The PlayStation VR 2 is here, and in the six years that have passed since its predecessor's release, a lot has changed. Virtual reality remains an intriguing and captivating concept that has gradually become a little more accessible, though it's still viewed as niche to many. With a refined look, simpler setup, and some great tech, the PSVR 2 could be Sony's ticket to establishing virtual reality as another element of many consumers' home entertainment setups.
Right out of the box, the first thing to note about the PSVR 2 is how easy it is to unpack and set up. PlayStation VR was noticeably cluttered on release at 2016, featuring a mess of wires and the kind of overwhelming hardware ensemble that can easily turn off prospective owners.
PSVR 2 is much more streamlined: there's the headset, which comes with a USB-C charging cable, a pair of earbuds, two PlayStation sense controllers, and a charge cable for those. All told, there are fewer components here than in some accessory-laden game releases.
Is The PSVR 2 Comfortable?
The PSVR 2 headset fits comfortably, with lens adjustment to suit the different needs of users. It also sits quite fine over a pair of thick glasses, which is always a must for VR headsets. Four cameras on the outside of the headset function as room tracking devices, while a headphone jack and plastic rail serve to keep audio on track, with a variety of options for the earbuds in terms of sizing.
The USB-C cable for the PSVR 2 is long, and comfortably extended a long distance from the television and any furniture in a sizable entertainment room. At no point in testing did it feel too short, though like any good VR setup, users will want to make sure they can create enough space to avoid any unwanted accidents.
The headset's lightweight design felt a little fragile while holding it at first, but through repeated use, it's actually quite sturdy, with the benefit of its weight shining through in multi-hour sessions. The headset is easy on the neck and shoulders and shouldn't result in any discomfort for reasonable playing times, though it's still advisable to take breaks sometimes. One added bonus of the design was the prevention of light leakage, which wasn't an issue once the optimal adjustments were made to optimize the headset.
With a panel resolution of 2000 x 2040 per eye and an OLED display, the PSVR 2 looks great in use, and definitely has games at launch that can take advantage of its panels: Horizon Call of the Mountain was the standout, but the enhanced edition of Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge was also gorgeous. The PlayStation VR2 Sense controller is also a selling point for the hardware, and there is a lot of elegance behind its gargantuan design.
How The PSVR 2 Sense Controller Works
The most important element of the PSVR 2 Sense controller is that it's as lightweight as the headset, meaning extended play doesn't become a tiresome prospect. The grip takes a little getting used to, but once it's more natural, the layout is intuitive and easy to use, and the design means players won't feel the need to have a death grip on their controller for fear of fumbling it mid-play. The design really takes into account some small elements of VR play that only stand out after long hours with products, like being able to rest the controller comfortably against a wrist or extended thumb to allow the user to release their fingers momentarily.
The PlayStation VR2 Sense has a simple two-face-button-per-controller layout, with an analog stick on either side. Haptic feedback from the controllers is an excellent addition to games that will use it, though in testing, it was more of an extracurricular element than a showstealer. The added dimension of being immersed in the headset already and the minute feeling the resistance of haptic feedback provided were certainly blended together nicely.
How Does The PSVR 2 Run?
Of course, all of these improvements in design would mean very little if the PlayStation VR 2 wasn't also a great device in practice. Luckily, the hardware lives up to its aesthetic. Sony's PSVR 2 is an excellent improvement on its virtual reality technology. One of the immediately noticeable features was how the PSVR 2 tracks eye movement - it feels pretty much instantaneous. In practice, that means a more seamless experience in games, while also offering developers a lot of leeway to implement systems reliant on pinpoint tracking in the future. Eye tracking was accurate throughout long sessions, even when centering changed based on seated/standing positions.
Another massive leap between PSVR and PSVR 2 is the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller's hand-tracking. Other tech has already done this, but for PlayStation 5 owners, this is a huge upgrade. Hand- and finger-tracking is extremely accurate, showcased especially well in Horizon Call of the Mountain, where the technology felt pinpoint. There was no drift or latency experienced in any meaningful way, which will be a relief for those who suffered through the early days of the original PSVR. Equipping a bow or nocking an arrow was exceptionally smooth.
Is PSVR 2 Worth It?
It is tough to fully pass judgment on the PlayStation VR 2 without seeing more of how developers will be able to use its promising hardware. Virtual reality still feels like a space where innovation takes place quickly, with so much potential left to explore. To say that the PSVR 2 solves many of the problems of the PSVR is an understatement, however, and it's very clear that Sony has listened and learned from the mistakes of its past hardware.
Ultimately, PlayStation VR 2 feels like and runs like a dream. It's hard to argue with the polish of the hardware at $550 USD, even if that pricepoint might mean its accessibility to potential users remains worse than it could be. Based on what's available at launch, it feels like PSVR 2 has everything prospective developers need to create some truly breathtaking virtual reality software. Sony's set itself up well to be a platform where that kind of magic happens, and it'll be exciting to watch what rolls out for the company's excellently made PlayStation VR 2.
PlayStation VR 2 launches on February 21, 2023. Screen Rant was provided with a PSVR 2 and digital download codes of Horizon Call of the Mountain and Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge for the purpose of this review.
Source: PlayStation/YouTube
-
PlayStation 5
- Released:
- 2020-11-12
- Franchise:
- PlayStation
