The brand-new virtual reality headset from PlayStation offers a revolutionary new way to enjoy the rich world of gaming.
Straight out of the box, the PSVR2 is deceptively simple-looking. With just one cord connecting the headset, something this high-tech can't be this easy to set up, right? And yet, it is.
Seconds from plugging it in, the futuristic nature of virtual reality is already evident. The headset immediately begins to map the surrounding room in what can only be described as feeling like some sort of covert spy mission.
It’s virtually weightless, allowing you to easily move your viewpoint to cover every angle possible. Safety straps on both handheld controllers ensure controllers stay firmly in your hands; nearby lamps and ornaments and people can breathe a sigh of relief.
Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on both controllers ensure that whatever happens on screen, you feel in some way. Even the menus you cycle through prove tactile.
You can choose to play standing or sitting. Arguably, standing allows for more natural arm movements and head tilting, bringing a unique physicality to games. The headset establishes a safety perimeter for you, ensuring you always stay within a 'safe zone’ and preventing you from ever taking your PS5 for a walk.
On the other hand, sitting can be more comfortable while still offering exceptional movement tracking and immersion. If I’m honest, a mixture of both styles can be used for maximum enjoyment; there’s no right or wrong way to play with this headset.
And once all settings have been set up, the sheer speed of the PS5 kicks in, loading your chosen game in seconds. Which brings us to an important question – what games can (and should) you play on the PSVR2?
Call of the Mountain and the evolution of VR gaming
Launch title Horizon Call of the Mountain offers the perfect opportunity to experience everything the PSVR2 has to offer. If you're buying the headset, this game is an essential pickup.
Seconds into the game, you’re treated to a canoe ride down a river. You’ll spin your head 360 degrees to fully appreciate the cinematic spectacle, as every angle reveals some new detail or sound.
Dipping your hand in the water as you pass, or grabbing a low-hanging vine, makes you feel part of what’s happening on screen. You see the splash. You hear the rustle of leaves. Sure, two characters are arguing in front of you, busy explaining the pretext of the game you probably should pay attention to, but you’re too transfixed on the simpler details to pay them much mind.
And just as you get relaxed and comfortable and decide it’s wise to listen in, mechanical beasts rampage all around you, throwing you off your boat and into the thick of the action.
Whether it’s scaling the endless mountain peaks, dodging enemy attacks, jumping off cliff sides or grabbing for dear life on a passing rope, Call of the Mountain pushes gaming in a brand new direction.
Combat is particularly physical and something I was initially skeptical of, especially given how fast-paced the original Horizon games are on console. Horizon Call of the Mountain will surely raise your heart rate and then some.
To use your bow and arrows, for example, you’ll need to literally reach behind your back, draw them out, aim, draw, and fire. Firing shots in quick succession will require speed and determination, and when you eventually do hit the mark, you’ll feel like a spritely Katniss Everdeen. Then it’s time to dodge, reposition yourself, and try to shoot an even quicker arrow than before.
But just as engaging as combat can be, many other novel experiences can be found in the game’s core gameplay. You’ll investigate many objects along your travels, holding and manipulating them in your hands like a futuristic archaeologist.
Simple things like restoring health can feel incredibly tactile as you pick up fruit, place them at your mouth, and then fire the core down the mountain, watching it ping-pong off every rock until it disappears.
As you climb, you’ll periodically scope nearby ledges for other ways to travel. Looking down, you’ll simply stare at the sheer vastness of the game’s world around you.
A growing selection of games to play
The Last Clickwinder is also another revolutionary title that deserves your attention. Equal parts innovative and chaotic, you'll clone yourself performing various synchronized movements to solve puzzles.
And finally, What The Bat asks the all-important question of what life would be like with bats as hands. It’s proof that sometimes, all you need from a state-of-the-art gaming system, is the opportunity to wave your arms and laugh.
Variety is the spice of life, and the PSVR2 covers many genres that should appeal to gamers of all persuasion. Some are existing titles from the PS5 library, whose VR upgrades aim to reinvent classic gaming experiences.
Gran Turismo 7's VR upgrade will put players in the driving seat (literally), offering perhaps the most realistic driving-sim experience to date. Resident Evil Village VR allows you to come face-to-face with the horrors of the original game and is reserved for only the bravest of gamers.
Several award-winning VR games are also available at launch, offering the perfect excuse to play titles you may have otherwise missed out on.
Moss 1 & 2, for example (pictured above) are an enchanting series of action-adventure games that run beautifully on the PS5. As an omnipotent being, you’ll manipulate terrain, fend off beasts, and guide hero Quill through an interactive storybook experience.
'Play has no limits’.
The PSVR2 is a seismic evolution from its predecessor. But retailing at €599.99, the headset is a considerable investment not to be made lightly. You’ll also need a PS5 console, and with no backward compatibility, buy new games to play.
That said, if you’ve saved up the money or are itching to enter the VR market, the PSVR2 is an experience not to be missed. Call of the Mountain alone demonstrates the system’s sheer potential and will have gamers hungry for what’s next.
No doubt, as more developers and studios engage with the technology, develop new games, and reinvent old ones, PlayStation’s tagline ‘Play has no limits’ will be fully realised.
The PSVR2 will be released on February 22.
