Sony PlayStation VR2 has finally made its way to India more than half a year after the global lunch. Virtual reality as a medium for gaming has largely been an untouched territory, especially in India. Even around the globe with easier access to VR gaming hardware, the tech hasn’t gained the proper mainstream popularity.
Talking about India, besides availability, the cost of the hardware itself is one of the other main reasons about the absence of VR. Right around the time of the India announcement, IGN India received the PS VR2 unit to test out the capabilities of this next-gen virtual reality headset. Let’s see if the PS VR2 can change the situation around VR gaming in India.
Sony PlayStation VR2 Specifications
Before getting into the review, let us check out the specifications of the PS VR2 and PS VR2 Sense Controller below. Players should know that a PlayStation 5 console is required in order to use the PS VR2.
PS VR2
| Specifications | PS VR2 |
|---|---|
| Display Type | OLED |
| Resolution | 2000 x 2040 per eye |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz, 120Hz |
| Field of View | Approx. 110 degrees with adjustable lens separation |
| Sensors | 6-axis motion sensing system with 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer with IR Proximity sensor |
| Cameras | 4 cameras for headset and controller tracking along with two IR cameras for eye tracking, one per eye |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C |
| Audio and Vibration | Built-in microphone for input and Stereo headphone jack for output along with on-device vibration |
PS VR2 Sense Controller
| Specifications | Sense Controller |
|---|---|
| Buttons | Right: PS button, Options button, Action buttons (Circle / Cross), R1 button, R2 button, Right Stick / R3 button Left: PS button, Create button, Action buttons (Triangle / Square), L1 button, L2 button, Left Stick / L3 button |
| Sensing/Tracking | 6-axis motion sensing system with 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer, a capacitive sensor for finger touch inputs and IR LED for position tracking |
| Feedback | Trigger Effect (on R2/L2 button) and Haptic Feedback |
| Connectivity | USB Type-C Port with Bluetooth Version 5.1 |
| Battery | Built-in, Rechargeable Lithium-Ion |
Editor’s note: Sony India sent a PS VR2 unit to IGN India for this review for a limited time.
Design and Connectivity
Right out of the box, buyers get the headset along with a pair of Sense Controllers. In terms of accessories, the package includes two USB-C cables, one that connects the headset to the PlayStation 5 and the other that can be used to charge and pair the Sense controller. It is important to note that the headset cable has to stay connected to the PlayStation 5 at all times when using the device. Other than that the connecting and pairing procedure is very simple. An on-screen tutorial walks the player through every step of the way, even down to helping them put on the headset properly.
On the hardware side, the headset comes with a simple and elegant design. It follows the same theme as the PlayStation 5, with white as the primary colour along with black accents. The Sense controller look like a thing from the future, with great ergonomics and tactile buttons. Sony has certainly smashed it out of the park in the design department, by creating such a sleek look for an otherwise bulky headset.
Working Around Limited Space
Things start right from the get go as PS VR2 makes the buyer feel that Sony is not messing around. The headset right from the design to the initial experience affirm that the company is taking VR2 seriously as a mainstream gaming console add-on for a different experience.
As players use the headset, they start to realise that this headset has some solid features. Developers have done a great job with features like tracking, the transparency camera and the responsiveness of the controller. Everything from the headset to the controller seems to be top-notch.
Living in Mumbai, one thing that was I concerned about was having space when I got to know that I will review the PS VR2. I don’t have a lot of free space at home and even the space that I have is not a uniform square. Hence, I was skeptical before getting into the VR experience. Beyond the space, I also had some safety concerns while using the VR2 in such a restricted space. To my delight, PlayStation has created a great way for players to set their play area. It works pretty well and does so in a fancy manner.
Setting Up the Play Area, Safety While Playing and Eye Tracking on PlayStation VR2
Players will first have to scan their room through the 4 integrated cameras. In my experience, doing this scan was very smooth and intuitive. After the scan is complete, the headset creates a virtual cage for the player according to the data it registers through the scans. This virtual cage is the base of the play area which one can further edit with the help of the Sense controller to suit their preferences.
Once I was done with the scan and setting up the play area, I was carefree about the surroundings the entire time I had the headset on. It always warned me way before I could bypass the boundaries of my play area, keeping me safe during my play sessions at all times. The fear of banging into something also completely went away, thanks to the headset always informing me when I was about to, ever so slightly, step out of the play area. Beyond these warnings, the transparency cameras did the rest in helping me keep track of my surroundings.
Players also have to go through eye tracking calibration process which detects the motion of eyes. This feature is a very helpful as it has some in-game movements attached to it. Eye tracking also helps players navigate in-game menus just by moving their eye to where they want to go. Once all this data is registered, players are ready to start their journey into the world of virtual reality gaming. This brings me to the obvious, next question, what games can one play on the PS VR2?
Sublime Gameplay But Less Options
The PS VR2 first released in February 2023 and since the launch, we have not seen many new game releases aimed at the VR fans. It does have some good options such as Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4, Among US VR, Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Call of the Mountain and some more. However, I would love to have some more options to justify the investment PS VR2.
For this review, we played ‘Horizon Call of the Mountain’ on the PS VR2. We are also working on the separate review of the game. Now, let’s get back to our experience playing the game to test PlayStation VR2.
As soon as the buyer starts the game, they will instantly realise that this is something brilliant in the VR space. I had some reservations about how immersive I would feel while gaming, but man I was wrong and how. The fact that one enter a completely different world as soon as they load up a game is quite surreal and borderline difficult to explain. The 110-degree field of view really helps with the immersion and the high-fidelity visuals really makes one feel like they are in a different reality.
PlayStation VR2 Brings Immersion to the Highest Degree
Sony PS VR2 offers the best immersive experience that I have ever tried. It is so comprehensive in nature that it really does feel unreal and a marvel. Thinking more about the immersion, I know that the headset along with all its integrated hardware and tech is the primary reason for the overall experience. However, I also believe there is more to the story and it centers about the VR2 Sense Controller.
Sony has adopted and incorporated the best of the DualSense controller to create these Sense Controller. The features we are talking about here are the adaptive triggers and the haptic feedback. These two elements really help make the experience more authentic. Combined with the mapped gestures, the VR2 Sense controller ends up providing a pretty true-to-life experience.
The Sense controller made using the bow and arrow and other weapons in Horizon Call of the Mountain, a really intuitive and exciting experience. Overall experience from the controller makes one want to try out those features more frequently. On top of that, the headset also has haptic feedback, a surprising and great addition.
Sony has also made a good design for the controller as it lands right between the new or unknown and the old or the existing. It come with all the buttons that we have seen on the DualSense. However, the position of these buttons has changed slightly on the controller. It is worth noting that this change is not so drastic that it will take one time to figure it out. If the buyer is a PlayStation 5 player, they will get the hang of the controller within one or two play sessions. Having the tactile buttons really helps with providing the right inputs at the right time, while also maintaining responsiveness.
The PS VR2 headset and the Sense controller are also on the lighter side in terms of the weight. This helps players in achieving longer gaming sessions than most other bulky headset-based VR (or AR) systems.
If one is new to the VR gaming space then it may take some time to get used to in the start. Players may feel a bit dizzy after their first long gaming session. But, once they are used to it, it will be difficult to get out of this whole new world that they have just stepped into.
On top of it, the performance of the PS VR2 hardware really helps the players. They tend to have a pretty fluid experience throughout their gameplay sessions with the help of a 90/120Hz refresh rate. The headset can easily drive (render and show) the breathtaking visuals of some heavy-duty games like “Horizon: Call of the Mountain”.
Besides the PlayStation VR2 headset and the Sense Controller, one last factor that makes everything as immersive as it is, is 3D audio. Without this technology working properly to produce the sound of every movement, things would be dead in the water while degrading the overall experience.
In Horizon: Call of the Mountain, these sounds include the rustle and bustle of the wind blowing through leaves, the sounds of birds chirping, a river flowing and so many other things from the environment. In the real world, all these countless sounds are coming from all directions, all the time. PS VR2 manages to replicate as much of the real world as possible in as much perfection as possible. While the PS VR2 headset speaker may not have the highest of quality, it is easily able to help you get the immersion.
While the PS VR2 is built for VR games, it does not mean you are limited to playing VR games. Instead, you can play your regular PlayStation games on the PS VR2 headset.
Think of it as a second screen for your PlayStation 5 that sits right in front of your eyes. The headset will just cast a big, high-resolution screen right in front of you. While wearing the headset, you can just switch to the DualSense controller to play any other PS5 game.
Furthermore, you can also use your media apps such as Netflix, YouTube and the likes to enjoy theatre-like experience while consuming content on the headset.
Value for Money – Sony PlayStation VR2
Coming to the question that matters the most, value for money. The fact of the matter is that the PlayStation VR2 is priced at INR 57,999. It is higher than the price of the PlayStation 5, which costs INR 54,999. So, if you don’t have a PS5, you need to spend more than INR 1 Lakh to player PS VR2 games on the headset. Even if you have a PS5, you still need to spend more than the cost of a PS5.
If you are in the category of people that do not own a PS5 already, then I would advise you to spend some time just with the console first. Then, after some time, think about entering the world of virtual reality.
Now, moving to the second category for existing PS5 owners. Here, the answer is not so straightforward as INR 57,999 is still a lot of money. Don’t get me wrong, the PS VR2 absolutely justifies this price point. But right now it just does not have that much going around in terms of options for people to invest this much amount of money. Maybe wait for more PS VR2 games to release and the library of games to expand before buying the PS VR2.
On the other hand, if you really wish to get into VR gaming and have the money to spend, then the PS VR2 is the best choice. It has both, the performance and technology to give you the next-gen gaming experience that game makers promised but in the VR world.
Sony’s PlayStation VR2 is a powerhouse of a device that can handle almost anything you can throw at it. Right now, it is up to the developers to use the capabilities of PS VR2 to create immersive, interactive and unique experiences. Performance is top-notch and it allows VR2 to far surpasses anything that its predecessor was capable of while bringing true next-gen virtual reality gaming to the table. Everything you get from the PS VR2 is best in class and will likely remain a benchmark for years to come. If you are someone who loves VR gaming, then purchasing the PS VR2 should be a no-brainer. Finally, it is just the type of console VR needs for a mainstream success.
