Top Five Mixed Reality Games 2024
I will divide my top five for Meta Quest into two distinct lists: one for virtual reality games and another for mixed reality games. I decided to create a separate list for mixed reality because several games have convinced me of the value of mixed reality gaming over the past year. If you are trying on your Quest for the first time this holiday season, be sure to give MR a try.
Number Five: LEGO Bricktales
LEGO Bricktales utilizes the LEGO brand to enable you to incorporate this cherished toy into your living space through mixed reality. While it may not be the ultimate open-ended LEGO construction game I had anticipated, it offers an enjoyable puzzle experience filled with charm. You can create your own solutions, watch them materialize in the biome, and then engage with them. The development team ensures that the building design is perfectly tailored for mixed reality, giving the impression that you are contributing to an unfinished creation in your own home.
Number Four: Augmented Empire
Augmented Empire was my favourite game released on Oculus Go, and I was worried about whether it would still be enjoyable today considering the technological advancements – I’m happy to say that it is just as fun now as it was at launch. Alongside a captivating story, it offers an engaging tactical turn-based strategy gameplay loop, where battles can change significantly if you make a few mistakes or mismanage the timing of your characters’ abilities. With the newly upgraded textures and the dioramas being brought into your living room in MR mode, everything blends effortlessly with the enhancements in hardware since its initial release on Gear VR.
Number Three: Smash Drums
Smash Drums was the first Mixed Reality mode that I truly engaged with, and it has become my favourite way to enjoy the game. PotamWorks has done an excellent job with the mixed reality mode, from the walls collapsing in your space to unveil the stage, which never gets dull, to having the stage visible behind your wall, which works really well. Since then, it has received several updates, including the Paint Shop mode, which splatters your room with paint while you play the drums. This feature is quite satisfying and allows for a fun mess without the hassle of cleaning up afterward.
Number Two: Wall Town Wonders
Wall Town Wonders is indeed a delightful game that connects the digital realm with reality by enabling you to build a miniature town in your own space. Its charm and accessibility are enhanced by the game’s relaxed pace, allowing you to develop your township at your leisure. It offers a laid-back city-building experience that keeps you engaged as the townsfolk require your assistance, while also introducing additional mini-games as you grow and upgrade your town. The development team has done an excellent job of creating the illusion that these characters are living within your walls, with the depth of the 3D models making it seem as though the buildings extend right into your wall.
Number One: Starship Home
Starship Home was a game that genuinely convinced me that mixed reality could have a significant future in gaming. Although I have enjoyed a few additional experiences, none have captivated me quite like Starship Home. The team at Creature has brilliantly utilized your play space, allowing you to customize the ship’s layout to your preference. While the game may be somewhat simplistic in terms of difficulty, it possesses a delightful charm that ensures enjoyment even for adults – though I believe younger players will particularly adore it.