Review: PlayStation VR2 Delivers On Its Gaming Promises, But Is The World Ready For It?

In 2016, when modern VR gaming was all the rage, Sony released the PlayStation VR. As an add-on to the PlayStation 4, PS VR was the newest and cheapest headset available, expanding access to virtual reality far beyond the tech-savvy audience that had spent thousands of dollars on computers and devices.

Sony hopes to repeat its success with the aptly named PlayStation VR2, which hits stores on February 22. All of this comes at a higher price, however, as the world of virtual reality has changed dramatically in the seven years since the last headset. Has the Japanese hardware giant done enough to move the needle again, or is its promising reality just a mirage?

PS VR2 has made massive improvements to settings and tracking. The original headset required a mess of cables that required a diagram to assemble properly, as well as a dedicated camera and controller that were sold separately (and rarely worked perfectly). PS VR 2 uses a single USB-C cable that plugs into the front of your PS5, has great controllers that do their job well, and uses the same "reverse" tracking that the headset is famous for Facebook's Meta Quest 2, so no additional cameras or tracking devices are required. While this type of headset and console tracking is less reliable than systems that use external beacon sensors, it makes setup easier and cleaner.

PS VR2 is also packed with some tricks to make you more immersed in your games, such as: And important: eye tracking, which allows you to control elements in a game simply by moving your eyes, instead of the whole head.

It also holds the crown for Sony when it comes to having one of the most comfortable VR headsets out there. Holding the PS VR2 on your head and adjusting it to your preference is easy, with separate buttons and knobs to adjust the headband and lens spacing. The PS VR2 is also comfortable to wear for hours on end, though it still has the temporary but distinctive red "VR Face" markings when you take it off.

However, all this comes at a price.

The PS VR2 starts at $549, $150 more than its predecessor. And it only works when connected to a PS5 system, which will set you back an extra $400-$500 if you don't already have one.

While the technology packed into the headset may justify that price point (in fact, it's still a lot cheaper than most headsets aimed at PC gamers), it's a far cry from Facebook's Meta Quest 2, which you'll also take care With the increased price of last year's headphones, you obviously get what you pay for, but the Quest 2 certainly stole the crown of Sony's best budget and entry-level headphones, and the Meta will likely hold that title for a time.

That's not to say PS VR2 should be ignored, even if it's your first experience with virtual reality. Looking at the system's current game library in a vacuum, it's already very powerful and promises to be even stronger in the future. Many of the best games in between will be available on day one. This list includes Moss and Moss Book II , two fascinating fantasy action adventures with a mouse; The Last Clockwinder , a clever puzzle game in which you create automatons that mimic your movements; Rez HD , a crazy shooter in retro style; and Puzzling Places , a relaxing 3D puzzle experience where you match real-world locations like a jigsaw puzzle.

The other side of the coin?

All of those great games I just mentioned, along with the rest of the library, are also available on other VR platforms, including the PC headset, Meta Quest, and even Sony's original PlayStation VR.

Are these the best games on PS VR2? Actually, yes in many cases.

Especially when you compare the PS VR2 versions to what you'll find on the original PS VR or Quest. You will find better graphics, smoother gameplay and better controls. In some cases, you can even take advantage of the new headset's unique features, such as b. eye tracking. Rez HD is a great example of this, as it allows you to line up crosshairs simply with eye movements, an interaction that looks quite futuristic.

But if you own the games elsewhere, the upgrades probably won't be enough to make you invest in them again.

That's an even bigger shame because the PS VR2 isn't backwards compatible, meaning if you already have a solid library of PS VR games from previous years, those games won't work here, unfortunately. In certain cases, publishers provide updates for new PS VR2 versions of their games, but implementation is inconsistent. Some upgrades are free, some are paid (usually around $10), and some don't exist at all.

However, there is one major exception to the non-exclusive nature of the PS VR2 library: Horizon: Call of the Mountain , a game that will likely remain a PS VR2 exclusive forever. A spin-off from the popular post-apocalyptic adventure series Horizon, this game has been the star of the show in most of Sony's marketing campaigns, and for good reason. It has a big-budget AAA feel like a blockbuster VR game not seen since the PC-exclusive Half-Life Alyx .

Of course , Call of the Mountain isn't a fast-paced experience or tech demo designed to thrill you in short bursts. It's a clean game that makes the most of the system you're working with. I would play it for hours and sometimes it would just stop because my controllers needed charging.

And then there's the elephant in the room: the future of VR gaming in general.

Much progress has been made in this area and more improvements can be made. But while Meta Quest 2 made the technology more mainstream, Meta's VR has also poured large sums of money into previously unsuccessful attempts to make the "metaverse" something people care about. If this will scare away investment and future development of VR products, it is a risk that comes with buying VR in 2022.

My take: I think the future of VR is still bright, but it's alarming that some of the best VR games today are the same games we were talking about 3-5 years ago.

All of this makes it difficult to make a purchase or upgrade recommendation for the PS VR 2. Sony's hardware engineers have done their job. The PlayStation VR2 is better than its predecessor in every way imaginable, and aside from not finding a way to make older games compatible with it, there's not much I can point to and say "wrong ".

It's a great device with great games that I really enjoyed. But it's luxury after luxury, and in a world where households are wary of inflation, it's hard not to wonder if the public will show up this time.

PlayStation VR2 will be released on February 22nd.