11 Amazing PlayStation VR2 Features - Why you should get it
Published on 2nd May 2024 by Jimmy Bennett. Updated 18th September 2024
For many of us when we were young, being able to be in a video game was the stuff of dreams. However, in the last 2 decades, virtual reality technology has come a long way and become far more mainstream. Now, it’s time for the technology to get the next-gen treatment, as the PlayStation VR2 comes to GAME, bringing with it a host of features.
Utilising the immense power that the PS5 hardware offers, the PS VR2 brings virtual reality in line with next-gen technology. Heavily upgraded from the previous iteration of PS VR, this headset and its controls have redesigned the system, offering a much-improved experience over the original setup.
We’ll take a look at some of the amazing new features that the PlayStation VR2 offers, going into detail about what makes this powerful piece of hardware special.
1. Adaptive Triggers
Taking inspiration from the DualSense controller, the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers are a considerable upgrade from its predecessor. This technology that is also in the PS5 controller gives players an added sense of immersion, providing physical feedback to the player to enhance their virtual world. If you feel the ground shaking in-game, you will likely feel this through the controllers.
Adaptive triggers provide resistance to the user depending on the action that is being performed. One common example is if you’re pulling a trigger on a weapon, you feel the resistance from the trigger as you would in real life. Even better, depending on the game, different weapons can have different levels of resistance.
2. Haptic Feedback
Taking another leaf out of the DualSense controller’s book, the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller also takes the Haptic Feedback feature. Haptic Feedback is in essence an evolution of the vibration feature on older controllers, however, it is much more refined and detailed, offering much greater levels of feedback to the controller, and the PS VR2 headset itself.
Haptic feedback responds to what is happening in the game and feeds that information back through the controller or headset in the form of vibration. This could be a player's increased pulse during a tense moment, such as the rush of wind or something that moves past the player's face in a quick flash.
3. Tempest 3D Audio
Audio is an essential part of the virtual reality and gaming experience. While visuals help players feel like they're part of the action, the audio is what ties it together. This could make a beautiful landscape feel even more idyllic, with ambient sounds all around helping you feel like you’re right there. Alternatively, in a horror game, it could be what sends you over the edge, if you're in for a thrill. Well, the PSVR2 excels when it comes to audio.
And wouldn't you know it, the PSVR2 headset is outfitted with 3D audio from the PS5's renowned audio technology: the mighty Tempest. This immersive audio system simulates the position of sounds with jaw-dropping detail, giving players an auditory indication of where actions are coming from. If you're creeping around in Resident Evil Village, with barely a meter of visibility in front of you, you're going to want to listen carefully to what's around you!
This 3D audio is the same technology that the PlayStation Pulse 3D headset uses. This tried and tested noise-cancelling audio technology makes for an excellent experience with the PSVR2 headset.
4. Eye Tracking
Eye-tracking is one of the most sophisticated and impressive technologies in virtual reality devices. Using infrared cameras that are invisible to the human eye, the PS VR2 headset tracks where you're looking, using this information to determine what to show you in real-time.
As a baseline, the headset recognises what you're focusing on, rendering the focal object or space more defined and enhanced. However, some VR games will use this to far greater effect, incorporating it as a gameplay mechanic. As you’re playing the next VR horror game on the PlayStation just remember one thing: now the monsters will know when you blink.
The PS VR2 is also highly accessible with its eye tracking technology, fitting comfortably over a wearers glasses so you can get the best clarity and comfort from your headset. So if you wear a pair of glasses, you need not worry!
5. OLED Display
OLED technology has firmly established itself as an innovative and appealing display technology. Having been embraced by consoles such as the Nintendo Switch OLED, the display offers far greater contrast than traditional LED screens as well as increased brightness.
For the PS VR2, this means you’ll experience the most vivid and lifelike colours for a captivating effect.
6. 2000 x 2040 Resolution
Resolution is hugely important to the VR experience. Where your eyes are so close to what is being rendered, a high resolution is essential to keeping detailed, crisp visuals. If the resolution isn’t particularly high, the result is a screen door effect. This is where there's a grainy effect over everything, as though you were looking through a screen door.
You won’t have to worry about this effect on the PS VR2. With 2000 x 2040 resolution per eye, a massive upgrade over the 980 x 1080 resolution that the previous generation offered. The result? Crystal clear visuals without having to experience the screen door effect for an amazingly detailed visual experience.
7. Up to 120Hz
Just as essential to the visuals of VR is the refresh rate. While a high refresh rate won't make the games you play any clearer, it will make the action much smoother.
With a 120Hz refresh rate, the PS VR2 will offers a smooth display, helping to reduce motion sickness. If you play any competitive VR games, this could also give you an extra edge over your competitors.
8. Built-in Microphone
The community aspect of VR has grown massively in the last few years and is ever-gaining in popularity. Whether you’re into VR multiplayer games or like going into VR chat rooms, the PS VR2 has a handy little microphone to make life easier. With a built-in microphone, you can jump straight into the multiplayer scene make your voice heard. Just please be sensible...
9. Advanced Motion Sensors
Motion and movement are all important in the virtual reality space. How you move about in your in-game environment can be the difference between a realistic experience and an immersion-breaking distraction. The PS VR2 is dedicated to providing an incredible range of motion as well as accurately tracking movement.
To achieve this, the PlayStation VR2 headset has advanced motion sensors, which consist of a six-axis motion sensing system. This itself is made up of a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer. What does all this mean? Basically, the PS VR2 tracks movements very accurately, allowing you to play your games free of distractions.
10. Simple Setup - Plug and Play
Let's face it, we all hate dealing with cables. Thankfully, the PSVR2 has improved this time around. Whereas its predecessor required you to have an electrical engineering degree, the PSVR2 requires you to have a bit of common sense. To set it up, all you need to do is plug the headset, which should contain a single USB-C cable, in your PS5 and off you go. If you have a controller charging station, this will also require a separate cable to plug into the mains.
11. PS VR2 Exclusive Games
For many, the biggest card that PS VR2 has up its sleeve is the exclusive games. Chief amongst these is Horizon: Call of the Mountain, a virtual reality experience set in the stunning Horizon world. Other titles include Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil.
Alongside such exclusives, there's a range of quality launch titles in the market right now, including Resident Evil Village, Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxies Edge and No Man’s Sky amongst others.
PlayStation has innovated a fantastic piece of technology to create this PS5-compatible VR headset. Boasting what should prove to be incredible clarity, responsive controls and an impressive library of games, the PS VR2 is an amazing bit of kit that more players should get to experience.
If you're in the market for more PlayStation hardware, you should probably check out the PlayStation Portal. It's so good, it sells like hotcakes, and for good reason too. Have a look at all you need to know about the PlayStation Portal.
