Analyzing the new Sony headset in depth in our test of the PlayStation VR2, the direct comparison with the old model seems inevitable: the PSVR had the merit of making the game in virtual reality known to the general public, also arousing the interest of players less experienced accustomed to this segment and managing to enter the homes of no less than six million users. Placing the two models face to face can therefore be useful for understand how the new PSVR2 has evolved since its first iteration, and if the technicians of the Japanese giant have somehow accepted the lessons learned during its life cycle. Make yourself comfortable and happy reading!
Continuity and rupture
Released in 2016, the first PlayStation headset he found himself faced with a market that was still quite immature, populated by the first headsets available to the general public. Sony’s objective was to release a new tool to transmit a type of video game entertainment that was still quite unexplored and to follow, without taking into account the technical limits imposed by the time, the philosophy of “living room” immediacy. From this point of view PlayStation VR2 continues in the footsteps of its predecessorhowever offering a “premium” experience entirely focused on quality.
This raising of standards can be seen from the very first moments of processing the new PlayStation gem. Aesthetically, PSVR2 is the obvious evolution of the “older” brother, and in its structure it is possible to trace the same basic concept. What makes the difference, however, is the choice of materials and the incredible attention to detail brought to the latest model, all immediately noticeable factors. Both viewers have a similar structure, consisting of two main sections: a front block that houses lenses and sensors, and a rear headband that wraps around the player’s head. Compared to its predecessor PSVR2 features more refined and soft lines, with top quality finishes and details. The membrane that protects the lens compartment is more extensive and, unlike the one installed on the PSVR, manages to isolate it completely from outside light. The new rear arch is characterized by more slender shapes, the internal cushions seem designed not to undergo rapid wear and the adjustment mechanism is further simplified.
Even the USB cable appears more solid as well as endowed with an inclination likely to make the connection to the console more functional, reducing the risk of hindering the player’s movements. Finally, the arrangement of the “neck” of the headphones, perfectly adhering to the viewer, it is very close to the one seen in the second version of the PSVRwhich, compared to the first, offered better cable management.
In terms of controls, the PlayStation VR2 completely revolutionizes the configuration of its predecessor, by offering two controllers more in line with current VR standards, both technologically advanced and equipped with innovative features.
So goodbye to the old Moves and the use of the pad: the PSVR2 Sense opens the door to complete freedom of movement during gaming sessions, recalibrating the entire user experience upwards. In general, The PSVR2 represents a breakthrough in portability and comfort: the management of the balance has clearly improved, as has the comfort of the spectator, in particular at the level of the face. The larger space offered by the lens compartment also brings immediate benefits to spectacle wearers, who ultimately do not risk scratching the lenses due to repeated contact.
Technological evolution
From a hardware point of view, the distance between PSVR and PSVR2 is abysmal, especially in terms of sensors. The first viewer is equipped with a OLED screen with Full HD resolution, 90 and 120 Hz refresh rate and 100 degree field of view: despite the good quality of the hardware, especially for the time, the headset faces a series of fairly common problems in the field of VR, starting with the most banal “fly screen effect” which inevitably degrades the quality of the ‘picture.
The PlayStation VR2, on the other hand, comes with an OLED display with 4K resolution and full HDR support, 90 and 120Hz refresh rates and an increased field of view of 110 degrees: beyond the Obvious improvement in resolution, what is striking is the dramatic improvement in image quality. PSVR2 seems to have solved the classic artifacts caused by fresnel lenses: Colors appear bright, images sharp, light level high. The expanded field of vision then contributes to greater involvement. Better images also mean less problems with motion sickness: the new viewer in fact decisively reduces the annoyance caused by virtual reality stimuli. The gyroscope and accelerometer of the PSVR have been replaced by much more advanced components: the PSVR2 uses six-axis motion sensors, an IR proximity sensor, one for gaze detection and above all four front cameras that revolutionize the experience.
No more PlayStation Camera and dedicated processor: the new helmet is able to analyze the environment without the help of external devices, also offering a window on the real world thanks to the integrated cameras.
The eye detection sensor then opens the door to favorite rendering (a technology that allows hardware to concentrate resources in the player’s point of view without compromising performance) and facial expression recognition, which are transferred to our avatar virtual. These features alone are enough to provide a much more immersive and realistic experience than what was seen in the last generation on PSVR.
Sense controllers increase the gap between the two viewers: the presence of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers effectively fuel the “feeling of presence” transmitted by virtual reality, further enriching – at least potentially – the sensory baggage of the titles. In essence, the sensations of physicality offered by the PSVR2 are not even comparable to those transmitted by the ancestor of the Sony house.
In short, if the PlayStation VR had the mission of making VR known to the general public, its heir aims to consolidate this segment and raise it to the level of more traditional PlayStation proposals. However, as we have already made clear during the review, the marked improvement in hardware and overall quality is not enough: To succeed in the business, Sony will need to adequately back its new gem with a portfolio that can fully justify the viewer’s purchase, adequately balancing the fiduciary effort demanded of the audience.