Sony’s PSVR2 is quietly gearing up for its best stretch since launch

Don’t look now but the PSVR2 is in the midst of a mini-renaissance, with a number of massive hitters all just around the corner.

[OtterX]

This is certainly great for those who already have a PSVR2. The 1st party exclusives are still nowhere to be found though, so there's not a lot of incentive to buy a headset when there are so many exclusive titles on PC and Quest.

I wanted a PSVR2 so bad in the beginning, especially bc of Gran Turismo 7. I already owned a Quest 2 and a decent gaming rig, where I found a lot of VR gems that are not on PSVR2. (and still aren't) I told myself, ok I'm going to wait until a lot more exclusives hit PSVR2, maybe a new Astrobot or Blood & Truth (or Remasters), maybe Remasters of Wipeout, Dreams (which was a treasure trove of user made VR experiences)... but nothing came that I couldn't already play! Sony really dropped the ball on PSVR2. Myself, as a hardcore PSVR1 user should have been a prime consumer. I only bought a Quest 2 1 1/2 year prior to PSVR2 launch to hold me over until PSVR2 launch. I still do not have enough reasons to pick one up, and ultimately I'll probably end up getting one at clearance price after it's been canceled in production, just to play GT7, RE 8&4, Horizon Call of the Mountain.

*I still play my PSVR1 today, I loved it that much.

[Petebloodyonion]

This comment perfectly sums up the situation of lots of OG PSVR users!

[Cacabunga]

Sony has a massive support and marketing problem when it comes to everything else than main PS consoles.

PSVR, Vita, PSVR2, Move, EyeToy…
I can stretch to ask other Sony brands including cameras tv headphones xperia… they have great products but support and marketing is close to NULL.

I didn’t buy PSVR2 for the same reason. Yes it has games but i need to see more to justify the investment.

[S2Killinit]

There are a lot of amazing games for it but not enough to make it a console on its own. Its sad that people didnt buy enough VR headsets, we maybe looking at the last generation of VR. Even on PC(?). But as far as quality games, it was there. Just not enough to make people want to invest in it. To this day, some of the best gaming experiences are on VR.

[Babadook7]

Agreed. I love my PSVR2. The buyers seem to have failed Sony on this one. Sony hasn't given us much great 1st party titles sure, but they have actually funded a fair bit of third party and the software is there, even before this winters big titles have come in.

[thesoftware730]

S2,

Your post reads and seems to contradict the way things work. For starters,

"There are a lot of amazing games for it but not enough to make it a console on its own"

My emphasis here is on the words "a lot" because a lot of quality games would be the reason people would pick up a headset or make it enough to be a "console on its own."

"we look at the last generation of VR. Even on PC(?)."

Doubtful, the quest 3 is tracking well, I saw somewhere that, said it sold 1 million in a short time. Possibly the last Console headset tho.

Then you say this,
"But as far as quality games, it was there. Just not enough to make people want to invest in it."

Just like your first quote, it contradicts the facts. The headset is not "there" with games, or people would "invest in it."

The whole point is the lack of stellar 1st party games, especially when you initially were stuck to PS5, was one of the root causes...so no, blaming the gamers for not wanting something that was severely lacking, especially in its launch period is just silly.

I have noticed an increasing trend in N4G, any of Sony's bad mistakes, and flops are now being blamed on the gamers like the whole Gaas push from them, this needs to stop, Sony are the big boys, and can take their lumps like the rest of them, no need to blame the consumer for not wanting sub-par or crap offerings.

[CrimsonIdol]

I bought a PSVR2 as soon as it became a compelling buy. For me that was when they added PC support, opening it up to an order of magnitude more VR games in case (or while) the PS5 offerings may be lacking. For example I've been thoroughly enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 on the PSVR2 recently and that game isn't even officially a VR game (though it totally should be, throw some money at that, Sony).

[Chuuzuu]

I didn't have the first PSVR because of cost. But I bought the PSVR2 at launch as I'm in a much better position financially now. There were promises of so many games and I have to say that I've been extremely disappointed since I bought the unit. Granted, GT7 with my wheel and pedal setup is amazing, and RE Village is pretty cool, there's not much more out there that I'm interested in playing. It's been a large expensive paperweight for me.

[OtterX]

Yea, I have a g29 w shifter & full frame... I was sooo ready to jump into GT7 w it, but we do already have a bunch of racing & driving games on PC. I play Project Cars, Assetto Corsa, Dirt, F1 games in Vr, in addition to others like Automobilista, Beam.NG, American Truck Simulator, Euro Truck Simulator and more. None of these were brought to PSVR2! I'm really glad that you guys got the PC adapter now, so I highly recommend you check out some of those. At least there's more value in your purchase now, but it goes to show that PSVR2 was dead last in developer support, they kept skipping it entirely. It's really sad to see.

[Loktai]

That depends on tastes because we're looking at some big games there.. for SOME people who play a lot of GT it may be worth it for that alone- now we have Metro awakening and a lot of smaller titles, rhythm games etc - it is a 300 dollar accessory but I wouldnt go as far as to call it a paperweight- remember people used to spend 40-50 bucks on a fishing controller and it was normal.

[ABizzel1]

I’ll keep saying it. Sony needs to revamp the PS+ Tiers and add at least 1 PSVR game per month to one of the premium tiers, and also open the platform to PSVR experiences (like Google Earth VR / Medication VR apps / movies / concerts / sporting events / and more) .

The effort has been bare minimum, most likely because the sales have not reflected the demand for more content. But without content there will also be no demand.

If gamers now have access to 12VR games per year (even if it’s not the AAA VR games), add PSVR2 experiences like those listed above, and gamers will be significantly more inclined to pick up PSVR2 to play said AAA games both new and those with VR modes added like GT7 / Resident Evil.

[Killa78]

Now that PC support is available, PSVR2 is a good buy for those serious about VR.

Nothing comes close to RE and GT7 imo, and then you have all of PC to scratch the Alyx itch and so on.

With Metro and Alien to come, it's a good time to buy.

[Loktai]

PC gamers can use the headset on their PC- and especially if bought on one of the sales- its one of the better values for PCVR honestly. In my opinion at the price of the PSVR2-.... in todays market given the value of money... eh .. its worth it for a few good games. metro awakening is about 1/3 of the way to justifying it as it is ... factor in some of the rythem games, Ultrawings 2, Gran Turismo, and I think its more than justified.

[CrimsonIdol]

Sony sold me on the PSVR2 as soon as they announced official PC support. Having access to both libraries with the one solid headset is great. I might be a relative edge-case but seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Profchaos]

Yeah I get that and as a psvr2 owner I'm actually finding myself spending more time in vr lately not because of any big first party exclusive but because of games like metro awakening and Arizona sunshine remake along with the PC compatability aspect it's now like I have a vr headset for both platforms and I admit PC VR is more effort to get right but half life alyx is absolutely one of the best VR games alongside re8/4

I dont think Sony first party really have what it takes to make a good VR game anymore they would be forced to make a game that is amateur friendly while still appealing to Kong term players and stuff like call of the mountain really wasn't it. Cotm was a pretty boring slog targeting people finding their VR legs for the first time.

@caca agree Xperia phones should have been positioned more as remote play capable for PS4 users but it wasn't pushed hard despite having millions of console players who didn't even know they could continue to play their PS4 on the go via the phone exclusive years before remote play came to every other device.
Xperia phones like the old z3 for me were pinnacle android devices while Samsung was busy bloating their operating system Sony was making sure the user experience was sleak and as close to google as possible with PlayStation like customisation

[badz149]

still waiting for something in the calibre of HL Alyx to be released for the PSVR2.

[Gamingsince1981]

You missed a few then ooops

[badz149]

really? did I? example?

[Babadook7]

Resident Evil 8 and RE4R are as good or better.

[Lexreborn2]

Waiting for something without looking will get you no where.

[Kyizen]

Metro is looking good and you can play HL Alyx if you got a PC and get the adaptor

[badz149]

That's not really what I meant and you know it. And I wish they would update Astrobot to have VR mode

[Profchaos]

If you have a 20 series like myself you don't even need the adaptor it's plug and play

[S2Killinit]

They have Astrobot on PSVR1. Its easily the best platformer.

But if you dodnt play GT7 in VR, you missed out.

[Loktai]

Metro Awakening is CONSIDERABLY better than that. Alyx was released on PC and overhyped for what it was because at THAT time, youd actually find more complete VR games on PSVR than on PC- most of PC was indies and mods, not GROUND UP complete VR games like PSVR 1 was getting. Metro Awakening outclasses it in every sense. A LOT of games do.

[Profchaos]

I spent a few hours with metro awakening over the weekend to me that has all the same markings along with the two re games

[Abnor_Mal]

At least Sony is still working with PSVR2 and putting out new games for it, also bringing the headset to PC should help to keep it alive.

Apple already discontinued their Apple Vision Pro with the unit sell half a million when first released but then sales fell off a $3000 cliff. Now they have like another half million just sitting around in their wearhouse.

https://www.ceotodaymagazin...

And people complained that the cost of PSVR2 was too much, yet not much about this but I guess everyone already knew this was for only a select set of people yet they didn’t even buy them.

[Vits]

Completely diferent markets and products though. So not really the same people.

[Abnor_Mal]

My point is that at least Sony is still continuing to try to improve the position of PSVR2.

Apple I said it was overpriced and geared of a particular set of people, so yes I know not really the same people. Apple gave up, Sonys still trying.

[Vits]

@Abnor_Mal

Your point is a false equivalence, comparing apples to oranges.

[Neonridr]

The Apple Vision headsets aren't competition or comparable to the PSVR2 though, they serve completely different markets and needs.

The Quest is really the only comparable hardware.

[Abnor_Mal]

Again, never said they were in competition, and why can they not be comparable? Both high end headsets for their own corner of the vr market, yet both were praised for the tech inside but at the same time condemned for the price tag attached. Both had initial strong sales, but then tapered off with both having inventory sitting in warehouses. Only one so far has decided to broaden its horizon to help sustain the life of the product, while the other just seemingly closed up shop.

[Neonridr]

@Abnor_Mal - the Apple Vision lets you do completely different things in VR. Can you browse the internet with your PSVR2? PSVR2 exists almost solely for gaming. The Apple Vision exists for many different reasons.

Plus being $3000 or whatever, it was never going to sell in droves. An even more niche product in an already niche market.

Sony gave up on their headset after the first year. Relying on 3rd party and opening it up to PC to allow it to survive. Even the original PSVR had more support from Sony than this thing.

I own one, and use it, but I'm also not blind.

[aaronlif10]

This is good, but I won't be fully satisfied until we get a genuine port of Half Life Alyx.

[S2Killinit]

Thats like saying you need halo on nintendo or mario on playstation.

[DodoDojo]

As if it would be the first time we've seen a Half Life game on PlayStation?

[thesoftware730]

No, it would not be like saying that.

How long have you been gaming, or is it just your inability in this particular thread to post a compelling argument?

[MrDead]

...the Orange Box would like to say hello.

[S2Killinit]

Wasnt the orangebox released prior to steam becoming what it is?

[z2g]

As a psvr2 owner, I’ll believe it when I see it. I feel like such a sucker for being hyped into buying it right now. Haven’t even touched it for almost a year

[Loktai]

I dont know what you expected or what youre waiting for. VR games come out for it.. .and now there is Metro awakening. What the heck do you expect to come out on it?

[MrDead]

If you have it on PC you can play all UE4 and UE5 games in VR, Dead Island 2 in vr is amazing and I actually had a fun time in Hogwarts Legacy.

This mod makes all unreal engine 4&5 games work in VR first person, it's called UEVR https://uevr.io/

[Petebloodyonion]

While the titles offered may not be exclusive, they are still designed for PSVR2, which is a benefit. However, as the article concludes, "But in all likelihood, with a relatively small install base and dwindling attention from its owners, the PSVR2 is almost ready to be put back on the shelf for quite some time." This suggests that there is no certainty that future PC VR titles will be adapted for PSVR2.