Diving deep under the ocean and swimming with dolphins is a dream that many people have, and it’s now possible from the comfort of your own home. Virtual reality video games offer you the chance to explore the seabed and everything it has to offer. You can explore the sea on many different VR headsets in lots of VR games.
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There are currently only a few VR experiences that take place underwater; however, the available games truly immerse you in realistic ocean settings. There are also a few VR games that create brand-new fictional oceans for you to explore. From swimming alongside sharks to exploring the Titanic, here are the best virtual reality games that take place underwater.
Updated November 10, 2024 by Jacqueline Zalace: Looking for even more underwater VR games? We’ve updated this list with a few more VR games that take place under the water. Additionally, we’ve added a few more images to help you really get a sense of what each game involves.
10
Narcosis
Narcosis is a story game that brings you down to the seabed, where you will have to try to survive the ocean. Your character wears a diving suit and has access to very few tools, which makes the adventure even more challenging. Narcosis is a horror game, and you will immediately notice it since its setting is so terrifying.
You often play in near darkness, adding a spooky effect to the visual landscape. Narcosis is an underwater nightmare that will test your limits in virtual reality, and it’s not for the faint of heart. However, you will appreciate the atmosphere if you are a fan of horror video games.
9
Minecraft VR
Minecraft is a beloved video game that has been entertaining base-building fans for years, and now you can play it in virtual reality on the PSVR and PCVR headsets. Although Minecraft isn’t a strictly underwater game, there is a lot you can do in the ocean biomes of Minecraft. You can build a home underwater or a floating structure above a body of water.
It’s even possible to live underwater most of the time in Minecraft. However, the building isn’t the limit of the underwater content in this base-building video game; you can also explore structures, including Ocean Monuments, Ocean Ruins, and Shipwrecks. If you enjoy regular Minecraft, then you will enjoy it even more in VR, especially the Ocean biomes.
8
Ocean Rift
There aren’t too many virtual reality games that allow you to swim alongside wildlife in the ocean, which is why Ocean Rift fills a very important role in the VR game catalog. You can meet many different types of fish and other marine life in Ocean Rift, which is particularly exciting if you enjoy learning about new animals.
You can pick from a selection of environments with different sea life to find and meet. Ocean Rift is perfect for children and adults interested in learning more about the amazing creatures that reside in the sea, and the game tells you all about each organism when you activate the Education Mode. Ocean Rift is available on PCVR headsets and the Oculus Quest.
7
Titanic VR
The Titanic is a fascinating piece of history, and many people would like to learn more about it. In Titanic VR, you can explore the interior and exterior of the sunken Titanic ruins and recover items to complete objectives. There are over five hours of gameplay, which is more than enough to teach you a lot about the Titanic.
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Although there are a lot of diving simulators for virtual reality headsets, there aren’t many that incorporate a historical aspect into their gameplay, which is why Titanic VR is one of the best underwater VR games ever.
6
theBlu
theBlu is another game that takes you under the sea to visit many different types of sea life, similar to Ocean Rift. However, theBlu is different because it features a cinematic experience that will leave you wanting more after you’ve seen it all.
Most VR games that feature an underwater setting don’t have realistic graphics; however, theBlu introduces groundbreaking realism to your VR headset that most other virtual reality games can’t top. If you want to experience the beauty of the ocean up-close, then you should play theBlu; it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
5
Subnautica
- Released
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January 23, 2018
- Developer(s)
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Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
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Gearbox Publishing
- Engine
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Unity
- ESRB
-
E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- How Long To Beat
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30 Hours
- Metascore
-
87
In the past few years, many developers have given their regular games a virtual reality mode, and Subnautica is one of the best VR ports available. In Subnautica, you can explore a massive alien world with a deep ocean. You can discover terrifying sea creatures and collect resources to maintain your survival in the sea.
Not only does Subnautica have one of the most extensive underwater environments for a VR game, but it’s also one of the best survival games you can play on a virtual reality headset. There’s a main plot in Subnautica as well, so there’s a lot to do within the game outside of the challenging survival gameplay.
4
IronWolf VR
IronWolf VR is somewhat different from other underwater games because it takes place in a submarine in the ocean. IronWolf VR features vehicle combat; you can shoot torpedoes at enemy boats and fight aircraft. The combat in IronWolf VR is the most fun part of this game, and it takes a lot of practice to master it.
IronWolf features room-scale VR, which makes the experience more immersive because you can use your entire play space to move around. Since most games that take place underwater feature diving in first-person mode, IronWolf VR is a nice change of pace if you want to experience something completely different.
3
Abzu
A lot of games set underwater can be scary but sometimes, you may just want to sit back and swim around. Thankfully, this is possible in Abzu. This relaxing ocean exploration game can be played with or without VR. If you happen to have the ability to try it in VR, we highly recommend giving it a try.
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Abzu is a beautiful game set in a peaceful environment that is sure to suck you in when playing in VR. If you’ve grown tired of fearing for your life in the depths of the ocean, be sure to try Abzu.
2
Freediver: Triton Down
Freediver: Triton Down merges VR underwater exploration with an engaging single-player story that you can play through. The premise is simple; as Ren Tanaka, you’ll need to explore the ocean in order to find the discovery that your mentor mentioned.
Along the way, you’ll need to use your expert diving skills and navigate realistic areas. The game itself is rather short, but it’s worth trying at least once if you’ve always wanted to dive into the ocean to learn some unique secret.
1
Subside
Last but not least, we have Subside. This water exploration game doesn’t take place in the deep ocean; instead, you’ll be freediving in relatively shallow water. Still, the game is often praised for how realistic it is compared to other underwater VR games.
Every detail in Subside feels incredibly polished; there is something to explore in every nook and cranny, making you forget that you’re playing a video game. One review from the game even comes from a recreational-tec diver of 17 years, claiming that this game is as close to the real thing as possible!
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