It feels like forever ago when tech giants would wax poetic about a fully virtual gaming experience. We’ve seen a lot of big companies enter the space and promptly leave unceremoniously. Forgive me if you’ve heard this before, but this time just feels different.
After a prolonged period of secrets and silence, the floodgates have been opened and the media embargoes have been lifted. New tidbits about Sony’s Playstation VR2 are coming out every day, and it’s all good news. Today, we’ll highlight the lengthy list of upcoming games, explore the many changes made to the popular VR headset, and show you exactly how to get your hands on one. Game on!
Shutterstock: Nathanael GintingWhat’s New?
Everything, really. From enhanced hardware, to new controllers, to a headset that rumbles, the PSVR2 is a momentous step forward for VR in a lot of different ways.
The innovative new headset offers a 110-degree field of view compared to the original’s 100-degree view. Its screens are 4K capable, and the tracking is vastly improved.1
The new-look PSVR2 controllers are a dramatic improvement over last gen too. The new ones boast haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, finger-touch detection and more.2
Though it can’t quite compete with the specs offered by some of the most expensive VR headsets on the market, the Playstation VR2’s price, hardware specs, and software support help it stand out. It may not be the strongest or the cheapest, but it does have a ton to offer.
The Games
All the fancy new upgrades in the world can’t convince gamers to play a system without any games. But it seems Sony delivered on that front too. The launch of the Playstation VR2 comes with the arrival of a bunch of AAA games we’re all excited about.
Horizon Call of the Mountain
Explore the world of Horizon in an all-new next-gen VR experience. In Horizon Call of the Mountain, players control the soldier Ryas as he sets out on a journey of redemption and sacrifice. You can pre-order the game today, or grab it when it releases on February 22, 2023.3
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
This VR favorite is getting an exclusive next-gen enhancement for Sony’s new VR headset.4 Set in the storied Star Wars universe, Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is an action-adventure lover’s dream that features an unforgettable story and some of the most popular characters in the series.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution
You don’t have to have played the first VR installment of The Walking Dead Saints and Sinners saga to be excited for this one. Head back to New Orleans with a new story, new weapons, and a terrifying new villain named Axeman.
Resident Evil Village
Horror fans are itching to revisit Resident Evil Village in VR. Owners of Resident Evil Village can take advantage of this free DLC starting on February 22, 2023.5 The free new addition makes the whole game playable in VR mode, with 4K HDR graphics and eye tracking.
Gran Turismo 7
Fans of Gran Turismo 7 are looking forward to February too. Sony recently announced that their beloved racing sim is receiving a full-scale VR treatment, just in time for the PSVR2’s February launch.
And those are just the ones generating the most buzz. Other announced games include:
- Moss & Moss: Book II
- No Man’s Sky
- Firewall Ultra
- Demeo
- Resident Evil 4
- Cities: VR – Enhanced Edition
- The Tale of Onogoro6
Release Details
The time has almost come! What began as nothing more than the gentle turning of the rumor mill has manifested itself into an official release date for the Playstation VR2 and an impressive list of new and improved VR experiences.
Sony’s Playstation VR2 will officially release February 22, 2023 for $549.99! You can place a pre-order now or wait until release day and hope local retailers can keep one in stock long enough. Either way, you’ll need a Playstation 5 console in order to operate it, so buy one of those first.
A Whole New World
We’ve seen a lot of VR headsets come and go, but we’re still incredibly excited where Sony takes this new generation. Lots of software support, a great price, and an impressive spec upgrade could mean big things for the Playstation VR2. The critics certainly think so.
We won’t know for sure until it starts landing on porches in late February, but we will be watching as the demand grows and as new games are released. Here’s hoping this one takes, and inspires a new wave of great consoles and even better games.