In times like these it’s nice to be able to get away from it all, if only for a brief moment. If you have a VR headset you’re one of the lucky people who can enter other realities from the confines of your living room, so why not use it for your wellbeing? Here we’ve gathered VR games and experiences focused on relaxation and meditation. We’ll be covering apps on Quest 2, Oculus PC, SteamVR, and PSVR, so there’s something for everyone (including a couple that are free!).

Below you’ll find that we split up 20 VR meditation and relaxation experiences into several categories: Nature Relaxation, Musical Relaxation, Creation & Puzzling, Musical Creation, Meditation, Reflection, Mindfulness, and Exploration.

We’ve refreshed our list with the latest info. Here’s a quick summary of changes since the last update:

  • Added Squingle (Creation & Puzzling section)
  • Added Puzzling Places (Creation & Puzzling section)
  • Tetris Effect now on SteamVR
  • Tetris Effect now has cross-platform multiplayer
  • Gadgeteer now on PSVR
  • Guided Meditation VR now available on Quest
  • Drops: Rhythm Garden no longer available on Oculus PC
  • Where Thoughts Go no longer available on Oculus PC
  • Marvellous Machine no longer available on Oculus PC
  • Updated prices

Nature Relaxation

theBlu (Oculus PC, SteamVR) – $6

TheBlu takes you underwater to get up close and personal with some beautiful aquatic scenes and creates. Many will know the iconic whale encounter in this app as a favorite first-time demo for new VR users, but the full version has two additional scenes that go beyond the original, including extra features like the ability to take pictures. The app also has a dedicated ‘Ambient Mode’ that will simply let you sit, uninterrupted, in the deep blue.

Real VR Fishing (Quest, Oculus PC) – $20

You can probably guess what this one is about… but you might not expect that the app has some rather beautiful environments, even on the Quest version. So yes, you’ll be fishing and you can take it as fast or as slow as you’d like. Consider putting on some music or even a podcast while you relax and wait for the big one. Real VR Fishing also supports multiplayer so you can fish with friends (unfortunately multiplayer is not cross-platform between Quest and Oculus PC versions).

Google Earth VR (Oculus PC, SteamVR) – Free

Google Earth VR is exactly what it sounds like… its Google Earth, but in VR. Beyond being able to explore essentially the entire globe as if you were a giant towering over it, the app can also be a wonderful way to relax. Find yourself a pretty place (there’s some great ones in the ‘Featured’ section inside the app), bring yourself down to ground level, and simply sit as a giant and take in the scene around you. You can even set the mood by adjusting the time of day. It can also be magical to just ‘wander’ starting from a familiar place and see where you wind up. Considering both the quality of the experience and the fact that its free, this one is an absolute must-try.

Musical Relaxation

Tetris Effect (Quest, Oculus PC*, SteamVRPSVR) – $30, $40

Tetris Effect is classic Tetris gameplay wrapped in an audio-visual experience which uniquely accompanies each of the game’s levels. As you maneuver the blocks you’ll hear sounds that fit into the beat. Don’t lose yourself too much in the sights and sounds though as some of the levels will take skill and practice to complete, even on ‘Normal’ difficulty. A post-launch update to the game has brought cross-platform multiplayer to Tetris Effect so you can vibe with friends no matter if they’re playing in VR or on a flat screen.

*via Epic Games Store

Sheaf – Together EP (SteamVR) – Free

Ever wish you could cruise down an endless highway, watching as the trees, buildings, and city streets pass you by while a synthwave soundtrack perfectly fits the vibe? Artist and musician Sheaf has created just that—a short VR experience which is hand-crafted to fit a three track synthwave album. For the great price of free, this one is a no-brainer.

Creation & Puzzling

Squingle (Quest, SteamVR) – $15 (free demo*)

Squingle is one of those games that you can look at and still not entirely understand what you’re actually seeing. But once you get your hands on the game all becomes clear: it’s a clever, trippy, and fun puzzle game that plays to VR’s spatial strengths. To put it simply, the goal of Squingle is to guide a pair of spinning balls through a pipe. Sounds easy enough, right? Well like any good puzzle game, Squingle starts simply enough but introduces more difficult concepts as you go—like a button that reverses the spin of the balls or one that changes the axis of the spin. And the pipe? It’s actually a bit more like a cosmic bowel that undulates with twists, turns, and parallel tunnels.

Read Our Hands-on

*Free Squingle demo: Quest, SteamVR

Puzzling Places (Quest, PSVR) – $15

This is one truly for the jigsaw puzzlers. Puzzling Places is a series of 3D puzzles made out of 3D scans of real-life places. Going from flat jigsaw puzzles to 3D puzzles will stretch your brain in satisfying new ways as you use all your 2D jigsaw strategies (like sorting by color, edges, and the like) while leaning into your spatial reasoning sense to find the right connections between pieces. Even more satisfying—when you’re done you have a tiny 3D diomara to explore!

Particulate (Oculus PC, SteamVR) – $10

Particulate uses a custom engine to render millions of particles and let you play with them. You’ll have a handful of tools at your disposal to spawn and interact with a galaxy of particles, including the ability to turn on ‘Audio Reactivity’ which will make them dance to any music you play. You can make and save your own scenes or check out ‘Featured Scenes’ to just sit back, relax, and watch the colorful mingling.

Gadgeteer (Quest, Oculus PC, SteamVR, PSVR) – $15

Have you ever wished you had a whole room and a box full of tracks, balls, and dominos to build the ultimate Rube Goldberg machine? You’re in luck. Gadgeteer will let you finally imagine your childhood dream of filling an entire room with a crazy chain-reaction-machine without the cat knocking everything over. Beyond being able to build whatever you want in ‘Sandbox Mode’, Gadgeteer is a full fledged puzzle game with 60 puzzles to complete and a pleasant soundtrack to boot.

Read Our Review

Cubism (Quest, Oculus PC, SteamVR) – $10

Cubism is a casual VR puzzle that plays a bit like a 3D version of Tetris. Its sleek, casual design makes it great for relaxing seated play. But fear not, while the puzzle concept is simple, Cubism will have you scratching your head in short order as difficulty increases across 60 stages. The bright, void-like environment makes it easy to forget about the woes of the real world as you focus on finding the right fit for the pieces before you to the backdrop of a beautiful piano soundtrack. Thanks to hand-tracking support, you can even play without needing to pick up your controllers.

Vrkshop (SteamVR) – $20

Vrkshop describes itself as a “VR woodworking game” and aims to recreate a hands-on woodshop where you can measure, mark, cut, nail, and much more. With a realistic wood-cutting system, the app challenges you to use the tools at your disposal to create furniture and other objects with no explicit instructions.

Color Space (Quest, Oculus PC) – $10

Color Space is a virtual reality coloring book where you get to bring life to a full 3D scene rather than just a flat page. Step into one of 26 environments and start adding color as you see fit. As you color the scene, it will start to come alive with animated elements and ambient sounds.

Musical Creation

Electronauts (Quest, Oculus PC, SteamVR, PSVR) – $20

Electronauts is like a VR DJ station with training wheels. Though you can take the training wheels off if you’re especially talented, the training wheels are actually part of the appeal; Electronauts does an incredible job of letting you express your inner musical creativity even if you don’t have instrumental talent. The game serves up some 80 tracks, each which function as a custom sound-kit with unique instruments, backing tracks, and more. And as a huge bonus, the Oculus PC and SteamVR versions of the game are multiplayer, meaning you can jam out with a friend (unfortunately the Oculus PC and SteamVR versions aren’t cross-platform multiplayer so make sure your friend buys on the same platform). The track list is heavy on the EDM side (though there are some chill songs to be found) so if that’s not your cup of tea you might want to look elsewhere.

Read Our Review

Drops: Rhythm Garden (SteamVR) – $7

Drops is a musically focused experience where shapes that you place make different sounds when struck with falling balls. With an endless flow of balls, you can construct a cacophony of sounds on the fly, adding new shapes and creating new paths as you go. Think of it like a Rube Goldberg machine, but for making minimal, meditative music.

Continue on Page 2: Meditation, Reflection, Mindfulness, and Exploration »

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  • mepy

    Forgot Nature Treks VR, $5, Steam VR.

    • TechPassion

      You didn’t pay, so they didn’t list you :)

      • silvaring

        Whether this is true or not at least Roadtovr does proper lists and write ups, and covers niche games. Day to day marketing of garbage AAA games is much bigger industry problem than a small piece like this one.

      • benz145

        Though you’re probably kidding, I’d like to be clear:

        You are very right to be skeptical of the information you consume online. When it comes to Road to VR, we are an independent outlet and do not accept money for editorial content or sponsored articles, and I believe we are the exemplar in this space for optional disclosures of conflicts of interest. We pass up heaps of extra money offered to us to make this so (not to mention, not covering our website in auto-playing videos, full page ads, or banning ad blockers).

      • mepy

        I’m not in any way affiliated with the makers or sellers of Nature Treks VR, I just enjoy the experiences, especially during the winter.

        • Kataki kun

          +1

        • Rosko

          never really understood such vr apps, have pretty much been rubbish in comparison to just going out into real life nature. Just my opinion.

          • GreatWizard

            I like my nature with my air conditioner, due to living in an extremely hot country. I love European forests, sadly it’s just not an option here.

    • vtid

      Great app, especially with the Subpac in the environments with thunder.

    • Marcus Childs

      As I went through this article I was shocked not to see Nature Treks also. It’s my go to for relaxation.

  • Art plunge is one of my favourites! I think my friend Tony agrees…

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=IV8cFZWoyjY

    • Patrick Hogenboom

      Thanks for pointing this one out !
      Really well executed VR and nearly free, hats off

  • Ryan

    If I want to walk around in nature in VR, nothing really beats SkyrimVR. There is no real threat if you are leveled up, and you can experience many different environments in day or night and shout the weather nicer if you want.

    • Candy Cab

      With all the mods floating around Skyrim is pretty much like having your own holodeck at this point.

  • wheeler

    For me, The Talos Principle VR had the most serene and relaxing environments. XING is also good.

    However, whatever the experience is I still find I need a lot of stimulation. If I truly try to relax, then I’m immediately reminded of VR’s current gen comfort problems.

  • Kevin White

    Chroma Labs is a bit like Particulate, but the particles are much bigger.

  • Great list, I hadn’t heard of some of these.
    Can’t miss an opportunity to shout out Aircar, free on Steam or Oculus. Motion wise it can take bit to adjust to, but it’s so serene to fly around that city.

  • martin

    personally, Pro Putt is relaxing. Rez Infinite as well.

    • EliteForceCinema

      Fuck the developers and publishers behind Rez Inifnite, even that faggot Tetsuya Mizuguchi, for going Epic exclusive on their now shitty Tetris game! In fact. Fuck Epic Games! And fuck Unreal Engine! Source 2 for life!!!

  • shawnfromportland

    Bermeo Heights Express on Oculus GO!
    https://www.oculus.com/experiences/go/2681266795216749/

  • EliteForceCinema

    ‘Tetris Effect’
    Fuck no! Fuck the developers and publishers, even that faggot Tetsuya Mizuguchi, for going Epic exclusive! In fact. Fuck Epic Games! And fuck Unreal Engine! Source 2 for life!!!

    • benz145

      Let’s chill with the slurs.

      • EliteForceCinema

        How about no you twat! Enhance deserves all the hate, backlash, harassment, and toxicity that comes to them for going exclusive to the Epic Games Store, a cancer to the gaming industry with Chinese spyware from Tencent in it!

        Same goes for Epic Games and Unreal Engine for stealing games for their Chiense spyware store and bending their knees to China! Anyone who uses Unreal Engine to make games or other things are sellouts to Epic and Tencent!

        • asd

          yeah you’re kind of right to be honest

        • Patrick Hogenboom

          I agree with what you’re saying, not with how you’re saying it

  • James Cobalt

    I thought Spheres was broken? Last I heard there was a bug preventing people from getting past Chapter 2. Is this only affecting a minority of users?

    • benz145

      Hmm good question, I’ll look into this.

  • Frozen Dreams

    I hope you guys took a look at my game, I released it yesterday and relaxation was a big part of my goal in this game, the game called “Golf Pool VR”.
    I like to play chill-out game after a few round of shoot em up. great list of games here.

  • Kim from Texas

    Would “Xing: The Land Beyond” fall into the category? I feel like it is a VR game that has gotten lost in the noise.

  • Sarah Hill

    Forgot Healium. Nature-based escapes powered by the user’s own brainwaves via a Brainlink Lite EEG headband. Free version on Oculus. https://www.tryhealium.com/stories/

  • vtid

    Have loved this free app for many years. Always hoped for a full-length game to come from it, but maybe Low-Fi will fill that void now.

  • Lucidfeuer

    Great list, would have added the Chair if…well this great OG experience was updated, whatever happened to its creator. Also Sensa Penso of course…

  • David Axelrod MD

    Great list and it’s fantastic that VR for relaxation is a growing genre. Our team at Lighthaus Inc. built Color Space, a VR coloring book for relaxation with beautiful color design. https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2702419963135346/

  • deHavilland

    VRSailing (free), especially in its “Night” mood, watching white caps under a full moon, is VERY relaxing.
    If you like some Surrealism you meed to try “Dreams of Dali” (free)!

  • Kevo

    I would also recommend Cosmic Flow which also happens to be free 99 and very much a relaxing experience as far as immersive mandalas go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1267950/Cosmic_Flow_A_Relaxing_VR_Experience/
    Also, I don’t think anybody has mentioned all the chill worlds within VRChat.

  • R B

    I cannot believe you didn’t mention Tripp for Quest, OGO and Rift!

  • UberNorman

    The Blu Season 2 not being made is still a crime to VR.

  • Ocean Rift is the most relaxing experience for me. I wonder why its not on the list. The sound of the airflow alone makes me relax between the manatees…
    Also Nature Treks VR.

  • naffgeek

    Upload VR seems like it is owned by FB nevermind paid for articles!!

  • And

    SteamVR Home itself has lots great photogrammetry projects to sit and relax in, for free

  • Heather

    SoundSelf surely belongs on this list!

  • JB1968

    Although I had some doubts before now I can see the difference when comparing with Upload VR (aka FB’s blog).

  • Mr.Philgood

    Daedalus!

  • Warscent

    Under the great reset, New World Order, new normal, I am reporting you to the FBI/BLM for that white supremest hand gesture.
    -10000 citizen points for you.

    • Jeremiah Reyes

      Oh so you’re one of those people..

  • Jeremy D Nickel

    How about the EvolVR community in AltspaceVR? Simply the best VR Meditation option there is and you didn’t even mention it. Go to EvolVR.org to learn more.

  • Calming Winds

    You missed the app the actually teaches mediation: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1338140/Meditation_Journey_VR_Zen_Garden/

  • Quest for Runia is a very relaxing but at the same time challenging logic puzzle game. You can get it for Oculus Quest and on Steam.

  • Innovation Guy
  • Jason White

    Thanks for sharing this list. Really helpful for masses during this tough time. As AR/VR technology is growing rapidly it will help and transform life of humans in many ways.

  • Arno van Wingerde

    Oh my… the apps in this list I really wanted to try, such as Google Earth VR are not on Quest… but I do not own a game PC… and this is not exactly a good time to buy a video card… Oh well, stick to Wander then…

  • Octogod

    Just got a Quest so time to try a few of these out!

  • kraeuterbutter

    “MARE” – i think is missing

  • DanClintwood

    Of all the meditation apps to put on here, Guided Meditation VR is easily bottom of the barrel. The Quest version is a port of a game that has barely received support in half a decade and is still in Steam Early Access stating it would fully release by 2-16 and never did.

    The graphics and production value are very last gen w/ the environments basically shadow boxes with video walls. It’s a glorified audio content library and the fact it won Meta App of the Year is very sketchy. Strictly audio-based guided meditation experiences don’t make sense until another generation or two.

    There’s other meditation apps that should be here.

    • Thanks for the feedback and for sharing we won Meta’s App of the Year in 2021.

      To clarify, Guided Meditation VR was remade from the ground up for Quest 2, which is why 35+ environments are unique to this platform.

      The mixed format approach maximizes the Quest’s visual fidelity. Had we made everything 3D we’d look low poly or cartoony, which wasn’t our goal. There are many meditation apps in the minimalist space on Quest, which most aim to charge you a monthly subscription.

      We supported the PC version across a dozen updates, doubling the content and features, for 3+ years. This is a lifetime in VR. As PC VR stalled and users requested mobile versions as they transitioned. That said, we don’t like the idea of calling any meditation app in VR finished, even our own. That’s why we launch updated monthly builds, including a Sleep Mode mode this week, and free upgrades.

      One area you didn’t mention is cost. Guided Meditation VR costs less to buy that all others in this space to rent. We believe you should own your apps, not subscribe to everything. With 30+ hours of content, there is something inside for everyone.

      It’s okay if you don’t enjoy the approach. Guided Meditation VR may not be your cup of tea. But wanted to clarify some of your points.

  • Ayahuasca?

    Cosmic Flow?

    Conscience existence a journey within?

    No sign of these brilliant experiences here…

  • Eric Hanson

    RVRF is the best game to relax and it’s also sooo fun to talk with other people. https://media2.giphy.com/media/gRxjhVNfFgqI0/giphy.gif

  • DarthPotato

    My heart is amazed! I can tie it for the top position.

  • I Can Has KPop

    Although it’s an older title and lacks some of the controls that some physics games have, I really enjoy Cosmic Sugar. Very relaxing and will reward those that take the time to experiment with the tools and settings.