Ah, 2023– what a wild year it is shaping up to be for VR gaming. The third annual Meta Quest Gaming Showcase (MQGS) had so many groundbreaking moments that will change the way we play VR games forever. Although I had hoped for more mixed reality content, we saw amazing indie releases and exciting experiences in long-awaited AAA sequels, there are far too many incredible moments to jam into one post! But luckily, we’ve narrowed it down our top eight from this past MQGS; get ready for nostalgia and excitement as we take dive into some of the best gaming moments of the show!
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8) Meta Quest 3 Official Announcement & Quest 2 Price Cuts
Kind of cheating as this was announced a few hours before the showcase, but this is too good not to include.
The Meta Quest 3, set to launch this fall for $499.99, promises twice the graphics performance of its predecessor, and is compatible with Quest2 500+ games and apps. Meta claims that the Quest 3’s Touch Plus controllers have a “more streamlined and ergonomic form factor,” while the headset itself features a slimmer optic profile.
In addition to the Quest 3 announcement, Meta also reduced the price of its Quest 2 model. Users can now purchase the 128GB model for $299.99 and the 256GB model for $349.99. Both the Quest 2 and Quest Pro will also receive a software update to increase VR performance. All games mentioned during the MQGS will work with the Meta quest 2. Stay tuned for more details at the Connect Conference on September 27th.
7) Walkabout Mini Golf Pocket Edition
Teeing off the pre show with Walkabout Mini Golf Pocket Edition: This upcoming game is sure to be a hole in one! Scheduled for release in July 2023 for iOS devices, Walkabout Mini Golf Pocket Edition takes mini-golf to a whole new level by offering an augmented reality experience. Players will use their phone to putt and can even play with others on different devices. Plus, we’re stoked about the upcoming new content, including “Journey to the Center of the Earth” dropping on June 8th and “Laser Lair” in July. It’s great to see Walkabout Mini Golf reaching even more gamers. Cross play has been confirmed
6) Schell Games bring two new games
Schell Games brings two thrilling games: “I Expect You To Die 3: A Cog In The Machine” & “Silence Slayer: Vault Of The Vampire”. Fans of the “I Expect You To Die” series will be thrilled to hear that the third installment is confirmed for release on the Meta Quest 3. Strap on your agent gear and get ready for the most challenging mission yet. And if you’re in the mood for some stealthy horror, “Silence Slayer: Vault Of The Vampire” is the perfect game for you. This suspenseful single-player game will put your stealth and vampire-slaying skills to the test as you creep about, disarm traps, and stake the vamps before they awaken and become too powerful for you to defeat.
5) Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice
Thought we were done with Vampires? Think again. In “Vampire: The Masquerade Justice,” players take on the role of a vampire living in Venice, Italy. The game gives off major “Dishonored” vibes, as players must sneak around and judge the guilty. The game puts a unique spin on vampire lore, allowing players to hide from the guilty in plain sight with the Cloak of Shadows, boil the insides of their victims with the Cauldron of Blood, and place Shadow Traps to drag them into Oblivion. In addition to these stealth tactics, players can also use their crossbow attached to their arm for both puzzle solving and combat. The game offers a multitude of ways to approach each mission, making it a thrilling experience for every type of player.
4) Stranger things VR new Trailer
Next up is the much-anticipated “Stranger Things VR” game, which premiered its brand-new trailer at the showcase. The game puts players directly into the hit Netflix series, allowing fans to live out their wildest Hawkins-based fantasies. The VR component adds an extra level of immersion, making players feel like they are truly experiencing the show’s universe. Take on the role of Vecna and carry out your revenge on El and her friends.
3) Arizona Sunshine 2
Expected as this was announced a few weeks ago but good to see the sequel to the wildly popular zombie-killing game, Arizona Sunshine. In the game, players team up with their trusty AI companion to take on hordes of zombies in the post-apocalyptic American Southwest. The game promises to be even more action-packed than the first, with new weapons, new enemies, and even more realistic VR gameplay. For fans of the original game, “Arizona Sunshine 2” is a no-brainer – excuse the pun.
2) Assassin’s Creed coming to Quest by the end of the year
The announcement of Assassin’s Creed coming to Quest by the end of the year had gamers excited for more info. The game’s infamous parkour and stealth gameplay would be a perfect fit for the VR platform. Fans of the franchise couldn’t wait to hear more at Ubisoft’s event, just around the corner on June 12.
1) Asgard’s Wrath 2
By far the main event of the show, Asgard’s Wrath 2 picked up where its predecessor left off. The game’s fully living open world with main stories, side quests, crafting, exploring, and hunting rare creatures left us counting down the days until its release. But it was the announcement of the rifts that had gamers buzzing with excitement. A time-limited dungeon that player’s can enter before, during, or after the campaign adds a new layer of gameplay with an added leaderboard system and replayability.
- 60+ hours of gameplay
- Uncharted rifts
- Mounts
- Crafting
- Exploring
- Hunting rare creatures
- Solid combat