Virtual reality has had a few false starts over the past decade. It seems like every year was going to be the year the technology bursts into the mainstream, but in most cases it's been in vain. There's nothing wrong with the devices, but they haven't captured the attention of the broader market. Until now.
Most people's introduction to virtual reality has come in the form of a completely wireless headset called the Meta Quest 2. If you've been thinking about the future of standalone VR headsets and the augmented reality headsets that will likely follow in the next decade, Sony's latest VR product may seem underwhelming. Unlike the Quest, Sony's PlayStation VR 2 is a wired VR headset that needs to be plugged into a PlayStation 5 to work.
The beginning of virtual reality on PlayStation
Sony's original PlayStation VR was probably the most impactful, with over five million headsets sold worldwide thanks to a more accessible source of entertainment (the PS4) and an affordable price. But it had flaws. It offered a decent enough immersive experience, but the control method left a lot to be desired. By following colored lights through a reasonably low-resolution camera, the system was often confused by reflections or ambient lighting.
But in all this, Sony has learned, taken note, and is ready for the second revision of its virtual reality device.
Virtual Reality version 2.0
While the PSVR 2 requires a tethered headset, it's quite possibly the best luxury home VR experience out there right now. With crystal-clear OLED displays, fantastic vibrating controllers with their own force-feedback triggers, and the powerful graphics of the PlayStation 5, this hardware is capable of competing with the Quest 2. And we should mention how comfortable they are to use—even people with the largest headsets will feel comfortable using this device. And now, seven years after the first PlayStation VR arrived for PlayStation 4, Sony has finally perfected console-based plug-in VR.
One of the selling points of this device is the fact that it's an entry into the best VR gaming on the planet right now, rivaled only by a top-of-the-range PC that will almost certainly cost three times as much. And this device's performance does what many expected the Quest Pro to do.
A firm participant in the midst of fierce competition.
In a year packed with competitors (like the Vive XR Elite, Quest 3, and Apple's potential headset), the launch of Sony's virtual reality gadget seems like a no-brainer.
There are already plenty of games to play, but few are exclusive, or even new. The true potential of PSVR 2 remains untapped, and the question many are asking is: how many original games will Sony release to fully exploit its potential? Will a more affordable PS5-PSVR 2 bundle ever arrive, making it more affordable and positioning it much better among the competition?
But amidst all this, many members of the trade press have chosen Sony's virtual reality set as their go-to device, even with its connection cable and limited software. The PSVR 2 shows glimpses of what the future could bring. And it's backed by a giant of Sony's stature.
Playing on PSVR 2 isn't just a virtual reality experience; it's often as if a PS5 game has leaped out and surrounded the player. Games look as detailed as they would on any HDTV.
Recognizing mistakes.
The PlayStation VR 2 content might not come as a surprise to anyone who's recently purchased a VR headset, but it's a huge breath of fresh air for anyone who owned the original PlayStation VR back in 2016. Gone are the extraneous cables and junction boxes; there's just the headset itself with its long cable, a pair of Sense controllers, a pair of earbuds, and a USB C to A charging cable, which is also required to initially sync the controllers with the PS5.
It's incredible how much easier the setup process is compared to the multi-cable project of the first PSVR. That USB-C cable permanently attached to the headset is your one-cable ticket to Sony's VR worlds, and you just plug it in (and set up room boundaries and eye tracking—more on that later). The controllers charge via USB-C or an optional charging dock sold separately.
Sony is close, but there's still a bit to go.
Let's address the elephant in the room… there's a cable connected to the headset; the system isn't wireless. That said, the cable is quite long (4.5 meters, or 14.7 feet), which should cover most rooms where it might be used. The original PSVR had a similarly long cable. It comes out of the side of the headset. Wired VR has its downsides: it can be risky to use for specific movements, like spinning, and there's always the risk of the cable getting damaged. Many people who are using
The headset adjusts to your head with a single button, like the original PSVR, while the front visor slides in and out to adjust to your eyes. The eyecup is wide, as is the rubber gasket around it, and it fits well with the same super-wide goggles that don't even fit the Quest 2. It may be the best-fitting VR headset on the market.
The HDR OLED displays are also great. The 2,000 x 2,040 pixel resolution per eye is sharp, though not quite at the "retina level" of a 4K TV or phone. That means some pixelation is still noticeable. That said, it's vivid, detailed, and bright, with a 110-degree viewing area that's larger than the Quest 2's.
Exclusive features
PSVR 2 also has two features you won't easily find anywhere else. The first is the built-in vibration feedback that comes into play with some games, like a boom in your face. It sounds crazy, but it adds a touch of bass to cinematic experiences, and feedback that works with the controller's haptics to make environments feel even more immersive.
There's also eye tracking, a feature that's likely coming to many more VR headsets. The Meta Quest Pro has eye tracking, but it doesn't use it much in its early apps and games. Sony uses it much more. PSVR 2 games use a technology called "foveated rendering" that optimizes graphics quality only where it detects your eyes are looking directly, which can improve graphics without you noticing a lack of detail at the edges. Some games also use eye tracking for experimental controls. In Horizon: Call of the Mountain, you can navigate menus and aim with your eyes, and games like Tentacular and Rez Infinite also use it.
Excellent controls.
The Sense controllers are a bit sleeker than the Quest 2 Touch controllers, feeling like they're part of a spaceship. The spherical orb feel is more prominent, and the button layout is smoother and more curved. They're also lightweight. The buttons and sticks are smaller than the DualSense controller's, but the feel is just as good. The triggers are also excellent, having the same force feedback as the DualSense. Some games require you to press harder to fire a weapon or climb a cliff. However, these controllers don't have a D-pad or the DualSense's touchpad, meaning you'll need a DualSense to play non-VR PS5 games.
Battery life can be a drawback. The controllers start to run out of juice after just a few hours of play, though they recharge quickly via USB-C or with Sony's $50 charging dock. The charging dock comes with small contact pins that fit into the controller's USB-C slots so they can rest on the base and charge, allowing both controllers to be charged at once. Alternatively, you can plug both into a standard charger.
In summary
This device won't replace your TV, but it's getting pretty close. You could use it as a gaming screen for your PS5 and play everything on it. 2D games float on a resizable screen in front of your face. It works. It's good. But it's a step away from perfect. But it's getting closer fast. It's close to a "Retina display," but that's a little while away.