The Light Brigade Has A Roguelike Twist
Funktronic Labs, 2023
The Light Brigade was a major 2023 addition to the world of FPS games on Meta Quest 2 and 3, and it immediately stood out as among the best that the platform has to offer. Roguelike design elements and fantasy trappings give it the flavor of the best Meta Quest RPGs, while the physics-based gunplay is exceptionally fun.
The game places players into the boots of a Light Brigade member and throws them into battle against forces of darkness in procedurally generated stages. Developer Funktronic Labs has also been great about post-launch support so far, so there's no real downside to checking out The Light Brigade.
2 SUPERHOT VR Is An Inventive FPS
SUPERHOT Team, 2019
The original version of SUPERHOT was one of the most exciting and innovative shooters yet conceived, making the most of a fascinating gimmick where time only moves when the player does. This concept gets infinitely better in VR, where physically ducking behind an object or craning around a corner gives enemies the opportunity to react.
It's not a long game, but it's an exceptionally memorable one, and some tough challenges and speedrunning potential give it a healthy dose of replayability. Even short-burst sessions can quickly work up a sweat, as the stop-and-start nature of the gameplay doesn't counteract how fundamentally intense it is.
1 Bonelab Brings Major Physics Possibilities
Stress Level Zero, 2022
The experimental possibilities of FPS games in VR are well-explored in Bonelab, a game that makes excellent use of a powerful physics system established in Stress Level Zero's Boneworks. As nothing more than a sandbox, it would be a fairly worthwhile experience, but the inclusion of an actual story mode elevates its value to the next level.
Although gunplay is only one part of Bonelab, it's a virtual reality FPS through and through. It's just one excellent VR game with plenty of fun elements to explore on Meta Quest 2 and 3.
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Meta Quest 2
Brand Meta
Display Type RGB LCD
Connectivity Bluetooth
Weight 1.83 pounds