Sony Is Actually Advertising PSVR2 This Black Friday

Great price. Fantastic piece of kit at a fair price

I gotta ask... Besides Lumines - which I'm not even sure is 1st party/Sony published? - have they actually released new games for the thing themselves this past year? Really felt like they just released psvr2 and called it then and there from an "outside perspective"

A decent price, but is it worth the investment if Sony isn't putting out their own first party software? Doesn't show much faith. The PSVR really needed a Half-Life: Alyx-caliber of game

@Vermines

I started Hitman VR a few weeks ago, and the controls are so fiddling, I stopped playing after two hours. Maybe I will go back, but not in the upcoming months.

I don’t like this „immersion“ of grabbing your stuff at different positions of your body, especially on your back (which isn’t recognised reliably), instead of simply using buttons on controller. There’s a reason why Wii and Kinect are a thing of the past!

Now I bought Max Mustard, after its price was permanently reduced to 8 euros. Heard good things about it.

Just posted a video on my YT channel about how amazing VR is. If you're looking to jump in there is a banquet of incredible games awaiting you:
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil Village
Moss
Moss 2
Beat Saber
Tetris Effect
Walk About Mini Golf
Kayak VR
Demeo
Call of the Mountain
No Man's Sky
The Midnight Walk
Max Mustard
Gran Turizmo 7
Puzzling Places
...the list goes on and on.

I have the PSVR 1, and it is amazing tech, but after like 20 minutes in it I'm done for the day. Until it becomes lighter and wireless, there's just so much you can take. I know the 2 improves on this, but not enough. Plus I hate that there is no backwards compatibility with 1. Aside from the games, I would love to actually sit through a movie with it but can't. I have a lot of 3d movies and they look amazing in VR.

@Max_the_German Playing through Max Mustard now too. Its fun! Its pretty much a clone of Astrobot Rescue Mission which those f'ing cowards at Sony refuse to port over.

Also...totally disagree on the controls for RE. I love putting the guns around your body and found it totally intuitive including using manual gun manipulation to the max. Village and RE4 are hands down some of the best VR experiences out there!

I can understand why Sony doesn't produce big first party VR titles, as the player base just isn't big enough to warrant such investments. But I can't forgive the fact they can't be bothered to even port some their great flatscreen games into VR, when such ports cost a fraction of developing new games and would also be a great way of exploring said games from a new perspective.

I've had the PSVR2 since launch and I have probably less than a couple of weeks playtime on it. By the time I find time to play on it, I'm knackered from work and just want to sit down. Plus it's a chore setting up the room moving things out of the way for detection and getting the headset comfy with my headphones for up to 2 hours playing.

I even bought a Globular Cluster: Comfort Mod to try and enhance the experience which it does but the faff is still there on set up

What timeline is this?

@get2sammyb Horizon is still very expensive, after selling so few copies. It makes no sense to me.

@get2sammyb Although, people forget the flat screen games that Sony has funded in order for their to be a VR mode. Synapse, Switchback VR, Resident Evil Village and 4 Remake, Hitman: WoA, No Man's Sky (regarding the PSSR implementation for PS5 Pro), upcoming title Pools (that has been completely rebuilt for PS VR2), etc. Before Sony released the PS VR2, they even said that their focus be on funding other developers to add a VR mode to their existing flat screen games, as they believe it is the best way of attracting those who don't currently consider VR as a viable gaming medium.

Also, this isn't the first time Sony have put out a PS VR2 advert, as there have been a few prior to this one.

I play both flat screen games and VR games, and just like to play great games. Sure, there are many more flat screen games, but the audience isn't big enough for the majority of developers to consider making VR games at present. And that's not just with PS VR2, but for every VR platform. Sure, Quest has a lot more games (I have a Quest 3), but a large portion them are trash and give VR a bad name. Of course, PS VR2 has its share of trash games, but portionately speaking, it has a lot more great games than those that aforementioned trash cash grabs.

@Max_the_German If you don't want to play games that don't require to grab stuff, there are games that don't require you to do this. As you mentioned, Max Mustard is one such game. Naturally, anything that is in first person will more likely than not require one be grabbing this or that from a certain part of their body.

See, it's always boggled my mind why Sony doesn't simply add VR modes to all of their games that retains the same control pad controls, even retaining the third person view and adding nothing more than making it VR in the sense that the player can look around using the headset while still getting the sense of immersion, depth and scale that is unique to VR.

Like, Sony could develop a simple dev tool that would easily allow themselves and third party devs to do just that. That way, every flat screen game would technically have a VR, and if devs wanted to add a proper VR mode then it's on them to do so (or for Sony to fund them if the game is a big hitter).

@ThrashBlade I never stand-up, as I'm far too lazy for all that malarkey! 🤣 Long gone are the VR days where no seated mode existed. Be like me, be a lazy VR gamer. 😊

@Perturbator I think you severely underestimate the time and effort it takes to convert a flat screen game into VR. It's not just a case of making the graphics 3D. Graphics need to be optimised in order for the game to run smoothly across two screens simultaneously, all of the controls have to altered, sound has to be converted in order to be heard within a 3D space from the perspective of where the player's character or viewpoint is, and more besides.

I urge you to read my previous message to @Max_the_German - in the last two paragraphs, I talk about a semi-VR mode that would be as easy to implement as you're suggesting it is. I think Sony should be doing that would bring in a whole new audience.

Must have stock they need to clear out

Playing RE4 in PSVR2 is worth the price alone, I've been playing console games for over 40 years and playing RE4 in VR was one of the most fun I've ever had in this hobby... EVER!

I finally picked up a PSVR2 in the sale now it's come down to a price I'm more comfortable with. I also picked up the PC adapter which opens up a whole load more games on PCVR, like Half-Life Alyx, Fallout 4 VR and all the UEVR games etc., which I think makes the PSVR2 have a huge amount of value for it's price point.

REALLY want a VR headset, but it is just not commercially viable - install base is too small to justify making games for it, and so you get tack-on support for games you can play without VR just fine, and occassional cute mouse game. Frankly everyone I know who got one says it sits on the shelf unused.

@invictus4000

Yes, controls in RE8 and especially RE4 are much better than in Hitman, reloading becomes very intuitive, after a few hours you don’t think about it anymore.

But map handling is another example: In RE8, it is located somewhere at you bottom, and it in many cases you miss it with you hand. RE4 needs only a button press, and with its 2D screen, it’s much sharper and easier to read. The map in RE8 on the other hand can be used while moving, which is great.

Maybe developers should limit the number of item locations to 3-5 on the front of your body and avoid locations on your rear.

@Medic_alert

This is also what I do when starting a new VR game: setting controls to maximum automated, but without auto-aiming. Aiming in VR is so much fun!

I'd be tempted if it cost the UK equivalent of $299, but it's £299. Not worth it for me, I'd not use it enough

@Hyper_Hippy_Gaming Just looked into POOLS after reading your comment, only to find out it's released today! Available in the store at 2pm local time. Nice!

PSVR 2 is actually having a really solid end to this year.

Reach
Rush remaster
Lumines Arise
Vracer hoverbike
Of lies the rain
Robo quest VR

There also 4 or 5 due out in next couple months. Really strong line-up this year all be it from third party but if you see some of the devs talk on reddit and comparisons videos PSVR2 is really impressive going up against the other headsets.

I have already decided to buy myself 3D printer for Xmas

@Hyper_Hippy_Gaming You can see the trailer for the VR mod for Ready or Not here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rsle5hjhOQ

That mod was bankrolled by one Youtuber and made by one modder. Of course there is hard work involved, but it would be no issue at all for Sony to make such a thing happen.

And yes, I do like 3rd person VR too. I mostly use UEVR for that if the game is made in Unreal Engine.

@invictus4000

what a fantastic list you have! loving most of them, and the rest gonna play soon hopefully

Meta Quest 3 is better than PSVR 2

@YuGiOh as an owner of both, I can agree that the Quest 3's pancake lenses are a clear generation ahead of the fresnels on PSVR 2.

The image quality on the Quest is vastly superior as a result.

Obviously the graphics quality is better via the PS5 Pro so it kind of sucks that whichever system I use, I have to deal with some compromise.

But yeah given the choice if both worked with PS5 Pro, there is no way in a million years I'd ever use PSVR 2 again.

@EfYI That’s why I downgraded to Essential in June. I kept piling on unplayed games either bought on sale or received through Essential, and playing Extra games before they left. If I ever get my backlog down to a manageable size, I might go back to Extra for a year. In the meantime, it’s liberating to play the games I want to play for a change.

It's a real shame how the Pro's positive impact on the PSVR2's performance continues to be ignored by nearly every outlet. I don't regret either day one purchase, but the combo is great and often overlooked.

@Bamila what printer are you having ?.

Good lord the apocalypse is coming

Resident Evil Village and RE4 in VR are worth the price of the headset alone in my opinion. I own an absolute bucket load of games for my PSVR2 but I'm still so annoyed how Sony just dropped it like a stone.

So many first party PSVR1 games could have received upgrades/remakes and they would have sold. It would have been such an easy win.

@Max_the_German I mostly agree with you on that. I have this running theory that VR enthusiasts are sort of ruining the medium. And one of the reasons is this obsession with immersion, of VRAF (VR as f*ck) as they like to call it. The problem is that many of these interactions are not immersive at all, as they tend to be janky and end up creating this disconnection between your physical body and the in-game avatar.

Even though Hitman can be very entertaining in VR, it wears off much more quickly that when playing flat. I tend to think that current VR works better with games such as Tetris Effect and Thumper, or GT7 where the physical interaction is one-to-one (if you own a racing rig, of course).

@invictus4000 I mostly agree with your list, but you missed one of the only PSVR2 true exclusives: Synapse. It's an exception to the argument I've just made, where motion controls work together with eye tracking for an experience that actually feels like a superpower. It's truly mind blowing and one of the best games on the platform.

@Steeleye25 Totally agree. Another thing that VR enthusiasts do that get in the way of wider VR adoption is focusing too much on specs when VR's true Achilles heel is comfort/convenience. No matter how high the resolution gets, or how high the framerates go, VR will never get to the mainstream until it is as comfortable and convenient as picking up a gamepad and pressing 'on' while sitting back on a couch. This is where all the hardware evolution effort should be going to. In fact, Meta's rumored next headset seems to be heading in this exact direction.

@Art_Vandelay Great point. I know it's only a matter of time, but I just don't like the idea of being trapped in there too long, as cool as it is. I've been looking into AR glasses a little because I like the idea, but will probably skip those as well. I don't need all that stuff. Take care!

I bought at launch and I have a ton of games for it. Honestly buy a lot more VR titles than not. Though Sony should have done more to support it, just as it stands I probably have more than enough to keep me entertained. Current price is totally worth it if you’re half interested.

Fair but I've seen $100 off many devices, still not appealing. $100 is really nothing to me, if the starting price is too high I still won't buy it. Already got a PSVR2 and while it's good, barely use it. The games motion/button uses were just sad and disappointing even compared to the better and not as backtracked game design of PSVR1 or Wii/Move games.

The hardware is great, great software techniques, really impressed with it, it requiring a PS5 doesn't disappoint me, the cable for what it's offering, is great, I don't care for wireless if the power is sacrified, so to me power doesn't matter but in VR I would say it would then portability and the lackluster game design of Meta VR games or mobile games as unique games are the only ones that go to these platforms and they all are terrible compared to PS2, Wii, PSP unique versions or ports of all 3 of those as a base line they were way more fun compared to HD versions even. It's just the execution is just bad on PSVR2 or Meta headsets for games.

Some gems probably in there no doubt, there always are, I own a Vita/Wii U for niche games and their great niche libraries of course I'd agree with gems, of course i like old consoles control schemes as some games are better those ways then if they were the same safe modern control scheme, they vary, but eh.

PSVR2 is more appealing then the Portal though, the Portal disappoints me even more of it's use cases compared to Vita (not because it's just a remote play device, that's fine and it's great to see them continue that option, it's because it's so limiting of a remote play device use cases that is why I hate the Portal, I wouldn't even buy a new full handheld the features would be eh and the games already don't interest me, I don't care for a PS5 why would I a full handheld from Sony either).

@spazuluwarrior Yeah, I didn't realise that both the Demo and full release were released until a wee while after my pist regarding it. 🤣

Incidentally, while the game is okay (liminal spaces just don't do it for me), the fiveated rendering isn't working properly at the moment, as it looks much better with it turned off. Well, at least from my experience of the demo running via PS5 Pro.

@Perturbator Sure, but getting games of this calibre, and indeed the calibre of Sony's first party games, takes an awfully hefty PC rig to run them at a smooth enough framerate. Like, were talking about a 5090 with all of the bells and whistles to boot. It would take lot of optimising to get them running and looking comparable to the flat screen equivalents, even when using the Pro. As great as No Man's Sky looks on the Pro using PSSR, it still doesn't look quite as good as the flat screen version. I mean, as great as Horizon: CotM looks on PS VR2, it has to run at 60fps reprojected to 120fps in order to look as great as it does. Plus, it's nothing like the flat screen games in regards to hiw it plays.

Also, Sony is a business that wants to make more money than it puts in to the games it makes. Unfortunately, big triple A VR games simply don't make enough money back for a company like Sony to put the money, time and effort that's required. Hence, why they have openly spoken about subsidising other devs to do the busy work and have been doing exactly that a lot, lot more than people give them credit for. Even a company like Meta, who have so much money to burn, don't make back the money they put into making games like Asgard's Wrath 2, Batman: Shadows and the recently released Deadpool VR game. And if they do then it takes a such a long time to do so, and time is money, so...

@KeldorTheCursed Here here! I brought a Pro just, well, just because, but unexpectedly ended up really appreciating what the extra power dies to improve my experience on PS VR2. And I'm talking about unenhanced games in that respect, and not the handful of Pro Enhanced PS VR2 games that obviously up its game massively in a lot if not all, of such offerings.

@Hyper_Hippy_Gaming the frame rate alone is better and in VR, that can make a huge difference to some people who might otherwise get motion sickness from playing (thankfully not a problem I have. I can play for hours).

I think after valves vr, they made this to remind you that they have a vr too.

@KeldorTheCursed Definitely, my friend! The sheer brute forcing of PS VR2 games on Pro really does help the framerate's hit the peak much more consistently. And this is really benefictual with unenhanced reprojected games (of which there are many). Horizon: CotM springs to mind. On Base PS5 I always found it had a slight judder when climbing around curved areas or sharper corners, but the Pro completely smooths all of that out. Here's hoping that, now that Hello Games have implemented PSSR into NMS on PS VR2 while usong the Pro with Sony's assistance, and with the new and improved version that's due to come out next year (based on AMD's FSR4), other developers will be able to easily implement it into their existing games.

But, like yourself, I've never really been bothered by motion sickness. Although, smoother framerates are always welcome in a VR space, regardless of whether one has a high tolerance.

Also, the Pro also helps PS VR2 games that use a wider dynamic resolution range to hit the top end more consistently more often than not with unenhanced games.

On an aside, I made a video of my top 6 tips for those who are new to VR. These will definitely help people play for longer and improve their VR legs faster. Please feel free to check it out, as many people don't follow these simple rules and, subsequently, end up ditching VR as they think it's to do with themselves and not following these easy to follow rules of VR engagement...

https://youtu.be/OM6-Jf0mi9E?si=aecd0oKExNLdzas7

The psvr2 has provided the greatest moments this gen in the 30 years i've been gaming. There's no way i could play gt7/ Resident Evil/No mans sky on a tv again. Can't wait for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Buy one, it's awesome!