Step into the past and experience the thrill of history like never before with our curated list of the 8 Best Medieval VR Games. These games offer an immersive journey into the medieval era, where you can engage in epic battles, explore ancient castles, and interact with historical characters.
Each game has been carefully selected for its unique gameplay, stunning graphics, and authentic representation of the medieval period. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a gaming aficionado, these VR games promise to transport you to a time of knights and castles, offering an unforgettable virtual reality experience. So, strap on your VR headset and prepare for an adventure that transcends time and space. Let’s dive in!
Here are 8 VR games set in the Medieval era that will transport you back in time:
Blade and sorcery
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best medieval VR games out there, you’ve got to check out Blade and Sorcery. Imagine stepping into a world where every swing of your sword, every cast of a spell feels as real as it can get. That’s exactly what Blade and Sorcery offers, with its full physics-driven melee, ranged, and magic combat. Developed and published by the French indie studio WarpFrog, this game is a pure gem for those who love to immerse themselves in a fantasy sandbox designed exclusively for virtual reality.
Released on December 11, 2018, Blade and Sorcery sets itself apart with its overwhelming positive reviews on Steam. The game is praised for its innovative approach to VR combat, making it a must-have for anyone with a VR headset. It’s not just about hacking and slashing aimlessly; the game’s combat and environmental interactions are driven by a full physics simulation, making each encounter feel unique and challenging. Whether you choose to be a powerful warrior, a sneaky ranger, or a master sorcerer, the game offers an unparalleled level of immersion.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Blade and Sorcery’s journey is its development story. Initially envisioned as a multiplayer project named “Sorcering” back in 2016, the game evolved significantly over time. The developer, KospY, shifted focus from a multiplayer experience to a more engaging single-player game due to challenges with physics and lag in multiplayer combat. This pivot allowed for a deeper exploration of physics-driven combat and environmental interactions, setting a new standard for VR melee combat. The game’s development was fueled by KospY’s previous experiences with modding and a passionate interest in VR technology, culminating in a game that feels both innovative and deeply personal.
Spice & Wolf VR2
“Spice & Wolf VR2” is a must-play VR game that whisks you away to a medieval setting filled with charm, adventure, and heartwarming moments. Developed and published by SpicyTails, this game is a direct sequel to the beloved “Spice & Wolf VR” and continues the enchanting story of the merchant Lawrence and the wolf goddess Holo. After their wide-ranging travels, they settle down to open a bathhouse, enjoying a tranquil life with their daughter. The narrative takes a playful turn with daily life challenges, adding depth to the immersive experience.
Released on December 9, 2020, “Spice & Wolf VR2” has been praised for evolving animation from merely “watching” to “experiencing”. This VR animation, based on “Spice and Wolf: Spring Log”, offers a 30-minute story mode and a unique game mode where you can engage with the anime characters in a Japanese paper street theater style. It beautifully combines VR technology with the art of storytelling, allowing players to dive deeper into the world of Spice and Wolf. The game has garnered very positive reviews, with a 97% positive rating from 489 user reviews on Steam, highlighting its widespread acclaim within the community.
The game boasts an impressive production staff with Isuna Hasekura writing the scenario, Ju Ayakura designing the characters, and voices by Ami Koshimizu (Holo), Jun Fukuyama (Kraft Lawrence), and Aimi Tanaka (Myuri), further enriching the immersive experience. Notably, it supports a wide range of VR hardware including Oculus Quest 1&2, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, HTC Vive, PlayStation®VR, and Nintendo Switch™, making it accessible to a broad audience of VR enthusiasts. Priced at $24.99, it offers a valuable addition to any VR library for fans of the series or newcomers seeking a unique, immersive experience.
Rags to Dishes
“Rags to Dishes” stands out as one of the most engaging medieval VR games that whisks players back to the medieval ages, offering an immersive cooking experience. Developed and published by Novity, this single-player VR cooking game was released on November 11, 2020, and has received very positive reviews from players, boasting a 95% positive rating out of 122 user reviews on Steam.
In “Rags to Dishes,” players start their culinary journey as a humble cook for peasants with aspirations to serve the royal court. The game challenges players with a variety of recipes that evolve through three distinct stages – Peasants, Nobles, and Royals. Players can purchase kitchen upgrades with the coins they earn, enhancing their ability to serve demanding customers more efficiently.
The game offers over 6+ hours of campaign cooking alongside a frantic 5-minute mode that tests your time management and cooking skills to the max. Additionally, it features online leaderboards where players can compete for the top chef title. However, the path to becoming the best chef in the land is not without its obstacles, including a pesky bird determined to steal your coins, making the game both challenging and entertaining.
“Rags to Dishes” requires a 64-bit processor and operating system, with specific hardware requirements to ensure a smooth VR experience. It’s designed for Windows 10, requiring at least an Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 processor, 8 GB RAM, and a NVIDIA GTX 970/AMD Radeon R9 290 graphics card. The game also requires a SteamVR or Oculus PC setup with a Room Scale area of 2m by 1.5m.
GORN
GORN stands out as one of the most thrilling and immersive medieval VR games available, and it’s easy to see why it has captured the hearts of VR enthusiasts around the globe. Developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital, GORN catapults players into the brutal and blood-soaked arenas of ancient Rome, where gladiatorial combat comes to life with a level of violence and gore that’s both ludicrous and exhilarating. The game was first introduced in early access in 2016, with its full release happening on July 18, 2019, for Microsoft Windows. Since then, it has expanded its reach to PlayStation VR in 2020 and Oculus Quest in 2021, with a PlayStation 5 version released on March 16, 2023.
What truly sets GORN apart is its unique, fully physics-driven combat engine, allowing players to unleash their most violent gladiatorial fantasies in VR. With an infinite supply of poorly-animated opponents, players can get creative with a variety of weapons ranging from swords and maces to nunchuks and massive two-handed warhammers. The game encourages players to explore the depths of their imagination (and decency) to execute their foes in the most savage ways imaginable.
The game’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with recent reviews on Steam showing a 95% positive rate among users, highlighting its enduring appeal and the continuous enjoyment it provides to the VR community. Its gameplay offers a blend of intense action and dark humor, creating a uniquely engaging experience that stands out in the VR landscape.
SkyrimVR
SkyrimVR truly stands out as one of the most immersive medieval VR experiences you can dive into. With the game’s transition to VR, players can now experience the epic fantasy world of Skyrim in a way that is both deeply immersive and visually captivating, albeit with some graphical compromises compared to its non-VR versions.
The introduction of motion-controlled combat and exploration adds a fresh layer of engagement to the game. Swinging swords, shooting arrows, and casting spells with physical gestures rather than pressing buttons on a controller brings a new level of excitement and involvement to the gameplay. This added physicality transforms combat into a more dynamic and satisfying experience.
However, not everything about SkyrimVR’s adaptation is perfect. The user interface and interaction mechanisms have seen criticism for lacking innovation and immersion. Menus and dialogues are presented in a somewhat clunky, floating format, which can detract from the overall VR experience. Additionally, certain interactions, like opening doors or managing inventory, still rely on traditional button presses, missing an opportunity to fully leverage VR’s potential for more naturalistic interaction.
Despite these drawbacks, the game’s VR version is celebrated for its vast, open-world exploration and the unique sense of presence it offers. Standing face-to-face with towering dragons or gazing across Skyrim’s rugged landscapes feels profoundly more real and exhilarating in VR. The transition to PC VR headsets has also addressed many of the technical issues found in earlier versions, making SkyrimVR a significant improvement and offering one of the most magnificent VR experiences available.
Hellsplit: Arena
“Hellsplit: Arena” stands out as one of the best medieval VR games, offering an immersive experience in a dark fantasy world during the late Middle Ages. Developed and published by Deep Type Games, it was released on September 9, 2019. This VR horror-slasher game features a physically accurate combat system and dynamic battles against the undead. Its realism extends to weapon handling, body movements, and injuries, with a campaign and additional modes enriching the experience. The game demands a full room-scale VR setup and has been well-received, holding a “Very Positive” rating on Steam.
Legendary Tales
“Legendary Tales” is a captivating VR action RPG that’s a must-experience for medieval fantasy enthusiasts, especially if you’re into immersive, physics-based combat and dungeon crawling with friends. Launched on February 8, 2024, for PlayStation VR2 and Steam VR, this game is developed and published by Urban Wolf Games, marking its exit from Early Access where it began its journey on September 8, 2021.
The game has garnered very positive reviews on Steam, reflecting its engaging gameplay and the community’s appreciation. Players can look forward to a world filled with darkness, monsters, and adventures, where they can dive into dungeons, defeat formidable foes, collect loot, and explore the mysteries of a land corrupted by evil.
One of the game’s standout features is its physics-based fighting system, ensuring every hit feels impactful and allowing for a wide range of combat tactics. It offers an extensive crafting system, a magic system for blasting enemies with elemental powers, cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, and a skill tree that encourages playstyle diversity. All these elements are built from the ground up for VR to ensure a smooth play experience.
The developers emphasized multiplayer VR from the start, aiming for a game where every gameplay aspect enhances the sense of immersion and camaraderie among players. The game supports up to 4K HDR, eye tracking, adaptive triggers, headset haptics, and Ultra-Sharp Dynamic Foveation Rendering on PS VR2, running at a native 90 FPS to provide an unparalleled VR experience.
Swordsman VR
Swordsman VR totally nails the immersive medieval combat experience, making it a must-play for VR enthusiasts and medieval era aficionados alike. Developed and published by Sinn Studio Inc., this game launched on September 25, 2020, and has since captivated players with its realistic sword-fighting dynamics.
Here’s why it stands out: Swordsman VR offers a deeply engaging combat system where every fight feels like a real duel. The game challenges you with armored, physically simulated enemies that can parry, riposte, step, and dodge, pushing you to strategize and master the art of swordplay. The realism doesn’t stop there; weapons and armor in the game are physically simulated, adding an extra layer of authenticity and difficulty to the combat.
What sets Swordsman VR apart is not just its combat but also its expansive universe. You’ll face off against various factions across thematic environments – from knights and Vikings to Mongols and Samurai, each with their unique bosses. These epic battles aren’t just limited to dry land; imagine dueling to the death in the Gobi desert, clashing with pirates on the high seas, or even confronting Hel, the goddess of the Underworld. For those who love progression, the game doesn’t disappoint. There’s a blacksmith where you can purchase weapons or defeat bosses to unlock their special weapons and abilities. Plus, you can upgrade your stats and skills at the Skill Master or gear up with better armor at the Armorer, allowing for a highly personalized playstyle.
The game’s features are vast and varied, including dismemberment, armor physics, hand-to-hand combat, advanced weapon handling, a Horde mode for zombie survival fans, and even RPG elements for character development.
