PSVR2 Review – A Comfortable Way to Slip into Virtual Reality

We recently got our hands on the highly anticipated PSVR2 headset, and admittedly I’m pretty stoked to review it and see how different it feels.

Previously, we did an unboxing article so if you haven’t checked that out yet, you can do so here.

Packaging

Packaging-wise, the contents inside is much more straightforward this time around there’s less stuff compared to the original PSVR; but still feel complete at the same time. This is beneficial since it eases up the complicated set up process using several accessories. This is especially so since you don’t need to buy the Motion Controller and PlayStation Camera separately. Those were the two accessories which weren’t included in the package in previous bundles.

The PSVR2 is designed with newer audiences in mind since you can get right in without much hassle. You got the headset with a built-in power cable, two Sense controllers, an additional USB-C cable for the controller, and a 3D audio earphone that comes with several earpieces. These are all the essentials that you need to get started immediately. Gone are the days that you needed dig deeper into your pockets.

The box that is used to store the PSVR2 is also designed where you can neatly store the headset and controllers after your gaming session. Personally, I tend to just throw away packaging boxes once I unbox them, so this was a nice change.

Design and New Features

Unlikes the PS5 design which took me a while to get used to, I’m already a huge fan of how the PSVR2 looked since its reveal. It’s slick and modern design outclasses the dated design of the first generation when comparing side by side. The headset still retains the iconic white and black colour scheme, and also see the four camera set-up for enhanced tracking at the front. There’s also other important components including the power button, function button, scope adjustment button, and the lens adjustment dial.

One thing that I didn’t expect from wearing and holding the headset was just how light it is. I was fully expecting a weighty device but much to my surprise, it felt comfortable even when using for a long period of time. The rubber cushion around the eye while thin, feel soft and flexible enough to ensure that it fully covers the eyes. I would imagine that the rubber material won’t be torn easily, but still won’t hurt to exercise caution because it does feel rather fragile.

As far as features goes, the PSVR2 is a more powerful device that offers 4K resolution with OLED display, 110-degree field view, foveated rendering support, and an option for 90 / 120Hz frame rates. The built-in tracking cameras are a game changer because not only is it more flexible in reading surroundings, but you also don’t need to set up a PlayStation Camera anymore. There’s also eye tracking, headset tracking, and 3D audio for better immersion.

Moving on to the Sense controllers, I’m also a huge fan of the design and the orb shape since it helps to keep your hand secure even without using the strap. The way they designed it is pretty much having one DualSense controller being split apart without the directional button. I brought up the DualSense because it also brings some of its best features, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.

There’s also a finger touch detection and tracking, which works surprisingly well when I tried out a few games to the point that it almost felt like seeing your hand reflection without any kind of input delay.

Setting Up

As soon as you connect the PSVR2 to the PS5, you’ll be greeted with the option to set up the headset, which takes a bit of time. It’s rather awkward at first since you need to switch a few times between wearing the headset and seeing the instructions on the TV screen.

When setting up the PSVR2, it’s crucial to have an ample amount of space. This is important because even if you plan on playing while seated, you’ll still need to secure a safe area to move your body around.

Aside from that, you’ll need to adjust the brightness of the room to make tracking easier, but not to the point where the lightsource is too strong. Just turning on the lights in your room is enough. Going on a tangent, the step where you need to scan the room manually is so mesmerising. It’s like being in a high tech suit while seeing all sorts of holograms over all of the objects in your room. After that, you’ll just need to set up the eye tracking which is also super responsive and the PSVR is ready to use.

Of course, you can always adjust the setting any time if something doesn’t feel right. Since there’s already built-in cameras, you can even use it to view your surroundings from the function button without needing to take off the headset; making it convenient to adjust your position.

Game Testing

We got our hands on some games for the launch up title for testing which includes Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition, Moss and Moss: Book II, Kayak VR: Mirage, and Townsmen VR. Going through the games and all of them are equally good when it comes to offering an immersive experience. Horizon: Call of the Mountain was especially impressive because this is the true exclusive title that they used as one of its strongest sellers. It’s for a good reason too since in terms of graphics, this title is easily among the best for VR games.

The game is not only graphically impressive, but the gameplay is also pretty fun. Whether it’s climbing the mountain or fighting against machines with your bow, everything feels natural once you get the hang of the controls, all while giving you complete freedom just to fool around by tossing objects or even letting yourself get lost in some of the fun distractions.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t really able to tell the difference in terms of resolution quality or whatnot, because no matter what I did with the image, it still looked blurry. It’s not to the point where I can’t enjoy the game, but it definitely could’ve been a lot better, I just haven’t figured out how to fix it quite yet. Even adjusting the lens and scope didn’t help that much either.

Another small gripe that I had while playing the game was the controller itself. You got two controllers with a pretty sizable battery life, but once it’s drained out you need to charge each controller individually which can be annoying. And while there’s a separate charging station that you can buy so it’s easier to store the Sense controllers while keeping it charged, it isn’t exactly cheap.

VR Sickness

Sadly, I still fall victim to VR sickness. This is a common problem for me, mainly when playing games which involved character movement to different places, where it seems like your character actually moves while your body stays in one place. This triggered an immediate nauseating reaction, and I’ve experienced it a few times when using the headset.

Even when playing Kayak VR, a game where you only need to stay in your boat still gave me that nauseating feeling, mainly because the game involves movement and how your boat feels wobbly from the currents.

Although, VR games where you just need to stay seated and where everything is within reach is completely fine for me. Meanwhile, anything that forces your character to move or look around the area with smooth camera movement tend to be less than ideal.

Do keep this mind before jumping into VR, because it can leave you being sick instead of actually having a fun time. This is coming from someone who always uses motion blur when playing games for that extra cinematic feeling.

Verdict

The PSVR2 is a nice addition to an already awesome platform for you to enjoy the new generation virtual reality. Games like Horizon: Call of the Mountain is hopefully just a taste of what’s to come. As of now, it still relies on the launch line-up and how it doesn’t have backwards compatibility with PSVR games, which is huge missed opportunity. But at the same time, it’s also probably because teh support doesn’t work as simple as with normal consoles.

Complete packaging, simpler set up, better specifications, new features and the slick yet comfortable design of the system are what makes the PSVR2 shine. Although, there’s also a few other factors to consider if you truly wish to get the PSVR2, such as how the price is currently more expensive than the PS5, as well as how easy it is to get VR sick.

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