Do you have friends who have VR headsets?
Are they constantly hogging your headset in order to play with them, sometimes even breaking your headset while they laugh at the bizarre world they’ve created inside your screen?
Do you want to be able to play games with them without handing over a single device or getting jealous of their sense-shattering experiences?
No problem!
Visiting a theme park or swimming in the ocean are all fun ways to get with friends. In case of bad weather or commitments, can you travel?
You can play plenty of VR games with your friends without VR, like Pokemon Go and Disney’s Big Hero 6. Here’s our guide to
5 best multiplayer VR games, you can play without VR
1. Big Hero 6: Battle in the Bay
This is the best multiplayer VR game you can play with friends without VR. It’s a fun, engaging experience you and your friends will love if you just want to hang out and catch Pokemon together away from the TV.
The gameplay works well with both single-player and multiplayer games (I suggest playing with a couple of people so both people can be the hero). Every player takes on the role of a Big Hero 6 team member as they battle battles bots and other friends online or locally. There are also mini-games, like a snowball fight and a freeway chase, that can happen in the lobby.
2. Pokemon Go
If your friends don’t have VR, Pokemon Go is an excellent way to catch Pokemon together away from the TV. It’s easy to play together with friends who don’t have VR, too! You can even meet people you know while walking around the neighborhood catching virtual animals.
3. VR The Diner Duo
It’s also a really entertaining, interesting title that’s easy to pick up. In this game, you and a friend will be cooking burgers in a diner as customers come in and order food. You have to toss ingredients back and forth and try to be super-efficient while keeping the customer happy. There are also upgrades and bonuses you can unlock through the game.
4. Catan VR
This is a fun game where you play with your friends without VR. If you’ve never played Settlers of Catan before, the premise of this game is that players compete to be the most successful colony on Catan Island by building settlements, cities, and roads. Victory points (VPs) are awarded to the first player who reaches 10 VPS.
For those who wish to expand their gameplay, there are numerous expansions available. This is a great multiplayer VR game for people who like strategy and board games.
5. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
My favorite VR game for playing with friends without VR. You can play Keep Talking with friends sitting around a table, or you can play it from across the world. While another player provides instructions on the screen, one player puts on the VR headset and works to defuse a bomb. This is an excellent experience if you have people over to your place who want to try out your Gear VR. It’s also great for playing with people online.
VR Games You Can Play With Friends Without VR Online
Online multiplayer games are really great; they get friends together in the same physical location. Would it still be possible to play with your friends even if they were halfway around the world?
Without VR, you can play plenty of online multiplayer games.
1. Go! Go! Kokopolo
This game is fun and clever. You have to try to snag virtual blocks with a bunch of cute, friendly characters while avoiding a vast array of obstacles and dangers. A friend or stranger can play a local or online game. Demo mode is available before purchasing the game.
2. Virtual Reality
Playing this game with friends is fun, but it’s also great for learning about engineering. You’ll have to assemble and launch rockets for the U.S. Army, which requires you to use the tools you might use in your everyday life (screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc.). There are also a ton of upgrades and weapons that you can unlock as you pass missions. A VR headset isn’t necessary to play with other people online or with local friends.
3. Payday 2 VR
This is a great game to play with friends who don’t have VR because it’s a game that’s been around for years. It’s an online game where you and your friends will be acting as robbers, thieves, and other baddies in different locations around the world. You can play single-player with bots, but this is better if you can find some people who want to play with you.
4. End Space VR
This is another online game you can play with friends without VR that’s been around for years. It’s a space simulator game where you’ll be shooting down swarms of enemies as you try to make it to the next battle or level. You’ll also be able to upgrade your weapons and ships, so this is another good multiplayer VR game that’s easy to pick up if you have an experienced player at your place who wants to try out the Gear VR.
VR games you can play with friends on mobile
If you don’t have a VR headset, here are some of my favorite mobile games you can play with friends without it. Since these are games that you can play on your phone or tablet, I’ve got them listed here.
1. Minecraft
Minecraft is a game that’s been around for quite a while and it’s still an incredible experience even if you don’t have VR. You’ll build virtual worlds and structures out of textured cubes to create something you can interact with. You can play online with friends, but if you don’t have people to play with or don’t have a computer that can run this game, there are a ton of videos on YouTube showing you how to build amazing things in the game.
2. Beat Saber
This is one of my favorite VR games for playing with friends without VR because it’s so simple and entertaining. You’ll be moving a lightsaber back and forth with your hands as you try to slice boxes that are falling down. As you slice through multiple boxes at a time, you’ll get a combo bonus. You can play this game from the comfort of your couch, so it’s good for parties and events with friends who don’t have VR.
3. Tilt Brush
This is another game where you can create something using virtual reality without having to wear a headset. You’ll be using your Google Daydream controller or your smartphone to paint in 3D space. You can even record and playback your movements to create animated scenes. Share your creations with others if you want them to see them.
Conclusion:
If your friends haven’t tried out VR yet, I recommend trying it with them before making a purchase. It’s certainly possible to benefit from this technology without getting the headset, so there’s no need to feel like you need VR Headset just to play with others.