PSVR2 Review One Year Later: Should You Still Buy It?

Summary

As the PSVR2 celebrates its first anniversary, the speaker reflects on the headset’s journey, strengths, and challenges. While the PSVR2 offers an impressive library of high-quality VR games, such as 'Resident Evil 4' and 'Gran Turismo,' PlayStation's lack of promotion and the headset’s high cost have hindered its success. The speaker discusses the immersive experiences it provides when everything aligns but also highlights areas for improvement, including the need for more demos and a more engaging user interface. Despite its flaws, the PSVR2 remains a standout option for those seeking top-tier VR gaming, with a hopeful outlook for future support and games.

Takeaways

• 😀 The PSVR2 offers a fantastic library of games, with nearly 200 titles, including great experiences like *Resident Evil 4* VR and *Gran Turismo 7* VR.
• 😀 Despite its strong game lineup, the PSVR2's sales have been underwhelming, partly due to Sony's lack of aggressive promotion and a lack of killer app exclusives.
• 😀 The PSVR2 headset is priced higher than the PS5, making it a more expensive option for many consumers, which could deter casual users from purchasing.
• 😀 PSVR2 is a niche product, primarily targeted at hardcore VR fans, with limited appeal for those who don’t use VR on a daily basis.
• 😀 Accessories like the *Globular Cluster* and headphones significantly improve comfort and usability, enhancing the overall experience.
• 😀 The headset's technical features, such as eye tracking, dynamic foveated rendering, and adaptive triggers, create some of the best VR experiences available.
• 😀 Sony has failed to create an immersive environment for selecting games, which feels like a missed opportunity for showcasing the potential of the headset.
• 😀 The lack of mixed reality and 3D movie support is a downside of PSVR2, particularly when compared to other VR headsets like the Quest 3.
• 😀 While the PSVR2 provides incredible experiences with titles like *Horizon Call of the Mountain* and *No Man's Sky*, there’s a general feeling of disappointment due to limited PlayStation-exclusive content.
• 😀 The lack of hybrid titles and a strong push from Sony means that PSVR2 is not seeing as much adoption as it could, especially among PlayStation’s existing fanbase.
• 😀 There is optimism about PSVR2's future, with the hope that more developers will leverage its features and that Sony will continue to improve the platform's visibility and game offerings.

Q & A

What is the overall sentiment towards PSVR 2 after one year of its release?

The overall sentiment is a mix of admiration for the hardware's potential but disappointment in Sony's lack of support and marketing for the PSVR 2. The headset offers great gaming experiences, but its adoption has been slower than expected due to various factors, including a lack of big IPs and consistent updates.

Why does the reviewer believe that PSVR 2 has not sold as well as expected?

The reviewer attributes the PSVR 2's underperformance to several factors: the headset's high price compared to the PlayStation console itself, the lack of compelling hybrid games, a limited number of big IPs, and a general lack of attention from Sony in promoting the headset.

What is the key strength of the PSVR 2 according to the review?

The key strength of the PSVR 2 is its technical capabilities, including eye tracking, dynamic foveated rendering, adaptive triggers, and excellent headset haptics. When developers utilize these technologies, the PSVR 2 offers some of the best VR experiences available.

How does the reviewer feel about the quality of games on PSVR 2?

The reviewer praises the quality of the games available on PSVR 2, noting that there are nearly 200 titles in its library, with several high-quality experiences like 'Resident Evil 4,' 'Gran Turismo,' and 'No Man's Sky.' However, they also express frustration with the inclusion of lower-quality games and the lack of big titles from Sony.

What issue does the reviewer have with the PSVR 2's user interface?

The reviewer dislikes the flat menu interface, feeling that it should be more immersive by placing users in a virtual environment to select games. They also mention the lack of PlayStation VR Worlds demos, which would serve as an effective way to showcase the headset’s capabilities to new users.

What are some of the drawbacks of the PSVR 2 that the reviewer highlights?

The reviewer points out several drawbacks, including a small sweet spot, potential screen door effects, and issues with reprojection. Additionally, the headset's higher price compared to the PlayStation console itself is seen as a significant hurdle for adoption.

What accessories does the reviewer recommend for improving comfort while using PSVR 2?

The reviewer highly recommends the Globular Cluster, which they believe is the best accessory for improving comfort with the PSVR 2. They also mention liking the included headphones, although they note that not everyone might find them comfortable.

What suggestions does the reviewer have for Sony to increase PSVR 2's popularity?

The reviewer suggests that Sony should do more to push the PSVR 2 in terms of marketing, release more hybrid titles that bridge the gap between traditional games and VR, and introduce more immersive features like virtual environments for the user interface. They also emphasize the need for more demo content to attract new users.

Does the reviewer believe the PSVR 2 has the potential to succeed in the VR market?

Yes, the reviewer believes that the PSVR 2 has tremendous potential, especially if Sony puts more effort into marketing and game development. They express hope that the headset will grow and attract more developers to fully utilize its features.

How does the reviewer compare PSVR 2 to other VR headsets like Quest and PC VR?

The reviewer notes that while they enjoy other platforms like Quest and PC VR, the PSVR 2 offers the best value for a high-quality VR experience, especially considering the cost difference between it, a PS5, and a PC VR setup. They believe the PSVR 2's performance in titles like 'Red Matter 2' stands out compared to other platforms.