Gamers are eagerly counting down the days until October 13, 2016, when the PlayStation VR will let them immerse themselves into some of their favorite virtual fantasies.
From real world situations to behaving as superheroes or villains, to the stuff of wishes and nightmares, it’s set to be an affordable ($300-$399.99) and comfortable alternative to the current leaders in virtual reality, the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift.
PlayStation VR Specs
Simple in design and set-up, the specs are pretty good for its pricing:
- 5.7” screen and 100° field of view
- Three-axis gyroscope and three-axis accelerometer sensors
- 120Hz
- About 960 x 1080 resolution per eye
Resourceful Gaming and Broad Appeal
Trivia geeks will recognize Morpheus as Laurence Fishburne’s memorable Matrix character, as well as the alternate name for Neil Gaiman’s icon. It’s easy to see why PS’s foray into virtual reality was originally known by this moniker.
Players are taken into their journeys via the PlayStation VR headset plugged into the PS4, which can be tweaked accordingly by the included stereo headphone, AUX, HDMI splitter, USB and AC adaptors.
By utilizing the beloved gaming system, it saves on storage space, and having to purchase another base piece that may eventually lose their appeal.
Many PS4 players will likely already have the PS Camera, which is also required, and the DualShock 4 and/or the Move controllers, so this is a nice addition to your gaming investments.
The headset adapts very well to player motions, and there are two lights at the back of the adjustable head strap for increased responses. The cushy expansiveness is a big plus for eyeglass wearers, who can smoothly set the goggles over their lenses, and allows for enough room to slightly move aside to check up on the time, or check out any distractions.
Fifty PlayStation VR Games
By the end of the year, PS plans to have at least fifty games available for VR, with highlights including:
- Farpoint (alien battles)
- STAR WARS™ Battlefront™ Rogue One: X-Wing VR Mission
- Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, seven levels of intense horror brought as close to life as possible
- Rez Infinite
Rez Infinite: Area X Deserves a Special Mention
PlayStation VR players were thrilled when Enhance Games announced it was bringing musical shooter Rez to PSVR, under a new name Rez Infinite.
Now more than ever, PSVR players would be able to engross themselves in the beautiful virtual world of the remake of the Dreamcast-era game.
There’s no doubt that Rez Infinite’s exciting new level is PlayStation VR’s most beautiful experience.
While the original Rez levels are spectacular in PlayStation VR, the game’s new level, Area X offers the most immersive experience. Unlike the other levels, Area X was designed with VR in mind.
PlayStation VR Demo Disc with Eight Games
One of the most exciting details is the PlayStation VR demo disc that comes with it. It has eight games and immediately shows players what this system is capable of.
There’s a little something for everyone with the range of genres, as well as a nice blend of the new and old:
- Battlezone: The old school 1980 Atari adventure revamped for today’s expectations, for gamers to defend a futuristic Earth
- Driveclub: A PS exclusive, that lets you indulge your vicarious road pleasures
- EVE: Valkyrie: Act as a reanimated space pirate in the deepest recesses of the galaxy
- Headmaster: Weave your way through the surreal Football Improvement Center
- RIGS Mechanized Combat League: Whether or not you know combat moves in real life, here’s your chance to put some steps to the test
- Tumble: The redesigned PS3 brain power puzzle game
- VR Worlds: Five sets in one, where you can be a London East End hoodlum, luge street racer, futuristic fighter, deep sea ocean explorer, or a space fighter
- Wayward Sky: Set out on far-reaching adventures to find and save your father
There are a couple of ways to try out your skills before the PlayStation VR release date. You can look for a local participating retailer that has VR Worlds available for demos, and you check the “Road to Greatness” tour for a stop near you, which will feature a gaming truck.
Another incentive is to pre-order the full version of RIGS Mechanized Combat League, to get a Guerrilla Games pilot helmet and uniform, and two visors, to really enhance your role-playing.
Sony’s PlayStation VR headset launches on Oct 13 and Rez Infinite for PlayStation 4 releases the same day.
PSVR Pre-Order is available on Amazon in UK and coming to US later, stay tuned!
Check on Amazon