It’s almost essential to have one of the best laptops in 2018, but there’s only one reason to get the best 13-inch laptop: 15-inch laptops are simply too big, while 12 inches or less will leave you squinting. The best 13-inch laptops are the new standard for notebook displays, and for good reason. It’s enough for streaming media, work and everything in between. And, because it’s the most popular laptop size on the market, the best 13-inch laptops come in every shape and size.

The Dell XPS 13 is still one of the best laptops we’ve ever laid our fingers on, winning TechRadar’s Best in Class award three years in a row. Still, we can also understand why someone would prefer the HP Spectre x360 or even the MacBook Air. Because, while the XPS 13 may be gorgeous and thin without losing performance, these other laptops aren’t hindered by baffling webcam placements. Plus, they all do different things.

Keep in mind, too, that Computex 2018 is running right now, so we’re about to get our hands on a wide variety of awesome new 13-inch laptops (like an Asus laptop with a touchscreen instead of a touchpad). So, keep your eye on this guide, as we’ll update it with any worthy new notebooks.

When all’s said and done, the best 13-inch laptop is going to depend on your own taste. Do you need a more traditional laptop that does its job well, or one of the best 2-in-1 laptops that’ll give you tablet mode? What about a machine that runs macOS High Sierra instead of Windows 10? There are so many choices on the market, and with this list we tried to cover as many as possible. 

1. Dell XPS 13

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

Its changes are subtle, and yet the Dell XPS 13 is still the best 13-inch laptop you can buy. On the high end, it now offers a 4K display, for a sharper picture across the board. But even if you can’t afford higher tier configurations, the beautiful design, lengthy battery life and even the SD card slot are still there – plus you’ve got a quad-core processor no matter what poison you pick. Better yet, the 13.3-inch display of the XPS 13 has been squeezed into a smaller frame, which explains Dell’s marketing line: ‘the world’s smallest 13-inch laptop.’ Now stew on that, as you admire the Dell XPS 13’s gorgeous, albeit more expensive, Alpine White finish. 

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

2. Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD 620 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense display | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

While it may not be as powerful as its behemoth of a 15-inch counterpart, everything else about the 13.5-inch version of the Surface Book 2 is perfect for the mobile workhorse user environment. Whether you’re a creative or a professional, the Microsoft Surface Book 2, with its more compact form-factor rocks a style that’s just as beautiful as its predecessor. What’s more, the dynamic fulcrum hinge is stronger than you remember, which only complements its robust, quad-core CPU.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2

3. Razer Blade Stealth

CPU: Dual-core – quad-core Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) LED-backlit IGZO touchscreen | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

You wouldn’t expect a laptop made by one of the biggest names in PC gaming to be thinner and lighter than a MacBook Pro, and yet here we are. The Razer Blade Stealth – in its all-new gunmetal finish – boasts not only a gorgeous and practical aesthetic, what with its 400-nit display brightness and full-size USB 3.0 ports, but it also has a few tricks up its sleeves to make it perform faster. At long last, the 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh have made it into the newly 13.3-inch version of the Razer Blade Stealth. Though it received a ding on the battery life, an Ultrabook this fast is worth a 16-minute shorter use time on a single charge.

Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth

4. HP Spectre x360

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

For those who prefer premium build quality over sheer affordability, the HP Spectre x360 contains everything you could ever ask for in a 2-in-1 without compromise. Weighing only 2.78 pounds (1.26kg) and measuring just over half an inch thick, it’s as thin as it is light. Plus, with up to a 4K screen and 8th-generation INtel processors paired with integrated UHD graphics, it’s one of the best ways to experience high-quality video streaming as well as 720p gaming on a hybrid. We didn’t even mention the plentitude of ports. You’ll get two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 connections on top of a USB 3.1 Type-A, a welcome variety to say the least.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360

5. Samsung Notebook 9

CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED anti-reflective display | Storage: 256GB SSD

While Samsung may not be well known for its laptops – beyond its Tab Pro S convertible, at least – Samsung’s follow-up to the 2012 Series 9 Notebook has impressive performance at a competitive price. Marketed as an Ultrabook, it’s certainly disheartening to know it can only last 5 hours in between charges, but given its beautiful design, it almost doesn’t matter. As a bonus, with the Samsung Notebook 9, you won’t have to deal with the bloatware that makes many other Windows laptop the target of derision on tech forums. 

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Dell XPS 13 

6. Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED with touch panel | Storage: 256GB SSD

Everyone hates change. However, while the 15.6-inch frame of the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin we once knew will soon be erased from our memories forever, the new 13.3-inch model doesn’t seem like a terrible upgrade. It’s bounced two generations into the future in terms of processing power, and although there are no discrete graphics present, we’re glad to see a keyboard that can compete with some of the heavier hitters. It’s nothing revolutionary, yet as far as hybrid notebooks go, this one ain’t too shabby (plus it’s cheaper than a weaker MacBook Pro).

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

• This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Surface Laptop 

7. Surface Laptop

CPU: 7th generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Iris Plus Graphics 640 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 PixelSense display | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD

The Surface Laptop is Microsoft’s first stab at a ‘traditional’ laptop, if you can even call it that knowing full well that its PixelSense touchscreen and Alcantara keyboard are anything but conventional. Featuring a full stack of U-series 7th generation Intel Core i processors, the Surface Laptop beats out Apple’s 12-inch MacBook any day of the week, and for a lower starting price at that. Despite the ports and operating system being limited, the Surface Laptop is appealing for its laudable design, beautifully vivid screen and impressive performance.

 Read the full review: Surface Laptop

8. Lenovo Yoga 920

CPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.9-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

As 2-in-1 laptops have become more prevalent in recent years, their manufacturers have been improving them at a nigh-equal pace. This rings true for few laptop makers more than it does for Lenovo, however, who has taken the liberty of crafting drop-dead gorgeous convertibles with standout watch band-like hinges, much like that of the Yoga 920. This rendition of Lenovo’s increasingly popular brand of hybrids sees the integration of USB-C ports, a centered webcam and, perhaps more interestingly, an 8th-generation Intel quad-core processor regardless of which configuration you opt for. It does purr more loudly than expected, and tablet mode could use some work, but the Lenovo Yoga 920 is ultimately worth its price of admission.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 

9. 13-inch MacBook Air

CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i5 – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 6000 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, LED HD (1,440 x 900) | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD

In a market densely populated with slim-line laptops from a massive range of manufacturers, Apple’s MacBook Air fights on admirably – though it started showing its age on the outside a long time ago. It has Intel’s fifth-generation Core-series processors rather than the newest Skylake variants, but it’s still a capable machine; even more so since Apple made 8GB of RAM standard across the line.

Read the full review: 13-inch MacBook Air

10. 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i5 – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 – 650 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch IPS, 2,560 x 1,600 pixels | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

The latest iteration of Apple’s seminal MacBook Pro series is here, and as you would expect it makes a number of notable improvements over last year’s offering. While it might not exactly feature the strongest battery life in the game (scoring under an hour less than last year’s offering), it does offer increased performance by way of a new CPU and faster RAM. Add that to Apple’s continued dedication to simplicity and beautiful design and you have a laptop that is sleek, portable and reliable.  

Read the full review: Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2017)

Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-13-inch-laptops-which-is-right-for-you-901574

Get ready to dive into Oculus Rift VR

If you have an Oculus Rift, consider yourself lucky, because the headset gives you access to some of the best VR games out there. 

Oculus does a great job of getting developers to bring their games to the platform, and the result is a treasure trove of games and experiences perfectly suited to the Oculus Rift.

The best Oculus Rift games run the gamut from simple arcade style games (which still manage incredibly immersion) and seated puzzlers to fully fledged adventure games and mind-blowing action titles. New sports even exist in VR. 

Luckily for VR lovers, the best Oculus Rift games include a bit of something for everyone, as developers have put out some insanely compelling titles in the time since the Oculus Rift and Oculus Touch controllers launched.

In making our selection for best Oculus Rift games, we’ve considered how fun and immersive each game is as well how well they take advantage of the unique gameplay only VR can offer. To that end, all the games are considered with their use of Oculus Touch controllers, though some may support alternative control options. 

Now, without further ado, here are the best Oculus Rift games.

The Forest

Developer: Endnight Games

Price: $19, £15

More developers have seen an opportunity to take their game and turn it into a VR-friendly title. Endnight Games is one of the latest to do so with its survival horror game, The Forest. The game sees players crash land on an island inhabited by cannibals that take the rest of the passengers and a son character captive. 

From the outset, players are thirsty, hungry, and in need of shelter. If that sounds bleak, it gets worse, because the cannibals don’t wait very long to check in on you. The non-VR game features multiplayer, and the VR version should eventually get this feature, giving players a little comfort in what is otherwise a delightfully horrifying gameworld. Best of all, players get access to the VR mode with purchase of the standard game.

Robo Recall

Developer: Epic Games

Price: $29.99, £22.99 (Free with Oculus Touch)

Robo Recall puts you in the shoes of a teleporting, time-slowing agent tasked with recalling hordes of robots that have been malfunctioning. An evil AI has taken control, and you’re there to clean up. Heavy as that all sounds, it’s all playfully presented with the absurd acting that Epic Games has become known for from the Borderlands games.

Robo Recall is, without a doubt, one of the most compelling, well-polished implementations of VR out there. You’re armed with a growing arsenal that can be upgraded and modded. You’re able to grab, throw, and rip apart enemy robots. Incoming enemy projectiles can be dodged, reflected, and more. Player creativity thrives in this game, and though there are only a few levels, there’s a decent amount of replayability. 

This is such a must-have experience for Oculus Rift, that it was made free with Oculus Touch controllers.

Lone Echo / Echo Arena

Developer: Ready at Dawn

Price: $39.99, £29.99 / Free

Lone Echo is a beautiful game that takes place in outer space. While you could accuse it of being a space floating simulator, it includes a compelling story as you, a robot named Jack, help your captain on a space station in the rings of Saturn. 

Even if it didn’t have the clever puzzles and interactive dialogue, being a space floating simulator isn’t such a bad thing when it’s done this well.

Ready at Dawn fully doubled down on its space floating mechanics in Echo Arena, creating its own sport that uses the thruster-assisted zero-gravity floating in delightful ways. It’s sort of ultimate Frisbee, it’s sort of soccer, and it’s all sort of amazing. 

While Lone Echo costs $39.99, Echo Arena is free and can be downloaded separately, and offers multiplayer, so teams of robots can fly around, passing the disk, riding on the backs of teammates, punching opponents in the face, and having just a generally good time with a bunch of good sports (at least, that was our experience with literally 99% of the other players we met). The game also features a social hub where shenanigans abound.

Sairento VR

Developer: Mixed Realms, Swag Soft

Price: $29.99, £22.99

Sairento VR is akin to Robo Recall in that it lets you feel like an utter badass. In it, you take on the roll of a ninja, replete with weapons suited to the task of meting out swift justice to enemy samurai, ninjas, sumo wrestlers, and more. 

Sairento isn’t a VR game for the faint of heart. It pushes movement to the limits in VR, as your character jumps through the air, wallruns, and can even perform backflips off the wall. All that movement can cause VR sickness, but for those with a hardy constitution, Sairento offers a lot of options for getting around and slicing up baddies. 

Pavlov VR

Developer: Davevillz

Price: $9.99, £6.99

Pavlov VR is almost exactly what a lot of gamers would like to see in VR: Counter-Strike. Need we say more? The game features similar weapons, a similar weapon-buying scheme, similar team-based combat, and even similar maps (though it also offers some zany ones). 

Though Pavlov VR is still in Early Access and not fully optimized for Oculus Rift, at it’s low price, we feel comfortable recommending it. It’s got fun gun mechanics, and there’s nothing quite like sneaking up behind an enemy player, pulling the pin out of a grenade, rolling it at their feet, and then brandishing a knife while you wait to see what they notice first.

There’s still a lot more polish that can go into this game, and the smooth locomotion option can be a bit nauseating, but it’s a blast all the same.

Sprint Vector

Developer: Survios

Price: $29.99, £22.99

Sprint Vector is what you get when you marry Mario Kart to Jet Set Radio and then wrap them up into VR. The game is all about moving in the real world to go faster in the virtual world. You play as a skater forced to race on alien worlds, and you face off against other players, taking advantage of powerups sprinkled about the maps.

On top of being a fun racing game, Sprint Vector is also a cardio workout. You have to swing your arms up and down like you’re actually running to accelerate in the game, and you throw both hands down to jump. It’s high-intensity, but it makes for an engaging way to move around in VR without the same kind of motion sickness you might get if movement was controlled just with a thumbstick.

Payday 2 VR

Developer: OVERKILL

Price: $19.99, £14.99 for base game (VR DLC is free)

Developer OVERKILL did something excellent when it decided to add a VR mode for its popular heist game, Payday 2. Anyone that owns the base game can play it in VR for free, and multiplayer is compatible with non-VR players, so your friends don’t need an Oculus Rift to play with you.

On its own, Payday 2 is a fun game about sneaking into banks, businesses, or whatever place might house valuable objects or information, and doing what any good robber would do: steal everything. Stealth is an option, but if you’re caught, swarms of police will move on your position, and a massive firefight will be hard to avoid. There’s a lot to do in Payday 2, and for a VR game this cheap, that is a solid point in its favor.

I Expect You to Die

Developer: Schell Games

Price: $24.99, £18.99

Simply put, I Expect You to Die is a delightful romp through retro spy situations that will force you to solve puzzles and get creative. In essence, the game is a series of escape rooms, where you find items and information to solve a series of challenges to complete the mission. The game is comical, and danger is around every corner. 

For those most prone to motion sickness, I Expect You to Die is also a super safe pick, as you’ll spend the whole game seated. Though the game is on the short side, easily completed by crafty players in an hour or two, there’s a decent amount of replayability. Easter eggs are hidden throughout the levels, and some problems can be solved multiple ways. The developer has also released new levels for free in the past. Given its length, we do recommend keeping your eye out for a sale, as I Expect You to Die is that much better a pick when it’s 50% off.

Space Pirate Trainer

Developer: I-Illusions

Price: $14.99, £10.99

Space Pirate Trainer is a fantastic, arcade-like game for dipping your feet into VR. It’s a fairly simple wave shooter with immaculate execution by the developers. You’re simply placed on a platform in space, given an interesting arsenal of ranged, melee, and defensive weapons, and tasked with fighting off a variety of attacking drones.

The dark of space matched with the neon glow of weapons and laser beams is fantastic, and will have you feeling halfway into the world of Tron. The combat is a blast as well, as you reflect laser attacks with a beam sword in one hand while laying waste to drones with a blaster in the other hand. This is definitely another one of the VR games that will have you feeling like a badass, at least, if you have what it takes.

As a bonus, Space Pirate Trainer also makes for a great VR party game, as it’s well setup for players to take turns competing for the best score.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios

Price: $59.99,  ‎£39.99

While the absurd number of re-releases of Skyrim is not lost on us, we can’t avoid recommending Skyrim VR. It’s simply the widest ranging adventure available in VR. The world of Skyrim is dazzling (even if it might take a few Mods to get it looking like a modern title), and all the things to do and see offer hundreds of hours of playtime.

Bethesda’s retooling of Skyrim for VR may not match a game that’s built from the ground up for VR, but the gameplay is still fun. Swinging swords around and aiming spells is so much better when you do it with your own arms instead of a control stick or mouse click. And, if trolls, dragons, and giants didn’t seem imposing enough in vanilla Skyrim, just wait until you’re craning your neck to see them towering over you in VR.

Vanishing Realms

Developer: Indimo Labs

Price: $19.99, £14.99

Vanishing Realms may only be an Early Access title, but it’s a highly promising adventure game in the vein of Zelda. It’s world is slightly cartoonish, as are the enemies, but that only adds to its charm. Vanishing Realms succeeds at atmosphere thanks to its simple yet effective art style. 

Combat is a delight in Vanishing Realms, as you need to master your weapons and read your enemies to come out on top. Your characters movements in game will match your own, so you can swing your sword to parry an enemy’s swing. There are only two chapters of the game available right now, but the developer intends to launch more in the future. Vanishing Realms is definitely one to keep an eye on if you’re shy of Early Access titles. As long as the developer keeps adding content, Vanishing Realms could become a truly excellent adventure game in its own right, only made better by VR.

Upcoming: Echo Combat

Developer: Ready at Dawn

There’s very little to know about Echo Combat right now, but it’s nonetheless a very exciting project coming from the developers of Lone Echo and Echo Arena. Ready at Dawn has already shown off its ability to make compelling zero-gravity game mechanics, and Echo Combat will expand on that.

The game will be an expansion of Echo Arena, which is already on this list. Given how fun Echo Arena is, we expect Echo Combat to be a compelling multiplayer action game with all sorts of interesting interactions between players.

Upcoming: Defector

Developer: Twisted Pixel

Oculus sure knows how to pick its exclusives. Robo Recall was the perfect complement to the Touch controllers. Now, the new game from Wilson’s Heart creator Twister Pixel looks to be another Oculus Rift exclusive that will be a must-have.

The upcoming title has shown off very little so far, but what has been shown looks like a fantastic combination of Mission Impossible and more recent Fast & Furious movies. Thrilling spy action, gunfights and fistfights alike, and spy gadgets. The game is slated to come out this year, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on any new details from Oculus or Twisted Pixel.

http://www.techradar.com/news/best-oculus-rift-games

The HTC Vive and HTC Vive Pro offer nothing short of a phenomenal VR experience, especially if you have the room to set up full room-scale tracking. 

The new Pro headset bumps up the resolution to 2880 x 1600 for extra crisp imagery, and the built-in headphones provide some extra immersion. But, both headsets work great. Better still, they offer you a way to play many of the best VR games on offer.

From experimental indie games, classic game genres like the first-person shooter adapted for VR, to major ports of Triple-A titles into VR, there’s no shortage of things to try in VR. Some of these games are better than others, and we’ve taken the time to pick out the best of the best, so you can just jump right in.

Here are the best available games for HTC Vive and HTC Vive Pro right now, as well as a few upcoming games that you won’t want to miss.

Beat Saber

To put it simply, Beat Saber is what it would be like to be a Jedi sucked into Tron to play Dance Dance Revolution. If that sounds like a wild amalgam, that’s because it is. Beat Saber has players slashing with lightsabers to a musical track. Neon is everywhere, and blocks and obstacles fly at the player, requiring rhythmic slashing and careful dodging.

Beat Saber is still in early access, but it has “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews in Steam. The game comes with music tracks and levels made by the developers, but for gamers that want a bit more variety, mods support custom tracks and levels

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR 

You may have visited Skyrim many times before, but there’s something special about your first trip in VR. 

Released just a couple of days before the Vive Pro launch, Skyrim VR feels poised for the improved resolution the headset offers. And its increased comfort means it’ll be easier to explore for longer. 

This is the full Elder Scrolls: Skyrim experience, including DLC, so if you’re looking for long-term immersion, you’ve found it.

The Lab

Created to help Vive newcomers understand just what their headset is capable of, The Lab is to be recommended. 

It brings together a host of mini games set within the Aperture Science universe. You’ll do everything from fixing a robot to defending a castle – it’s a fantastic introduction to the range of experiences you can have in VR and, best of all, it’s completely free. 

LA Noire: The VR Case Files

First released in 2011, LA Noire has had something of a resurgence with its Nintendo Switch and VR release. 

This isn’t the original game in its entirety, rather it’s a version of it specifically built for VR. You’re placed in the well-shined shoes of Detective Cole Phelps and it’s your task to solve seven cases from the game.

You can search for clues and pick them up to inspect them, write in your notebook, drive your car and interrogate witnesses all with the increased immersion offered by VR.

Fallout 4 VR

Now might be the best time to drop yourself into the wide, gorgeous and often terrifying expanses of the Wasteland of Fallout 4. 

You need a powerful PC to get this game looking its best but the immersion is unbeatable. And with the improved resolution of the Vive Pro, you’ll notice all the interactive objects in the world even more. 

If you’ve played Fallout 4 on any other platform and you left a fan, it’s worth trying it here again for an entirely new way to play. Just don’t scream too loud when a feral ghoul gets you from behind. 

Thumper

Fast and brutal, Thumper is a rhythm action game quite unlike any other. It’ll have you swearing never again before you go back for one last go against the latest boss. 

Despite how difficult it can be, though, it’s excellent, and its thumping electronic soundtrack with its fast, colorful and trippy world are well-suited to the resolution and headphones of the HTC Vive Pro.

Tilt Brush

So, Tilt Brush isn’t a game so much as an experience, but it’s one we think will be very enjoyable on HTC Vive Pro. 

With Tilt Brush, you’re given the space to draw whatever you like in the three-dimensional world around you. You can paint with everything from neon light to fire in a wide range of colors, which should make the Pro’s resolution really pop.

Elite Dangerous

Ever wanted to pilot your own space ship? Well here’s your chance. 

Elite Dangerous is a sandbox space exploration game, so you’ll have to do a fair bit of grinding and be willing to create your own story, which is far from an experience for everyone. 

However, if you’re up to the task, as a reward you’ll get a graphically gorgeous journey through space, enhanced by the immersion of a VR headset.

The Talos Principle VR

If you’re a fan of contemplative puzzle solving then The Talos Principle VR may well be the game for you. 

Throwing you directly into a game world filled with puzzles to solve, this game is visually impressive and extremely polished. 

To really make the most of the Pro’s visuals you can also use the wide range of in-game color options which include sliding scales for brightness and contrast.

Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul

More than any other genre, horror is really capable of showing what virtual reality can do, and Paranormal Activity is an excellent example of that. 

Based on the popular film franchise, this game puts you in an innocuous but abandoned suburban home with nothing more than a flashlight and a real feeling that you’re not alone. 

The VR mode of the game has no direction and no heads up display – you’re allowed to completely immerse yourself in the game world, for better and worse. 

With scares being randomly generated, you never know what’s coming next. This game is a perfect example of the need for built-in headphones on VR headsets – the sound is a big part of the scare.

The Gallery: Call of Starseed

This game is a must for fans of dark 80s fantasy films. Built from scratch for VR, The Gallery is a puzzle-based exploration game that takes you on a fantastical and unnerving journey to find your missing sister. 

Hailed as one of the most visually impressive and detailed VR games out there, you’ll be glad for the Pro’s increased resolution, and its positional audio will be a treat with the headset’s new built-in headphones. 

COMING SOON: Budget Cuts

Budget Cuts is a new VR game, but the free demo has made it clear that it’s set to be a great title for fans of VR and stealth. Budget Cuts has players sneak around office and taking out robots as needed.

Near Corporation has come up with a pretty clever mechanic for moving around in VR with this title. Players shoot out a portal, which they are able to look through before commiting to the movement. This portal combined with some room-scale gives players a lot of ways to get around, sneak up on robots, and surprise them with a quick knife.

COMING SOON: Space Junkies

Ubisoft will soon be offering VR gamers a proper frag fest in space in the upcoming Space Junkies. The game will have players drifting and jetting around through space, collecting an arsenal ranging from pistols to explosive arrows to try blowing away other players. 

Ubisoft has continued to show a surprising amount of interest in VR compared to other major developers and publishers, as it has put out Eagle Flight and Star Trek: Bridge Crew. Both of those have been impressive VR games, and with any luck, Space Junkies will turn out to be another one. The game should be available at some point this year, with a beta beforehand. You can sign up for the Space Junkies Beta right here.

http://www.techradar.com/news/best-htc-vive-and-htc-vive-pro-games