We are just a week away from Sony releasing its second generation VR headset, the PlayStation VR2. Not only does this promise a dramatic leap in performance and interactivity, but it also improves eye tracking, resolution, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggering.
The PSVR 2 has a lot of advantages over rival headsets on paper, but in a market that’s leaning toward headsets with their own processors and OSs that don’t require additional hardware, tethered Being a headset has definite drawbacks. Works (e.g. Meta Quest 2). But regardless, PSVR 2 is poised for success.
PSVR 2 Road to Victory
The true measure of PSVR 2’s success will be how the developers take advantage of the new tech the headset offers, the strong display of exclusive content and, most importantly, PSVR 2’s meaningful long-term support. It comes down to three things: VR 2 needs an exclusive first and third party proprietary stack that will entice people to choose Sony’s new product over its competitors.
PSVR 2’s technology is impressive, and a significant upgrade over its predecessor. With a 110-degree field of view, 4K HDR, and support for up to 120 Hz, the gaming experience is a nice upgrade from both its predecessor and his Meta Quest 2. Built-in eye tracking also helps with increased resolution. For example, First Contact’s upcoming project, Firewall Ultra, showed a gameplay teaser showing how the headset’s eye-tracking can be used to aim with the eye to ensure the most realistic accuracy while playing. introduced. PSVR 2’s improved 4K resolution certainly helps with immersion, making the interactive experience unfolding before your eyes even more realistic.
Check out the latest Firewall Ultra gameplay clips from #PSVR2 Trailer released today!
BLAST using the eye tracking function is being held!
Of all the immersive new features announced, what are you most excited about? #VR #Immersive #PS5 pic.twitter.com/YtDRGA1Uib
— First Contact Entertainment | Firewall Ultra PSVR2 (@firstcontactent) February 8, 2023
PSVR 2’s Sense Controller brings PlayStation 5 DualSense’s signature features, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, to VR gaming. The controller can also detect finger touches. This technology is potentially more immersive and helps enhance the experience to make it stand out from anything currently on the market.
The technology is certainly impressive, but the primary measure of Sony’s success in VR is the software (games, interactive experiences, etc.). What good is the best VR headset if you don’t have a lineup of games that support it?
The original PlayStation VR had strong showings in the first three years of its life with games like Firewall: Zero Hour, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission and Blood & Truth, but the PS5 is gearing up for launch. As I was progressing, my headset fell off a cliff. Sure, games like Moss: Book II and NFL Pro Era were still released for headsets, but these eventually made their way into other VR gaming headsets, and the original PSVR had to offer. Some were further updates to technology that had to be.
The PSVR 2 launch lineup continues to grow ahead of its release. At the time of publication, there are 42 games available on launch day, which is a big number. However, a closer look at the game’s appearances reveals that he’s only three of his true PlayStation exclusives. Horizon: Call of the Mountain and the free VR mode in Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village.
Avid VR gamers likely already own at least Meta Quest 2 or PC VR, and have no doubt played many of the games confirmed in the PSVR 2 lineup already. So while it’s a decent choice for those who have never played VR or looking to upgrade from his ex-his PSVR, it’s a disappointment for those already familiar with it.
Nonetheless, the arrival of PSVR 2 presents a great opportunity for Sony to improve and enhance its console VR gaming and position PSVR 2 to share the spotlight with the PlayStation 5. To that end, Sony needs to ensure a solid and steady stream. Like the PS5’s first-party lineup, there are a growing number of games for PSVR beyond the first few years of its life, especially considering the headset’s retail price of $549.99.
Sony has already committed resources to achieving this goal. First Contact is working on Firewall Ultra, due later this year, and Supermassive Games is preparing The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR for his March 16th release. These will help bring momentum into PSVR 2’s first year. Additionally, there’s Resident Evil 4 Remake’s VR Mode, a dedicated feature intended to compete with Resident Evil 4 VR only available in MetaQuest 2.
Finally, another example of Sony’s new approach to VR is in hardware. 1st generation headsets required a PS Move controller. This was released during his PS3 days and was six years old when PSVR was released. In contrast, PSVR 2 not only supports a new dedicated Sense controller designed for VR, but also leverages its sister hardware to help you immerse yourself and push VR gaming to new levels. .
Tough competition for PSVR 2
PSVR 2 is entering a very different market than it was in 2016. This is thanks to its hefty price tag and the fact that it requires another console that is still relatively hard to find.
The Quest 2 is PSVR 2’s main competitor, and its most compelling feature is that it doesn’t require any additional hardware. Just put on your headset, turn it on, and start playing. And despite the occasional price hike about two years after its launch, the Quest 2 remains relatively affordable because it doesn’t require additional hardware like his PC to work. Meta appealed to a large audience and its contributions to VR helped it enter the mainstream despite the game still being fairly niche compared to the wider gaming market. It doesn’t take into account the number of Quest 2 exclusives that have appeared on set or are in the works, especially 2021’s Resident Evil 4 VR.
It’s inevitable that PSVR 2 will be compared to Meta Quest 2, the most popular VR headset on the market right now. However, PSVR 2 is backed by its makers, with a steady stream of first-party studios (including one dedicated to VR game development like Firesprite), and over the past nearly 30 years, Sony has built a portfolio of in-house IP. has been built. That’s what makes the transition to VR possible. Hopefully Horizon: Call of the Mountain will be the first one.
Honestly, PSVR 2 is unlikely to beat Meta Quest 2. But frankly, you don’t have to. Sit here and compare the two and Meta Quest 2 is without a doubt he one of the most successful VR headsets ever created but comparing these two headsets is like comparing apples and oranges.
We can’t wait to see how PSVR 2 performs in its launch lineup as February 22 approaches. We invest more in seeing if we need to guarantee that.
Taylor is IGN’s Associate Tech Editor. You can follow her on her Twitter @TayNixster.
