PlayStation VR2 Hardware Review
The PlayStation VR 2 hardware offers a stunning look at the future of VR gaming. My full review of the headset, Sense controllers and stereo earbuds, the next generation of VR is here and it's extremely impressive.
There's nothing quite like the excitement of a new gaming platform launching, especially one with so much promise like the PlayStation VR 2. Its combination of powerful hardware and intuitive design make it one of the most immersive gaming experiences out there. Sony clearly took queues and critical feedback from the PSVR and used it to improve the PS VR2 in every possible way. The newest addition to Sony's foray into VR is an impressive piece of hardware that offers a truly immersive experience for gamers.
"The newest addition to Sony's foray into VR is an impressive piece of hardware that offers a truly immersive experience for gamers."
Whether you are a new, or returning VR enthusiast, the new tech features a massive leap forward, redefining my expectations for the platform and reinvigorating my excitement for the virtual reality genre.
The visual quality is drastically improved, with a 4K HDR OLED screen, 110-degree field of view and advanced graphical rendering that gives you an incredibly realistic view of the game. The new PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers are also vastly superior to their predecessors in terms of design, precision and comfort. They feature near pin-point accurate sensors for the tracking system and haptic feedback for a more lifelike experience when interacting with objects in games. All elements of the PlayStation VR 2 hardware package combine to create one of the best virtual reality experiences out there today. The PS VR 2 is the best home console-based VR experience, and one of the best virtual reality experiences out there, period. Let's unbox, explore and test out Sony's latest offering in the VR space with my full review of the PlayStation VR2.
"The PS VR 2 is the best home console-based VR experience, and one of the best virtual reality experiences out there, period."
PlayStation VR2 Hardware Details
Display method: OLED
Panel resolution: 2000 x 2040 per eye
Panel refresh rate: 90Hz, 120Hz
Field of View: 110 degrees
Lens separation: Adjustable
Unboxing and setting up the PS VR2
Thanks to the new advanced technology in the PS VR2, unboxing and set-up are a snap. This was a welcome surprise as I found the set-up process for the PSVR 1 far too onerous.
The headset, two Sense controllers and stereo earbuds all come packaged in one box. A neat little bonus is the box's layout is so convenient that you can use it as a long-term storage option for the device.
Along with the major components, you also get accessories like a USB cable, 3 in-earpiece rubber tips and an instruction manual.
The first big change I noticed over setting up the PSVR 1 is just how simple and streamlined everything has become with the PS VR2. Gone are the days of multiple wires, clunky dongles and setting up a camera, it's so much more convenient. The PS VR2 setup all comes down to a single USB-C cable that plugs into the front of the PS5. After that, it's a matter of configuring a few minor settings. The whole setup process takes about 10 minutes in total.
"The PS VR2 setup all comes down to a single USB-C cable that plugs into the front of the PS5."
Credit to Sony, they carefully walk you through each step on-screen during the set-up process. One cool part of the initial start-up is when you look around your playing space the headset scans and maps out the room around you, it felt like a scene straight from a sci-fi movie. The results were also incredibly accurate and I only had to scan my "play zone" once, the camera sensors took care of the rest.
Advanced camera tracking
Thanks to the cameras built into the device: 4 outward-facing and 2 inward-facing (for eye-tracking) you get nearly pin-point accuracy in your movement. These cameras also track the Sense controllers and even do a decent job of tracking your finger movement. For example, you can point and pull off a "thumbs up" in Horizon Call of the Mountain with ease. I love little unexpected touches like this, it adds to the immersion.
See your IRL surrounds without removing the headset
The "inside out" cameras also let you quickly swap your "in-game" view to your "in-person" surroundings without needing to remove the headset. With a click of a button on the main visor, you enter "passthrough" mode and take a look at the real world around you. This was an incredibly smart addition, one that I found myself using quite often when I needed to speak to someone around me, quickly check my phone or controller grip. This was sorely needed with the PSVR 1 and I am very happy it was added to the PS VR2, it saved so much time needing to remove and then readjust the headset.
First impressions
Once all setup and ready to play, the experience of using the PS VR2 is incredible. The OLED display looks as good, if not better than any TV or monitor I've ever used, with no lag and a super sharp image that makes for an incredibly immersive gaming session. You can easily look around you without turning your head thanks to the 110-degree field of view which creates a convincing sense of presence in virtual environments. Sony's upgraded Sense controllers now feature haptic feedback so you can feel vibrations from objects and interactions within games like never before. The overall experience was so much more realistic than my first impressions of the PSVR 1 headset and I'm thoroughly impressed at how far they've come between designs.
"Sony's upgraded Sense controllers now feature haptic feedback so you can feel vibrations from objects and interactions within games like never before."
PS VR2 hardware specifications
So, how does the hardware perform? To put it bluntly, the PS VR2 hardware blows its predecessor out of the water. The visual quality is drastically improved, with a 4K HDR OLED screen, 110-degree field of view and advanced graphical rendering that gives you an incredibly realistic view of the game. The PS VR 2 offers an impressive resolution of 2000 X 2040 pixels per eye, surpassing that of the Oculus Quest 2. When the PS VR 2 was first revealed, the specs on paper sounded great, but what it has culminated into is a truly incredible experience. The first time you experience a Tallneck in Horizon Call of the Mountain, the sense of scale, and visual fidelity offer a level of immersion that simply cannot be replicated on the PSVR 1 or lesser hardware.
The PlayStation VR2 combines smart design and comfort
The PlayStation VR2 headset is comfortable for long gaming sessions. The ergonomic design of the headband fits snugly and securely on your head, with adjustable bands that let you customize it to fit your specific needs. The headband underwent some substantial design improvements and I found that more of the weight of the device rests on the top of my head as opposed to the front.
The easily accessible "click wheel" at the back of the headset offers a near-perfect fit every time. In addition, the PS VR2 headset includes a cooling system that uses an innovative duct/fan combination to keep players cool and avoid fogging of the lenses during play. The lenses are also better designed than in the previous version, offering an improved visual effect when playing games. Compared to the PSVR 1, this newer version of the headset has been significantly lightened over its predecessor. Overall, it feels less clunky and more ergonomic than the original design.
Wired over a wireless headset
Many enthusiasts have been vocal about the tethered experience of the PS VR 2, hoping it would be wireless. The included cord is 4.5 metres, or 14.7 feet long, offering plenty of space to play. In my experience, it hasn't become much of an impediment as much I thought it would. The cord is also lightweight and flexible, so it's easy to forget that you are even connected to the console. In terms of trade-offs with the cable, the visual fidelity is nearly on par with a regular PS5 on-screen AAA experience, which is one of the biggest compliments I can pay to the device.
"In terms of trade-offs with the cable, the visual fidelity is nearly on par with a regular PS5 on-screen AAA experience, which is one of the biggest compliments I can pay to the device."
The raw data that is needed to deliver "next-gen" visuals on the PS VR 2 requires the wire. Based on what I've experienced it's a small tradeoff that I would make for the incredible visual payoff in games like Horizon Call of the Mountain, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge - Enhanced Edition and Kayak VR: Mirage.
PlayStation VR 2's Graphics and Performance
The visuals are truly "next-gen" with the new 4K HDR OLED display and an undeniable leap forward from the PSVR 1. I was amazed by how much more vivid and immersive games looked on this screen compared to the older version. Games that I had previously played on the original PSVR like Moss, look so much richer and more vivid.
"Games that I had previously played on the original PSVR like Moss, look so much richer and more vivid."
The PS VR2 also features a 90-120Hz refresh rate, allowing for smoother transitions and a more responsive experience.
Sony also opted for the use of "fresnel lenses" to help reduce ghosting and keep brightness levels higher. You can see the difference emerging out of a dark cave or tunnel while racing with the PS VR 2 the white levels punch higher and the dark tones are far richer. There is also a significant reduction and near complete elimination in the "ghosting" PSVR 1 was hampered by. Overall, the visuals and performance are simply remarkable on the PS VR2.
"Overall, the visuals and performance are simply remarkable on the PS VR2."
Tactile feedback improvements with the Sense controllers and headset
The Sense controllers are another big leap forward in the PS VR2 hardware package. They are incredibly precise, with their improved tracking system that can pick up even small movements of your hands and fingers. You feel like you’re manipulating objects in-game as if they were real. The haptic feedback technology makes it so much more realistic when interacting with objects or environments in-game.
"The haptic feedback technology makes it so much more realistic when interacting with objects or environments in-game."
The headset "ring" that rests on your head also vibrates, so you feel a lot more of the experience.
PlayStation VR 2 Theatre Mode
Another neat addition to the PS VR 2 is the fact you can play games that have not been designed for use with the headset. I played titles like Dead Space, Fortnite, and God of War Ragnarok and loved the presentation of these titles. To give you a sense of what it's like, imagine a giant screen floating with a black background and you begin to get an idea of the big screen theatre-style experience the headset offers outside of VR-specific titles. It's a great way to keep playing games using the headset if someone else in your household wants to watch TV.
PS VR2 Audio and Sound Performance
The audio is one area that is often overlooked when it comes to VR, but it's truly incredible on PS VR2. The headset is capable of 3D Audio accessing the PS5's "Tempest 3D AudioTech" while using headphones. I was able to do some testing with the PULSE 3D Wireless Headset and the performance is excellent. It was a little cumbersome to move around with the headset plus headphones, but it did offer the richest audio experience and made my gaming that much more immersive. This combo gave a much better sense of space and direction than standard stereo sound. The retail package comes with stereo earbuds, which I found myself using for the majority of my testing. The earbuds are particularly useful when playing games in short bursts, as you don't have to constantly re-adjust bulky over-ear headphones every time. It would be great to see a more compact wireless option in the future, but I'm impressed by the current audio experience.
Overall Thoughts on the PS VR 2 Experience
The PlayStation VR2 is an outstanding piece of hardware that delivers a completely immersive gaming experience. The headset provides excellent visual fidelity and comfort, while the controllers offer precision tracking and haptic feedback. The 3D Audio options with headphones are also truly impressive. It's definitely worth considering if you want to get the best virtual reality experience out there right now. In terms of drawbacks, the price point is quite steep but considering the advanced components in this package it's in-line with the high-end VR market.
"Whether you're an experienced virtual reality enthusiast or just starting out, this is one piece of hardware I would highly recommend."
The other concern is the software lineup. In my opinion, the PS VR 2 has its "killer apps" in Horizon Call of the Mountain and Gran Turismo 7, but these experiences might not speak to all gamers. That being said, if you have a PS5 and are looking for a VR experience that stands head-and-shoulders above what has come before it, then the PlayStation VR2 should be at the top of your list. Whether you're an experienced virtual reality enthusiast or just starting out, this is one piece of hardware I would highly recommend. The bottom line: Sony has used its years of knowledge in the gaming and VR spaces to pull us further into the game than ever before and I couldn't be more excited to see where the PS VR 2 takes us next.
PlayStation VR 2 PROS
+ Exceptional visual fidelity
+ Comfortable and lightweight design
+ Precise tracking of movements with PlayStation Sense Controllers
+ Incredible 3D Audio experience with headphones or earbuds
PlayStation VR 2 CONS
-Pricepoint is quite steep
-Software library still has some room to grow
Design: 9/10
Visual Fidelity: 9.5/10
Audio Capability: 9/10
Build Quality: 9/10
Overall Rating: 36.5/40 (91%)
The PlayStation VR 2 hardware and software were provided pre-launch by PlayStation for the purpose of this review.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. Along with being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on twitter, Instagram and join in on the fun!
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