The PlayStation VR2 – or PS VR2, for the intimate – arrives as the new generation of virtual reality glasses on Sony’s platform, with the promise of bringing improvements over the predecessor device. From design to image quality, the intention here is to deliver even more immersion and realism in the game.
Has there been a significant evolution in this new version? TudoCelular already has a unit sent by PlayStation Brasil and now tells what are the first impressions of the device in this hands-on.
design and control
Starting with the design, one of the first features that we have to point out is the lightness of this product. The PlayStation VR2 weighs regarding 168 grams, much less than the 503 grams of the rival Meta Quest 2, for example.
Speaking more specifically regarding the headset, it has a rubber on the display part to increase comfort and isolation on the user’s face. Even those who wear normal glasses can rest assured. You can put on the wearable without worrying regarding having to remove the accessory. In the part of the bow that is on the head, more pillows so as not to make the experience uncomfortable.
The piece has some important buttons. Two of them serve to expand the fit of the product and help adjust the bow and lens on the head. There are two below the viewfinder. One serves to turn on and off and the other is the function key and will be used for most of the settings on the console, as well as switching between virtual reality and the image of the environment.
And speaking of the real world, the player can see what’s around him and detect the control through the four front cameras. The quartet is completed with two other infrared cameras, responsible for detecting eye movements.
And what’s inside the box? In addition to the PS VR2, Sony sends a copy of the game Horizon: Call of The Mountain in this package, not least because this is a special edition with the game (as you can see by the box). We also have a pair of hand controls, the user guide, an in-ear headphone with a direct fit on the arch and the USB Type-C cable, which serves to configure and charge the controls.
Speaking of cables, yes, the headset is wired on the PlayStation 5. Although it does not work independently, we see an improvement over its predecessor. That’s because the old model relied on the PlayStation Camera and Move. Now you only need USB-C, which is long and during gaming it is not even noticed.
Speaking of the controls, they have a hollow sphere shape, which allows you to position your hand inside, to facilitate the detection of sensors through infrared LEDs. This sensitivity helps to increase immersion during your game.
You’ll find the two analog sticks, one on each side, and the traditional X, Circle, Square and Triangle buttons. Here we also have the triggers and buttons to pause and capture the game.
Each gauntlet comes with an adjustable lanyard to secure around your wrist. It prevents the controls from dropping to the floor if you accidentally let the grip slip. So, we always recommend leaving them well fixed.
Display and initial setup
Sony put a 2,000 x 2,040 pixels per eye OLED screen on the viewfinder. Together, the two combine for 4K viewing and support HDR technology, ensuring image quality with rich colors and contrast. The headset is compatible with a refresh rate of up to 120 Hertz, to fully exploit the maximum fluidity of games.
Now, the company’s bet is on a game compatible with the new generation of its console. Quite different from the predecessor, which displayed the quality of a PlayStation 3, even connected to the PS4.
The entire visual part of PS VR2 is calibrated at the beginning of the experience, as well as the correct positioning of the controls. Eye movement requires a setup to make the immersion complete.
You also need to follow a few steps to have your entire environment mapped, so as not to be in any danger of having an accident during the game. The ideal is to have a radius of around two meters to be able to explore the compatible games to the fullest. When finished, the entire area available for play appears on the display.
Here we see how the manufacturer was concerned with user safety. No obstacles enter the playable space, precisely to protect the player from any problem. If you exceed the determined mark, the title is automatically paused, followed by a warning for you to return to your game area. A very important positive point for Sony.
Games
And what can we say regarding the games here? We tried a little of the Horizon that comes in the box. The movements are quite intuitive and any more complex commands are explained on the screen.
The game starts with the main character on a boat, heading for a ride through environments with wild creatures, a landscape full of colors and very complex obstacles. You need to walk through camps, climb cliffs while grabbing rocks, and shoot arrows at enemies.
This is already a sample of how the sensitivity of the control in each action, as well as the ambience of the headphones and the image, are capable of creating a totally immersive experience. A clear example is that our mind is deceived to the point of thinking we are really holding a fruit and being impelled to take bites in the air or to blow a flute.
Sony promises to increasingly expand the options of games in virtual reality for its users, more than 30 titles are expected to debut until this month of March. For now, you can still find options like travel in beautiful natural locations around the world in Kayak VR: Mirage, the prehistoric world of Jurassic World Aftermath Collection, the violent pace of Thumper, the medieval environment of Townsmen VR and franchises such as the adventure of Resident Evil Village VR and the space war of Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge. Of course, we’ll also bring you more details on each game we’ve tested.
First impressions and price
PS VR2 shows evolutions that clearly improve the player’s experience. In terms of comfort, lightness and the possibility of using it with common glasses expands the experience to more audiences, without any discomfort that interferes with immersion.
The presence of multiple cameras was also important, as they are responsible for mapping the environment and controls, something fundamental to give the right direction to the campaign within the game.
Using only one USB-C cable to connect to the PS5 is a step forward and, as I mentioned, it does not cause any discomfort during game time. And this advance already makes us digress regarding the evolution that Sony may be preparing for the future. Maybe a totally wireless headset that even manages to work independently. That is, without the need for you to also have the console.
Games
10 Fev
Tech
15 Fev
But going back to the current technology, the manufacturer still got the layout of the controls and the sensors present in them right. The joysticks are fundamental in the tactile response of the players. But we will go deeper into this subject in our review in the future.
Moving on to visual quality, the amount we tried out showed that the graphics don’t disappoint. Of course, we’re going to test more titles to see if the level of what’s displayed holds up for each supported option. However, overall, the product seems to deliver what it promises.
We reinforce that, although it requires a certain distance to calibrate how far you can go, even a small environment can already be enough for you to enjoy all the resources available in PS VR2.
In addition, it proved to be a very safe wearable from its construction, which seeks to prevent accidents, to the care not to include objects in the playable area that might be obstacles for you.
The PlayStation VR2 has its launch scheduled for February 22 in Brazil, following 10 days of pre-sales at national retailers. The product can be purchased for the suggested price of R$ 4,500. There is still the option to purchase this package that Playstation Brasil sent us for testing with the title Horizon: Call of The Mountain, but you will need to shell out R$ 300 more for the bundle.
As this is a big investment, considering that the player must also own a PlayStation 5 unit, we understand that Sony needs to continue betting on this device in the long term.
Only the regular launch of games and increasingly differentiated experiences for players will be able to offset a total expense that can exceed R$ 8,000, including the console and the headset.
I didn’t have the opportunity to test the first generation of Playstation VR, but what I can say to close this part is that, as a user I went from gambiarras to using the docked cell phone or even Goggles, which provided me with a very good virtual experience. cool, the Playstation VR2 is another level of immersion that makes it possible for you to feel that you are traveling to other parts of the world and even other worlds, without leaving the couch or the middle of the room.
But of course in a Youtube video or in text there is not the slightest chance of passing the feeling that we have when using the PS VR2, it is something that you need to try to answer the big question, is it worth it? Even before the final analysis I can already advance my answer. Yes, it does. Since value is something subjective and depends on your pocket and moment, the experience is remarkable, with quality and comfort. And now it’s waiting for what the next games will offer, because there is still a long way to go for this new headset and Horizon Call of The Mountain masterfully opens its wings.
What do you think of Sony’s new virtual reality headset? Do you think the evolutions are relevant for this generation? You can speak freely in the space below.