Horizon: Call of the Mountain takes all the beauty of its forebears, Zero Dawn and Forbidden West, and then asks whether you would like a closer look. As a launch title for PS VR2, it is a perfect bridge between those who want an action-oriented experience and those who want to take in some gorgeous scenery.
While not every game here is a VR title, they all capture the spirit of Call of the Mountain. Whether it be a focus on vertical traversal, similar settings, or just similar vibes, there are plenty of paths for you to take once your adventure with Ryas ends.
8 Horizon: Zero Dawn
Well, of course. Chances are good that you're already a fan of the Horizon series if you've bought Call of the Mountain. That being said, considering Call of the Mountain is a launch game for the PS5's VR headset, a few of you might have this VR experience as your first foray into the world of Horizon.
So why not start right at the beginning? Horizon: Zero Dawn is a beautiful game with lush landscapes, an exciting story, and inventive creature design. Aloy, your protagonist, is armed with a trusty bow and some intense stealth skills (shout out to the grass that somehow looks like Aloy's signature red hair). She is determined to unravel the mystery of her past and, more importantly, save the future - fighting Thunderjaws is just a bonus.
7 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
So, you like climbing stuff, shooting arrows at giant mechanical monsters, and story-telling? The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been around for a spell, so you're likely already at least a tiny bit familiar with this beloved entry in the Zelda franchise. But, if you're not, there's no time like the present.
Focused on exploration more than anything, Breath of the Wild is whatever you want it to be. You can follow the story to the letter, or you can literally and figuratively get lost in the wilds of Hyrule. There's no wrong answer, no wrong way to play.
6 The Climb 2
Considering Call of the Mountain's apparent affection for climbing, recommending The Climb 2, another VR title is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, The Climb 2 is only available on the Oculus Quest VR sets. Still, you can't go wrong here if you want to get serious about VR climbing.
The Climb is a more in-depth climbing experience as compared to Horizon. There is nothing but the climb - no mechanical beasts to best, no story to speak of. There is just you, the chalk you carefully dust on your hands, and the constant search for your next handhold as you traverse impossible heights. There are environmental deterrents, too - poisonous snakes and unstable terrain - that make The Climb 2 both challenging and terrifying in a way only VR games can emulate.
5 Resident Evil Village VR
The similarities between Horizon: Call of the Mountain and Resident Evil Village VR both begin and end with 'launch titles for the PS VR2.' Still, if you've chosen the PS5's VR headset as your one and only virtual reality machine, you may as well indulge - besides, if you already have Resident Evil: Village, it's a free update to your existing game. No cost - except maybe your comfort with navigating in the dark.
It doesn't matter if you already know what's coming - VR will make things personal. Horror games are already scary endeavors, as you're directly responsible for the well-being of your player character. But, in VR, you're genuinely inhabiting your protagonist. And there's no easy escape, other than tearing the machine clean off your head. Hopefully you like getting chased.
4 Winds And Leaves
Sometimes, you want to step back from robot monster-slaying and rock climbing to hang out. The PS4 VR title Winds and Leaves strands you in what feels like a wasteland - the only life here is you. Fortunately, it doesn't have to stay that way. Your entire purpose is to grow things, fill the world with lush vegetation and change the landscape for the better.
Both Winds and Leaves and the Horizon series focus on greenery and rebuilding life - in Horizon, it's a core part of the backstory. In Winds and Leaves, you are actively creating that new world, using tools and tips from those who came before. Sounds a little familiar, right?
3 Stray
Everybody wants to be a cat. At least, that's what Stray and The Aristocats taught us. As a fluffy feline, you must navigate an underground city populated entirely by robots who have, essentially, become human in everything but name. Your task is simple - you just want to get home to your other furry pals, yet you are embroiled in the robots' struggles.
Stray is known for its perfect recreation of the beautiful carelessness of cats, its vibrant neon world, its robust story and, of course, its incredibly vertical world. Of course, you do a lot of climbing and jumping from precarious edge to precarious edge. Still, it can serve as a nice unwind from the stresses of massive hostile robots getting up in your face.
2 Dishonored 2
The Void beckons. The world of Dishonored 2 is complicated - full of magic, mystery, and terrible beauty. There is dust in the streets, burning in people's lungs. A sickness in the form of bloodflies burrows in the living and dead alike. The Empress has been overthrown - but she's not out of the fight.
Dishonored 2 gives you vast levels to explore and never imposes strict limits on you. If something seems possible, there are probably numerous ways to do it. That exploration is the crux of the game - yeah, both the stealth and the combat are satisfying - but you really just want to see everything. Be everywhere.
Call of the Mountain is somewhat limited in scope - if you're searching for a game that isn't, Dishonored 2 is waiting.
1 Mirror's Edge
Mirror's Edge is an oft-forgotten gem of a game that is one of the few titles that captures the adrenaline-pumping nature of parkour. This vibrant, colorful game puts you in the well-worn shoes of Faith Connors, a free-runner in a futuristic, dystopian city. Your job is that of a Runner - a profession that, to those running the city, is subversive at best, illegal at worst. Hence, you need to be agile and quick to easily navigate the cityscape.
Mirror's Edge is not a VR title, but it feels like a precursor to them. Especially considering its first-person point-of-view, bright aesthetic and focus on traversal. The scenery is colorful but sterile, unlike Horizon's use of lush greens and natural landscapes. It's a different experience, but you'll definitely find something to like.