As long as we are talking about old games that are still the gold standard, how is it possible no one has recreated the giant-god-monster and city management game Black and White yet?! That game was fantastic, and its premise so solid. It seems ripe for replication in more contemporary engines.
I made a Black and White inspired VR prototype three years ago in university. And I believe in the VR space there are several smaller commercial attempts of doing just that, since the control scheme is one of the few that fit so perfectly for VR.
Sadly none of them are really good yet, but my hopes havent completely died yet. No matter if in VR or not.