Walking games in VR

kration

kration

kration

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I enjoy fell walking and hiking but lockdown has stopped that (walking round my local area has its limits).

A few days ago I was thinking that a 'walking game' like Firewatch would be good in VR but when I investigated it doesn't seem to be VR compatible. Then I saw an article in The Guardian which looks at games like this, albeit mainly from a 2D perspective:

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/...scape-lockdown-walk-around-virtual-landscapes

I enjoy exploration in Elite Dangerous, and I've always enjoyed exploring the landscape in Far Cry games (in 2D) without necessarily just running round shooting things.

I would like to find games and other software where you can explore landscapes, cities etc. in VR, not just fly around the universe etc. I'm not too bothered about the 'game' bit (though that's an added bonus) but mainly the ability to explore.

Any suggestions for 'walking games' in VR?

The initial list I've compiled is:
  • Lost Ember (not VR yet – but devs have said they will introduce it)
  • GTA V (if you can set it up)
  • No Man’s Sky (explore planets – unlimited resources mode)
  • Skyrim
  • Half Life: Alyx
  • Google Earth
  • National Geographic's Explore
Any other suggestions for VR?
 
  • Alien Isolation - you can turn the Alien AI off with a mod and freely explore the station.
  • The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter
  • L.A. Noire The VR Case Files
  • The Forest
  • Ark Survival Evolved
  • Borderlands 2 VR
 
You can play fire watch in VR, there's a mod to enable it. Also stuff like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and Myst have VR modes
 
How about Google Earth?

Will be restricted to mapped areas, but could do some city walks.

Edit - sorry - have noted you have mentioned this.
 
The latest version of the OVR Advanced Settings app for Steam has facilities for re-directed walking, which effectively allows you to walk around your playspace continuously without encountering a wall. Would be great for these walking games. Just wish I had a big enough playspace to use that.
 
drakulton said:
VorpX software might be able to turn some of your 2D walking games into VR compatible ones.
Click to expand...

This is true. There's a recent post on the Vorpx forum citing Gone Home as an available profile. Personally I have more joy with 3rd person Vorpx, not the first person, but the pace of a walking sim might be more joyful over more action orientated games.

On side note, The Talos Principle is on sale, puzzles, but it probably qualifies.
 
If you don't mind moving a little faster and at height, you could try Xplane11, which has world level maps and includes a variety of aircraft out of the box including a helicopter and some fairly slow aircraft (aswell as big and fast ones). The beta has just been updated to use Vulkan and runs much better. Ground level detail isn't amazing closeup, but for longer distance vistas and views, some of them can be breath taking in VR.
Lastly, it's quite possible to fly in "easyish" mode, so you could probably do it with an Xbox controller if you wanted to.

So, fancy seeing the grand canyon whilst in a helicopter, or the lights of Tokyo at night?
 
Thanks for the tips - I'll check them all out. I've bought Ark Survival Evolved and there's some other interesting ones that I'll be tracking.
 
Mýrdalssandur, Iceland
Look for this on steam, looks to be just what your after, there's a free version and then the vr version is £4
I believe they also did another one for new Zealand
 
A Walk in the Woods just released, there's Nature Treks VR, and a game I have myself called Time Transit.

Mýrdalssandur has lots of positivity surrounding it.
 
I just tried using the rift headset in combination with a running machine (NOTE!...… RUNNING MACHINE SET TO A WALKING PACE)

Having some nice stroll scenery https://atlas.sansar.com/experiences/c3rb3rus/landscapes running, with the headset perched on top of my head, I got on the 'walking machine' and set up a comfortable walking pace. Then moved the headset down to view the scenery, and using the hand controllers to control the VR walking pace and direction, and at the same time holding onto the 'walking machine' arms, it was quite easy just to walk on the machine and explore round the island whilst adding a little extra immersion.
 
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