PlayStation VR2 is Sony’s new big bet in the field of virtual reality. The second generation of the VR helmet from the Japanese company promises a great leap in terms of power and innovation. But, more importantly, it comes at the right time, when PlayStation 5 – the console it depends on – can finally be found in stores.
After our first contact a few months ago, with the device already on sale around the world, we have finally been able to compare these impressions by fully immersing ourselves in its proposal. Does it offer an experience at the level of the 599.99 euros that it costs in its basic pack? We will try to answer this question by reviewing the main features of the device point by point.
One of the main criticisms that the first model of PS VR received was its cumbersome installation, a process that involved a multitude of cables, an extra processing unit and the PlayStation Camera. PS VR2, on the other hand, vastly improves in this regard, as it connects to the console via a single USB-C cable.
The first thing that the user sees after connecting and turning on the helmet is a tutorial that explains in simple steps how to put on the visor, configures the eye tracking (more on that later) and scans our playing area —wait a minute. surprising that it seems taken from a science fiction movie. This last step is important, since the experience we have with PS VR2 varies depending on the space we have to move around.
There are three types of play areas: to play sitting, standing or moving. The latter is the most immersive, since it allows us to move slightly while we play, but obviously requires having at least 2×2 free meters. This play area does not need to be square, since the device allows us to very easily draw the area in which we will establish the limits in which we can move, something important so as not to hit ourselves or hit the furniture.
The design of the PS VR2 helmet is in line with that of the rest of the products in the PlayStation 5 ecosystem, that is, it stands out for its stylized forms, for the predominance of white and for its mainly plastic construction. More important, however, is the feeling one gets when putting it on. The helmet feels light thanks to its lower weight (560 grams) and a headband shape that distributes it naturally. Likewise, it is easy to put on, to adjust using a rear wheel and also to remove.
Special mention for those who wear glasses, as they can be used without problems. Something to which we must also add a very useful wheel that regulates the horizontal distance between the lenses to adapt it to each user and, of course, the rubber that covers the eyes, which here fulfills its function of adapting to the user’s face perfectly. and keep light out while wearing it.
Before moving on to the technical details, another relevant feature when it comes to talking about comfort is the ability to see outside without having to remove the helmet. This functionality is becoming more common in VR headsets and it is appreciated that Sony thought of it. Thanks to some cameras on the outside of the helmet – the same ones that scan the playing area – the user can see their surroundings (in black and white) with the push of a button and without removing the helmet.
Inside the helmet we have one of the most outstanding elements of PS VR2: its OLED screen capable of offering a resolution of 2000×2040 per eye, four times more than what the previous model offered. Added to its 120HZ refresh rate, its 110-degree field of view and its compatibility with HDR, the result is one of the best panels that we can find today in this range of products. Devices like the HTC Vibe Pro 2 have more resolution, but on an LCD screen that doesn’t offer the vibrant colors of an OLED panel.
As far as sound is concerned, PS VR2 incorporates a standard 3.5mm connector (stereo jack), but no built-in speakers as other viewers like Meta Quest 2 do. However, it is not a problem, since the sound that is obtained through headphones is much higher. In the PS VR2 package, ear-bud style headphones are incorporated that offer an adequate response, but the experience is much better if we use closed-type ones. Unsurprisingly, Sony’s Pulse 3D – the official PS5 headset – fits the bill.
On the other hand, a unique feature of PS VR2 is the inclusion of haptic vibration in the helmet itself. This functionality that until now seemed relegated to the controls has also been incorporated into the viewer itself, something unique to date in a device of this type. This vibration both to provide an additional sensory response in games, as a more than useful indication of turning the helmet on and off.
One of the most striking features of PS VR2 compared to the previous model is eye tracking, that is, the device’s ability to follow the movement of our pupils. It is not the first helmet that implements this technology, but it is one that uses it in a particularly effective way. It works through sensors installed inside the headset and has several uses, such as interacting with games through the direction of our gaze, something that is not only surprising, but also allows us to explore innovative (and accessible) ways to play.
Although not all games are compatible with eye tracking, titles like Horizon: Call of the Mountain do implement it for navigation in menus and for another use that will give a lot to talk about, and that is none other than the capacity of the device. to adapt the pixel density of the image according to where we look, with which more fluid games can be achieved. Although more surprising is the use that Rez Infinite makes, which incorporates a mode that allows you to play with your eyes, changing allowing you to play in an innovative and accessible way for players with mobility problems.
Another of the outstanding novelties of PS VR2 are the two controllers that are included in the pack along with the helmet. The PS VR2 Sense controllers stand out for their spherical design and are largely reminiscent of those that incorporate other virtual reality devices, such as the Oculus Touch or Valve Index. Unlike the old PlayStation Move for PS3, these new controllers represent a great advance in things as basic as the incorporation of an analog stick for each hand, or cutting-edge technologies such as haptic vibration.
As is already the case with the PS5 DualSense, PlayStation VR2-specific controllers include adaptive triggers that offer different levels of pressure depending on the game situation, for example to transmit the tension of a bow when shooting an arrow in Horizon, or when shooting a firearm in the action title After the Fall. In addition, they have the same haptic feedback that the console controller enjoys, which translates into vibrations that offer a more nuanced tactile sensation. Their only negative point is that they also share a poor battery life with the DualSense. All the cables that the device does not incorporate end up becoming charging cables around the console.
PlayStation VR2 has arrived in stores with a considerable catalog of games, but it still lacks an exclusive title that surprises with capital letters, that represents a turning point. Sony has promised that during the first month more than 30 references between new games and updates will be available and, for now, it is complying when it comes to nourishing the device’s catalog with a selection of varied experiences and titles of interest.
Horizon: Call of the Mountain is the best technical demo of the device. This new adventure set in this popular Sony franchise stands out for its spectacular visual finish and for how it uses many of the features of PS VR2, but it does not measure up when it comes to offering a memorable gaming experience. Even so, it is a more than recommended title to release the device.
We will dedicate another article to explain in much more detail the games that have surprised us the most, but as a preview we can mention the update of the Gran Turismo 7 driving simulator, the new editions of Tetris Effect and Rez Infinite, the two installments of the adorable Moss adventure. , the adventure Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge or the simple but addictive music game Drums Rock.
An important detail: PS VR2 is not compatible with virtual reality games on PS4. This limitation is a major setback for those people who opted for the previous model of the device, since they will not be able to take advantage of the games they already had. On the other hand, in its basic pack of the device –which we remember costs 599.99 euros– it does not include any game or demo, something that the previous model did incorporate.
The PlayStation VR2 is a technical breakthrough from Sony’s first model of virtual reality headset and one of the best devices of its kind available today. This is the easy and obvious headline. Those who had the previous version for PS4 and can afford the jump to the new model will notice a great technical evolution. The new VR viewer from the Japanese company has plenty in terms of technical specifications, but it also offers a great experience in terms of comfort, stability, and the user’s journey. It works, and very well.
This good base with which the second generation of Sony’s virtual reality helmet is released makes you want to play, you want to get the most out of it, but this great expectation has not yet been fulfilled with the games available nowadays. It is a set of good and varied experiences, but it needs to really surprise with its great power. PlayStation VR2 is, therefore, a device with a lot of potential, but right now it is still far from being essential for video game fans.