PlayStation VR2 will be released on February 22, 2023, and comes with a price tag of $549.99 and can be pre-ordered from 15 November.
The PlayStation.The blog revealed some of the things to expect from the PlayStation VR2 package which includes the PS VR2 headset, stereo headphones, and PS VR2 Sense controllers for the $549.99 package. The PS5 VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle will also be available and will be sold at the retail price of $599.99. This package will come with all features in the standard edition and an extra Horizon Call of the Mountain voucher code for a PlayStation Store.
Another new release expected to come out on February 22 is the charging station for the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller. The charging station has been built to allow users to charge their controllers without connecting to their PS5 console “through a simple click-in design” so the console’s USB ports are free. The charging station for the sense controllers comes at $49.99
All initial pre-orders for users in the U.S, U.K, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands will be limited to the PlayStation VR2 through direct.playstation.com the official PlayStation online store. Pre-orders will start on November 15 but interested people can register today as preparation.
Sony, the console’s maker has also unveiled new titles for the PS VR2 in 2023. The titles are 11 and include The light Brigade, Jurassic World Aftermath Collection, Tentacular, Pistol Whip VR, Hello Neighbour: Search and Rescue, Zenith: The Last City, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, After the Fall, Crossfire: Sierra Squad, Cosmonious Hogh and Cities VR- Enhanced Edition. Here is a brief breakdown of some of these games:
· Cities VR – Enhanced edition allows gamers to build the city of their dreams and manage it.
· Jurassic World Aftermath Collection is a combination of part 1 and part 2 of the survival game into one collection where gamers must gather information in a research facility where they are trapped in. With dinosaurs on the loose, escaping won’t be easy.
· Tentacular is an adventure game featuring a giant tentacle where gamers must solve puzzles and use physics to build things.
While Sony has not released the full line-up for the launch yet, the company has however confirmed that on February 22 people should “expect more than 20 titles” to come out.
Following our first hands-on tryout on the PS VR2, we commented that the new console “fortunately feels like a modern entry into the VR landscape, with top-notch visual fidelity and comfortable ergonomics. Its haptics and adaptive triggers, if implemented well, will be a welcome addition to the immersive experience.”
The hands-on experience on the PS VR2 with the Horizon Call of the Mountain and Resident Evil Village was very impressive. You can check out how the VR2 compares to other VR headsets available on the market such as the Valve Index, Meta Quest 2, and the original PSVR for more.
The PS VR2 accessory is quite more expensive than the PS5 console but is likely the best gaming headset that we will see for a while. Unlike other gaming headsets that are stand-alone, the PS VR2V is not and will need to be connected to a PS5 to work. The new headsets come with better display technology, eye tracking features that allow foveated rendering, and improved haptics.
For tracking the headsets come with four external cameras, a headset audio jack and built-in microphone, 3D audio, OLED displays with a 90 and 120HZ frame rate, a resolution of 2000x 2,040 pixels per eye, and a 110-degree field view.
The headbands are adjustable and better graphics are expected through the in-built eye-tracking feature. Sony has added this feature though it is still uncommon on the market.
The last PSVR from Sony come out in 2016 while the latest design is expected next year. The actual PS5 console is selling at $499 while the PS VR2 headsets will cost $549 for the first level package which is still higher when compared to the PS5 price and the cost of the first PS VR headsets when they have launched six years ago.
While this may seem a bit pricey to some when compared to the Oculus Quest 2 which costs $399 to own, other gaming headsets also cost higher like the Meta Quest Pro at $1,499 while Vive Cosmos is tagged at $699.
According to Sony the PS VR2 headsets are “slimmer in design with a slight weight reduction” even with the improved and added features like the built-in motor for feedback.
A statement announcing the release dates also highlighted other features like the integrated vent for “extra airflow” and a lens adjustment dial that users can use to get a more personal feel. For feedback, the headsets also vibrate and use a USB type-C and Bluetooth for connections.
The new-gen headsets have been designed to work exclusively on the PS5 and are not wireless. The headsets will come with a first-day release of Horizon Call of the Mountain but will get support from other big titles that Sony has promised.
The PS VR2 headsets also come with a new broadcast feature that players can use to film themselves as they play games to share game reactions with fellow gamers. This can be done by connecting to the console a PS5 HD Camera.
The PlayStation blog has also indicated that the company will allow game developers access to its new technology. The blog read “PS VR2 game developers will begin to access the latest user experience for PS VR2 in a new system software release coming soon as part of the ongoing development.”
“There are lots of exciting things to look forward to for PS VR2, and we can’t wait to share more details about our next-generation virtual reality headset that takes a dramatic leap forward in gameplay innovation.” The PS VR2 headset will launch on 22 February 2023.
