Making the Best of Your Quest: A VRChat Guide for the Quest 3
A curated list of VRChat worlds for you to explore with your new Meta Quest 3
The new Meta Quest 3 VR headset launches this Wednesday, September 27th and if the 2020 launch of the Quest 2 taught us anything, a new headset means many new VR users. But what is there to actually do in VR? Well, there's plenty — you can play games, exercise, or even do a bit of both at once. But if you're looking for a truly unique experience (that happens to have multiple genres all in one place), I recommend VRChat. With a vast array of user-created content and many thriving communities, it's got a little something for everyone — and it's free. To help kick start your exploration of the social platform, I've put together a list of some of the best worlds I've come across.
Immersive Experiences
Horse Mountain by nprowler
Get ready to ride in this horseback exploration world. Adventure through a calm, snowy mountain environment on your trusty steed while the sounds of nature fill your ears. Horse Mountain is a simplistic experience, enabling beginners to "take the reins" in VR.
Crypt of the Spirits by akalink
This world takes you on an adventure through a crypt containing a multitude of challenges. With puzzles reminiscent of those found in many Legend of Zelda games, it's a fun experience with a healthy level of challenge. Expect to spend more than an hour completing this world.
Onnon_Nostalgia1999 by ONN’ON STUDIOS
Flash back to summer of '99 in this retro Japanese bedroom. Created by Onn'on Studios (part of Toei Animation), this world is teeming with nostalgic treats, including plenty of old tech along with manga and anime merch. Enjoy a musical performance that plays on occasion, or find special items to unlock a secret pathway.
Games
Like most games in VRChat, these worlds will require multiple players.
BOMBERio by キャンディちゃん
In BOMBERio, you'll fight to be the last one standing in an explosive survival match. Use a bomb launcher gun to eliminate other players while collecting gems to help up your game. When the sun sets, though, beware — a looming forcefield will begin to close in on all players. This game is high energy (and might end up earning you a few enemies).
Quick, Draw! by Maki Maki
Similar to Pictionary, this game requires one player to pick a word and draw it while all other players must figure out the word that's been drawn. Points are earned if the drawing player gets lots of successful guesses, or guessing players enter the correct guess quickly. This results in loads of chaotic fun. A classic game, now adapted for VR!
Wavelength Unofficial by Faxmashine
This world is based on the board game "Wavelength." In this game, one person (the "psychic") is given a pair of binaries (for example, "hot/cold") and they're shown a point between those binaries (for example, all the way to "cold"). Only the psychic knows exactly where the point is. All other players must try their best to guess the location of the point based on the psychic's clue, which might be something like "winter" or "Antarctica." Make sense? No? Try it anyways, it's fun!
Visually Stunning
Warning: These worlds contain some flashing lights.
Beyond a Bit by EstyOctober
Here you will find an unassuming treasure chest, and the golden key that opens it. The moment you unlock this chest, an entire universe unlocks along with it, launching you into a beautifully blooming light show. Selected as part of Raindance Immersive 2023, this brilliant experience is one you'll just have to see for yourself.
Astral Bounds by Vectriel
Another Raindance 2023 pick, Astral Bounds is "a wall to preserve the edge of the world from being filled up by reality." This ethereal world is overflowing with glowing particle lights and mysterious secrets to discover. Find the bellcrystals and enjoy amazing visuals in the sky when you ring them in the bell tower. Plus, all the world's beautiful music is made by the world creator himself. There's a ton to explore, especially since the "Cerulean Tides" update, so dive in!
ODESZA - A Moment Apart by HoneyWeeWee
A collaboration between HoneyWeeWee and multiple other talented world creators, ODESZA might be the best particle visualizer I've laid eyes on. Featuring some incredible imagery of space and backed by an emotionally explosive song, you can't help but feel like you're floating while watching it all unfold. The ending brings me to tears every time, and it might just do the same for you. (Be on the lookout for an interview with HoneyWeeWee conducted by ArmaniXR, coming soon!)
Chill Spaces
SunDown by WispyWoo
Retire to this beachfront home built into the side of a cave. There are plenty of spots to snuggle up, or if you prefer, head down to the beach to get a better view of the gorgeous sunset. You can even collect little seashells while you're there! This world contains lots of the typical "chill world" amenities as well, such as spin-the-bottle, playing cards, pens, and also a rainy night mode toggle.
Soft Space by ~Sam
Soft Space is a pastel pink, minimalist atmosphere with a cuddly vibe. "Suspended in the clouds," it's got a pretty view of the rainy sky outside. Climb into the blanket fort and enjoy some cute pastries or ramen. This world is so comfy, it could easily put you right to sleep.
CyberLove Okinawa ˸˸˸ 沖縄 by Artsy Glitch
A warm, safe hideaway in the middle of a bustling cyberpunk city, CyberLove Okinawa is a unique, neon-illuminated hangout spot. It's filled with retro-futuristic technology, including an interactable computer. Chill out inside and cuddle up with the many stuffed animals, or step outside and take in the city view. There's even a room where you can play spin-the-bottle with friends. But my favorite part is the functional beaded curtain; it's just so satisfying to move through!
Honorable PCVR mentions
Unlike the worlds listed above, the following worlds will require a VR-ready PC and cannot be run on Quest alone. So, if you have a PC that is capable of running VR (and if you're not sure, use the SteamVR Performance Test to check), here are some worlds worth checking out.
District Roboto by Fins
District Roboto is a grungy, neon-lit city inspired by the game "Stray." The environment is ripe with detailed clutter that really adds to the atmosphere, plus the glowing lights look gorgeous. Have a drink at the bar or slink through a strange alleyway. There's plenty to explore in this city bustling with robotic and feline NPCs.
ORGANISM by DrMorro
By far my favorite world of all time, ORGANISM is a trippy dreamlike masterpiece that seems to go on forever (in the best way). Get lost in its twisting hallways and feel dwarfed by its overwhelming scale. ORGANISM is like a thousand worlds in one, each of them equally entrancing. Winner of "Best Immersive World" for Raindance Immersive 2022. Be aware, this world is quite a large download.
Tarried Precipice by Karl Kroenen
The ominous gloom of Tarried Precipice is palpable. Explore a vast wreckage of pirate ships that once sailed the seas, now grounded forever in a mess of scrap wood. With phantom flags billowing in the wind and rocky peaks towering above, this world is unlike any other.
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of worlds there are in VRChat, but I hope this list helps to simplify your experience a bit. Be sure to also explore on your own and see what you find! If you're still feeling unsure, here's a video that’ll help you with some basics of how to play VRChat. Any questions, feel free to comment on this article or tweet me @Thawah_ on Twitter/X. Thanks for reading! ♡
In the interest of being transparent, I am friendly with a few of the world creators listed here, but nevertheless these picks still consist of my honest opinions. It's not my fault that my friends are talented and awesome!
Such a great collection 👏✨️ love the descriptions. Wavelength you really just got to play, I tried reading the instructions once and it hurt my head, but go it immediately when we started playing!