StyM
10-05-2016, 07:42 AM
Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-sony-playstation-vr-review)
The full-fat PC VR experience has been nipped and tucked in terms of core technology and visual accomplishment, but the sense of presence required for a top-tier virtual reality experience is undiminished and there's plenty of promise in the initial launch line-up. Bearing in mind its price in relation to the competition, PlayStation VR is a remarkable achievement - especially bearing in mind that it manages to outscore its much more expensive rivals in key respects, principally in terms of comfort, fit and finish. In accommodating a (relatively) fixed platform, Sony had to get this hardware right first time and by and large, it's done an excellent job.
The 50 most exciting games of 2016
The ones we know about, anyway.
The 50 most exciting games of 2016
In terms of recommending a purchase, what's clear is that Sony has managed to overcome most of the principal hurdles, and has handed in a mainstream VR platform for console money that is highly compelling and as much I enjoyed my time with it, there are three significant arguments against investing in it right now, as I see it. First of all, extended gameplay sessions in VR could ultimately prove unsettling on your wellbeing. As relatively inexpensive as it is, will you get the same return from PSVR as a conventional console platform if you're fundamentally limited by the time you can spend using it? And secondly there's the fact that the same financial outlay next month buys you PlayStation 4 Pro. For Sony to release two major pieces of gaming hardware in consecutive months just seems too close.
But perhaps the biggest challenge facing PlayStation VR is that as good as the hardware is overall, the platform - and indeed VR in general - is still looking for that killer app, the game that will change everything. I used to think that presence, that immense feeling of being transported to another place, would be enough to sell the platform, that the experience alone was enough. But what's clear is that it isn't. Virtual reality is an amazing platform and PlayStation VR is a remarkable piece of hardware with many delightful experiences, but what's missing is its Super Mario 64, Halo or Ridge Racer - the 'must have' game that can truly kick off a new generation of interactive entertainment.
GameInformer (http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/10/05/the-playstation-vr-review.aspx)
PlayStation VR falls under the same argument that has plagued the ongoing war between PC gaming and console gaming for years. By the technical standards, Oculus and Vive on PC are stronger showcases for VR. However, PlayStation VR is cheaper, offers a legitimate virtual-reality experience that is more comfortable, and is easier to use than its competitors. For the console-exclusive gamers looking to enter the realm of virtual reality, PlayStation VR gets the job done. You can enter virtual worlds, get a sense that you?re really there, and have new interactive gaming experiences unlike anything you?ve seen before on consoles. You just might have a little bit of a headache as a result.
Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-vr-review/1100-6444197/)
As a VR fan, I want PSVR to succeed, but it trips up too many times to wholeheartedly recommend at this point. Many of the launch titles will make a large percentage of people sick, and it may lead to the false impression that VR has to make you nauseated. If you have a PS4 and are dying to get PSVR, then I?d recommend the $499.99 bundle which includes the PlayStation Camera, two Move controllers, and PlayStation VR Worlds. If you have a PS4 and are simply curious about VR, I?d hold out until more titles are released. While there are a handful of fun titles, there?s nothing that I?ve played at launch so far to indicate to me that the PSVR is a must-buy right now. For everyone else, I?d recommend saving up for a better reality.
Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/playstation-vr-review-this-is-the-vr-system-you-actual-1787339531)
Yet if anyone can get the game developers motivated it?s Sony. The company is historically very good at getting devs to invest in new platforms. If Sony can convince them that the Playstation VR is more than a cash grab banking on virtual reality?s rising popularity, and if it can convince consumers that $400 for a headset, $60 for two Move controllers, and another $60 for the Playstation 4 Camera isn?t a bad investment for a gaming setup, then the Playstation VR could be the system that changes virtual reality.
If you want to experience a VR world beyond what mobile offerings like Google Cardboard and Gear VR provide, then save up your pennies. This is the VR system for people looking to take the next step into a virtual world.
IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/05/playstation-vr-review)
Sony has managed to make its lower-priced PlayStation VR headset competitive where it counts. Despite its relatively low resolution it looks very good in games, and the headset is comfortable to wear and easy to use after you?ve dealt with its many wires. Paired with the Move controllers it provides good but sometimes flakey motion tracking on your hands, but the PlayStation Camera?s limited viewing angle is a weakness, and so is its inability to see behind you.
Should you run out and buy one? That depends. The technology is astonishing but still in its infancy, and VR games that rival current console blockbusters are a long way off, so it won?t be as immediately useful as you might expect for a $400 to $500 price. However, it?s a lot of fun to be on the forefront of something as exciting as VR. Some of the best times I?ve had with my VR headsets are from wowing people who come over and try it for the first time, and that never gets old.
PushSquare (http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2016/10/hardware_review_playstation_vr_-_the_future_of_play)
PlayStation VR is not perfect, but you could point to much, much worse first-generation products than this. Sony's headset is light and comfortable, and for the price that it's being sold for, it offers a very good virtual reality experience on consumer-grade hardware that you already own. The motion tracking is excellent, the visuals good enough to provide that all-important sense of presence, and the game library already fairly large.
Yes, there can be criticisms levelled at the resolution of the screen ? an issue which the more expensive masks on the market also share to a lesser extent ? and the sheer number of cables and items required to get the experience running correctly can be headache-inducing. But once you've got it all hooked up ? and the noisy Processor Unit placed out of the way ? the rewards are unquestionable; the ability to be somewhere else, to be someone else a gigantic stride forward in this industry's capacity to provide true escapism.
Looking far into the future, virtual reality will get better as screen technology improves and processing power increases. But already, in its formative stages, it's an incredible experience. And PlayStation VR, with its low barrier of entry, is achieving things that we could only have imagined a decade ago.
To borrow another famous PlayStation marketing phrase: this is living.
RoadToVR (http://www.roadtovr.com/playstation-vr-review-psvr-console-vr-has-arrived/)
PlayStation VR is a strong start for virtual reality on consoles, showing that it not only can be done, but it can be done well; the system is home to some of the best VR content I?ve played yet.
Powered by the now three year old foundation of PS4, I?m blown away by the visuals that have been achieved on PSVR. I?m especially interested to see how things improve further with the launch of PS4 Pro.
The 1920?1080 might be lower on paper than the headset?s two major competitors, but it?s perfectly capable of creating powerfully immersive experiences and beautiful virtual worlds, despite a few display flaws.
The design and ergonomics of PlayStation VR feel class leading in many ways compared to the Rift and Vive, with a design that maximizes field of view and comfort. Though I really would have liked to see built-in headphones to eliminate an extra cable and bulk from a pair of headphones not designed to be worn with a VR headset.
PSVR?s tracking is likely to be it?s biggest challenge going forward. It feels only just over the ?good enough? line and is notably less accurate and responsive compared to the more expensive Rift and Vive.
By no surprise and no mistake, PlayStation VR is in a big way all about the price. Consoles have always been about value. And despite being based on demonstrably less powerful hardware, PSVR delivers a VR experience that punches above its weight class and makes a strong argument for both existing and new console players to jump into VR.
TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/05/review-the-playstation-vr/)
The PS VR is a truly transformative piece of consumer hardware. Virtual reality tech has existed for decades but price has always held it back from the real world users. At $399 for the headset and around $800 for the entire package, PlayStation VR finally takes the PC out of the equation and delivers positionally-tracked, high quality VR to real consumers.
TheVerge (http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13167954/playstation-vr-review-ps4-psvr-virtual-reality-headset-controllers)
All this adds up to a system that is, more than anything else, good enough. There?s no one game that justifies buying PlayStation VR, and no technical breakthrough that will revolutionize how you experience the medium. But it offers a balanced, interesting launch catalog and a headset that?s a joy to wear, with weak points that hurt the system but don?t cripple it. It effectively costs more than an actual PlayStation 4 console, but for many people, it?s still within the range of a holiday splurge or a generous gift. And it?s got the backing of a company that, even if it?s being cautious with VR, seems in it for the long haul.
Wired (https://www.wired.com/2016/10/review-sony-playstation-vr/)
But while nothing about the PSVR can be said to be better than the headsets that Oculus and HTC turned out earlier this year?other than ergonomics?that?s not what matters. Not at all, in fact. What matters is that this thing works in your living room. What matters is that it?s comfortable, immersive, and intuitive. What matters is that it invites people to see what you?re doing, even participate in what you?re doing (which it does, via asymmetric games like VR Playroom?which is free, and might just turn out to be the Wii Games of the platform.) What matters is that, while it?s not cheap by any stretch, it?s at $400 a not-out-of-the-realm-of-possibility purchase for holiday presents, high school kids with jobs, and people who already have a PS4 and want to see what the fuss is about.
The PSVR does all those things, and does them well. So no, despite my own predictions back in January, we can?t know if this thing is going to be a Wii. But we do know what it?s not going to be?and that?s a Virtual Boy.
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi28_4HKVLE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePTTUtuD_d4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Nlhij2vLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX8wlviCYIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV-PF8I71ns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Mg_K6d7nw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiTJSaViuPc
The full-fat PC VR experience has been nipped and tucked in terms of core technology and visual accomplishment, but the sense of presence required for a top-tier virtual reality experience is undiminished and there's plenty of promise in the initial launch line-up. Bearing in mind its price in relation to the competition, PlayStation VR is a remarkable achievement - especially bearing in mind that it manages to outscore its much more expensive rivals in key respects, principally in terms of comfort, fit and finish. In accommodating a (relatively) fixed platform, Sony had to get this hardware right first time and by and large, it's done an excellent job.
The 50 most exciting games of 2016
The ones we know about, anyway.
The 50 most exciting games of 2016
In terms of recommending a purchase, what's clear is that Sony has managed to overcome most of the principal hurdles, and has handed in a mainstream VR platform for console money that is highly compelling and as much I enjoyed my time with it, there are three significant arguments against investing in it right now, as I see it. First of all, extended gameplay sessions in VR could ultimately prove unsettling on your wellbeing. As relatively inexpensive as it is, will you get the same return from PSVR as a conventional console platform if you're fundamentally limited by the time you can spend using it? And secondly there's the fact that the same financial outlay next month buys you PlayStation 4 Pro. For Sony to release two major pieces of gaming hardware in consecutive months just seems too close.
But perhaps the biggest challenge facing PlayStation VR is that as good as the hardware is overall, the platform - and indeed VR in general - is still looking for that killer app, the game that will change everything. I used to think that presence, that immense feeling of being transported to another place, would be enough to sell the platform, that the experience alone was enough. But what's clear is that it isn't. Virtual reality is an amazing platform and PlayStation VR is a remarkable piece of hardware with many delightful experiences, but what's missing is its Super Mario 64, Halo or Ridge Racer - the 'must have' game that can truly kick off a new generation of interactive entertainment.
GameInformer (http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/10/05/the-playstation-vr-review.aspx)
PlayStation VR falls under the same argument that has plagued the ongoing war between PC gaming and console gaming for years. By the technical standards, Oculus and Vive on PC are stronger showcases for VR. However, PlayStation VR is cheaper, offers a legitimate virtual-reality experience that is more comfortable, and is easier to use than its competitors. For the console-exclusive gamers looking to enter the realm of virtual reality, PlayStation VR gets the job done. You can enter virtual worlds, get a sense that you?re really there, and have new interactive gaming experiences unlike anything you?ve seen before on consoles. You just might have a little bit of a headache as a result.
Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/articles/playstation-vr-review/1100-6444197/)
As a VR fan, I want PSVR to succeed, but it trips up too many times to wholeheartedly recommend at this point. Many of the launch titles will make a large percentage of people sick, and it may lead to the false impression that VR has to make you nauseated. If you have a PS4 and are dying to get PSVR, then I?d recommend the $499.99 bundle which includes the PlayStation Camera, two Move controllers, and PlayStation VR Worlds. If you have a PS4 and are simply curious about VR, I?d hold out until more titles are released. While there are a handful of fun titles, there?s nothing that I?ve played at launch so far to indicate to me that the PSVR is a must-buy right now. For everyone else, I?d recommend saving up for a better reality.
Gizmodo (http://gizmodo.com/playstation-vr-review-this-is-the-vr-system-you-actual-1787339531)
Yet if anyone can get the game developers motivated it?s Sony. The company is historically very good at getting devs to invest in new platforms. If Sony can convince them that the Playstation VR is more than a cash grab banking on virtual reality?s rising popularity, and if it can convince consumers that $400 for a headset, $60 for two Move controllers, and another $60 for the Playstation 4 Camera isn?t a bad investment for a gaming setup, then the Playstation VR could be the system that changes virtual reality.
If you want to experience a VR world beyond what mobile offerings like Google Cardboard and Gear VR provide, then save up your pennies. This is the VR system for people looking to take the next step into a virtual world.
IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/05/playstation-vr-review)
Sony has managed to make its lower-priced PlayStation VR headset competitive where it counts. Despite its relatively low resolution it looks very good in games, and the headset is comfortable to wear and easy to use after you?ve dealt with its many wires. Paired with the Move controllers it provides good but sometimes flakey motion tracking on your hands, but the PlayStation Camera?s limited viewing angle is a weakness, and so is its inability to see behind you.
Should you run out and buy one? That depends. The technology is astonishing but still in its infancy, and VR games that rival current console blockbusters are a long way off, so it won?t be as immediately useful as you might expect for a $400 to $500 price. However, it?s a lot of fun to be on the forefront of something as exciting as VR. Some of the best times I?ve had with my VR headsets are from wowing people who come over and try it for the first time, and that never gets old.
PushSquare (http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2016/10/hardware_review_playstation_vr_-_the_future_of_play)
PlayStation VR is not perfect, but you could point to much, much worse first-generation products than this. Sony's headset is light and comfortable, and for the price that it's being sold for, it offers a very good virtual reality experience on consumer-grade hardware that you already own. The motion tracking is excellent, the visuals good enough to provide that all-important sense of presence, and the game library already fairly large.
Yes, there can be criticisms levelled at the resolution of the screen ? an issue which the more expensive masks on the market also share to a lesser extent ? and the sheer number of cables and items required to get the experience running correctly can be headache-inducing. But once you've got it all hooked up ? and the noisy Processor Unit placed out of the way ? the rewards are unquestionable; the ability to be somewhere else, to be someone else a gigantic stride forward in this industry's capacity to provide true escapism.
Looking far into the future, virtual reality will get better as screen technology improves and processing power increases. But already, in its formative stages, it's an incredible experience. And PlayStation VR, with its low barrier of entry, is achieving things that we could only have imagined a decade ago.
To borrow another famous PlayStation marketing phrase: this is living.
RoadToVR (http://www.roadtovr.com/playstation-vr-review-psvr-console-vr-has-arrived/)
PlayStation VR is a strong start for virtual reality on consoles, showing that it not only can be done, but it can be done well; the system is home to some of the best VR content I?ve played yet.
Powered by the now three year old foundation of PS4, I?m blown away by the visuals that have been achieved on PSVR. I?m especially interested to see how things improve further with the launch of PS4 Pro.
The 1920?1080 might be lower on paper than the headset?s two major competitors, but it?s perfectly capable of creating powerfully immersive experiences and beautiful virtual worlds, despite a few display flaws.
The design and ergonomics of PlayStation VR feel class leading in many ways compared to the Rift and Vive, with a design that maximizes field of view and comfort. Though I really would have liked to see built-in headphones to eliminate an extra cable and bulk from a pair of headphones not designed to be worn with a VR headset.
PSVR?s tracking is likely to be it?s biggest challenge going forward. It feels only just over the ?good enough? line and is notably less accurate and responsive compared to the more expensive Rift and Vive.
By no surprise and no mistake, PlayStation VR is in a big way all about the price. Consoles have always been about value. And despite being based on demonstrably less powerful hardware, PSVR delivers a VR experience that punches above its weight class and makes a strong argument for both existing and new console players to jump into VR.
TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/05/review-the-playstation-vr/)
The PS VR is a truly transformative piece of consumer hardware. Virtual reality tech has existed for decades but price has always held it back from the real world users. At $399 for the headset and around $800 for the entire package, PlayStation VR finally takes the PC out of the equation and delivers positionally-tracked, high quality VR to real consumers.
TheVerge (http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13167954/playstation-vr-review-ps4-psvr-virtual-reality-headset-controllers)
All this adds up to a system that is, more than anything else, good enough. There?s no one game that justifies buying PlayStation VR, and no technical breakthrough that will revolutionize how you experience the medium. But it offers a balanced, interesting launch catalog and a headset that?s a joy to wear, with weak points that hurt the system but don?t cripple it. It effectively costs more than an actual PlayStation 4 console, but for many people, it?s still within the range of a holiday splurge or a generous gift. And it?s got the backing of a company that, even if it?s being cautious with VR, seems in it for the long haul.
Wired (https://www.wired.com/2016/10/review-sony-playstation-vr/)
But while nothing about the PSVR can be said to be better than the headsets that Oculus and HTC turned out earlier this year?other than ergonomics?that?s not what matters. Not at all, in fact. What matters is that this thing works in your living room. What matters is that it?s comfortable, immersive, and intuitive. What matters is that it invites people to see what you?re doing, even participate in what you?re doing (which it does, via asymmetric games like VR Playroom?which is free, and might just turn out to be the Wii Games of the platform.) What matters is that, while it?s not cheap by any stretch, it?s at $400 a not-out-of-the-realm-of-possibility purchase for holiday presents, high school kids with jobs, and people who already have a PS4 and want to see what the fuss is about.
The PSVR does all those things, and does them well. So no, despite my own predictions back in January, we can?t know if this thing is going to be a Wii. But we do know what it?s not going to be?and that?s a Virtual Boy.
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi28_4HKVLE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePTTUtuD_d4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Nlhij2vLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX8wlviCYIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV-PF8I71ns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Mg_K6d7nw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiTJSaViuPc