Shooter heavy weights climb back up the ladder
June’s PS VR2 download data points to a noticeable shift: action and tactical shooters are taking center stage again. Firewall Ultra, which had a quieter May, has reclaimed the number one spot in the U.S. and Canada, pushing aside Beat Saber, which had been a consistent top performer.
This reversal suggests players are leaning back into more grounded, immersive FPS experiences, especially ones with co-op or PvP features.
Meanwhile, Synapse continues to hang tight in the upper tier. Its blend of fast-paced telekinetic combat and roguelike progression seems to have enough staying power to keep it visible even months after release. And The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, which struggled earlier in the year, has resurged, breaking into the top 5. That return might be tied to recent updates and word-of-mouth among horror fans looking for narrative tension over pure jumpscares.
Beat Saber and rhythm titles lose steam
The surprise this month isn’t who rose but who fell. Beat Saber, long considered a pillar of VR rhythm games, dropped a few places in both U.S./Canada and EU rankings. It’s still charting high but the descent is noticeable. This may reflect fatigue or simply competition from newer, more visually inventive experiences like Ragnarock, which is climbing steadily.
While Beat Saber remains a foundational VR title, its dominance is clearly fading as players chase variety or look for more “complete” campaign-style games. There’s also a shift toward more narrative-heavy or physically involved games, something rhythm titles struggle to evolve into without major overhauls.
EU charts echo the U.S. but with a few quirks
The European market continues to mirror North America in broad strokes. Firewall Ultra is also number one in the EU, showing cross-regional appeal for tactical FPS titles. But games like Kayak VR: Mirage continue to perform better in Europe than in the U.S., likely due to its visually calming approach and real-world travel feel, which tends to resonate more with European players.
Resident Evil Village VR Mode remains a steady presence across both regions, reinforcing the appetite for polished, AAA-adjacent horror experiences in virtual reality. Capcom’s brand recognition clearly helps here, but the core gameplay loop tight corridors, slow-burning tension works especially well in headset form.
What this says about PS VR2 right now
The June 2025 charts tell a few interesting stories. First, players seem to be seeking more traditional, high-stakes gameplay: shooters, horror, and action dominate over casual or music-based content. Second, there’s evidence that titles with consistent updates or visual polish like Switchback or Village VR can rebound after a slow start.
Lastly, while new titles are still arriving at a modest pace, it’s clear that replayable, system-selling experiences are what keep PS VR2 owners engaged. That puts pressure on developers to not just launch well but sustain momentum across months, either through updates, events, or strong gameplay loops.
As we move into the second half of the year, it’ll be worth watching whether Sony’s first-party VR titles or third-party experimental projects can disrupt this stable but slowly shifting landscape.
Virtual Reality Explorer & Game Reviewer
Always the first to plug in. VRSCOUT dives head-first into the most immersive VR worlds, analyzing mechanics, comfort, innovation, and that elusive “presence” factor. If he says it’s worth it, it probably is.
