VR headsets have allowed players to achieve a feeling of true immersion in video games, something that anime fans also try to find in their media. While VR is still relatively new technology, there are a number of games currently available that are clearly designed with anime lovers in mind.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to find some of these games, especially since many of those that are available in Japan have not yet been released in other countries. Thankfully, these VR games are sure to make every anime fan happy.
9 Tokyo Chronos Is An Immersive Choose-Your-Own-Adventure With An Emotional Story
One of the games which anime fans will be sure to love is Tokyo Chronos. This is basically a visual novel in VR form, a choose-your-own-adventure with multiple possible endings.
Created by MyDearest Inc, this game has a “Very Positive” rating on Steam and 4-and-a-half stars on the Oculus app store. Tokyo Chronos is a truly immersive experience that puts players in the middle of an anime and allows them to interact in a meaningful way with the other characters.
8 Hatsune Miku VR Lets Fans Dance And Sing With The Hid Vocaloid Music Star
Hatsune Miku has taken the world by storm. She is a Vocaloid character, depicted as a 16-year-old anime girl, with a bright and fun look that makes her appeal to anime fans and young Japanese music lovers. In short, she is a mascot for a software program that sings in its own unique style. Despite being a completely fictional animated character, Hatsune Miku has performed numerous live concerts.
Now, fans can sing and dance along with Hatune Muku in this game, choosing their favorite songs and accompanying her on the stage.
7 Spice & Wolf VR Is An Anime Experienced Firsthand Rather Than Merely Watched
Another game that drops players right in the middle of an anime is Spice & Wolf, a beautifully-animated adaptation of the existing Spice & Wolf light novels.
Created by SpicyTails, this is more of an immersive anime than an anime-inspired game. Those who hope to interact with the characters will be disappointed, but for those who want to just be dropped in the middle of an anime, this will be perfect.
6 Blade & Sorcery Is Basically A Shonen Action-Adventure Come To Life
While not directly based on any anime, the game Blade & Sorcery is one of the best portrayals of shonen-style action that can be found in VR. Players fight through castles, hurling fireballs and fistfuls of lightning as they cast magic spells, or else brawling with swords, axes, and a variety of other melee weapons.
Admittedly, Blade & Sorcery has a more western medieval fantasy aesthetic than a classically Japanese feel. Then again, many popular anime like Goblin Slayer, Berserk, and Fairy Tail share this vibe. While it is still only in Early Access, the game is currently available to play on Steam, the Oculus Rift, and VivePort.
5 Attack on Titan VR On Sidequest Recreates The Anime’s Battles For Oculus Quest 2
Attack on Titan is one of the most popular—and harrowing—anime of the past decade. Now, fans can fight against the giant Titans and fly through the air like their favorite characters. And best of all, the awesome anime game that makes this possible is totally free!
Currently, it is only available on Sidequest, a platform that gives players early access to games that are still in development. As a free game that is not yet finished, Attack on Titan VR currently has very low-quality graphics. But after playing a licensed Attack on Titan game for free, the graphics are nothing to complain about.
4 Pokemon VR On Sidequest Lets You Explore The Magical World Of Pokemon Firsthand
Another game on Sidequest is Pokemon VR, which delivers pretty much exactly what the title promises. The Pokemon franchise has always existed at the perfect intersection of anime and video games. Now, players can quite literally explore the World of Pokemon, traveling to classic locations like Pallet Town and Viridian City.
The graphics are surprisingly good, allowing players to catch their favorite Pokemon and engage in battles against other trainers. They can even trade Pokemon with one another.
3 Sairento VR: Untethered Lets You Play A Cyberpunk Ninja With An Epic Weapons Arsenal
What could be cooler than a game about cyber-ninja fighting their way through a technocratic future dystopian Tokyo? How about playing that game in VR?
Wielding both ancient and modern weapons, players infiltrate each level, slaying their enemies with decapitating katana strikes and bursts of automatic gunfire. The game is available on Playstation VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Oculus Quest, making it one of the most readily available games no matter what platform one has.
2 Outlaws VR Is A Martial Arts Action-Adventure Brawler In The Feudal Past
At this time, Outlaws VR is still in early access. It is a mixture of a martial arts fighting brawler with a more classic action-adventure game, allowing players to punch out enemies as they explore their environments.
Though the game is set in medieval China, the weapons, costumes, and moves of the enemies will seem similar to many things that anime fans will have seen in series about feudal Japan. Developed by HXVR Studio, Outlaws VR is currently available on Steam for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Valve Index.
1 Beat Saber Lets You Dual-Wield Katanas While Listening To Japanese Music
One of the most popular VR games in existence is Beat Saber. Players dual-wield swords to the beat of music, trying to hit targets with their blades. The targets arrive in time with the music and must be struck at the right angle with the proper sword.
Beyond the music that comes with the game, there are a number of downloadable soundtracks. Some of the music has been developed by the Japanese EDM group Tokyo Machine. Anyone hoping to rock out while engaging in a wakizashi-slashing power fantasy will love Beat Saber, as will pretty much everyone else who gets their hands on it.