Product: PlayStation VR 2 Let’s get the specs out of the way first:<\/p> Having unboxed every major consumer-centric VR headset since the original Rift, I was shocked at how dead simple the PSVR 2 unpacking process was. You get the headset itself with a USB-C cable to plug it in (more on that later), a USB cable for the controllers, earbud headphones, and two PSVR Sense controllers<\/strong>. That’s all you need. There are no sensor towers (like several other headsets, that’s baked into the device itself), and there’s no gigantic converter box like the original PSVR<\/a>.<\/p> The PSVR 2 is a paragon of VR setup experiences. To really hit home how much easier it is to setup the PSVR 2 is compared to its predecessor, just take a look at the comparison photos I shot below. On the left is the PSVR 2<\/strong> (one USB-C cable), on the right is the original PSVR<\/strong> (with some jumbled cables for dramatic effect). Quite the contrast! After plugging it in, the headset took roughly 30 seconds to initialize fully on my PS5: adding about 30 seconds to sync each controller (which need to be plugged in at first).<\/p> The room scanning feature is incredibly slick, showing off the exterior cameras of the PSVR 2 unit with a cool sci-fi pixelated overlay. To create your play space you’ll just look at the floor, ceiling, and all of your walls: which can take as little as 15 seconds. In my experience the tracking is more accurate than the Oculus Quest 2, and the floor (which sometimes needs to be synced by tapping a controller on its base) always scanned perfectly every time. I also found that the amount of light needed for the sensors to work was far less finnicky than the Quest 2. Although it does technically still have a cable (the lack of one still makes the Quest 2 stand out), it’s not a nuisance.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> As you might imagine I spent a lot of time in VR trying out the PSVR 2: fiddling with menus and trying out multiple games. Initially, it took me a bit to find the comfort setting that worked for me, but I got there.<\/p> On the base of the visor is a button which can be used to slide said visor in and out (glasses are accommodated if you wear them, as is the case with many modern VR headsets). On the back is a dial, which can be twisted to cinch the visor to your head (the dial can also be pressed to release the headset). It’s similar to the original PSVR in terms of comfort tweaking, but the design itself is sleeker and feels better to wear for longer periods of time.<\/p> The sound situation could be a hang-up for some, but there are plenty of solutions for it. The packed-in earbuds are a tad annoying as they don’t always stay in the sides of the device (there’s little holes with ridges to stick each bud in): but it’s one of the few hardware snafus that actually came up in my many hours with the device. In fact, I ended up subbing out a PS5 Pulse 3D headset, and it almost conforms with the headset, creating a better seal to silence the outside world. No speaker support (read: built-in audio) on the device is a bummer, but it’s a very small concession to make; and one of the only big concessions on the device at all<\/em>, tech-wise.<\/p> When I first experienced the Oculus Touch controllers<\/a> a little over six years ago, it felt like a true VR hardware revolution. I was hooked playing Superhot VR<\/em> and\u00a0Robo Recall<\/em>,<\/a> and found myself completely entranced by the tech. To be honest, I’m still kind of in that trance. When a game really utilizes that dual-hand control scheme to its fullest extent, it creates an experience that’s completely different from traditional gaming. I’m pleased to say that the PSVR 2 Sense controllers continue that legacy.<\/p> The PSVR 2 Sense controllers are multiple generations ahead of Move. It’s such an obvious statement, but if you’ve ever played a game with a Touch\/Valve Index<\/a> type controller before, you’ll know what I mean. The Sense controllers sport a six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope + three-axis accelerometer), and are incredibly responsive, with a fantastic sense of haptic feedback and finger tracking. It’s a little confusing at first to have to relearn the Sense-specific PlayStation buttons (especially if you’re also using Oculus Touch or the Valve Index controllers), but it only took me a day or so to acclimate, and most games have visual indicators when tutorializing new inputs.<\/p> Like the headset itself the Sense controllers are comfortable, even after all-day sessions. You’ll also charge them the same way as the DualSense controllers (via USB), or you can opt for a $50 Sense charging station that plugs into the wall and takes care of charging them both.<\/p> The big star this time around is\u00a0Horizon Call of the Mountain<\/em>: a VR spinoff from the\u00a0Horizon Zero Dawn\/Forbidden West<\/em> franchise. Thankfully, it’s pretty good, and you can read all about it here<\/a>.<\/p> How starstruck you’ll be at the rest of the lineup really depends on how much VR you’ve consumed already. For me, roughly a fourth of the PSVR 2’s initial offering is filled with VR games I’ve already played on the Index, Oculus Quest 2, or even the Rift<\/a>. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just might limit your options. That said, I actually replayed several higher profile multiplatform VR games on the PSVR 2 (like Thumper<\/em>) and had a great time. A lot of these games are completely different from their state at launch, with multiple quality of life and content updates: as well as some technical enhancements in tow to account for the PS5.<\/p>
<\/strong>Manufacturer: Sony
<\/strong>Input: USB-C
<\/strong>MSRP: $549.99 (base PSVR 2 unit with two Sense controllers)<\/strong><\/p> ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Review-PlayStation-VR-2-2.jpg?fit=640%2C480&resize=640%2C480\")
<\/a> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Review-PlayStation-VR-2-3.jpg?fit=640%2C480&resize=640%2C480\")
<\/a> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t\tUnboxing the PSVR 2<\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Review-PlayStation-VR-2-4.jpg?fit=640%2C480&resize=640%2C480\")
<\/a> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Review-PlayStation-VR-2-1.jpg?fit=640%2C480&resize=640%2C480\")
<\/a> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t\t\tHow the PSVR 2 feels after hours-long sessions<\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PSVR-2-Sense-Controllers.jpg?w=640&resize=640%2C319\")
The PSVR 2 Sense controllers<\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Review-PlayStation-VR-2-5.jpg?w=640&resize=640%2C360\")
The PSVR 2 launch game situation<\/h2>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jbsgame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PSVR-2.jpg?w=640&resize=640%2C360\")