Seven years after the release of PlayStation VR 1 (PS VR 1), it’s clear that Sony has failed to democratize virtual reality (VR, or VR for Virtual Reality in English) headsets in living rooms: they’re five million copies passed , which is much less than a conventional console. Admittedly, the device left us some strong memories thanks to some gems from its toy library, such as Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Moss, enchanting demonstrations of the playful possibilities of VR, the terrifying Resident Evil VII or the dizzying puzzles of Tetris Effect : Connected . However, the experience suffered from repetitively tangled cables, lengthy calibration, and poorly matched controllers.
Also Read Should You Buy PlayStation VR, Sony’s Virtual Reality Headset?
The second version of PS VR, available since February 22nd, now joins forces with the number 5 of the PlayStation range, the only console with which it is compatible. Without proposing a major revolution for the sector, the device, which costs 600 euros, offers a compelling technological update that makes its elder obsolete.
installation
Turn on the console, the TV, start a game and sink into your couch. The console video game offers an immediate pleasure that virtual reality cannot offer: starting a game with the PS VR 2 requires preparation time.
You’ll first need to connect a new USB-C cable (and untangle it if you’re not careful). Check the charge of the two controllers. Then configure his play area to avoid demolishing a coffee table or packing a green plant. Adjust the device to our face size – which is still not easy with binoculars. Scan his environment to determine the play area and finally calibrate his game. All in all, the installation routine usually takes five to ten minutes.
Four cameras are placed on the visor. ” THE WORLD ”
The process here is still less tedious than the PS VR 1, with bulky cables and difficult to configure. With its successor, the scanning of the environment is done at a glance thanks to the four cameras placed on the visor. They quickly become indispensable. A push of a button shows what’s happening in front of you on the screen: you save yourself having to regularly remove the headset, be it to adjust the straps of the controllers or to check that the cat is still on its pillow and has no intention between its legs slide.
helmet
Improving the ergonomics of the helmet goes hand in hand with improving its comfort and lightness. A row of knobs allow adjustment to each person’s skull shape and eye spacing. Its vibrations also allow it to emphasize certain game actions.
The OLED screen is also above our expectations. It is bright, the colors are saturated and most importantly, unlike older models, there is no visible frame. Sharpness is ensured by infrared cameras that follow each eye, making sure the image is best where the user is focusing their attention. Ultimately, the fidelity of the image rivals high-end headsets offered on the PC.
In-ear headphones, on the other hand, tend to fall out of our ears – but maybe that’s simply because of our physique. The lack of buttons to control the sound is also a pity.
The controllers
The short time it takes to become familiar with the VR 2 Sense controllers reminds us that we are formatted by the design of traditional controllers inherited from the PlayStation 1. “THE WORLD”
The proposal for new controllers, the VR 2 Sense, is also an undeniable advantage. The joysticks, buttons or triggers slide well under your fingers. Haptic feedback works wonders. In the game Horizon: Call of the Mountain, we are able to subtly wield a bow and nock arrows in it by carrying our hand behind our back; In Kayak Mirage: VR we feel the resistance of the water on our oars thanks to vibrations.
Also Read: Horizon: Forbidden West, the sequel to archer Aloy’s adventures, hits the mark
The controllers also register certain finger movements. Raising our index finger or thumb moves that of our avatar in Horizon: Call of the Mountain. The effect is amazing when you discover it. We spent long minutes watching our finger movements in VR, like a newborn spending their day examining their hands in their crib.
games
The PS VR 2 catalog includes around thirty titles: Moss and Moss II, Tetris Effect: Connected or Rez Infini… At first glance, it’s all about recycling, since they’re mostly optimized versions of existing games. The integration of a free update of a VR mode for Resident Evil Village and e.g Gran Turismo 7 allows us to rediscover them in a very flattering light. While awaiting the arrival of Switchback VR, or the five future titles announced at the conference organized by Sony on February 23rd, VR enthusiasts have only one all-new game to dig into, Horizon. A stunning demonstration of the helmet’s capabilities that makes us regret the absence of other titles of this caliber for the time being.
Also Read: We Tested Resident Evil: Village, the Ghost Train That Nailed Us to Our Seat
However, the purchase increases the bill, since it is sold at the same price as a classic console game of 70 euros or can be bought in the bundle with the helmet for an additional 50 euros. The other titles have prices ranging from around €20 for the independents (e.g. What the Bat? or Tentacular) to around €50 for the biggest productions (like Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge).
The world
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The pleasures on offer are varied and the know-how much more assertive than when PS VR 1 was released, especially given that these are pre-existing games. One downside remains, though: forgetting to take regular breaks can cause severe eye fatigue or nausea, especially if you’re sensitive to motion sickness. It’s a VR classic. Technology may be making great strides, but this seasickness is unrelenting.
A lightweight helmet that knows how to be forgotten. ” THE WORLD ”
Rating of pixels:
We would like:
- the quality of the image material offered;
- modular joysticks;
- The cameras integrated in the visor keep an eye on your surroundings without removing the helmet.
We liked less:
- the catalog of games that will be recycled;
- in-ear headphones that don’t stay in place;
- PS VR 1 games not compatible with this new model.
It’s more for you if:
- They are immune to motion sickness;
- You have about two square meters free in your living room or bedroom;
- You’ve managed to get your hands on the PS 5 (and you’re not broke).
It’s not for you if:
- Looking at your smartphone in the car makes you nauseous;
- Closing your eyes in a screen depresses you;
- You’re too lazy to spend a good ten minutes installing it every time you start a game;
- You are allergic to storage (it is advisable not to leave books, laundry or a slice of pizza lying around from the previous day).
Note from Pixels:
2 skinned shins on the coffee table / 3 kicked the cat.