The first feeling I had when playing the game while wearing the Sony ‘Playstation VR2’ was ‘reincarnation in another world’. I had the experience of being immersed in a fantasy world of a completely different dimension, like setting a worldview that is commonly used in webtoons or genre novels these days.
The high-resolution OLED display that supports 4K HDR and the 110-degree viewing angle made it almost impossible to feel the visual heterogeneity felt in other VR devices. The unique controller, which even reflects finger movements in the virtual space interface, naturally reproduces all interactions in the virtual space, such as picking up objects and shooting an arrow. When they left the pre-set safety zone, the external screen was projected in front of their eyes with a camera mounted on the outside of the device.
PlayStation VR2 is a next-generation VR device that allows you to enjoy virtual reality (VR) games with the Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) PlayStation 5 games console. The set includes a VR2 headset, a pair of VR2 Sense controllers, and stereo headphones.
The game we tested is the new ‘Horizon Call of the Mountain’ which is due for release next month. Climbing cliffs and hunting robot monsters made the 40+ minute playtime feel like 5 minutes.
The VR2 headset, which can be worn while wearing glasses, connects to the PlayStation 5 with a wire. With its light weight and comfortable fit, there was no stumbling block even when moving the whole body and enjoying intense games. It precisely recognizes eye movement and comfortably supports detailed operation. The headset itself also has a vibration function, providing a sense of reality in various situations in the game.
The Sense VR2 Controller uses the existing PlayStation controller’s joystick and buttons. The most outstanding feature is the finger touch detection which is applied to the place where the thumb, index finger and middle finger touch when grasped by hand. Interactions with objects in the game were done in the form of holding a fist and spreading a finger, rather than pressing a button. I was able to vividly experience physical actions such as climbing a ladder with two hands or throwing an apple into the air and then receiving it again. When you dip your hand in running water, you can feel the texture with a subtle haptic vibration.
Sony PlayStation VR2 will be officially released on February 22nd. It costs 798,000 won, including the headphones, controller, and stereo headphones. Even considering the high specifications applied to the device, the cost burden of having to buy it apart from the 500,000 earned PlayStation 5 is not easy.
The key is a dedicated VR game title. Around 20 to 30 new VR games, including Horizon Call of the Mountain, Resident Evil Village, and Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy Edge, will be released together.
With the release of VR2, Sony is attempting a paradigm shift in the next generation VR gaming market, which has been slower than expected. It is expected that it will be required to deliver a killer title that has gameplay and fun while implementing the new VR interface properly.
Jeongeun Park Reporter jepark@etnews.com
