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VR Games You Can Play With Friends Who Don’t Have a Headset: Bridging the Gap in Gaming

2/16/2025

VR Games You Can Play With Friends Who Don't Have a Headset: Bridging the Gap in Gaming

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Virtual reality (VR) gaming offers an immersive experience that transports players into new worlds, but it can feel isolating when friends don't have their own headsets. Fortunately, there are games designed to include both VR and non-VR players, allowing everyone to join the fun. These crossplay and asymmetrical games create unique, collaborative, or competitive experiences that bridge the gap between VR and traditional gaming. This article explores some of the best VR games you can enjoy with friends who don't have a headset, highlighting their gameplay and appeal.

1. Crossplay Games: VR and Flat-Screen Fun Together

Crossplay games allow VR players and non-VR (flat-screen) players to share the same game world, often with seamless integration. These titles are perfect for groups where only one person has a VR headset.

  • Phasmophobia: This horror game lets VR and flat-screen players team up as ghost hunters. Players investigate haunted locations, gathering evidence to identify the ghost type. The VR player experiences the terror in full immersion, while flat-screen players use mouse and keyboard or controllers. The shared fear and teamwork make it a thrilling group activity, especially for fans of spooky games.

  • Payday 2: In this cooperative heist game, VR and non-VR players can plan and execute bank robberies together. The VR player gets a first-person perspective with motion controls, while flat-screen players use traditional inputs. The game's focus on coordination and strategy ensures everyone feels involved, though VR players might have a slight advantage with dual-wielding mechanics.

  • VRChat: While primarily a social platform, VRChat supports both VR and non-VR players. Users can explore user-created worlds, play mini-games, or just hang out. The experience is more immersive in VR, but flat-screen players can still participate fully, making it a great option for socializing across platforms.

These crossplay games demonstrate how VR and flat-screen players can share the same space, fostering inclusivity and fun for mixed groups.

2. Asymmetrical Games: Unique Roles for VR and Non-VR Players

Asymmetrical games assign different roles to VR and non-VR players, creating dynamic and engaging gameplay. These titles often leverage the VR headset's immersion for one player while giving others a distinct perspective on a flat screen or mobile device.

  • Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes: This cooperative puzzle game is a classic example of asymmetrical play. The VR player is tasked with defusing a bomb, seeing it in full 3D immersion. Non-VR players use a bomb defusal manual (printed or digital) to guide the VR player through the process. Clear communication is key, as the VR player describes the bomb's modules, and the flat-screen players provide instructions. It's a tense, teamwork-driven experience perfect for parties.

  • Acron: Attack of the Squirrels: Ideal for family gatherings, this game pits the VR player as a tree defending golden acorns against flat-screen players controlling squirrels on mobile devices. The VR player uses motion controls to swat at squirrels and throw projectiles, while the squirrels work together to steal acorns. The whimsical, competitive nature makes it accessible and fun for all ages.

  • Carly and the Reaperman: This cooperative platformer assigns the VR player as the Reaperman, who manipulates the environment to help Carly (controlled by a flat-screen player) navigate puzzles and obstacles. The VR player alters the world, such as moving platforms or activating switches, while the flat-screen player focuses on precise platforming. It's a slower-paced game that encourages collaboration and communication.

Asymmetrical games shine by giving each player a unique role, ensuring everyone feels essential to the experience.

3. Expanding the Social Experience

Beyond traditional gameplay, some VR titles focus on social interaction, allowing non-VR players to join in creative ways. These games emphasize fun, accessibility, and inclusivity.

  • Takelings House Party: In this hide-and-seek-style game, the VR player takes on the role of Hal, a giant trying to exterminate tiny Takelings (controlled by up to eight flat-screen players on mobile devices). Hal uses tools like toasters and nail guns to hunt, while the Takelings scurry around the house, hiding and evading capture. The chaotic, lighthearted gameplay is perfect for couch co-op sessions.

  • Puppet Fever: A mix of Pictionary and charades, this game has the VR player act out secret words using 2D props and scenes, while flat-screen players guess via a companion app on Android, iOS, or PC. The VR player's creativity and the flat-screen players' deduction skills make it a hilarious party game.

  • Eye in the Sky: This cooperative game casts the VR player as a floating eye overseeing a maze, guiding flat-screen players (controlling characters on PC) through traps and puzzles. The VR player has a top-down view, while flat-screen players navigate from a first-person perspective. It's a unique twist on teamwork, requiring trust and coordination.

These social-focused games highlight how VR can bring people together, even without everyone needing a headset.

4. Tips for Playing VR Games With Non-VR Friends

To make the most of these games, consider the following tips:

  • Check Platform Compatibility: Ensure the game supports the platforms your group uses (e.g., Oculus Quest, Windows, iOS, Android). Some games require specific hardware or apps for flat-screen players.

  • Communicate Clearly: Many of these games rely on communication, especially asymmetrical titles. Use voice chat or in-person discussion to coordinate effectively.

  • Rotate Roles: If playing an asymmetrical game, switch roles between sessions to give everyone a chance to try the VR perspective.

  • Set Up a Comfortable Space: For VR players, ensure there's enough room to move safely. For flat-screen players, make sure they have access to necessary devices (e.g., phones, PCs, controllers).

  • Explore Free or Low-Cost Options: Games like VRChat and Rec Room (with non-VR support) are free, making them accessible entry points for groups.

5. The Future of Inclusive VR Gaming

The rise of crossplay and asymmetrical VR games reflects a growing trend toward inclusivity in gaming. Developers are recognizing that not everyone can afford or wants to use a VR headset, but they still want to play with friends who do. These games break down barriers, allowing mixed groups to share experiences without requiring additional hardware.

  • Innovative Design: Asymmetrical gameplay, in particular, showcases how developers can leverage VR's immersion while keeping flat-screen players engaged. This approach could inspire more creative game design in the future.

  • Community Feedback: Many of these games were shaped by community input, with players suggesting features or reporting bugs. This collaboration ensures the games meet the needs of diverse audiences.

  • Expanding Accessibility: As VR technology becomes more affordable, the demand for inclusive games will likely grow. Developers may continue to explore ways to integrate VR and non-VR players seamlessly.

Conclusion

VR gaming doesn't have to be a solitary experience. With crossplay and asymmetrical games, you can enjoy immersive adventures alongside friends who don't have headsets. From cooperative ghost hunting in Phasmophobia to chaotic squirrel battles in Acron: Attack of the Squirrels, these titles offer something for everyone. They foster teamwork, creativity, and laughter, proving that VR can be a social, inclusive medium. So gather your friends, set up your VR headset, and dive into these games that bridge the gap between virtual and traditional gaming. The future of VR is bright, and it's one where everyone can play together.