The PlayStation VR 2, despite its name, is more than just a strong version of Sony’s first virtual reality headgear. The PS VR 2 reinvents the console VR experience from top to bottom by taking inspiration from its contemporaries and fixing some of the problems of the first iteration.

Even though it has a white colour scheme to match the PS5 console, the PlayStation VR 2 doesn’t look all that different from the PS VR 1 in terms of design. The headset is fastened to the top of the head using a similar headband mechanism, and the VR goggles are slid back to lock into position in front of the eyes. Because it doesn’t directly press against the eyes like other virtual reality headsets, it is far more comfortable to use than other of them, such as the PS VR 1. Also, utilizing the PS VR 2 while wearing glasses is made simpler by the sliding mechanism.

The PlayStation VR 2 headset is relatively easy to put on. The user adjusts the headband’s adjustable rear section to fit around their head first. The band is then tightened and fixed by turning a knob at the back of it. The visor section can also glide back and align with the user’s eyes by pressing a button. A quick-release button on the headband’s knob makes it simple to remove the headset.

The PS VR 2 is snug but never constricting or too-so. The cloth encasing the lenses helps block out any outside light or distractions, and it doesn’t slide off the user’s face or lose tension when moving. The user can enjoy longer VR gaming sessions than they otherwise might because the headset isn’t overly heavy or bulky.

The PlayStation VR 2’s installation process is recognizable, but that’s about where the similarities end. This VR headset tracks users’ and controller movements from the inside out. Therefore it doesn’t require trackers or cameras to do so. Instead, four cameras mounted on the headset track head movement to determine how to alter the image while playing.

The beautiful thing about inside-out tracking is that it removes some restrictions on play space. The user can choose whichever area of a room gives them the most room to walk around, rather than standing in front of the TV or wherever a camera is installed. The user won’t need to start out in any particular position when playing VR games that support seated gameplay. They establish the play area by indicating to the headset where the available space is.

There are two 4K OLED panels with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz inside the PS VR 2 headgear. Immersion is the top selling point for virtual reality, and these displays deliver amazing clarity. The headset’s screens give a breathtaking level of detail, provided the architecture can handle it.

Specific software and hardware bells and whistles enhance that immersion by ensuring each user has the best possible experience. Very effective eye-tracking software enables the headset to focus on whatever the user is looking at. The wide angle of the screens ensures that it doesn’t seem like staring through a pair of binoculars by extending the picture into the user’s peripherals. Also, a lens adjustment wheel easily accessible on the headset’s top helps match the distance between a particular user’s eyes.

The PS VR 2 headset’s technology is incredibly reliable and can produce stunning graphics. Users of virtual reality headsets frequently need to modify their experiences to get the most out of them. Nonetheless, Sony has provided enough adjusters for the PS VR 2 headset to fit any user, independent of head shape, eye spacing, whether they wear glasses, etc.

The headset also has mild but effective haptic feedback for more immersion (where supported). In essence, the headset would emit a tiny pulse, similar to how controller haptics work, whenever something was moving around in the game or interacting with the player character.

Of course, music is just as important for creating a feeling of the place as pictures create a true virtual reality immersion. Each PS VR 2 headset includes a set of specialized earbuds that dock into the back of the headband and keep the headset securely in place. The earbuds can then be inserted into each ear after descending from the left and right sides of the band. The arrangement makes it simple to access the earbuds and plug them in or take them out. The earbud cups for the PS VR 2 have three different sizes, but finding a secure fit is only guaranteed with those.

Due to the Tempest 3D technology on the PS VR 2, the audio quality on the earbuds is shockingly good. The headset tracks will establish the user’s head position and guarantee that the audio sources come from the proper angles. While not the best audio available, it is nonetheless excellent and more than sufficient to enhance the visuals provided by the headset.

The microphone and the pass-through button are two additional minor but significant components of the PS VR 2. They are located on the underside of the VR eyewear. Although we didn’t use the microphone much during the review process, Horizon: Call of the Mountain did so to give the impression that we were in-gamely blowing on pan flute-like objects.

On the other hand, the pass-through button is a tremendous help because it uses the headset’s cameras to display the user exactly what is in front of them. Even for a short while, playing a VR game can be confusing, but thanks to the pass-through button, the user can immediately pause the game and see where they are in space.

PlayStation VR 2 Controllers Are A Major Advancement

Sony has also completely redesigned the PS VR 2’s control scheme, which replaced the Move controllers with a set that more closely resembles the Oculus Quest controllers. The controllers have fascinating functions and rounded hoops on the bottom that shield the wrists and hands from slamming into anything while playing.

Yet, the PlayStation VR 2 controllers are similar to two flight sticks with a joystick and a set of two face buttons on each of them regarding their basic functionality. Both of them also include a bigger button (L1 or R1) integrated into the grip and an adaptable trigger for simulating the tension of completing particular actions.

The controllers perform admirably whether the game is more motion-heavy or uses both regular joystick movement and motion control. Except for one unusual occurrence where the left controller’s tracking was lost, and a restart was necessary, the headset did a great job of registering where each was about the other. Most significantly, the controllers’ layout made it possible for more lifelike interactions like gripping a ledge or shooting a rifle.

The PS VR 2 controllers are generally comparable to the best virtual reality controllers currently on the market. The controllers contain finger touch sensing so your avatar can do things like point, make a “peace” sign, or ball up their fist, even if it was only marginally used in Horizon. It’s a neat touch that gives the user the impression that they are doing more than merely waving their hands around.

Setup with PlayStation VR 2 is Super Easy

The PS VR 2 is super quick and simple to set up and use, except for the limitation of using a wired VR headset. The program will guide the user through a few stages to customize anything from the lens spacing to the eye tracking, among other things. Additionally, it uses the cameras to estimate how much room the user has for virtual reality gaming. It generates a play area by using the shapes of a wall, couch, table, or any other obstruction that might be in the user’s way. If the tracking wasn’t exact enough, the user could also change the play area; however, in its tests, it was super accurate.

The PS VR 2 is rather demanding for room-scale experiences, needing a 6′ 7″ X 6′ 7″ area of free space. But, people with limited spaces can create a large enough play area to have a VR experience still. Thanks to a rapid settings menu that appears whenever you hit the options button, switching between standing VR, room-scale VR, and seated VR is incredibly simple. If you use the same room, the headset remembers the play area you set up.

Although the wire of the VR headset can occasionally get in the way, it is far less burdensome than the hefty alternative of the 1.0 headset. The PS VR 2 had no serious issues detecting the controllers or our movements, whether we were sitting down to play some Moss or engaged in a room-scale adventure like What the Bat. The PS VR 2 has all the tools and modifications to let it function in nearly any place, which solves many of the problems with VR that stem from its inability to “fit” in a space.

VR Game Testing on PS5

The center piece of PS VR 2 is, without a doubt, Horizon: Cry of the Mountain, which makes the most of all the features the headgear has to offer. Compared to its predecessors, the game’s combat places the player in a “circular arena” where they must weave around robot animals and shoot arrows at their weak points. It’s a fantastic VR experience that modifies the main game’s movement and gameplay for a smaller environment.

Nonetheless, climbing in Horizon: Call of the Mountain is a great simulation of the real thing. Gamers will “lift” themselves up cliffsides, ropes, or across vines by reaching out for various handholds. It’s a very straightforward gameplay mechanic, but the visuals and motion controls are both done so masterfully that it’s impossible not to get completely sucked in. A little exercise can also be obtained through climbing.

The best PS VR 2 game to purchase is Horizon: Call of the Mountain, but other excellent titles are also available for the system. Many VR games that use the system’s essential elements have been transferred over to PS VR 2. The most crucial factor is ensuring that no functionality is lost during the porting process, even though most don’t use finger tracking or support room scaling. None of the games had the impression of being inferior to their Quest/Vive/Index counterparts; the gameplay is just as engaging and intricate everywhere.

Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Kayak Mirage: VR, Tentacular, After the Fall, Moss Books 1 and 2, What the Bat, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge, and Jurassic Park Aftermath were some of the games that were tested ahead of their pre-release reviews. They all provide a unique VR experience, operate great on the PS VR 2, and are well worth checking out.

With Call of the Mountain, it will undoubtedly take some time for developers to utilize the PS VR 2 fully. Still, eventually, finger and eye tracking will be a natural part of the experience. When creating games for the PlayStation VR 2, developers will need to consider the PS VR 2’s special characteristics; in the same way, Sony placed a lot of attention on the Dual Sense feature set during the PS5’s debut time.

Many gamers find it difficult to get into virtual reality because they view it as a novelty or a passing trend that will only last for a while. Also, it is an expensive venture that not everyone will find appealing. A headset/controller set with a lot to offer may be found for those who decide to enter the PlayStation VR ecosystem, whether it’s their first or second time. Not to mention that the launch lineup includes a wide range of games that showcase the best aspects of virtual reality, including, in the case of Horizon: Call of the Mountain, the full potential of this technology.

There is no denying that what Sony has created is spectacular, but price and interest will be its two main challenges in selling PlayStation VR 2. Sony’s headset can compete with the best of them thanks to its straightforward setup, considerate ease of use, and some astute control options.