Over the last several years, studios around the globe have attempted to bring some of the largest franchises in gaming to virtual reality, whether it be through ports of older titles or new games built exclusively for this burgeoning technology. Unfortunately, the majority of these past attempts have left many gamers feeling somewhat underwhelmed either by a lack of content or by a lack of polish.
However, with the new console generation finally upon us, the opportunity for developers to put their full attention into virtual reality may be here at last. After all, the space is sorely lacking AAA titles. So, let's take a look at five gaming franchises that deserve their own VR experiences, from BioShock to Grand Theft Auto.
For over a decade, BioShock has remained in the minds of gamers everywhere as a genre-defining franchise. Its art direction, intense atmosphere and expertly executed narratives endure as some of the medium's finest. Unfortunately, despite its popularity and critical acclaim, it has been nearly eight years since the last entry, and almost four years since the original developers of the series, Irrational Games, went defunct. While rumors of a fourth BioShock game have surfaced over the years, no concrete information on a sequel currently exists.
Considering the popularity of BioShock, its revolutionary status and the ill-defined future of the series, not only does it make sense to reboot this franchise in virtual reality, but gamers have already proclaimed their desire to visit Rapture in VR. After all, who wouldn't like to witness the dark beauty of that city's submerged Art Deco interiors first hand, or the eerie freedom that is felt in the floating city of Columbia?
As one of the most profitable series in all of gaming, it's no surprise that many want to experience Rockstar Games' beloved satirical depiction of the criminal underworld in virtual reality. In fact, over the past several years, dedicated fans of the series have worked tirelessly to create virtual reality mods for the most acclaimed Grand Theft Auto games. With the series' penchant for expansive open worlds, extreme interactivity and memorable characters, Grand Theft Auto would fit perfectly into the VR space.
Chernobyl has maintained its ever-mysterious and darkly fascinating aura since it was catapulted into international conversation after the 1986 disaster, and it was only a matter of time before it was depicted in gaming. S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl, is one such adaptation. Despite the unpolished and somewhat incomplete nature of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R games, the franchise continues to endure in the hearts of fans between its Brutalist Eastern European art direction and unmatched apocalyptic atmosphere.
With the recent announcement of the series' first game in a decade, excitement for the future of the franchise continues to grow. This desire is so strong that imitations of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.'s formula have already appeared in several indie VR games such as Into The Radius. If any series deserves to have its impeccable atmosphere depicted in virtual reality, it's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
A perpetual industry juggernaut, Call of Duty remains one of the medium's most beloved and profitable first-person shooters franchises. With nearly two decades of games under its belt, Activision and its developers continue to set the standard for narrative and multiplayer FPS and remain nearly unmatched in the areas of pure spectacle and military action. While there is no shortage of VR shooters on the market, few meet the modern standards expected for AAA FPS experiences. With the recent failure of Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, a VR exclusive, the lack of big-budget FPS titles for virtual reality is felt even stronger. If anyone can correctly fill the VR shooter void, it's the studios behind Call of Duty.
One of the founding fathers of the immersive sim genre, Deus Ex stands out as a rarity among its peers for its revolutionary sense of interactivity, relative mainstream success and deep cyberpunk roots. Not only does the series maintain a sense of freedom and intrigue that few others do, but its gorgeous aesthetic demands to be viewed up close. Unfortunately, the series has been on ice following the launch of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided back in 2016. With the recent release of Cyberpunk and a renewed interest in the immersive sim genre though, it make sense for Deus Ex to return with a virtual reality adventure.
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