PSVR 2 is official, and with reports indicating that the Sony VR device could hit stores as early as Christmas 2022, it’s coming much earlier than the original PS4 headset for this generation of consoles. If you are one of the lucky few who have purchased a PS5, then you might not have to wait too long to discover Sony’s next crack in VR tech.
A recent rumor worries me a little however, and it is that the PSVR 2 could move away from dedicated VR experiences in favor of “hybrid” titles that support gaming with or without the PSVR 2 headset. And while that doesn’t seem like a problem at first glance – after all, having a choice of playing either or the other version is a good thing – I can’t help but think that Sony is missing out on a huge opportunity to hold the PSVR 2 up with specially designed AAA VR experiences that you can only get on PS5.
But what do I mean by purpose built, exactly? Simply put, “designed” in this case would be a game designed from the ground up exclusively for playing on the PSVR 2 headset. This means that you will only be able to play the game with the headset as that would be an impossible tailor-made experience. to play without the device.
the Original PSVR boasted of some VR-exclusive titles that were really brilliant, which makes this potential change in strategy a shame. Among them were Astro Bot Rescue Mission, a superlative platform game that harnessed the strengths of PSVR to deliver a unique and innovative experience. There was also Deracine, From Software’s take on virtual reality that strayed completely from Soulsborne’s action to deliver an atmospheric and often haunting narrative adventure.
Of course, this hybrid approach to PSVR 2 game development is nothing new, as many titles that could be described as such existed on the original PSVR headset. Resident Evil 7 comes to mind, which has introduced many gamers to the horror of first-person VR, and has done so with great success, while still delivering the same base game from a full screen. traditional television.
Ace Combat 7 and Wipeout Omega Collection also featured blazingly fast VR modes which admittedly were a bit too much for my nauseated and unfit human shell, but certainly provided examples of virtual reality genuinely enhancing what would otherwise be a TV-only affair.
So now that I’ve gotten lyrical about the hybrid and auxiliary approach that the original PSVR took for many of its titles, why do I suddenly have a problem with the same process performed on PSVR 2?
The PS5 is more powerful than ever
Part of it is performance. The PS5, of course, is clearly more powerful than its predecessor. As such, it’s reasonable to expect the PSVR 2 to be able to run more demanding games. This is somewhat corroborated by a discussion on Digital Foundry Weekly, in which host Richard Leadbetter mentioned: “We have seen leaks [PSVR 2] specs and it looks good […] we’ve seen other specs that weren’t disclosed, which makes it look even nicer. “
Obviously, nothing is concrete yet, but it looks like PSVR 2 could have the potential to run games similar to Valve’s VR watershed. Half-life: Alyx, or the ultra-immersive Elite Dangerous VR. And with the PS5 being arguably the most powerful console on the market right now, it has a chance to usher in the next revolutionary wave of VR titles.
Sony shouldn’t settle for second place here. The first PSVR headset was relatively affordable compared to HTC Vive or Valve index. However, it is lagging far behind in terms of specs. The PSVR 2 has the option of still being somewhat affordable, while still showcasing PC-grade visuals like Valve and Oculus can offer.
One issue that I was never able to overcome with the original PSVR headset was the relatively low and mellow resolution. It was virtually impossible for me to play games like Skyrim VR on the base PS4. Not just because it was a VR version of an often quiet game, but also because the resolution was low (to help keep framerate smooth, in fairness) to the point of making me sick. Higher resolution should be more than doable on the upgraded PSVR 2, allowing much more ambitious titles to thrive.
Sony’s back catalog is legendary
Another reason why Sony shouldn’t give up VR-only experiences? The company has a catalog of IP addresses that remain iconic to this day. PSVR 2 represents an opportunity for the company to bring back classic franchises with bespoke experiences, while contemporary series like Horizon, The Last of Us and God of the war do the legwork on PS5.
Here are a few examples that I think would work wonderfully in VR and, while these are dream ideas, show that Sony could be missing out on the potential of the PSVR 2 if it wants to stick with hybrid-only titles.
Remember how eerily atmospheric the Sly Cooper series levels could be? Adopt this in a first-person VR setting and series fans could be a real treat. Controlling Sly and the Gang from a VR perspective could allow for a more grounded, stealthy approach to the usual happy flight seen in previous games.
Virtual reality has also shown that it can integrate well with unconventional visual styles, as we’ve seen with Trover Saves the Universe, Beat Saber, and Job Simulator to name a few. That’s why I’m postulating that a PaRappa the Rapper VR game on PS5 should be Sony’s top priority. Not only has the world suffered far too long without the rapper dog and his pals, his craft-inspired world would be such a pleasure to explore in a virtual reality setting.
Of course, it would be great to see some classic third-party franchises commit to big returns on PSVR 2. Ridge Racer’s dizzying drift would be quite exhilarating in VR (if you can accept it), and with the right developer. , I have a hard time refusing a Silent Hill virtual reality game, as long as I bring a change of pants.
The case of hybrid VR?
Games that can be played both on the TV and in VR aren’t a bad concept in and of themselves. And as mentioned above, Sony has implemented the hybrid strategy quite successfully on PS4. I can’t imagine playing Thumper or Rez Infinite in any other way now, for example, despite offering some solid TV-based experiences.
If Sony were to pursue this strategy, it would come from an informed position at the very least. Gamers liked that the games weren’t locked behind a $ 299 / £ 249 headset and could just as easily be played on their existing console setup.
However, as VR titles continue to grow in ambition every year, I think it would be fantastic for Sony to seize some of that momentum and really encourage its early developers to create unique (perhaps exclusive) experiences. on PSVR 2. That could give VR enthusiasts have a real reason to invest in a PS5 and PSVR 2 headset, if they can play some great VR games that they couldn’t find anywhere else.
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