Oculus Quest 2 Games That Won’t Make You Sick
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The first time I discovered virtual reality (VR) was on a friend’s Quest Rift headset. I jumped right in and was amazed at how real it felt. Of course one of the first things I wanted to try was to float around the International Space Station (ISS). But I was unaware of how sick it would make me.
Lacking VR legs, akin to not having sea legs, is the motion sickness one feels during or after certain experiences in VR. I felt it for a few hours after playing and it reminded me of a hangover. I was reluctant to try again after experiencing virtual reality sickness.
Then the Oculus Quest 2 was released and I really wanted to try out all of the soothing meditation games that were being advertised. Unlike last time, I researched everything before I jumped in again. Sadly, I couldn’t find a lot of information on how each game would make me feel.
There were some reviews where gamers mentioned how a particular game affected them, but it really took me going in and testing them out to learn which games were safe.
Not all VR games are created the same way. Some developers (devs) take into account that people have issues, and have made menu options that include things like different locomotion options, and turning choices such as snap turning.
For instance, teleportation locomotion is the friendliest selection for those of us who have motion sickness. It allows the user to point and click on the location he or she wishes to move toward.
There is also smooth locomotion, which is a VR sickness nightmare; it moves you through the game as if you were really in it, which is great for immersion and feeling like you’re living in the metaverse. But it’s horrible for anyone who gets nauseated while using the Oculus Quest headset.
Then there is the teleportation, smooth locomotion hybrid, which is a pointless mix of the above options. I have been tricked into buying a few games that boasted the teleportation locomotion option only to find out it’s the hybrid version. It is set up so that you point and click to move, but then it drags you across the screen in a vomit inducing movement.
I’ve read that if one plays in VR long enough, eventually this movement stuff won’t be a bother, but I’ve been playing for over two years and I still can’t play games that don’t offer the teleportation option.
Here is a list of games that I’ve found that not only offer the teleportation locomotion movement option, but they have high enough frame rates which allows a comfortable gaming experience:
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Alcove: Very relaxing when inside of the apartment. Please note that when traveling the world from the travel room, some movement experiences like riding in a vehicle, can cause motion sickness.
Arizona Sunshine: Zombie killing game that I’ve played for hours without any VR sickness.
Color Space: Virtual coloring book where you don’t walk around at all.
Death Horizon: Reloaded: This is a fun zombie game that uses teleportation locomotion but there are areas where I have to close my eyes like when climbing a wall or jumping down off of something.
Drop Dead: Dual Strike Edition: A stationary zombie hoard game where you stand in place and shoot zombies alongside a friend or another gamer. There is one level in the main storyline that I avoid as it involves riding on a vehicle. The multiplayer option does not involve any motion.
Elven Assassin: Another stationary game, but this one reminds me of Lord of the Rings. You’re an elf that uses a bow and arrow to protect a village. Can be played with friends or other gamers.
Flow Weaver: A multiverse escape room game where you’re stationary as you solve puzzles to move through the levels.
Golf+: This golf game uses teleportation locomotion to move around the course, and is stationary when in Top Golf mode.
Guided Tai Chi: This is a stationary game where you can learn tai chi or relax in one of the beautiful worlds.
Horizon Worlds: The metaverse is fun to explore in this game, and it allows teleportation locomotion. It’s being improved every day, but sometimes it can feel a bit queasy. Avoid any ride-on experiences in this game.
Maloka: This is the best meditation app that I’ve found for VR. The effects did not make me sick, and there are settings to make them more comfortable.
Nature Treks VR: If you like to explore beautiful worlds then this great for that. It has a teleportation locomotion option, but movement is limited by invisible borders. So, it’s more of a relaxation experience than a game.
Real VR Fishing: A very realistic fishing game, and probably one of the most real experiences in VR. I don’t like fishing in real life but I love this game. It’s mostly stationary but there are teleportation locomotion options in the cabin. Avoid the ride-on boat levels.
Red Matter: The graphics on this are amazing and there is a teleportation locomotion option. But there are some areas that I had to close my eyes in, like for the vehicles inside of the warehouse, and inside elevators that have a window.
The Room VR: A Dark Matter: Probably the best game available for the Oculus Quest 2 headset. The graphics are amazing and the storyline is immersive. The game offers a teleportation locomotion option and there aren’t many areas that cause queasiness.
Tsuro - The Game of the Path: A very relaxing mindfulness based game that is stationary for gameplay and has teleportation locomotion for moving around the world.
Walkabout Mini Golf: This is a fun game to play alone, with friends, or other gamers. The worlds are beautiful and it’s relaxing to just walk around take it all in. Avoid any ride-on experiences like the raft in the lazy river on the start board.
Wander: Explore the real world in VR with teleportation locomotion. It can get a bit nauseating if too much time is spent in this one, especially if you’re following a guide who moves too fast between frames.
Waltz of the Wizard: Natural Magic: This game used to offer only mixed locomotion which I tried to push through with but often resulted in motion sickness. But they’ve updated it and now it has a regular teleportation locomotion option. If you’ve ever dreamed of being a wizard, then this is the game for you.
Image by: Remy Gieling