It appears I may have to eat crow when it comes to the PS VR2 and its future. I previously predicted that it would go the way of the PS Vita, but upcoming changes may rejuvenate the underutilized headset.
Sony has just announced that it is “currently testing the ability for PS VR2 players to access additional games on PC.” The launch window for this game-changing (pun intended) feature is planned for 2024, so you won’t have to wait too long to finally make the most of your pricy add-on.
When it comes to VR headsets available, the PS VR2 is about as good as it gets with some specs that are nothing to scoff at. Compared to the Quest 3, PlayStation’s device surpasses it in almost every way. For instance, the VR2 has a gorgeous 2000 x 2040-pixel OLED screen while the Quest 3 sports a 2064 x 2208-pixel LCD one. The difference is noticeable.
Despite this, the Quest 3 has been my favorite headset thanks to its ability to play games as a standalone device and its PC VR capabilities. If the PS VR2 successfully launches PC support, mine will almost certainly stop collecting dust, and it may be my Quest 3 that finds itself neglected.
Questions remain, such as whether it’ll be limited to a library curated by Sony, or whether any third-party developers will be able to make their games compatible with the PS VR2. In a best-case scenario, ports that have been requested for ages, such as Half-Life: Alyx, will finally make the leap, but it’s best to keep expectations in check.
One thing that puts a smile on my face is that PC support will allow for some tinkering which was historically quite difficult for the device, though there have been valiant attempts. This includes mods and fan-made ports of games. No longer will the VR2 be limited to a console where its capabilities are seldom maximally utilized.
Perhaps most importantly, it expands the VR community, which is exactly what the struggling medium needs. Studios like First Contact Entertainment have shut down due to a “lack of support for VR within the industry,” and even Sony has admitted that the platform is challenging and hasn’t met expectations. That could change with VR2’s PC compatibility, which has the chance to produce some of the best VR moments available when it’s at its best.
The headset’s migration to PC also lowers the entry price for VR. If you already own a capable PC, all you’ll need to do is purchase Sony’s headset. This is much better than the situation we have now, where you need to invest in a PS5 first before you experience the spectacular experiences the VR2 is capable of.
Even more PS VR2 games on the way
Although the announcement of PC support is monumental, it is only briefly mentioned in the blog post which is focused on highlighting existing and upcoming titles for the headset. This includes Carbon Studio VR’s The Wizards – Dark Times: Brotherhood which is an action-adventure spellcasting game that features both single-player and 3-player co-op modes. The game launches today, February 22.
The post-apocalyptic Arizona Sunshine 2 is mentioned, and it’s getting a free update today along with three new Horde mode maps, which will be released one by one every month from March to May. Also coming up is a Thirdverse game called Soul Covenant, dropping you into a fight for survival against a mech regime.
No more waiting for jailbreaking to unlock the VR2’s full capabilities. Sony has seen the light and decided to make the right move for itself and the VR platform. If correctly implemented, the headset could find a larger audience and finally be recognized for the technological marvel it is.
