Test: PlayStation VR

Last year was supposed to be the year for virtual reality. With the multitude of virtual reality rigs that were launched last year, it comes as a surprise that the biggest one launched towards the end of 2016. I’m talking about the PlayStation VR.

• One of the PSVR’s appeal is its futuristic design. While others settle for bulky headpieces, the PSVR naturally wraps around your head with sleek curves and smooth visuals. Its wearing mechanism is likewise unconventional. Rather than the traditional Velcro goggle straps, the PSVR uses a soft clasp-like mechanism that fits securely around your forehead. Since it is unconventional, adjusting the rig may take some getting used to, since you have to configure both how it fits around your head and if the actual VR unit is properly aligned for your eyes.

• In terms of heft, the PSVR is surprisingly one of the heftier units out there. The unit itself is manageable but the package comes with bundles of thick cords. You’re more delicately and heavily connected to the PS4 than an ICU patient. The entire setup does reduce movement range and comfort a tad bit. The unit is comfortable on the head, though.

• Setting up the rig is fairly simple and easy to remember. Once you have all the materials. I mentioned the wires but the package also comes with an auxiliary processing unit you have to connect to the PS4 and again, to the VR unit. Additionally, you’ll need a PlayStation Camera and two PS Move controllers for both hands. These don’t come in the box so you’ll have to buy them separately.

• While it suffers hit in comfort and convenience, the PSVR wins in performance. It works together with the camera to provide smooth head tracking. Resolution is likewise superb. It doesn’t feel like staring into an LCD screen at point-blank range. As such, it extends the amount of time you can use the PSVR without any sort of eye strain. It also increases immersion for virtual reality environments. With a 1080p resolution, the PSVR displays images with great clarity and without the needless expense of going 4K.

• Compared to other rigs, the PSVR has a limited variety of apps and games but it has one of the better optimized ones. The box comes with a demo disc to try out various games, as well. For favorites, try the self-published PlayStation VR Worlds and Batman: Arkham VR.

• If you feel the need to, you can play non-VR games on the PSVR. The unit goes into Cinematic Mode which increases immersion even if a game isn’t built for virtual reality. It does this by extending the screen across its 100-degree field of view. The effect is similar to sticking three monitors together in a PC rig.

• The PSVR hits your wallet hard at P22,900. With the PlayStation Camera, the whole package comes at P25,290. Add in a couple of PlayStation Move controllers (which cost around P2,000 apiece) and you’re looking at around P30,000 of your moolah gone. But hey, why not escape from your money problems through virtual reality, right? Besides, the PSVR is currently cheaper than other rigs available in the market, excluding the simple VR cases.

VERDICT
Contrary to popular opinion, 2016 wasn’t the year for virtual reality. A lot of VR rigs were launched last year but we’re hardly in the golden age of virtual reality. Still, the PSVR is one of the industry’s top dogs at the moment. It will be exciting to see what it will be capable of in the coming years.