PlayStation VR2 has Arrived, Features New Titles, Ports, and VR Modes to Previously Released Greats

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A New Way to Play

Virtual reality gaming continues to evolve for general players but most of the new iterations are either minor or harder to set up, let alone some of the more expensive options, keeping some of the best VR titles in the realm of enthusiasts. As a massive improvement to the fairly popular PSVR, the PSVR2 unlocks new potential for PS5 owners and at a competitive price for those that already own a PS5 or would rather avoid picking up a VR-ready computer. The new platform is available now with many notable releases in some of the most popular franchises, sparking a solid launch library that will hopefully keep momentum. 

Requiring a PS5, the PSVR2’s main appeal is the higher fidelity 4K HDR visuals —achieved through two 2000x2040 OLED display lenses— and updated controllers that are more akin to the latest VR input methods, featuring haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that provide extra immersion like what’s used on the DualSense controller. The headset also includes eye tracking, which has already been highlighted as a way to select dialogue options in Horizon Call of the Mountain, and headset feedback vibration. Granted, the PSVR2 is still a headset tethered to a device via a cable, which might be hard to return to for VR players used to wireless models such as the Meta Quest 2. 

A Solid Spread of Day One Games

Horizon Call of the Wild is a first-person adventure in the Horizon franchise from Guerrilla Games and Firesprite (The Persistence) where players climb and fight as a new character, Ryas. The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR creates a new nightmare rail shooter within the Dark Pictures Anthology universe of frights similar to Until Dawn: Rush of Blood on the first PSVR. Kayak VR: Mirage allows players to explore various real-world locations via kayak. A new roguelike called The Light Brigade gives players powerful abilities and lots of guns, perfect for replayability. An ambitious MMO called Zenith: The Last City from Ramen VR enables a more social PSVR2 experience. 

While there are not many brand-new releases, several ports from other VR platforms and VR modes are already available to play with more coming soon. 

Several Great Ports and Updates

A bundle is available that packages the charming Moss and Moss: Book II, must-play experiences for those new to VR. Jurassic World Aftermath Collection packages stylish dinosaur-filled adventures for PSVR2 players with additional improvements compared to other versions of the game. Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge Enhanced Edition makes its debut on PlayStation VR2, adding to the plentiful ways to immerse oneself in the Star Wars universe on PlayStation. Cosmonious High brings the unique humor of developers Owlchemy Labs to PSVR2 players alongside the platform’s launch. Other ports include Altair Breaker, After the Fall, The Last Clockwinder, The Tale of Onogoro, Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate Episode 1 (a game we reviewed on Meta Quest 2), and many more that gives PSVR2 players plenty of titles to explore. 

Free PSVR2 updates and modes for previously released games that are available now include Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village (features immersive play similar to RE4 VR on Meta Quest 2), and Pistol Whip to name a few. 

Upcoming notable updates include PSVR2 compatibility with No Man’s Sky, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Tetris Effect, and many more. 

Looking Towards the Future through HRD Lenses

Several intriguing releases are in the works including the stunning fantasy of Behemoth from Skydance Interactive and Firewall Ultra from First Contact Entertainment will offer PVP and PVE tactical experiences both chart a path of what to expect but as with most PlayStation fans, we are eager to see what core franchises make their way to the PSVR2. 

Overall, this launch marks a significant improvement over the PS4’s PSVR platform, one that was fairly clunky by today’s standards but featured several excellent titles and experiences. Best of all, PSVR titles for PS4 often got physical releases, making it an appealing VR library for those that prefer to own a disc so we hope that trend continues in a way that doesn’t require hunting down rare releases. Speaking of availability, supplies of the PS5 have finally started showing up in bulk on store shelves and online retailers after a rough start during the pandemic. With more households having access to the gaming powerhouse console, the PSVR2 might be the logical next-gen choice for VR players. Yet, it all comes down to software so it will be interesting to see if Sony supports this well with first-party releases and if third-party franchises are able to utilize the new hardware. 

Regardless, the PSVR2 is a new way to play and that’s always great to see. 

Learn more about the PlayStation VR2 on the official listing. The headset with VR2 Sense controllers retails at $549.99 USD while an additional pair of controllers can be bought for $49.99 USD. A bundle that includes a digital copy of Horizon Call of the Mountain is available at $599.99 USD. Featured image and gallery used courtesy of official press materials.