PlayStation VR2: The Future of Virtual Reality Gaming
The PlayStation VR2 has been making waves in the gaming world as a true generational leap in console VR gaming. This new piece of hardware has a lot to offer for gamers looking for an immersive and high-quality VR experience.
One of the biggest selling points of the PlayStation VR2 is its high-end headset. For $549.99, you get a headset with a 4K, HDR-enabled 2,000 x 2,040 per-eye OLED screen that operate at up to 120 Hz, a 110-degree field of view, built-in tracking cameras, and eye tracking. The screen provides a smoother, richer, and deeper picture than any other VR headset on the market, with the exception of the Meta Quest Pro, which is much more expensive. The headset’s design is sleek and modern, with a black-and-white color scheme that matches the PS5. The adjustable head strap is separated from the VR display itself, making it easy to accommodate a wide range of head shapes and sizes.
In addition to the headset, the PlayStation VR2 comes with two Sense controllers, which have excellent adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. These features were introduced with the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller and make for a more immersive gaming experience. The controllers are half the size of the DualSense’s, but they are tactile and provide almost the same degree of precision as a D-pad when playing games like Tetris Effect: Connected.
Setting up the PlayStation VR2 is a breeze compared to the original PSVR. Instead of a whole bunch of cables and an HDMI switcher, the PS VR2 has a single 4.5m USB-C cable that you plug into your PS5. After installing a firmware update and quickly calibrating your controllers, eye tracking, and lens spacing, the four tracking cameras will capture a scan of your room. The PS VR2’s guardian walls rise out of the ground, clearly marking which parts of your room are safe to walk around in. It’s extremely cool to see the headset accurately map out the geometry of a room, including furniture, pets, and even leftovers on your coffee table.
The PS VR2 also has some neat features that you don’t see on other VR headsets, including a slider on the top-left side of the lens casing to quickly adjust the headset’s interpupillary distance, or IPD. The internal camera quickly measures the distance between your eyes during setup, making it easy to get the perfect fit. There are also two buttons at the bottom of the display: one to turn the headset on and off, and the other to activate passthrough mode, which lets you see the real world around you in black and white without taking off the headset. It’s perfect for adjusting your controllers or greeting someone who’s entered your play area.
While the PlayStation VR2 is a fantastic piece of hardware, it does have one downside: the available games. Currently, there are not many games available for the PS VR2 compared to other VR headsets, and its lack of backward compatibility with original PSVR games represent a significant problem. However, as the PS VR2 gains popularity, it’s likely that more games will become available for the platform.
Overall, the PlayStation VR2 is a quantum leap in console VR gaming. While it’s not cheap, the high-end headset and Sense controllers provide a truly immersive gaming experience. The setup process is easy, and the headset’s design is comfortable and sleek. If you’re a fan of VR gaming and you own a PS5, the PlayStation VR2 is definitely worth considering.
