A VR game for the ages, yet one of the few VR games that's easily accessible without a headset! Known as one of the biggest successes this turn of the new year, VRChat is a platform on Steam in which you are able to hook up your VR headset of choice and interact with people. Utilizing Unity to create its custom maps and avatars, you can explore and create alongside your friends-- or make brand new ones along the way! If you don't have a VR headset, don't worry, you can join in on the fun as well. Just run the game in Desktop mode and get to socializing, you won't regret it.
SpecsUpdate
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro VR Headset not required
When most hear the name 'VRChat', the mind goes to the idea of VR. A costly headset, wonky controls, the works. It makes people feel intimidated, but fear not. VRChat actually has a desktop mode, one I personally have a lot of experience with, and it works great for what it is! Don't let lack of VR stop you from trying this game out.
Pro Ability to create your own models and maps
The VRChat game uses the Unity engine along with some other add-ons to actually link you up to the servers, so most of the materials made in-game are entirely made by users. By utilizing the free Unity engine, players can take the time to import their own models or even make their own maps and upload them!
Pro It's free
It shouldn't be understated that this game is actually free. No price tag, no DLC, just your computer. It's amazing how such an accessible chatting platform has been made completely free, and it only serves to benefit the high accessibility the game has already.
Cons
Con Creating new content is impossible without Unity
There's no in-game engine to making new models or maps, so you're forced to learn the Unity engine. For anyone using this as their first dive in, there's a pretty high chance you won't be messing with anything custom for a while. It's a shame it couldn't come with its own engine to help make it easier, but that's just one downside to the accessibility in this game.
Con Premium features is no good at all
Premium features costs $10 per month with only offer badge icon, 100 favourite avatar slots, and trust boost. this is dealbreaker and mods can achieve most of the features much better with no costs.
Con Unreasonably strict rules
as social games or non-competitive games, VRchat dev decided to execute a permanent ban for any usage of external mods where user has no freedom to enhance and customize their vrchat experiences.
Con Low customization
you cannot change any user interface themes, options, and layouts, you have to use external mods to customize it.
Con Limited favourite slots
You can only favourite up to 25 avatars, which is so small. even for VRChat plus, it still limited up to 100 avatars only. you have to use external mods for unlimited favourite slots.
Con Lack of HUD information
shows players in the room and instance information in Desktop and VR, shows the ping of every players, and many others directly at main menu
Con No built-in third person camera
if you want to view in 3rd person, then you have to find mirror or any world that support the features.
Con The limited model selection at start
Whenever you first boot up VRChat, you have the ability to set a base avatar to start your journey with. Most of the models are fairly lackluster and don't really add any sort of variety to who you are. Not that I'd expect the starting avatars to be grand, but it's very glaring how low effort some of them are. There is the benefit of going to 'Avatar Rooms' to try and find one that fits you, but they disappear when you log out, so you have to repeat this process every time you log on.
Con The raids
So let's get this out of the way: this is the Ugandan Knuckles game. Yes, the meme will eventually die out, but it still exists at the time of writing this. They aren't nearly as annoying now, but there will be times where chats get overrun with a group of people that think a certain thing is funny. Whether it's Ugandan Knuckles, stormtroopers, or a group of Homer Simpsons, not everyone enjoys having their conversation interrupted.