Sony PlayStation VR - Reviews

(4.6)

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For Sony PlayStation VR, 2912 customer reviews collected from 5 e-commerce sites, and the average score is 4.6.

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6.8.2019

I got this product from Argos but thought I would put a review on here to answer some of the questions that I had been asking prior to purchase. That’s why it does not shows as a “verified purchase”.It’s a bit of a lengthy review, but I wanted to address concerns and questions I had before I purchased it, as I am sure many people ask the same questions, especially that of wearing glasses whilst wearing the headset.So, with this Starter Kit you get the following:• VR Headset• PlayStation Camera• Processor Unit• VR headset connection cable• AC adaptor• AC power cord• HDMI cable• USB cable• Stereo headphones• Earpieces (1 set)• Printed materials• Cleaning cloth• PlayStation VR Worlds voucher codeIt’s fairly simple to set up following the printed guide and then the on-screen instructions.Took me about fifteen minutes in all. I currently only have one VR game; Skyrim, so my experiences below are based on playing that game.HEADSETThe headset itself is a lot lighter than I had expected it would be, and is comfortable to wear. It has two adjusters, one for the head band at the back, and one for the distant of the lens box from your face. I did find, though, that it gets quite warm in the headset and I started to sweat a little which caused some minor fogging of the lenses. However, when I played it later that same day, I did not have that problem. The first one could have been where I had been at the gym prior, and though I had showered and cooled down, my body was still in sweat mode.IMAGE QUALITY: I had read some reviews in which reviewers said they had been “blown away” by image quality, but I have to disagree here. Perhaps my expectation was too high, maybe I am spoiled as I play on a PS4 Pro connected to a 55-inch 4K HDTV, and I guess I was expecting that sort of image quality. Let me tell you this now; it’s not like that at all. Some people complained that the image was blurry, and I initially found that to be true, but by slightly moving the headset around it did improve a little. Still, distance images are “soft” focus. In Skyrim I was passing a river and on the other side was a stag. It wasn’t in sharp focus and I couldn’t tell what the animal was at first. My complaint is the image quality rather than it being blurred. Have you ever been playing a game (not using VR) and put your eyes a few inches from the TV screen? You can still see what’s on the screen, but it’s almost like it’s pixelated. That’s what it’s kind of like to a lesser degree through this PSVR. Though there is some good draw distance, it’s certainly not sharp. I also can see what looks like the screen is covered in rows of little black dots, almost like I am seeing the image through a vary fine veil or a screen door. The screen door effect was most pronounced when the screen was black between screen loadings. Perhaps this is just the way the PSVR headset composes its images, and perhaps it’s something that your eyes/brain gets used to and “filters” out. (Edit: after a while I stopped seeing those dots). Actually, the word “grainy” best suits what I am seeing through the headset. Admittedly I only have one VR game at the moment: Skyrim. It’s a 10-year-old game so perhaps converting that into a VR image is what the problem is here.But there is one awesome feature; these games are in 3D. In Skyrim VR I was attacked by a wolf. I killed it then looked at its body. It was like looking at one of those 3D holographic pictures you used to get on bubble-gum cards, or those 3D photographs that failed to take off some years ago. I felt that I could have reached out and stroked the fur of that wolf. I also sat down at a table and that was really effective in that it really did look like I could have reached out and grabbed the food. Looking at the scenery around me it is clearly in 3D, which is quite amazing, having been used to playing on a 2D canvas that TVs are. I think where the image quality is concerned, if you are expecting real-life/4K HD vision, you will be disappointed. If, however, you accept that you are not going to get that, that you’re going to get an image that is like playing in a world made up of the aforementioned 3D holographic pictures, then you should be okay.IMMERSION: Reviewers have said that playing a game in VR really does get you immersed into the game, that it’s just like being there. Yes, I do have to agree. For those of you familiar with Skyrim, you’ll know that when the game starts you are sat in the back of a horse-drawn cart, a prisoner, with three other prisoners. Sitting in that cart and looking at the people with you it really does feel so much more “I’m there!” than playing it on a TV. Turning my head, I could look around me 360 degrees, including up and down. Now that is amazing. Talking about immersion; when the cart and the character next to me got up, I actually leaned my real-life body out of the way as it looked as if he was going to bump into me. That was awesome. Turning your head around to see what is behind you, without having to use the controller stick was immense.EARPHONES: The description for the headset says you can use any earphones when using it. Not quite true to be honest. I have a pair of Bluetooth headphones, with mic, which I use to chat with friends on PS. I put on the headset and then turned on the Bluetooth headphones. A message pops up saying I cannot use these headphone and VR headset at the same time. So, the restriction with the “any” headphones with the VR headset is that they have to be able to plug into the headset headphone jack directly. I do have a set of wired headphones with mic, which I will try.MOTION SICKNESS: Beware! If you are somebody who gets travel sick even on the shortest of journeys, then you will probably struggle to play using VR comfortably. I don’t get travel sick, though I do get nauseous if I read a book whilst travelling by car or coach. Oddly enough I am not affected when reading on a train or plane. I spent 20+ years in the Navy. I did get seasick the first time I went to sea on a warship, but after a day or two it subsided and I rarely had a problem with seasickness when at sea, even in the roughest of seas. Within a few minutes of playing Skyrim VR I started to feel a little “head fuzzy”, as if I was experiencing the first signs of impending travel sickness. I stopped playing for a while and then played again. It wasn’t too bad the second time, but it was still there. I am hoping this is something that my body will adjust to. Basically, it’s happening because my eyes are telling my brain that I am moving, but my body is telling my brain that I am motionless. The poor brain gets confused and for some reason its defence is to make you feel rotten. I think the key here is for me to play in little short episodes and gradually build up playing time as my body gets used to it. I would also suggest that those who do get motion sickness easily, perhaps play a VR game that is a slow, leisurely affair, rather than a fast paced, fact action game, until you get used to it. After my first go on PSVR I only played it for about 20 minutes and then started to get a bit nauseous, and so I stopped playing. I then had something to eat and went back to play it; this time it was much better. In the navy when we had new sailors onboard who would get sea sick, we used to tell them to make sure they eat something, if not a full meal, then a snack. More often than not, having food in your belly lessened the effects of seasickness, and I found that to also be true with VR related motion sickness.Edit: I went to the local chemist and purchased a pair of those anti-motion sickness bands. They are basically wrist bands with a little plastic stud in them. You wear them so the band presses against a particular nerve in your wrist, which stops the nausea. By God, it worked!GLASSES: This was my biggest question I had before getting the PSVR. I wear glasses all the time. Without them everything beyond about 8 inches from my nose is blurred. Because the lenses in the headset are so close to your eyes, I was concerned about how it would fit when wearing my glasses and would the lenses of my glasses and/or headset get scratched when they contact. Some reviewers said it was never a problem for them. When I am wearing my glasses and put on the headset the lenses of the headset most certainly DO touch my glasses, I had to do quite a bit of moving and adjusting the headset about to try and get the sweet spot to reduce the contact as much as possible. I tried taking off my glasses when wearing the headset as I reasoned that because the headset lenses were within such close proximity of my eyes, it would be as if I was holding something that close to my eyes, and the short-sightedness would not be an issue. Nope, without glasses the image is out of focus. So, this is something I am going to have to practice with to get that sweet spot. My glasses at not that big either: 14 cm across the top from arm to arm, and 4cm in height.Edit: After a long time fiddling about with the headset, I finally found that sweet spot. I find that having the headset quite tight against my head I was able to have the headset lenses snug enough against my glasses so that they would not move and therefore rub, yet still be comfortable. It’s all about fine tuning the headset fit. It takes a while but once done you’ll soon learn what’s best for you and your glasses.Edit 2: I just didn't like the idea of my glasses rubbing against the lenses of my PSVR. I didn’t want to end up with scratched glasses and/or PSVR lens. So in the end I dug out my old contact lens prescription and purchased some contacts. It certainly makes wearing the headset more comfortable.CHILDREN: Just for those considering getting one of these for their kids. The guidelines state that the PSVR headset is not suitable for children below the age of 12.In summary, I am not completely blown away by VR play, but perhaps I was just putting my expectations too high, but once I had accepted that then the experience really did become more positive. One thing that that gets under my skin with the whole set up is the number of cables involved. The back of my PS now resembles a snake nest.

26.10.2016

This, in some ways is actually going to be a hard review to write as I don't want to come over as a total fan boy, BUT, I am so blown away that I will be hard not to be over enthusiastic.Okay I have had my VR a little over a week as I wanted to really have a good run of it before giving my opinion.In the box, you get all the leads needed; the headset (obviously); the processor unit, that not only provides the picture and sound to the headset but also splits the picture between the headset and TV so friends/guests/family can actually watch what you do on the TV while you play; and a set of ear buds for the sound.Not in the box. Obviously the PlayStation camera which is essential,while the Move controllers are not essential for some games, some WILL need them and I would highly recommend investing in them, I've played games with both the standard controller and Move and Move is a great improvement.Setting up is a surprisingly easy affair. There are quite a few leads, a personal bugbear of mine but at the same time I realise the necessity of them, despite that, the leads are labelled where needed and following the instructions it is very easy to set up.When you power it up for the first time, a little tip, on the PS Settings menu, go into the Devices menu, VR menu then Measure Eye Distance and follow the instructions, this can actually make quite a difference to the picture quality in the headset and as such can make the difference in how well you can see the display and your enjoyment of the system.The headset, in my opinion is pleasing to look at, a mix of white and black it is tidy looking without being plain black. Placing it on your head for the first time is surprising. It feels reasonably weighty in your hands but it is very comfortable fitted on your head, and for some strange reason actually feels less weighty once you are wearing it! it is very easy to fit, press the button on the back of the band, pull it on your head, release it then gently tighten the band for comfort with the small wheel on the back of the band. Then you move the visor onto your face, as the visor has a slider system with a small button underneath. This has two advantages. i) Glasses, I wear glasses and have absolutely no problem wearing them with the headset, the rubber seal around the edge fits around the well, not perfectly, you do get a slight light leakage but nothing catastrophic, and I find when I'm in a game I really don't notice it. ii) If you need to check your environment instead of having to remove the whole visor you can slide the visor forward and see out of the bottom of it, not perfectly again, but, it is a great help none the less.First impressions. WOW! Understand I have been gaming since the Atari VCS, with all manner of platforms up to the current generation, both computer AND console, yep, that long so I have seen and played all sorts of new tech and fads, but I think this is a real game changer (no pun intended.) This is so much more then "the next gen" console, or the newest ground breaking game "engine", or CD to DVD to Blu Ray game storage etc., this immerses/draws you into the game, in a way you can't get by playing with a TV screen/monitor.The earbuds are there for a reason. There is a headphone socket in the VR's cable controls, if you use this then as you move your head around the sound will track with you, so in games, sounds can give you an indication of a threat or target and it works brilliantly. Don't feel you have to use the earpods provided, especially if you are thinking "how do I talk to my friends on line?", I have used Apple earbuds, they work perfectly, I also have a gaming headset, it plugs into the socket and works perfectly again and fits over the band of the VR without any problem.(Edit: I've had it pointed out to me that the headset supplied does actually contain a microphone, which I admit I wasn't aware of, but, for those that like me prefer to use your normal headset, while I won't say all will definitely fit, mine is a very good fit, they are pretty much a standard "can" design so I'll be shocked if most don't fit, and my point as to them still working and being able to track the sound stands.)You get a demo disc that allows you to try various games, and there are freebies you can get off the PlayStation store so there are plenty of options to try the system out before buying games. A quick synopsis of what I've tried, played and opinion.Invasion. This is a animation to show the VR's capability not a game. It's okay, not the best graphically, but it shows the 360 degree capabilities well, there's no lag as you look round, a fun little animation.The Kitchen. No, not a domestic simulator, but a sample of forthcoming Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Oh boy. This is just a few minute sample, graphically, amazing, and very scary. I am not ashamed to admit there were points I jumped in shock at what I saw, and that is exactly what I mean by being immersed in a game, seeing it on a TV is one thing, but, seeing it right in front of your eyes, as if you are actually there, WOW! Mindblowing and scary, it really needs to be seen to be believed.Driveclub VR. Sorry, not impressed. The car is gorgeous, inside and out, this is the first driving game I have played where you can actually use the mirrors in and out the car effectively, BUT, as soon as you go out the car, the graphics fall, you get moments of brilliance, cherry blossom blows across the track and it looks great, but I think too much effort went into the interior and not enough into the exterior and driving.Into the Deep, on VR Worlds. Going underwater in a cage. Brilliant. You can't do much except enjoy the ride as you descend but beautiful. I have actually scuba dived and found this brilliant. The fish come up to you but swim away if you try to move closer. When the Manta Rays swim around I wanted to reach out and touch them, and the shark, just amazing as a demostrator.The Heist, on VR Worlds. You take part in a robbery. I have to admit I SUCK, massively at first person shooters, yet this, totally different, I'm not sure if it says more about me or the experience that I found it much easier to aim and shoot at, and more importantly HIT the characters then trying to control a gun with a stick on a controller to aim. Which also shows something else, I have read and seen reviews saying that the Move controllers were inaccurate and no good, well I found them very accurate, no lag and very easy to use. Again a tech demo, the actually story is very short but, great fun, and there is a great shooting range to test your skills.Playroom VR. Free so can't complain. Like the standard Playroom, cutesy graphically, this is a good game as you can play with other people in the room, the only thing I found, and it was only on this, when the character moved I got mild head swim. I don't understand why as this is the only game it happened on but not the greatest feeling. Another great little example of what VR can do.Battlezone. A MASSIVE upgrade on the original arcade game of the very early '80s. What an upgrade. You can look round the interior of the tank, again it is hard not to try to reach out and try to touch the screens and use the controls in the tank. Graphically, while not mindblowing, very good, definitely better then Driveclub VR so it is not a case of movement being the problem, very steep learning curve but a very enjoyable game, plus, instead of being locked in the forward view, with the VR you can look all around you to spot targets, expensive, but for me, enjoyable.Finally, the utterly amazing Batman Arkham VR. This is a little game set between Arkham city and Arkham Knight. Batman is truly on a mission around Gotham. Right from the off, graphically this is a true example of how good the VR is. The first thing you see you are perched on a rooftop above Gotham at night, at one point you descend into the Batcave, and it truly is a sight to behold from the stunning waterfall to the holograms from the Batcomputer. The controls are perfect, again Move controllers, from the Batgrapple, to the Batscanner to the Batarangs on your utility belt. At one point you come across Killer Croc, you would not want to meet this guy, you can almost smell his breath, it's just stunning.Bear in mind this is a 1st generation this is system amazing. Obviously I am using a regular PS4, not a Pro, something many said would degrade the experience, if this is degraded then the Pro will be beyond amazing. I'm not sure I'd say it's quite for the masses, £350, plus the camera, ideally plus the Moves is not chicken feed, (I'm assuming this is for people already with a PS4), but that being said is still MUCH cheaper then the cheapest PC VR system.I would say, if you are truly interested, I would genuinely suggest finding a store, or a friend, or a family member who has it and will let you try it, this way you can judge if it is for you, I am very VERY happy with it and have no regrets, but, that doesn't mean you'll feel the same, add to that there are reports of motion sickness, I'm lucky, I haven't had a problem as such, but, as I said I did feel slightly odd on one of them, so, I have no doubts people can be affected by it. I think most people will be stunned but I do think this really is going to be a massive deal gaming wise, but as I said, I truly believe try before you buy to get your own impression would be for the best.

10.1.2018

I’d been considering getting this for some time, and finally took the plunge as a xmas present to myself when the starter pack came in at £299. First off, I want to be clear, this is FOR ME absolutely worth the money. I’ll write this review with as much detail as possible, to hopefully help others decide if it’s worth it for them, as it is a lot of money.What I really wanted this for first off was Rez Infinite (more on that below), and then I heard about the upcoming VR patch for Wipeout Omega and was sold. Everything else – and there’s quite a bit of that – is a bonus.So first off, what’s in it? The starter pack comes with everything you need to get going. Set up is simple enough,though there are a lot of wires, and tucking them all in nicely out of the way requires a bit of space around your PS4.The headset is easy to put on and surprisingly comfy. The unit is supported on the forehead by the headband and a decent padded bit, and the visor section is adjustable to and away from your face. It has a cable that connects to the PS4 USB port, this is long so doesn’t really get in the way. What does bug me a bit is that the plug for the headphones is right next to the cable, so the two wires do have a habit of tangling up. They should be on opposite sides (or even better it could have Bluetooth connection for headphones). Of course, you don’t need to use headphone, though the 3D sound really adds to the immersion (I don’t have decent surround sound).The headset has a power button, volume controls for the headphones, and even a mic, however the commands for the PS4 are limited so I’ve not found much use for this.The unit calibrates itself as soon as you turn it on, and you can recentre it by holding the options button on the DS4 controller. Whilst at the home screen (or any non-VR screen) the display is like a cinema screen inside the visor. When you go into the VR though, that is unbelievable! It really is utterly immersive. I first played the free VR Playroom, which is a very ‘Nintendo’ esque affair, but really does show off the VR. It isn’t simply a first person 360 degree view, it is fully 3D, feeling as though you are in the game and can reach out and touch everything. When you move forward, you get a sense of movement. When you move fast you get the sense of speed, and when you slow to a stop you get that lurching feeling. It’s incredible. Added to that the 3D sound, which adjusts with your head movements, and you have complete immersion.There is a slight sort of ‘binocular’ effect for some reason. It’s pretty unobtrusive, and only really noticeable during bright game environments, but worth mentioning for thoroughness.Head movement is tracked perfectly, and turning around for the first time to see a bunch of robots behind me waving was brilliant. I then moved onto VR worlds, which is hit and miss in quality of content, but has some real gems. The Shark Attack experience is terrifying; even sat on my couch saying ‘it’s not real’ didn’t stop the fear as a great white ripped the front off the shark cage. It’s not the most terrifying thing though, that at the moment goes to the IT experience on Littlstar. I haven’t yet got the nerve to buy Resident Evil 7…On then to Rez. And that is phenomenal. I’ve loved that game for years, and this is what it was meant for. Flying through the levels, the sense of speed and pure exhilaration is unsurpassed. It is perfect. And the new Area X where you can free fly is just the icing on the cake.Graphics wise, no it’s not up there with high end, or even normal, performance. I’m playing on a base PS4, I imagine a Pro will add a bit more, but it still mostly won’t be as clear as on the tv. But it’s a sacrifice worth making, and it’s very variable. Rez, for example, is easily as good as the tv. VR playroom is about Wii quality, and VR worlds is hit and miss. I’ve also got Batman VR, which is mostly brilliant (if short), and standing on the rooftops of Gotham is superb - the nature of how the Arkham games look naturally ‘camouflages’ the lower graphics quality. The more ‘real’ stuff, eg Littlstar, is clearly still in its infancy; some of the experiences are better than others. The IT one, as I said, is fantastic (again, the graphics are camouflaged by it being mostly dark or in close quarters), whereas there’s a wingsuit jump experience which could be awesome but it’s just too much for the visuals to really perform. These experiences are streamed as well, so your internet connection may impact on that. I have a 50mbs connection, which seems to be fine, but I still don’t think the world is quite set up to deliver these yet (a quick Google search confirms the issues involved).There is then the issue of motion sickness. For me, this is really dependant on the day. Don’t play it with a hangover, for a start! And at first you might want to play in short blasts. After a couple of weeks, I seem to be able to cope with longer stretches, though I couldn’t sit for more than an hour without a short break.I don’t have the move controllers, cos I’m not paying 80 quid for them (I’m hoping a mate is willing to sell me his PS3 ones, as they are the same) but for some things eg Batman, they would really add to it. For now, the controller does fine.Finally, you can play 3D movies through it (you don’t need a 3D tv), I downloaded a 3D file to try this, and it’s good; the screen inside changes to an IMAX shape, and the 3D works fine.So in summary, the PSVR is a fantastic piece of kit, with some truly amazing gaming experiences to be had. And the future holds even more potential. This has all the joy of buying a new console, as well as all the anticipation of what’s to come. This is the direction I want gaming to go, and it’s thrilling.

15.2.2017

Set Up:It took me a while to jump into the PSVR, but with so many good reviews I eventually took the plunge and bought one, with a camera and two move controllers... oh and some games. It is expensive, but is the cheapest high-end system available at the moment. It all arrived and was easy to set up. There are a lot of wires initially, but if you have a PS4 Pro it has an extra USB port at its rear for the VR processor unit to plug into, which just tidies everything up and once you're all set-up there 'is only' the headset wire to be seen, which can be detached when not in use. When you're all switched on you'll need to set-up your VR headset, which is all explained on screen,then you're ready for a gaming experience like you've never had before.My First PSVR Experience:The PlayStation VR headset comes with a demo disc of various games available, but I'd bought VR Worlds and put the disc in. When the game loaded up I could not believe what I was seeing, you actually feel like you're in another world and it's totally believable, and the things in front of you can be touched and picked up; for The London Heist you can pick up a gun with one hand and pick up a bullet magazine with the other and thrust it into the gun handle and shoot gangsters. The people and whatever creature you come across in VR are true to their life size. I also bought Until Dawn: Rush of Blood and when you have several psychotic clowns wielding an axe coming at you, to your eyes they stand six feet tall, so you better make sure you shoot them all. Another game in VR Worlds is Ocean Decent, it's only an observation game, but the shark encounter is a good demonstration of how the PSVR makes you believe. When playing most VR games you can interact with most things in front of you and you can look around 360° in every direction and you can hide behind things, dodge things and pop your head around a door frame. The world or environment you see yourself in and the person or creature in front of you become very real to your eyes. It's amazing.Motion Sickness:A downside to VR is motion sickness, some people are immune to it, but many will suffer from it to some extent; it feels like seasickness when you're on-board a ferry ship or how you may start to feel when traveling long cars journeys. I started out playing Scavenger's Odyssey, which was perhaps too full-on to start off with; when you're strapped inside a big robotic walking machine that can jump high in any direction you do feel its ascent, the full height and distance you're travelling to its descent, which can make many feel a bit dizzy and rather nauseous. When I was playing, at times I had to stop to regroup because I felt really sick, but this feeling does pass. If you suffer motion sickness your body and mind will get used to the feeling of motion and heights and will overcome the ill feelings as you soldier on, you really have to allow yourself to feel and live everything for the full VR experience. When gaming in the VR world all your senses are intensely heightened, you are no longer safely sitting on the sofa controlling a character on your television screen, in VR 'you become the character inside the television'.Move Controllers:I wasn't going to bother buying the move controllers, but I'm so glad I did, believe me for the games that they are compatible with they're worth buying and truly enhance gameplay. During Until Dawn: Rush of Blood it actually feels like you are holding two guns or shotguns in your hands with total freedom to shoot independently in any direction. The move controller feels like you're holding the handle of a gun, they have a trigger on the underside and function buttons on the top that do various things depending on the game and they feel very natural in your hand, you are convinced you're holding guns. Well worth buying them.Graphics and 3D movies:The PSVR graphical experience is not like playing a game normally on your PS4 and HD television, you don't get full high-definition. The graphics on games varies, but most look great to my eyes. Image quality also depends on factors like setting up your VR headset accurately before you play and making sure it is actually positioned on your head properly. Sony have recently released an software update for the PSVR that does significantly upgrade image quality for games and Blu-ray movies. This update also includes 3D movie playability through the headset via Cinema Mode which is just like watching a movie on a big cinema screen right before your eyes. The 3D image depth is not as deep as watching 3D films on a 3D TV but it still looks great and there is no ghosting at all watching through the headset. And finally, there is only one niggle and that is the 'screen door effect' which is sometimes visible while watching films and games, but with this new update the effect has been reduced. I don't know exactly why this screen door effect occurs, but i find it's not present all the time and when it is your brain does filter it out... Having been immersed in Sony's VR experience for a few months now, I can honestly say that the PSVR is an amazing gaming experience and is undoubtedly the beginning of the future of gaming.The PSVR headset and its essential accessories are an expensive edition to your PS4 set up, so before you buy you may want to ask a friend if you can try out theirs or there are stores that will be happy to give you a demo... there are many people who love Sony's PSVR and there are a few that adamantly loath it, so if you're really unsure ask for a demo.

18.10.2016

Who can forget the resurgence of interest from the Lawnmower Man movie in 1992 leading to dodgy looking VR arcade machines? We may have been going mad for it back then, but until recently VR at home has remained out of reach for most people.Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR changed that, but not before the early adopters in the PC world got their hands on Vive and Rift, those rather expensive headsets that require equally expensive PC hardware to run them at their full potential. Sony’s PSVR aims to provide a middle ground to this market with a fuller VR experience than the mobile headsets but with a budget and hardware that isn’t as high end as the PC.It’s important to state this before going any further because it puts the PSVR into perspective,it’s around half the price of the PC VR sets but promises the same sort of experience, albeit with a little less detail. It might the price of a new console, but that’s still far more affordable than the price of a high end PC. But nobody was really sure it could live up to even these expectations, can a device like this really run from a console built in 2013? It seems it can, with some caveats.You’ll also need to ensure you either own or buy the PS4 camera. It came with early PS4 packs but can be bought separately, with a new version out to match the PSVR. Move controllers are optional, but improve the experience in some games. They can be found second hand or in the new dual packs designed for VR.First things first, though. For a fairly small headset, the box is absolutely massive. It’s actually designed really well, with a little piece of material that opens the triangular lid half way and reveals the neatly packed wealth of small boxes that could easily go to form a real life game of Sony’s VR title Tumble. The reason for all these boxes? Wires, tons of them.The box contains the headset itself, a breakout box, a full power supply in 2 pieces, a USB lead, 3 HDMI leads (1 to the Playstation and 2 for each eye of the VR headset). There’s a lead that then comes out of the headset and into the smaller box that takes the 2 HDMI cables and transfers the signal to the eyes. This contains an in-line remote to turn the headset on and off and also allows you to plug in headphones (a set of matching earphones is included, though I can never get in-ear earphones to stay in my ears, but that might just be me.The headset feels very comfortable in use, thanks in part to the high quality materials used. The headband is stretchable to fit any size head and is easy to adjust, while the actual lenses move in and out to fit your face, even if you wear glasses.Once connected, turning the headset on immediately takes you to the PS4’s menu inside the headset, with a picture on the TV mimicking what you see but in 2D. This is great for others who may be watching you make a fool of yourself while wearing the headset or for sharing your PSVR experiences.psvr-trying-onand this is how you look with the PSVR on. Very fetching.The actual experience differs based on the game or application you’re playing. Many games require just the Dualshock to control but have the option of using 2 Move controllers. These might be throwbacks to the previous generation, but they still work fairly well. There were a few instances, though, when the camera refused to pick them up as they were outside of the space, but most games will take advantage of the space and will compensate for this.The camera itself is used for face tracking. It’s possible to look 360 degrees around and see things behind you, the headset can cope with this, but tracking movement of things like the move controllers or targets won’t work. This is similar to the situation with Oculus Rift which is actually getting more cameras to support the forthcoming touch controllers, so this may be an option for Sony in the future. For now, though,it just requires games to realise the limitations and work around them. Thankfully, as Rift is similar, many titles have been ported over easily enough and will continue to share the larger catalogue of games as developers get a grip on the new tech.Sony have managed to get full HD (1920×1080) for the headset via screens that show 960×1080 per eye and up to 120Hz refresh. The Vive and Rift are both 90Hz as well, though they both have better resolutions of 2160×1200 overall. In practice, there is a little difference in picture quality, but in most games this isn’t really noticable when you’re in the thick of things.Motion Sickness is another big issue for VR. Gear VR, Rift and Vive owners have experienced some sort of VR Sickness in games that require fast paced movement without a centre point to keep them focused. It’s the same for PSVR. The 90Hz to 120Hz (depending on game) refresh rate does help to keep this to a minimum, as it does on Vive and Rift, but some games will affect people more than others. I found RIGS in particular to be a bit of a stomach churning experience, whereas games like Thumper and Battlezone were fine.Overall, though, it’s a hefty investment, though nowhere near that of its PC rivals and although there are plenty of launch games to keep you busy, if you’re worried about the outlay then it may well be worth waiting to see what else developers can do with the format. For those that can afford it, the Playstation VR hardware is impressive for the price point as an accessible console Virtual Reality solution that can run happily on a standard PS4.

31.10.2016

#NOTE: This review is quite long, so I have broken it up into segments so people can find which topic they want to read more easily. I hope this review helps and if you want to ask any questions about the PSVR, please leave a comment and I will be more than willing to help as much as I can. :)#UPDATE (03/02/2017): Within my original review below, I stated that I would love to see 3D Blu-Ray support in the future; well, Sony has confirmed this feature will be implemented on PS4's 4.50 firmware update, I can't wait for it to be released! It's good to see Sony taking extra steps to further improve features on the PSVR.- - - - - - - - - - - -♦ Introduction ♦Sony have come a long way when it comes to their headset devices.If anyone is aware, Sony released the HMZ-T1 (3D personal viewer) in 2011; which is something I jumped at purchasing, even though it left a huge dent in wallet. The HMZ-T1 cost me £799 and offered a perfect 3D personal home cinema experience, but without the virtual reality features. It was a device I loved, but there was one major flaw... It just wasn't comfortable for long periods of time.Over the years, Sony had released a further two models which of course had improvements on new release with its design and features and I honestly believe them developing these 3D viewer headsets have helped shaped the PSVR how it is today, improving most if not all flaws the previous models suffered from, the main issue being comfortability which I find to be completely solved on the PSVR.One main argument against the PSVR I have kept seeing leading up to its launch are along the lines of: "Why would I buy something that costs the same/more than the console itself?" or "The price is a rip off!". People need to realise that this isn't a headset device where you simply slot your smartphone into; it's a much sophisticated VR headset system that has it's own screen inside a long with other tech to go with it, such as proper tracking etc...On the market for this type of VR headset, this is one of the CHEAPEST going around and the best of all; it works with your PS4 system that may have cost you £350 tops; unlike one of the best VR headsets on the market called the 'HTC Vive', which will set you back around £800 alone, never mind the expensive PC build that is also required to run it.Other arguments against VR in general is that it's a fad and that after a short time it's going to die off. Unfortunately, seeing is believing when it comes to VR as it really is something you need to experience personally to realise just how good it is. And to be honest, after seeing how well VR has been selling and the increasing amount of content coming out to support this platform, never mind the experience is genuinely amazing; I can't see it dying down, but more improvement etc... Whilst it's not something I will use all the time when gaming, VR is something I wouldn't hesitate to pick up to play on for a decent amount of hours every week in combination to other non-VR games.For me VR is here to stay and for now, PSVR is my choice and I'm very pleased with it indeed!♦ Health & Safety + Extra Information ♦∙ The minimum age recommendation from Sony for the PSVR is 12 and up for health & safety reasons.∙ Sony recommend taking a 15 minute break every hour.∙ H&S reasons aside, this headset does of course have a minimum size. The headset only just about fit a family member of mine who is aged 12 after I had tightened the rear of the headband. Keep this in mind when buying the PSVR for younger age groups, there is a chance it may not fit them.∙ Be wary of your surroundings and ensure no obstacles are within arms length.∙ Something I would personally recommend: Do not purposely jog or try to make jump the person who is wearing the PSVR headset; as tempting as it is, you don't know how that person is going to react and the last thing you want is a controller to be flung across the room.♦ Required & Optional Extras ♦Just purchasing the PlayStation VR headset alone will not allow you to jump straight into the action as it does require an additional purchase of the PS4 camera; without this, there is nothing that is able to track the movements of the headset, so if you don't have one already, this is a REQUIRED additional purchase. If you already have the first PS4 camera model, you do not need to purchase the latest model as it does the exact same job, it's just the latest is more stylish and updated mounting feature.Most games are made in mind that not everyone will have the move controllers (these controllers came out originally for the PS3), so the move controllers aren't a necessary purchase for the most part, though you will come across games that do require them, such as 'Job Simulator'. I personally find the move controllers add an extra element of fun when playing games, so would recommend to grab a pair on that basis, however the other main reason is to future proof yourself so you don't run into any disappointment when starting a game to realise you can't play as you don't have them at hand.- Required additional purchases (If you do not have already):∙

29.7.2018

When the PSVR came out I really wasn't too sold on it. I went to one of the PSVR Demo events held by playstation and I was pretty impressed with Batman and Driveclub but this was mainly because the driveclub set up involved a vibrating gaming chair with force steering and pedals which added to the overall experience. I also played Eve and Resident Evil which where okay however did not blow me away.Finally I decided to get one from Amazon when the price was right. Luckily I already owned some VR games which I either got from PS+, already had the 2D version or they were free in the PS store.I'll answer the question straight away, "Is it a gimmick?" well yes it probably is but a very good one at that.I bought it not to take away normal 2D gaming but to occasionally break out and play something immersive. I am toying with the ideal of buying Skyrim VR however I am not sure I want to be playing VR for hours at a time like I would a normal game.Most of the games I have are short burst games which I can sit and play for an hour or two or games when I have guests around to show off what the VR is capable of doing or just to have a few minutes of fun. The headset is impressive once you have set it up correctly and you don't see any blurriness. There are extra options in the PS4's settings which will help you and isn't explained on set up and I would recommend everyone do this.Is is easy to set up?Everything is numbered so yes it is however there are a hell of a lot of wires which will be hard to hide if you want to leave everything connected. Version 2 lets you keep the box connected if you have a 4K TV with HDR but still there are lots of wires to deal with plus you will need another power socket.Do you get motion sickness?I think everyone is different and this isn't easy to answer. Personally some games are worse for me than others but you will get used to it. Some games initially made me feel nauseous now longer don't so i do believe you will build up a tolerance over time. I do wish that every PSVR game came with a demo so you could find out before making a purchase.Anything you couldn't play?Yes, sadly Wipeout VR. I am glad it was a free update because I would have been annoyed if I bought this game and was unable to play it. I have tried all the options it gives you however sadly I can't even make a single lap without feeling nauseous. It does look impressive though. Apart from that some games will make me still feel nauseous however only after a while or little parts of the game.Anyone watching video's on youtube trying to make up your mind will not help you. There is nothing like the experience of using the VR headset itself. Anyone seriously contemplating buying one please go out and test one, even if you have to go to a paid store to try it. This will be worth it in the long run and I promise it will help your decision.With my pack came PlayStation VR Worlds, 5 short games in one. My verdict?PlayStation VR WorldsScore: 6.8/10I had my copy bundled with my VR and it was a nice starter to the world of VR. Would I have been happy paying £24.00 for it though? Probably not.PSVR Worlds is split into 5 mini games all allowing a different experience.The London HeistLock Stock, gangster short story. Really impressed with this one and probably the best of the bunch. I really enjoyed using the move controllers it felt really immersive and doing little things like picking up a cigar and smoking it felt natural. Probably one of the best looking VR games I have played so far. I especially liked the high speed chase, really felt like I was a passenger and the gun movements felt natural and leaning out the window shooting behind felt pretty real.There is also a shooting range which is also very fun, gun movements felt natural and I liked swapping ammo.Scavenger’s OdysseyWas impressive to begin with, I liked being out at space however once back on solid ground I felt quite nauseous and had to only play in short bursts which was a shame. Very hard to like something that makes you feel sick.Danger BallThink of a 3D version of Pong where you use your head movements to hit the ball back at your opponent. Very good and movements felt natural. Only issue was that my head felt sore after a while. Enjoyable and gets challenging the further you go.Ocean DescentProbably my second favorite although not much needed by the player and more of a sit back and watch experience but a good one at that. Loads to see and look at and the Great White can be quite frighting, ask my partner who was screaming as soon as it appeared, so much so I had to remove the headset from her.VR LugeWorst of the bunch for me. Felt quite unnatural sat down playing the game but I wasn't going to go and lay myself out on the floor. Movements felt clunky and seemed very much like an old style arcade game. Little nausea too. Didn't connect with it.VerdictAn enjoyable introduction to VR however little replay value in any of the games. Something I will probably use to show off to people especially London Heist and Ocean Decent.

22.11.2017

I got the PSVR on day one after I tried it at one of Sony conferences (in Glasgow). I fell in love with it after playing Farpoint and Batman VR and pre-ordered it from my Amazon.Why I picked PSVR over Rift & Vive:I game both on PC (GTX980Ti/Intel core i7- 6700K) and PS4 and eventhough I was able to afford the VIVE and the rift (before their price drop), I still went ahead with PSVR due to many reasons including:1. I already had a PS4, PS4 camera and motion controllers from my old PS32. All these headsets are 1st Gen VR headsets and they all won't be great graphically (which is still true) just like the first Playstation/Xbox3. VR is very new and many people won't appreciate it and there is a good chance that it might end up just another gimmick e.g.like PS move. So no point getting the most expensive one when there is a more affordable alternative4. I believed that Sony will fully support PSVR and I was right.. Sony's exclusive games are among the best in VRAnyways, lets get to it:PROS:1. Price without any doubt at the time was very reasonable (Especially when Sony initially announced project Morpheus long time ago, they stated that the price would be around $1000) and also comparing that to the price of the VIVE & the Rift (which didn't even include controllers at the time). Moreover, even with the price cut in the highend VR headsets, you still need a fortune for a PC that can run them smoothly (we're talking about a minimum difference of £500-700).2. Backward compatibility with Move controllers. I kept my PS3 move controllers (don't get me wrong I still have both my PS2 & PS3) as I reckoned that Sony will utilise them with Project Morpheus when it was first announced.3. Comfortable headset in comparison to the Vive/Rift especially for those who wear glasses (which my wife does). However, I am basing that on the reviews rather than my personal experience.4. Resolution is good for an entry level VR especially with AAA titles like Resident Evil, Rigs, Starwars VR, Batman VR..etc and even with Indie games like Don't knock twice (which I highly recommend)5. VR experience: that as I mentioned what sold the PSVR for me.. I am an old gamer (I played the first Metal Gear Solid game that was released by Konami back in 1987 on MSX2 platform) and I have always dreamed of VR and I gotta say, you won't be disappointed (unless you're one of those few unfortunate people who suffer from motion sickness). Its a whole new level of gaming experience especially for those games that utilise the move controllers like Batman VR, don't knock twice and London Heist. It gives you an extra level of immersion and sense of scale which you won't experience on TV or monitor. The things that you can do with a one button click i.e. trigger button got holding stuff, pulling triggers..etc. I enjoyed PS3 move at the time but this is something else.Cons:1. Not many decent or "proper" games out there and you mainly get a 2-3 hours "experiences"; however, more games are coming. So far, the main decent games out there are RE7, Skyrim VR, Farpoint, Robinson the journey, Here they lie (last 2 don't utilize move controllers), Until Dawn, Eve Valkyrie, Don't knock twice Batman VR, London Heist (last 2 are Experiences NOT games). You have a good number of shooter games which are pretty much the same e.g. Arizona sunshine, Brookhaven experience, pixel gear ..etc (just point and shoot while seated! which are good fun but get boring especially with the problematic tracking of the move controller owing to the old technology & one camera in comparison to Rift & Vive)2. Blurry: yup! its a bit blurry which can be annoying and can give you sometimes a headache trying to focus. I even sometimes pull the screen away from my eyes which seems to improve the focus. I have tried everything including adjusting the pupils distance..etc but I gave up eventually. However, there is no "god rays" or "screen-door effect" or "god rays".3. Poor tracking for move controllers: as I mentioned before this is expected when factoring in the old technology of the PS Move controllers (you can slightly improve that by playing in a dark room as camera tracks the light balls of the move controllers) and the single camera (in comparison to 2 sensors for RIft/Vive). It can be really tricky when you try to grab or shoot things that are behind you or even to your left/right.4. No room scale VR: which I am not honestly bothered about and pretty sure most people aren't as well. Besides, in Britain you don't have the luxury of big rooms in most houses/flats.I am pretty sure that I missed few things but in a nutshell those are the main points that I wanted to highlight.I am planning to get the VIVE 2 (Oasis) if HTC are still planning to release it as I don't quite like the current huge controllers and I like the Oculus touch controllers better but I prefer the VIVE tracking/sensors. I am happy that I went with the PSVR as a first gen VR as there aren't many decent games out there but if you are a horror fan like me, you will enjoy horror games in VR.

23.10.2016

My Christmas came early this year, there hasn’t been that many a products in the past that have had me as excited to receive as the PSVR. I was at the same excited level as a dog would be reacting to the arrival of the owners return home as I was to see the delivery mans arrival (without the dry humping of his leg and licking his face of course). And the excitement was well justified. Just over one week of use I’m ready to have a stab at a review.Set up was a relatively easy chore, roughly 10 mins with easy to follow instructions. The cable management itself probably took more time to sort than the actual set up as there are many cables,TV to Playstation 4 to Processing box to headset etc......All set to go I placed the stylish looking VR headset on one’s head, powered up the headset (power button and volume controls conveniently accessible near to the headset, found on the cable leading from the headset to processing box.) As many reviews have said it is remarkably comfortable to wear and remains comfortable for prolonged use, the eyes and head will feel fuzzy long before the headset becomes uncomfortable.I brought a number of game titles on launch Playstation VR worlds, Batman VR, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, Driveclub VR and The Playroom VR (which is as a free download with the PSVR, don’t forget to download this game its great).As most can agree when we start any new game on any platform we generally press the start, X or equivalent button repeatedly to hurry our way to the game and skip all those title screens we’ve seen a thousand times before. Where am I going with this well when I began to play my first VR experience even before I started a game I found myself awed by the title screen! Playstation VR worlds has a globe of water that you can thrust the Dualshock 4 controller into making it vibrate like mad, a large diamond to knock around, a ball to clobber and watch it rebound around the massive architectural interior or hold the controller against a rapidly rotating sphere and watch sparks fly of the controller as it rumbles in your hand all interacted with using the Dualshock 4 visually represented in game by the real one in your hands.And all this to interact with before you even select which mini game to play.Tutorial levels are normally so mundane in standard shooting games that you want to rush though the tutorial and begin the game proper. In VR even doing a tutorial range is so immersive that I found myself repeatedly completing them. I found that in VR worlds I did a small tutorial in a garage setting using two move controllers on the basics loading of a pistol and hitting a few targets. I was shooting everything and anything in sight, unknown to me that my wife who had gone out shopping had arrived back and was filming me. I was so immersed into the experience that towards the end of my shoot I emptied a clip into the roof of the garage while shouting ahhhhhhhhhhhhh like Keanu Reeves does in Point break . She started laughing which s*** me right up as I had no idea she was there, I was in that garage and so immersed. Right I’m rambling back on the subject.The image that is seen on the TV (what the VR wearer see’s is displayed on the TV) does no justice to what the experience of wearing the headset is like. I nearly fell over like del boy very similar to the classic episode of Only Fools and Horse while playing Batman VR as my brain believed so much that I was there that that I went to lean onto the bat machine console, which in my living room isn’t there.I shall finish up now as this long review will put people off reading it, so some down sides: -• The cable can get annoying as the headset is tethered to the processing box.• The lens can fog up, if the room is cold and you place the headset on to begin a game the lens will fog up. After a couple of minutes of wear and a few wipes (lens wipe provided) the lens will stop fogging up completely.• Some games will make you nauseous, Driveclub I’m talking about you.• Games take a graphical dip to be displayed in VR (driveclub talking about you again) , dark scene's and blacks aren’t displayed great.Overall though VR has got me very optimistic about the future, it is not an anti-social piece of tech there are great interactive games like The Playroom that the whole family can partake in at the same time, in such a mini game the one wearing the head set is a massive monster and is leaving a mass of destruction as the monster chases the other players though the city.Be aware that there is an age limit of 12 years to wear the headset, a Playstation camera is required and most games are far more immersive using two move controllers, though the Dualshock 4 controller can be used for many games.The future can only get better for VR and in the near future I hope to see more AAA titles to get lost in the world of rather than the short games and experiences that are currently available.Skyrim, GTA, Mass Effect, Fallout 4 or The Last of Us in VR anyone?

14.10.2016

So my PS VR arrived and I had some time to explore a much broader range of launch titles and demos, and for those who are interested the experience is nothing short of amazing especially in titles that have you driving or piloting a craft of some descript.Here is my personal review….Some points to note the graphic fidelity ranges quite substantially from title to title which does seem quite strange as examples Drive Club VR can look downright ropey to Eve Valkyrie which looks quite good, and then to Batman which looks stunning, clearly there are technical reasons behind this but at no point does the experience fail to impress and engulf you in these VR worlds,despite the lack of graphic fidelity in Drive club VR I found myself playing it nonstop for 30 minutes before moving onto the next title enjoying every second more so than the regular Drive club, your perception of depth as you approach a corner is simply amazing, I am terrible at racing titles and I was achieving near perfect lap times.My one recommendation to anyone interested in purchasing VR is that many reviews seen online tend to sway in favor of the reviewer’s expectations and not holistically considered against the broader range of titles, capabilities and the experience itself which is very rarely conveyed adequately.A sense of depth perception and the visual sensation of being centered to the experience brings with it the ability to truly feel like you have a world around you that you have to be conscious of, in other words it’s not just scenery on your way to the next check point, every angled hill, vertical thrust and movement adds a sub conscious feeling that you are inside a world and not simply viewing that world through a screen, your senses and reaction times seem immediately heightened your ability to deal with fast changing situations further add to the sub conscious ability to acknowledge the world you occupy.Based on the range of titles at present on launch I don’t think there is enough truly AAA titles of the 40 or so I tried, all were very immersive but only a hand full really impressed me from a perspective that the title was an actual fully fledged game and not a tech demo, that said my top 5 picks at launch are:1. Eve Valkyrie2. Battle Zone3. Driveclub VR4. Batman Arkham VR5. Until Dawn: Rush of BloodRigs, Super Stardust Ultra VR, Tumble VR & Hustle Kings VR are honorable mentions but each suffer with a lack of more in depth content (Rigs being an exception), they are all great fun games not tech demos but very thin on the content.Almost all the other titles felt like tech demos or artistic pieces thrown at VR, not to say they weren’t good just simply that they not really full gaming experiences.At no point did I feel ill or suffer with blurred or distorted images, you do get a giddy/anxious feeling when you fully control movement for the first time in these games but settle down quite quickly once you into the thick of it.My final note is that this is definitely not the future of gaming but more like mobile gaming something entirely of its own in a shared multiverse of gaming giving you a common but very different experience. I would highly recommend it.Some additional comments:Q - Do I see games like Destiny going VR?A - I was initially convinced that you would never see a game like Destiny in VR, however I am less convinced now, I think games like Destiny will at some point be on VR however if you suffer with motion sickness VR will not be for you the truely good games have you in full control of movement and I could see the giddy or anxious feeling quickly resulting on your lunch being summoned forth into the real world.Q - Is PS VR worth its asking price?After playing the range of titles I played the PS VR is worth every penny.....but if you are hesitant now, wait to see the direction of travel in the games before buying and try one if you can, Battle Zone & Eve Valkyrie will sense check if you may suffer with motion sickness.Q - Are the cables managable?A - There aren't 10 miles of cables everything is neatly tucked behind the external box which rests happily on top of my console with a single cable coming off the headset, if you plug in headphones you will have that as an extra cable but not at all a problemQ - Did I try Cinema Mode with Regular non VR games?A - I did and am not a big fan of this, it seems like a feature added for feature sake, there is no really tangible reason I would use this feature outside of the one potentially being you only have 1 TV in the household and want to play the console while the family use the TV, also as the resolution is halved over each eye, its not as sharp as the view you get on the TV........summary VR should be used for VR content, everything else feels like a gimmickI will say that this is included as you need it for navigation and standard features like party chat etc, but using it as the primary display for your non VR games is not advised

27.12.2017

The good, the bad and the ugly.The ugly:Well, it's not the prettiest thing around. You look like a mad android when playing!The cables are messy and plentiful and you have a camera permanently sat on your TV, another powerpack p[lugged in, an extra box on top of your PS4 with a huge, two headed lead and this massive headset which is best kept connected, so it's hard to keep it all neat.The badCables cables wires and more wires. I was all for sending it back when I realised how many cables and boxes and things to plug in there were! A rat's nest it is. Don't expect this to be a tidy little thing with a neat wire, because it isn't.Think leads and cables EVERYWHERE!I would strongly advise each player to set up or her own log-in as the headset is best when calibrated correctly.Graphics are bit hit and miss. Some games look like a pixelated mess whereas others look greatIt's a bit like being inside a giant PS2 game.Gives me a headache and I suffer motion sickness, although I am getting used to it nowThe goodFirst time? It does have the WOW factorI now know what it feels like to actually jump and scream when playing a horror game!I always wanted to be inside a creepy mansion with monsters. Tried the demo of RE7 and actually tried to spit out the flies which I was sure were in my mouth! And by god did I jump out of my skin when I got my first taste of the enemy!Once set up, it's a case of boot up the game and shove the headset on your noggin and you're offIt's fun to watch others have their first go, so be nice and share!It is actually quite comfortable and doesn't feel heavy at all.The earbuds work very well and add to the immersion.Tips:From settings then devices, select VR and follow the instructions which will use the camera to measure your pupillary distance. I was playing at the standard 63mm and my measurement is 59, and it felt like my head was being torn in two and my eyes pulled apart. You can't just type in this measurement, so it's best to have separate log-ins if you are sharing the headset with say a younger person or somebody with big old buggy eyes. This way, the headset will stay calibrated to each player.I recommend starting your VR experience with Ocean Odyssey (on VR Worlds) but choose to add the sharks. It's the perfect introduction.When moving, try to move your body a little with the motion on the screen. Lean over if say on a roller-coaster and try to look with the camera if possible.Recommended:Until Dawn: Rush of Blood - Very, very good this one and hardly any motion sicknessLondon Heist (VR Worlds)Luge (VR Worlds) Not too bad on the motion sicknessScavenger Odyssey (VR Worlds) Very 'spinny'Resident Evil 7 demo just to try out the VR as it induced pretty severe motion sickness for me.Drive Club VR - OK until you crash then it's like having a few whiskeys.Thumper (weird rhythm game)Download all the free stuff and demos from the PSN and tuck in!I purchased RollerCoaster Legends and it was pretty good, but only 8 minutes or so long.Take regular breaks.Check out the pre-installed Play Room, it's very good but you need a second person to play most of the games (the 'TV' player) It is also a great first experience.If you have Tombraider Anniversary edition, the VR mode is rubbish and clearly cobbled on with little thought. Made me very dizzy and it looks pretty shonky.I bought the MOVE controllers thinking they would bring even more fun and immersion, but it turns out they are nothing but a pair of rubbish rubber lollipops. You don't need them. Rush of Blood works very well with the dual shock and unless you are very keen on carnival type games and things like ping pong I can't see a use for them, because they have no navigation whatsoever. You can shoot and whack stuff but you can't walk around, so this means you can't use them for regular games which require you to walk around an environment, which is most games.You do need the camera but you don't need the MOVE controllers. In fact, I would recommend NOT wasting your money on them. You need the headset (or you could put a cardboard box on your head and pretend) and the camera. There is enough free stuff to get you going on the network and you have the pre-sinstalled Play Room although VR Worlds is very good and only has one bad game in my opinion which is Danger Ball. Bit like Ping without the Pong. All the 'games' are very short though. Think five tasters.On the whole, it's a great experience and can be tried by gamers and non gamers as there is plenty of non-interactive content available, so even great granny can have a go in the Ocean cage diving sim, or watch one of the movies, or maybe have a do on Roller Coaster Legends. Fun for all the family, but not perfect. VR has a long way to go, but this is the birth of a new era and on the whole, I think Sony have done a pretty good job squeezing all of this lot into one headset and some wires.

25.4.2017

It's difficult to describe what VR is like, especially to someone who has never experienced it. I felt intrigued buy what VR had to offer. Various podcasts I listen to made it seem like it was something really special. However £350 is a lot of money for something that might not take off.I would like to state now that after around a month with the machine I have never experienced such a progressive leap in Gaming since I first saw Mario 64.Playing Resident evil 7 in VR is absolutely horrific, the sounds, the jump scares the way you begin to second guess yourself, it all leads to the most immersive gaming experience I have ever had, absolutely nothing comes close. You're in it,you're creeping through the dilapidated house, you're being chased by Jack or someone else from the baker family. You, not you looking at a screen holding a controller...you!, standing petrified peering around corners, heart beating and hands sweaty! The fear is unlike anything I've ever played...I'm only 5 hours in...If horror isn't your thing then what about cooking in Job simulator with the mostly reliable move controllers. Have a "short" experience of being batman in the superb (should be £7.99) Arkham VR. Or what about the insanely addictive headmaster, heading footballs, as well as darts into various targets.Whatever your preference One thing is clear, VR feels amazing. I've showcased it to family and friends on numerous occasions each say, "I need to get this"So maybe you're like me before purchase, "Its a lot of money" or "Is it really that good?" I'd like to say its worth every penny, truly. I defy anyone to be disappointed with PlayStation VR.However that being said there are a few negatives.Content: Will PlayStation strongly support the VR? They ditched the Vita and move early on. Will they encourage "financially" dev's to make fully fledged games like RE7? Signs at the moment are great as its only been out for six months and we already have RE7, Rez infinite, Headmaster, Job simulator, Statik and the upcoming promising farpoint.There are arguments to be made about bang for your buck, Like I said Batman VR lasts about 1 hour and costs £15.99. There are lots of "experiences" but not enough 10-12 hour RE7 games to be had. PlayStation needs to support this tech because its simply amazing. Hopefully as more headsets get out there Dev's will feel more comfortable about spending bigger budgets targeting a larger audience.PS Move: So the PS move controllers needed to get the best out of the system, at this point, is old technology. The PS camera tracks it reasonably well but if in a game, such as Job simulator you are doing a task behind you and the camera cant see the mover controllers it looses tracking. Hopefully sony will announce either more tracking points(in front and behind you), like the HTC vive or new controllers. Not a deal breaker but something that can certainly be improved upon.Children under 12 shouldn't use the product: I didn't know this but I still let my 7 year old and 5 year old have a 10 minute shot, as I'm sure that wont hurt them.Graphics: Graphics certainly take a hit when playing some games. Not massively but before I started with VR I was playing the superb Horizon Zero dawn and there is a difference in graphical fidelity between that and say until dawn: rush of blood (uses the same game engine) If graphics are really important to you then have a good long think about your purchase. I personally had too much fun to notice or really care.Motion sickness: Not really an issue for me but some people can be susceptible, I think it has to do with having good sea legs and actually I'm not that great. The only games I felt mildly uncomfortable in was the rigs and driveclub Vr demo. The more you are in VR the better the body adapts to the sensations.Proper set up: ensure you have a proper set up because screen drift is a real killer in some games.However despite some problems with the tech, and remember VR is a relatively new technology, it doesn't outweigh the experiences you have. I couldn't be happier picking up a PSVR. I truly will struggle to play games in 2D from now on as it just wont feel the same.Rest assured VR needs to be the future, I fully believe it will get there maybe not for a few years but I have never been this excited in games in decades.So if you have the budget and are on the fence about getting the VR, Just do it, I guarantee you won't regret it.

22.1.2018

I bought this bundle elsewhere (Argos spreading the cost as it is a heavy investment)This bundle comes with the Camera and New style Headset. And a copy of VR Worlds.Lets talk about the Headset first.It should be noted I wear glasses, and the headset is comfortable its just I am worried about scratching the lenses on both the headset and my glasses. But thats because its new and paranoia kicks in. Yes for long periods of time ir does get a bit uncomfortable but it is worth it.The visual clarity is beautiful, I only have an original PS4, I had no need to upgrade to Pro (no 4k screen) but I am thinking maybe I will in the not to distant future.The headset has a built in mic, a button that you can use to mute /unmute. And a headphone socket (it comes with in-ear earphones which are comfortablw but not everyones cup of tea, it does support usual headphone jack if you rather use a different set) use of headphones are reccomended because of the positional audio.The CameraIts a 3D positional camera, not the highest quality but it is mainly used fir tracking the headset and controllers (using the light bars) this is the new cyclinder style camera and even comes with its own stand / clip.The Processing Box.Note this needs its own power source so another plug socket is required! This is where the headset meats the PS4.This box does 2 things. 1 handles the input and output of the sensors on the headset aswell as the video and audio for the PS4 and of course acts as a passthrough to your TV so people can join in / see your adventures. This comes with an extra HDMI that you link between PS4 and VR Box and you use your original HDMI to TV from the BOX. The Processing box also has to be connected to PS4 via 1 USB port on the front. (Note: it seems to only require the USB 2.0 spec so you can plug it into a 4 way splitter if you are using a port for a HDD, and need to charge controllers etc)The game VR Worlds.Ok this is a little more than a Demo Disc (which I thought it was) there are a few small games on this that get you into VR. - I cant remember the names of all exactly but here goes..Scavenger - you take control of a special craft that you use to traverse through a broken space ship / asteroids to find a bounty, but there might be more to this story...- this game can lay on the motion sickness prettu hard if you're not used to it. Frequent breaks recommended.Deep Sea Oddysea - This has you being lowered down in a cage you get to experience all the wonders of the deep. Will it all go well though?- A great intro to VR. Mostly a linear sit back and watch but still thrilling to be part of. Great for first time VR.Danger Ball - This is a "pong" like game. You use the VR Headset to aim and hit the ball to try to score against your AI opponent. Real sense of depth in this game.- another great game to get you used to VR. Gets you. Moving your head around.Luge - you are riding on your back on a type of skateboard, you look down towards your feet, you ride down the streets tilting your head to steer to try to avoid the traffic and other obstacles.- This has motion sickness written all over it. Great fun just in short bursts until you get used to it.London Heist - Probably the killer app of this game collection. Get those move controllers (sold seperatly) for the best experience. And become a "Lahndahn gangsta innit" you will experience first hand what it feels like to do a "job" and the controls (move) will get you more immersed in the experience. I still need to give this a proper play through but damn its fun!- Best played with move controllers for full experience, but really good fun. Because you will be physically ducking (almost autocorrect.. almost) and diving your motion sickness level shouldnt be too high.So is it worth it?I havent regretted it yet. I think the games for it are enjoyable (I have enjoyed many others not just this compilation) they can make you feel a bit uneasy but that will soon pass. Just a little now and then.The other enjoyable fact is that games that are not in VR you get to enjoy as if you have your own cinema screen. Which is nice as I dont have room for a big TV.Very expensive. Try it out if you can, but it really is fun. PlayStation Move controllers are definitely reccomended they are the same as the PS3 ones so if you see them on offer anywhere grab them, otherwise its a good £70 ontop of the £350 asking price (as of 1/2018)

13.10.2016

Excellent VR solution for our current tech limits. Those with too high expectations get them in check. You've been warned many times that resolution is low vs what you see on a HD TV. That aside THIS to me is the single best full VR solution on the market at an absolute bargain price for what you get. I've had VIVE, DK2 rift and used rift consumer version. They are all good in different ways and I'm primarily a PC guy BUT finally PSVR is the first VR HMD that I can use for pure fun.It has class leading ergonomics, comfy, easy to slip on/off, lightweight cabling up the last run, slick usage, plug and play, great software already, it has the best lenses of ANY current HMD (Proper non fresnel ones)which means NO GOD RAYS (these ruin things often on Rift/Vive). Decent blacks. Very good fitment where it feels secure and you can whip your head around fast with minimal drag (VIVE is bad for this).It is a bit lower res than vive/rift but in some cases it can actually LOOK higher! The cinematic mode for example looks better to me than the similar one on Vive due to better lenses, RGB pixels (more sub pixels per degree of view) less SDE etc. These things add up to offset the lower res somewhat.Roomscale is very cool but it's not always the most 'fun'. I sold my VIVE for a number of reasons, but PSVR is going nowhere, it's such fun, the games feel, at last, like REAL VR GAMES, not just tech demos or indie stuff. And more on the way soon.When PS4 pro launches it will boost PS VR heavily. It's true you can run this on your PS4 you have now and it's fine, it runs very smooth and feels great. Try RUSH OF BLOOD (Until Dawn) as your first game for one of the best examples of what VR FEELS like (like owning your own theme park/roller coaster) this can't be done outside of VR at all. Some games may not feel that impressive, but that's not VR's fault it's just not as suited to VR.Anyway, I will unreservedly award this 5/5 compared to the 3.5/5 I'd give my (now sold) VIVE. Vive has awesome tracking, cool roomscale and nice controllers but that's all it has over PSVR (other than being able to drive it from a fast PC). Because although it IS higher res it's not so much as to be night and day over PSVR, really. Rift too, none of them are high enough res yet to really say "yes that is much better than this". Factor in the prices too and ease of use. I've had some form of VR for 3 years started with a borrowed DK1 rift, then bought a DK2 and worked on software for it in unreal engine, it was fun and gave me a hint of the future. Then VIVE popped up with roomscale etc and I was very excited but the reality (so far) was it wasn't ready for prime time as the HMD is VERY heavy on the face, rift is also not great on the face, PSVR has nailed the ergonomics, it feels great by comparison.I swear I've had more real, visceral and hassle free *FUN* on PSVR in one day than I had in 2 years of dk2/vive and my goes with rift consumer version. That comes down mainly to lack of god rays, good software and most of all comfort/easy of use.If anyone wants to ask anything about comparisons feel free I'm not lying. I do genuinely feel PSVR is the best we can get, all round, in generation 1 of VR in nearly all the areas that count right now.I'm not a verified purchaser but that's amazon messing up my delivery that I pre-ordered on day one (March 16th!) they didn't ship in order so I ended up without one on launch day but thankfully grabbed one today from another store, very glad I did! you can check my rush of blood review though as a verified purchaser and soon my battlezone and rigs reviews (again verified).Play Rush of blood, Playroom, Battlezone, Rigs in that order and prepare to witness the future (esp if you are completely new to VR). This to me is a game changer and exactly what VR needed to kickstart the industry. PC VR will be better in GEN 2 but for now PSVR + PS4 PRO (this will improve VR further) are where it's at.

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