Zornitsa Vuteva Board games pose as great icebreaker activities, they are beloved at family and friends’ gatherings and provide hours-long entertainment for people of all ages. VR technology has enabled developers to bring a breath of fresh air to traditional tabletops and thus create games that immerse players in an interactive 3D environment where you don’t have to worry about someone peeking over your back to see your cards line up. Here, we’ve selected the top VR board games any VR adopter should experiment with, especially in the company of friends and relatives.
How did we choose the best VR tabletop games?
- We looked for games that support multiplayer, so that if you want to play with friends, who are far away. VR can create the social gaming experience of traditional board games.
- Although the featured titles are all VR tabletop games, each of them presents a different theme. Variety was important in the selection process as it proves VR technology can elevate the gameplay of regular board games.
- We also checked reviews and ratings to ensure the game offers a high-quality experience, with good graphics, engaging gameplay, and minimal bugs.
More of our favorite VR games:
Skyworld Kingdom Brawl
Skyworld: Kingdom Brawl is an engaging virtual reality game that combines card collecting and strategic combat elements. Developed by Vertigo Games, the creators of Arizona Sunshine, this title offers players an immersive multiplayer experience set in the Skyworld universe.
In the game, players face off against each other in fast-paced one-on-one battles across various unique arenas. The core gameplay revolves around building decks of cards that represent different troops and spells. During matches, these cards come to life in the VR environment, allowing players to summon units and cast magical abilities to defeat their opponents.
Kingdom Brawl features cross-platform multiplayer, enabling players to challenge friends and competitors worldwide. The game also includes a clan system, global leaderboards, and regular online tournaments to keep players engaged.
Released on April 2, 2019, Skyworld: Kingdom Brawl is available on multiple VR platforms, including Meta Quest and Steam VR. The game is rated ESRB Everyone 10+ for fantasy violence and mild language, making it accessible to a wide range of players.
With its competitive gameplay and immersive VR experience, Skyworld: Kingdom Brawl offers an exciting blend of strategy and action for virtual reality enthusiasts.
The game has rating 8/10 in Steam from 48 reviews and 3.9/5 from 608 reviews in Meta Store. It can be purchased for 9.99 $.
Catan VR
Catan VR is a VR adaptation of the popular board game Settlers of Catan, developed by Experiment 7 in collaboration with Klaus and Benjamin Teuber, the creators of the original board game. The game offers a fully immersive experience, allowing players to interact with the game world and other players in a virtual environment. Players can build settlements, trade resources, and engage in strategic gameplay, just like in the traditional board game.
The game supports cross-platform play, enabling players on different VR platforms to compete against each other. Catan VR offers several advantages over the traditional board game. For instance, players can join games with others from around the world, making it easier to find opponents and enjoy the game at any time. The game also includes AI opponents trained by Klaus Teuber, providing a solo experience for those who prefer to play alone.
You can get Catan VR for $14.99 from SteamVR and Meta Store, where it has received 4.5/5 stars.
Demeo
Demeo is a VR tabletop RPG game developed by Resolution Games that offers a unique and immersive experience for players. The game recreates the experience of gathering around a tabletop to do battle against the forces of evil. In the game, a dark force has taken over the underworld, and players can assume the role of different heroes such as the eagle-eyed hunter, mystical sorcerer, deadly assassin, protective guardian, melodic bard, powerful warlock, or boisterous barbarian. Each hero has unique abilities and strengths, requiring players to strategize and work together to vanquish the unholy force corrupting the world or die trying.
Demeo has received praise for its combination of the VR environment, voice acting, sound effects, and animations, which create a great experience, especially when played with friends. The game’s mechanics are simple and easy to understand, making it accessible to both new and experienced players. The tabletop setting and turn-based gameplay of the game are reminiscent of classic RPGs. The VR environment enhances the experience by allowing players to interact with the game in a more tactile way.
Demeo has a 4.7/5 star rating on Meta Store and 9/10 stars on SteamVR. It can be purchased from both platforms for $39.99.
Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulator is a versatile gaming platform designed for live, human-run games. It made its debut on PC in mid-2015. The platform offers a 3D representation of a game table with all components laid out before the players. This setup allows players to pick up and move pieces at will. Tabletop Simulator supports a variety of generic tabletop games like poker and backgammon. It also offers DLC component packs for over 20 popular titles.
In 2016, Tabletop Simulator introduced VR support, making it the only established board gaming platform with virtual reality support. The VR mode serves as an alternate control scheme and supports all games available on the platform, including popular titles like Terraforming Mars. While the VR mode is advertised as a beta implementation with occasional rough edges, it provides a more immersive online play experience compared to other online board gaming platforms.
Tabletop Simulator VR has received praise for its sense of presence. This feeling is enhanced by displaying the headset and controller positions of VR users to their opponents. This setup allows opponents to see the user’s head and hand positions. The feature creates a shared space where players can interact with each other around a board game. It provides a multiplayer experience that includes non-VR users who can also benefit from the VR experience.
Tabletop Simulator costs $19.99 and has received an impressive rating of 10/10 stars on SteamVR.
Table of Tales: The Crooked Crown
Table of Tales: The Crooked Crown is a virtual reality role-playing adventure game that brings tabletop gaming to life in a unique way. Players embark on an interactive fiction journey where they take on the role of a party of scoundrels led by the Game Master, Arbitrix. Four heroes have to be controlled as they set are on an adventure to clear their name, making decisions that impact the story’s outcome.
The game involves moving characters across a tiled board, using action cards strategically, and engaging in combat with enemies. It features strategic, turn-based combat with custom miniatures, skill checks, and ability cards, allowing players to navigate through realms of adventure, investigate past misdeeds, and face dangerous challenges. The magical table in the game transforms as players progress, offering a mix of swashbuckling and sorcery elements.
The choices players make impact the unfolding narrative, making each playthrough unique.
Table of Tales: The Crooked Crown has received 4.3/5 stars on Meta Store and a 9/10 star rating on SteamVR. It can be purchased from both platforms for $19.99.
Chess Club
Chess Club VR is a virtual reality gaming platform that offers an immersive experience of the classic game of chess. Players can join a virtual chess club and enjoy lively matches with enthusiasts from around the globe. The platform provides a variety of virtual environments for gameplay, ranging from modern chess clubs to cozy wood-paneled rooms with inviting fires. Players have the option to challenge the AI or compete against other online players.
Alongside the standard chess gameplay, Chess Club VR offers various modes and features to elevate the experience. The platform includes tutorials and lessons suitable for players of all skill levels, as well as advanced tactics and strategies for seasoned players. Additionally, players can customize their chess pieces and boards, with a diverse range of options available. Chess Club VR supports both classic and unique chess pieces, enabling players to craft their own personalized sets.
The platform also promotes social interaction through chat features and the ability to create and join private rooms for matches with friends. It cultivates a welcoming and inclusive community, hosting regular tournaments and events for players to participate in.
You can purchase Chess Club VR for $14.99 from the Meta Quest Store.
Brass Tactics
Brass Tactics is a Virtual Reality (VR) Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game created by Hidden Path Entertainment. It presents engaging gameplay where players build structures, form armies, manage resources, and strategize to conquer opponents by reaching their castle. The game boasts striking visuals, a diverse range of units, and customization options for upgrading units.
Brass Tactics has garnered positive reviews for its user-friendly VR interface, meticulous unit animations, and the possibilities for customizing units. Players can immerse themselves in single-player campaigns, PvP matches, and Co-Op PvP modes. The game’s focus on simplicity and depth sets a new benchmark for VR RTS games, offering accessibility for beginners and complexity for seasoned genre enthusiasts.
The game has received a near-perfect rating of 4.7/5 stars on Oculus Rift Store, where it can be purchased for $29.99.
Conclusion
VR board games have several advantages over traditional board games. They are easier to play because players don’t have to physically move pieces. Additionally, they allow friends who are potentially very far away to play together as if they were there in person. If you happen to own a VR headset, then VR tabletop games are a great starting point for using this piece of technology for leisure activities.
