As we all know, video games are a great escape. They offer a fantastic way to visit different worlds and forget about everything that's going on outside. You just need to sit down, take the controller or keyboard in hand, and stare at the screen to enjoy hours of fun. It's a simple process that's been around ever since the Pong console was released way back in 1972. Yet, with the advancement of technology, there now is a way to play video games so immersive that it won’t just feel like you are visiting another world, you'll actually be a true part of the fabric of it.

VR games are now leaking into the mainstream and the equipment used to play them is becoming more affordable by the year. That’s not to say it’s cheap yet though, with quality headsets available for around $500. For you lucky ones who have managed to get their hands on the tech, or just for those of you who like to see how far gaming has advanced, here’s a quick rundown of the best VR games that will blow your mind.

Half-Life: Alyx

For those of you who haven’t played the series, Half-Life is about the invasion of earth by a powerful alien species who are successful in overthrowing humanity and making the world a not-too-pleasant place to live. The series, by software developer Valve, introduced revolutionary game mechanics that it implemented into its stories, such as physics puzzles and scripted sequences that breathed new life into the first-person shooter genre.

The last time that a Half-Life game was released was way back in 2007, and since so much time had passed since its release, nearly everyone had given up on another chapter of the franchise ever seeing the light of day. Thankfully, Valve was just making us wait and they released Alyx in March of this year to absolute rave reviews.

A large number of fans were dismayed that Alyx was a VR-based release and not just a standard PC game like the preceding installments. Yet, it makes complete sense for a company as innovative as Valve to push the boundaries of new tech and the world of Half-Life is perfectly suited to VR. When you put the headset on, you now live out every second of action and drama as it unfolds, and this is a monumental game that will be talked about for a long time.

PokerStars VR

Some environments are just tailor-made to lend themselves to be digitally sculpted in a VR environment. The flashing lights and bustling activity of a casino certainly fit the bill. Well in great news then, PokerStars has managed to recreate the razzle and dazzle of a casino floor for online poker fans from around the world to play against each other from the comfort of their own homes.

The game has authentic poker action and allows players to submerge themselves in a fantastic social experience set in some truly breath-taking casino locations. There are casinos set against the backdrop of a space station and even a futuristic reimagining of the city of Macao at night. Get ready to be nearly overwhelmed by the legions of neons, so your best bet is to try to keep your eyes on your cards.

Tokyo Chronos

Here at Online Anime Games, we know that games, in general, are great, but that anime games are even more special. So, it would be scandalous to have a list and not feature an anime game on it, and so we have Tokyo Chronos which is available on PC and also has been released on the PS4’s own VR system. This release isn’t just here because related to anime though. It’s truly an incredible feat of VR engineering that needs to be played.

The game itself is like stepping into a mystery novel set in Tokyo, Japan that is told in an engaging and immersive 360-degree world. It amazingly has over 5,000 lines of professionally voice-acted dialogue to truly bring the dramatic story to life. The game also has many routes and endings, so that every decision you make along the way has a real impact on the journey your character takes. It’s a spellbinding achievement that should have anime games fans drooling.