The PlayStation VR 2 is a major upgrade from the original PSVR. The design is lighter, more living room-friendly and packs many new features.
The display, for example, is a 4000 x 2040 HDR video format (2000 x 2040 per eye). This makes games look even sharper than on the first PSVR.
Design
The Sony PlayStation VR 2 is a well-designed headset. It’s comfortable to wear and comes with adjustable settings that ensure you won’t hurt your head during a long session of VR.
It also has features that will make it easy to enjoy VR games for many years. These include inside-out tracking (a technology that allows the headset to track your movements without using any external sensors), room-scale tracking (in which the headset can detect and respond to the position of your head) and advanced haptic feedback, all of which improve the VR experience.
However, it is important to note that the PS VR 2 isn’t backwards compatible with original PSVR games, so if you have any older titles that work on the PlayStation 4 and want to use them on the PlayStation 5, you will need to update them to the new PlayStation VR 2 version. This isn’t an issue if you just want to play some classic PSVR games, but it will cause problems if you have a whole library of VR titles.
The games available for the PlayStation VR 2 are varied, with some exclusive titles and others that have been ported from other platforms. The launch line-up includes Horizon Call of the Mountain, No Man’s Sky and Resident Evil Village, while there are 100+ titles in development.
Technology
PlayStation VR has a custom OLED display that’s capable of smooth 120Hz visuals. It also has 3D audio and a built-in mic for communication.
The PSVR headset is light and comfortable, though it can be a little hot for long use. It also has a small power adapter and an HDMI passthrough feature for switching between VR and non-VR gameplay.
In addition to its 5.7″ OLED display, PSVR has a single camera that’s used to track the user’s movements. It can follow you around the room if needed, but it’s not as accurate as other VR systems like the HTC Vive and Quest Pro that use two cameras.
Because of this, it’s harder for the PlayStation VR to keep track of you if you move around a lot, especially when you’re standing up or moving your head. This can make you feel a little dizzy at times.
However, this isn’t a deal breaker; Sony says the system’s field of view will be improved with the new model, which will also help alleviate motion sickness. The new version’s FoV will be 110 degrees, up from 100 degrees on the previous model.
Another interesting feature is Social Screen, which lets you transmit the image from the glasses to your TV so that others can see what you’re doing. This is useful if you’re playing multiplayer games but can also work for movies or other video content.
The original PlayStation VR sold over five million units (opens in a new tab) and was one of the first affordable VR headsets. It was a huge success, and now the PSVR 2 is back with an expanded line-up of exclusive games.
Controls
The new PlayStation VR 2 controllers, called Sense controllers, are much improved over the PS Move wands used in the first PlayStation VR. They use inside-out tracking, which means they won’t lose their position in a game when you turn away from your starting point. They also feature a rumble motor, which provides additional force feedback during gameplay.
You’ll also find adaptive triggers, haptic feedback and eye tracking to enhance the virtual reality experience. Games will look incredible thanks to 4000 x 2040 HDR support, with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and native Spatial Audio.
Those suffering from motion sickness will be happy to learn that the PSVR 2 headset features a 110-degree field of view (FoV), about twice as wide as the original PSVR’s 100 degrees. This increases the room you’ll see in-game, which can help combat a condition known as “lurching.”
However, some players have reported problems with the right Sense controller not working properly. A thread on the PlayStation VR Reddit forum suggests that the issue is software related and can be fixed by trying a few workarounds.
In addition, it’s worth mentioning that while the PSVR 2 headset is designed to be used in virtual reality, you can also use it for flatscreen video content. Sony calls this ‘Cinematic Mode’, which works with non-VR games or apps with this functionality.
As with the previous PSVR, many great VR-optimised games are in the pipeline for the new console. These include the likes of Horizon Call of the Mountain, a stunning reimagining of the hit blockbuster series; The Last Clockwinder and Rez HD, both of which offer a hypnotic and relaxing gaming experience. You’ll also get some excellent shooters, puzzlers and rhythm games.
Sensors
The playstation vr 2 headset has a custom OLED display and a smooth 120 fps visual engine that immerses players in the game. It also features a custom audio engine and new sensors that amplify the player’s in-game sensations through headset feedback.
Sensors in the headset and controllers can help gamers stay rooted in the same spot in the game, making them more secure against injury. Its custom tracking system also utilizes four cameras in the headset and controllers to pinpoint a player’s position. This enables the headset to map out a custom play area and keep users from accidentally getting too close to it.
In addition, the ringed controllers have touch sensors that detect when the player’s fingers are pointing or making a fist. This technology allows for better hand tracking and can be used with various games.
It also features eye-tracking technology that can be used to navigate menus, view characters in-game, and much more. The IR cameras in the headset also allow for foveated rendering, which is similar to how our eyes work.
This means that the OLED screen is focused on the location of the player’s eyes instead of their peripheral vision, reducing the amount of work the system must do when rendering a moving image. This is a great feature for high-end VR headsets, as it can drastically improve a game’s immersion.
Sony officially announced the PSVR 2 name and key specs at CES 2022 and has previously teased a few more details in a PlayStation Blog post (opens in new tab). These include a 4K OLED HDR display system with 2000 x 2040 resolution per eye, headset-based controller tracking, and headset feedback built into the headset.
Software
The PlayStation VR software is designed to provide an immersive virtual reality experience by producing two images simultaneously and sending them to a headset. The process is similar to that used in other VR headsets, but PSVR uses only the PlayStation 4’s built-in GPU, which is less expensive than a dedicated graphics card.
In addition to the VR software, PSVR also includes Social Screen, a feature that allows multiple users to play games with their friends on the same system or share content via streaming services. This feature isn’t available on all games, but it’s a welcome addition for gamers exploring new worlds together.
Setting up the software and hardware on the PlayStation VR is simple. Just plug the headset into the USB-C port on a PlayStation 5 system, turn it on and start the short tutorial that teaches you to scan and earmark your playspace. Once you’re done, you’re ready to go!
It takes around 15 minutes to get started, and the instructions are clear enough for anyone to understand. Once the system is up and running, you can explore the PSVR library or browse the app store for a new game.
The PlayStation VR 2 has a great launch library, boasting some of the best VR games of its generation and new titles that Sony is developing exclusively for the platform. This makes it a great option for those looking to dip their toes into the VR world or if you’re an old hand at it and want to experience some of its most popular titles again.
However, while the PlayStation VR 2 is a great piece of hardware that continues to sell very well, it also shows its age and has become less relevant in today’s digital landscape. It’s likely to remain one of the most successful VR headsets ever, but it’s losing ground to the Oculus Quest 2.
Pros of PlayStation VR 2
- Improved Graphics and Display
- Improved Controllers and Tracking
- Reversible Compatibility
- Enhanced Audio
- Simple Setup
Cons of PlayStation VR 2
- Expensive
- A Small Game Collection
- Requires Space
- Limited VR Functionality
Conclusion
The PlayStation VR 2 is a considerable upgrade over the original model because of its improved tracking, controllers, audio, display, and visuals. However, unlike other virtual reality headsets, it is more expensive and offers a smaller game selection. The PlayStation VR 2 is a wonderful option if you love PlayStation and own a PlayStation 5 machine. But you might want to think about alternative solutions for a more thorough virtual reality experience.