Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2022 took place earlier today, bringing along a host of VR game announcements. Some, like The Walking Dead, were certainly expected. However, there were some surprises in store. Among Us heads to VR, and will be fully first person. The Mercenaries mode is finally out today on Resident Evil 4 VR. Finally, let’s not forget the “one last thing”: Ghostbusters VR has been revealed, and it looks to support four-player co-op. And hats.
Today’s show was all about games coming to to the Meta Quest 2 “within the next year.” And it was only games; there was no word or hint on the rumored Meta Quest Pro.
Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2022 game announcements and reveals
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution
We got another look at The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution, which was revealed in January. The new trailer showcases some of the gritty, silly violence you should expect. Guns, melee weapons, and a crapload of zombies highlight the first-person game. The next chapter brings you back to an infested New Orleans, where the Tourist is up against new enemies — human and undead alike.
NFL Pro Era
NFL football is coming to virtual reality in NFL Pro Era. The game puts you in the cleats of a pro player, using the Quest controllers to run the field and pass the ball to teammates. Pro Era promises to have all 32 NFL teams, creating the “most authentic and immersive first-person football VR game available.”
Among Us VR
I suppose this was inevitable. With Among Us seeped so deeply into the gaming zeitgeist, it was only a matter of time before it found a VR release. However, something is a little different this time around. Among Us VR isn’t an isometric game, but is fully in first person, where you run around the ship and point your fingers at anyone who seems a bit sus. Travel the hallways, survive, and kill or be killed all the while avoiding judgment and the freezing vacuum of space.
Red Matter 2
Red Matter 2 continues the story of the 2019 original, which took during a sci-fi-infused Cold War. Now out of the machine that held your mind captive, your task is to escape. There are new features coming to Red Matter 2, such as a jetpack and a hacking tool. But for the most part, the game looks to continue providing more environmental puzzles and stealth.
Espire 2
Espire 2Â looks like the stealth action game that Hitman VR wished it was. You play as Poe, a special operator who must take down a terrorist group which threatens to hold the world hostage. The game comes with frames you can equip, and plenty of weapons. There looks to be some clever stealth elements at play, such as ripping a mag from your gun and tossing it to distract enemies. When all else fails, though, you can always shoot your way out.
Moss: Book II
To no one’s surprise, the sequel to Moss is coming to Quest 2. Before the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2022, this was a game I expected to get announced. After all, Moss began life on PlayStation VR but eventually found its was to PC. It would be unusual for Moss: Book II and its cute mouse protagonist to get neglected. It certainly isn’t, and it’ll arrive later this summer.
RuinsMagus
RuinsMagus is taking the JRPG genre to the world of virtual reality. You can travel and interact with its RPG fantasy world, as well as fight various enemies and beasts. The story centers around your quest to strengthen your guild, and you do so by completing 25 story quests through the game. There are puzzles, and loads of equipment to discover.
Cities VR
The popular city building simulator Cities is heading to VR. Cities VR will let you create your very own city from the ground up. Your creation tools are found in the UI built into your hands, letting you literally point and place residential areas and buildings. It doesn’t look quite as pretty as its non-VR counterpart, sporting a more cartoonish vibe. However, it could be worth a play for those who miss the classic god games of yore.
Resident Evil 4 VR – The Mercenaries
One of the Resident Evil franchise’s most popular modes, The Mercenaries, is at last coming to Resident Evil 4 VR. Like with Moss II, this is another game announcement I expected to see at Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2022. We’ve known it was on the way since January. But now? Well, it’s actually out today. That’s right, The Mercenaries got a surprise launch, which was revealed during the show. The update is free, and owners of the game can go download it now.
Beat Saber: Electronic Mixtape
Beat Saber, the musical rhythm game that just about every VR owner has, is getting more music. The Electronic Mixtape update is bringing 10 more artists to the game, and that includes Deadmau5 and Marshmello. Oh, and we hear it finally brings likely the most requested song of all: Sandstorm by Darude. The memes are real, folks.
Bonelab
The creator of Boneworks is back with another wacky physics playground, called Bonelab. Stress Level Zero is using what it learned with Boneworks to make the goofy hijinks even more enjoyable, and it’ll all be paired with a new story. It begins not long after you managed to avoid execution, and now you must escape an underground laboratory. There will be combat, and the game is receiving mod support.
Ghostbusters VR
Ah yes, the “one more thing.” My ears always perk up whenever someone drops a Ghostbusters reference, so I was definitely paying attention once I saw that iconic PKE Meter show up. Ghostbusters VR is heading to Meta Quest 2 this year. It’ll be fully first person and co-op for up to three people. You use your tools and talent to scout areas and hunt down ghosts, as expected. Based on the teaser, there also looks to be player customization. Someone was there wearing a goofy hat, and I’m of two minds about that. Still, as a fan of the franchise, I’d be willing to let that slide if the game is good.
