Soar above Hogwarts, experiment with Passthrough API, and race other players for real-world money in these free games and apps for Quest.
Thanks to VR platforms such as the Oculus App Lab and SideQuest, the Oculus Quest has amassed a sizable catalog of games and apps available 100% free of charge. From shooters and puzzlers to racers and platformers, every month we’re treated to a fresh batch of free content from both indie developers as well as AAA studios.
It can be overwhelming, having to sift through such a massive selection of entertainment. Thankfully, we’re here to help. The following are five new games and apps available free on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets:
Seeker VR
Seeker VR is not an official Harry Potter game, the creators want to make that perfectly clear upfront. This is a non-commercial project developed by fans for fans that allows you to freely explore the grounds of Hogwarts Castle using your own Nimbus 2000 flying broomstick.
Take to the skies above the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry and enjoy the sights or head to the Quidditch pitch and try your hand at catching the ever-elusive Snitch. It’s a fairly bare-bones experience; there’s not much interaction beyond the Quidditch pitch. That being said, flying through the archways leading to Hogwarts Castle feels extremely satisfying in VR. Whether you’re a hardcore Potter head or just looking for a relaxing flying experience, you can’t go wrong with Seeker VR.
Seeker VR is available free on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets via Itch.io.
Z-Race Demo
Z-Race is easily one of the most interesting VR racers available on PC VR headsets at the moment. Using a unique third-person control scheme, players compete in fast-paced asymmetrical races using futuristic anti-gravity race ships. Complex race tracks riddled with obstacles offer high-speed white-knuckle gameplay guaranteed to leave your palms sweaty.
This past month developer XOCUS launched a demo for Oculus Quest headsets featuring a single racer and course to try. In celebration of its launch on Quest, the company is currently hosting an in-game tournament featuring a prize pool of $1,000USD. 1st place takes home $300 while 2nd place walks away with a cool $150. 4th through 10th place get a solid $50 each.
Z-Race Demo is available free on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets via App Lab.
Agent Simulation Demo
Despite technically being a demo, VR FPS Agent Simulation is jam-packed with content to enjoy. Similar to SUPERHOT VR, this fast-paced strategic shooter has you dodging bullets and gunning down waves of virtual goons using a variety of weaponry. Each level features its own unique layout and challenges to overcome.
At the start of each level, you’re presented with three modifiers designed to assist you in your missions, including double bullets, double damage, slow-mo, blocking bullets, and extra life just to name a few. At the end of each round, your performance is judged based on your accuracy. If you’re looking for a SUPERHOT VR-style experience minus the $24.99 fee, Agent Simulation is the game for you.
Agent Simulation is available free on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets via App Lab.
SUP Island
Sometimes you just need a break from all the action. SUP Island on Oculus Quest offers the perfect escape from the stresses of the real world. In this relaxing multiplayer experience, players explore a tropical beachside location using a virtual paddleboard. If that sounds simple, that’s only because it is.
SUP Island is all about kicking back and enjoying the scenery. That being said, there’s still plenty to discover. You can go whale watching, play catch using the beachball, or race each other around the island. The game even measures your distance traveled, turning the game into somewhat of a VR fitness experience.
SUP Island is available free on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets via App Lab.
MRTK Samples with Passthrough API
This past July, Oculus released Passthrough API Experimental, allowing developers to develop AR games and apps for the Quest using the built-in passthrough functionality. Since then, we’ve seen several different titles take advantage of this new technology, from the VR martial arts game Crazy Kung Fu to the VR puzzler Gravity Lab.
Originally released as an experimental app for the HoloLens 2 mixed reality headset, MRTK Samples with Passthrough API allows you to mess around with a variety of in-game objects using Oculus hand-tracking technology. You can tickle the ivories, take a sip from your virtual coffee cup, push some buttons, manipulate sliders, and more. With the addition of Passthrough, you can now see these virtual items in the real world, allowing you to incorporate physical objects—such as furniture—in your experience.
MRTK Samples with Passthrough API is available free on Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 headsets via SideQuest. You’ll need to sideload the app onto your Oculus Quest headset in order to play. For more information on how to do this, check out our previous coverage here.
Feature Image Credit: XOCUS