A few weeks ago we told you why you should buy an Oculus Quest 2. One of the reasons we gave was how many of the games can be found on the cheap. But even at just $10 or $20, buying more than two or three games will still start to put a strain on your entertainment budget. So today we’re exploring some of the best free games you can find for the Quest 2. We are focusing on Oculus native games here so no PC is required, and we’ve also avoided game demos to ensure you get the full game without shelling out a single dime. Even with those limitations, these 8 games are top-notch and will provide hours of VR goodness.
Bait!
- Developer: Resolution Games
- Release Date: May 21, 2019
- Play Modes: Sitting, Standing
- Comfort Rating: Comfortable
We’re starting this list off with something simple. Bait! can be played standing or sitting, and there’s no worry about VR sickness with this relaxing fishing game. The graphics are cartoony, the fishing is simplistic, but the quirky fishing holes in Bait! will still pull you in hook, line, and sinker.
PokerStars VR
- Developer: Lucky VR Inc.
- Release Date: May 21, 2019
- Play Modes: Sitting
- Comfort Rating: Comfortable
PokerStars VR is the perfect example of how VR can take something as sterile as online poker and turn it into an immersive experience. Create an avatar and then take a seat a the table for some hands-on poker action in a more adult(ish) environment than most other multiplayer VR games. Peel up the edge of your cards, actually throw your chips into the pot, and talk to the other players as you try to grow your bankroll. You can even hit the slots or play a few hands of blackjack if you’re having a rough time and need to reset your poker luck.
Echo VR
- Developer: Ready At Dawn
- Release Date: May 5, 2020
- Play Modes: Sitting, Standing, Roomscale
- Comfort Rating: Moderate
Echo VR takes Ultimate Frisbee and transforms it from the college campus favorite into a zero-g battle. You’ll have to master your flying skills to traverse the obstacles of the 3D arena if you want to score a goal. Or lay back and play defense by intercepting and stunning opponents with a quick punch to the face. Echo VR truly gives you a chance to play a game that’s out of this world.
MoonRider
- Developer:
- Release Date: May 2019
- Play Modes: Standing
- Comfort Rating: Comfortable
You probably played the Beat Saber demo, and if you haven’t already done so the full game is probably on your shortlist of games to buy. Before you do that, though, you might want to check out MoonRider. It may not be as refined as Beat Saber, but MoonRider gives you the same arm-flailing rhythm action. It also has a playlist filled with thousands of songs that cover genres like rock, pop, K-Pop, soundtracks, and more, giving you songs you can’t find on Beat Saber. Best of all, MoonRider is played through the Quest web browser so it doesn’t take up any of your headset’s precious storage space.
Rec Room
- Developer: Rec Room Inc.
- Release Date: May 21, 2019
- Play Modes: Sitting, Standing, Roomscale
- Comfort Rating: Comfortable
If your kids (or you for that matter) enjoy playing games in Roblox, then Rec Room will be their VR Nirvana. Dress up your avatar, decorate your dorm room, and jump into games like hide and seek, paintball, basketball, and many, many others. Just be warned you may never get your headset back again.
This last bunch of games can be found on the Oculus App Lab. App Lab is where you can find great indie games that haven’t gone through the Oculus Store approval process. Since they aren’t listed in the Quest Store, the easiest way to find these gems is to head over to Sidequest, click on the app lab category, and set the filter option to free. Since these games haven’t gone through the curation process, they can be hit or miss, but here are a few that I’ve played and can recommend:
Pavlov: Shack
- Developer: Vankrupt Games
- Release Date: March 31, 2021
- Play Modes: Sitting, Standing, Roomscale
- Comfort Rating: Intense
A fun Counterstrike type of shooter, Pavlov: Shack is a free version of Pavlov VR that is found on PC via Steam. You leave keypresses behind as you actually crouch behind cover or pull the pin and cook a grenade before throwing it. The same goes for firing a weapon – grab a fresh clip from your hip, load it and chamber a round, then take aim and fire away. Good luck out on the battlefield.
Puzzling Places Beta
- Developer: Realities.io
- Release Date: April 21, 2020
- Play Modes: Sitting, Standing, Roomscale
- Comfort Rating: Comfortable
With 3-D jigsaw puzzles ranging from 20 to 200 pieces each, you can put together realistic miniatures of six real-life locales from around the world. You’re able to twist, turn, and rotate not only individual pieces but the partially completed puzzle as well. Best of all, you can do all of this without the fear of losing any of the pieces.
Gorilla Tag
- Developer: Another Axiom
- Release Date: March 12, 2021
- Play Modes: Sitting, Standing, Roomscale
- Comfort Rating: Intense
In this strange take on a game of tag, you’ll use only your hands and arms to propel your gorilla’s upper body (you don’t have any legs) around the playfield. It sounds weird. It is weird. But it’s also a lot of fun. I don’t know what else to say about it, so just watch the Gorilla Tag trailer below.
