Best First Games for a New Quest 3S: Start with Laser Thief
Unboxed a new Quest 3S? Here is a sensible first game list approach and why Laser Thief shows off passthrough and room setup better than most.
You have just unboxed a Quest 3S and the hardest question is what to play first. The best first games for a Quest 3S are not necessarily the biggest ones. They are the ones that teach you what the headset is good at. Laser Thief is a strong candidate, because it shows off passthrough, room setup and full-body play in a single evening.
What a first game should do
A first game for a new headset ideally does four things:
- It teaches you comfortable play without long tutorials.
- It shows what is new about the device, not just what a flat screen can do.
- It works in an ordinary room.
- It makes you want to show someone.
Laser Thief ticks all four. You put the headset on, see your real room in colour through passthrough, and watch laser beams appear between your actual walls and furniture. That moment of "the lasers are really in my room" is the clearest demonstration of mixed reality you can ask for.
Why Laser Thief shows off the 3S
The game is built for the colour passthrough and room understanding of Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S. Run Space Setup on your headset once, and the game maps beams and loot to your real walls and furniture. That is a good way to learn how room setup works, which you will use in other mixed reality games later.
It also teaches body awareness. There is no joystick; you duck under chest-height beams, lean through gaps, crawl when the grid drops low and reach for loot. It is a quick lesson in how natural VR movement can feel when the game is designed around it.
Setting up for the first session
Do the boring steps properly, and the first impression will be better.
- Charge the headset and update it.
- Clear about 3 × 3 metres (10 × 10 feet) of floor and remove cables and anything fragile.
- Make sure the room is well lit, which helps tracking.
- Run Space Setup, including floor, walls and large furniture. If the lasers do not line up later, re-run it and restart the game.
- Start in Free Play, the mode with random levels and no timer. It lets you get used to the moves without pressure.
Then move to Story Mode, where each level is a little harder than the last across seven worlds.
A sensible first-week plan
Rather than buying five games at once, try a rhythm:
- Day one: short session in Free Play, then a couple of Story levels. Take breaks.
- Day two to three: work through the Food and Viking worlds. Notice how your body feels.
- Later: try Bomb Mode for a 120-second push when you feel confident.
This also lets you discover how long you like to wear the headset. Many new owners overdo it. Take breaks, drink water and stop if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable, as the game's support page advises.
What else to pair it with
Laser Thief is physical, so balance your library with something calmer. A seated or relaxed title gives your body a rest, while a puzzle or exploration game uses your head more than your legs. We are not going to rank other products here, but a mix of active and relaxed games keeps the headset fun.
If you are buying with the family in mind, remember that the game is rated PEGI 12 and designed for one player at a time with others watching.
Things to know as a beginner
You may feel a bit warm and sweaty after a few levels, and the headset will need wiping. Wear comfortable clothes. Be mindful of pets and housemates entering the play area. And remember virtual lasers cannot stop you hitting a real chair.
The verdict
If you want a first game that is fun, physical and proves why a Quest 3S is different from a TV, Laser Thief is a very reasonable choice. It is available on the Meta Horizon Store, and the game page has screenshots and a trailer.
FAQ
Does Laser Thief work on Quest 3S?
Yes. It is designed for Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S.
Do I need to set up my room first?
Run Space Setup on your headset once so the game can map beams and loot to your real walls and furniture.
Is it a good game for beginners?
Free Play offers random levels with no timer, and Story Mode gets a little harder with each level, so beginners can ease in.
How much space does it need?
About 3 × 3 metres (10 × 10 feet) of clear floor is recommended.
