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Yep, every single video I`ve seen keeps praising the device. But that`s to be expected. The same thing happened with the PSP. I`m waiting to see what kind of software will be released for the headset and whether opinions will change in 3 to 6 months time.Quote:
Originally Posted by xelement5x
Why are you guys looking at VR and it's gimmick exclusive games? I'm looking at it from how it can benefit regular games like Skyrim as is.
Games like Skyrim are not optimized for VR. You will hurl by the time you're done with your character selection; let alone playing 100+ hours of it.
I don't care if it's optimised or not. I want to hurl!Quote:
Originally Posted by QuickSciFi
I don't think you do. I can play some games already out with relative ease. Some others, like VR Luge and Scavenger's Odyssey, will make you really nauseated. And these are just quickies.
I'm sure it's nothing I can't adjust too. Even Happy Console Gamer said when playing that racing game that he started feeling dizzy the first time, but said after going outside for some fresh air then coming back to it, he never experienced that issue again.
Time for a review.
It's been 10 days since launch day and I think I'm ready for a thorough analysis:
Today I returned my PS VR. But only because I loved it so much :D! (read on)
http://i.imgur.com/xf0duu6.jpg
I was stoked when I tried PS VR for the first time 2 months ago at a GameStop. It didn't take much to fill me with excitement and anticipation. Back then, I played the demo of Battlezone as well as EVE Valkyrie. I also watched others play demos like London Heist and Into the Deep. From what little I experienced that day, I was sold. But being a creature of habit, I wasn't sure I'd want it at launch. Just about the only system I had ever gotten at launch was the Dreamcast.
So, fast forward two months, and I find myself at a Best Buy with the launch bundle at hand. I actually didn't even go in expecting to find a PS VR available. I just wanted to be present at a retail store on that fateful day; half-hoping I'd find others as excited as myself but with more information on the hardware, and half-hoping I'd be somewhat moved to purchase one for myself. But there wasn't a single soul in that gaming section besides myself. I even had to walk over to the TV section to find an associate that could help me out. Yes, there were PS VR boxes out (and there still are to this day); but there weren't any bundles that I could see. The associate said they had a few in the back, so while I waited for him to bring one, I made my decision: I'm 36 years old, and I'm not getting any younger. The whole "wait-till-it-cools-down" mentality just wasn't working for me anymore. Looking back, I never really got to experience a system or hardware at launch other than the Dreamcast purely for financial reasons. I thought, $500 is a hefty sum as it is, but at least I could build upon it with new fond memories from the start.
The Good:
The experience is truly immersive. I compared it to the special effects in the movie Minority Report; where the PS VR not only achieves the desired effects, but surpasses them. 3D gaming has now taken on a whole new meaning. This is "immersive 3D" if I could best explain it. The moment you put your helmet and headphones on, you are taken right into another world. You feel like you are truly there. And, for the most part, all from the comfort of your own couch.
The launch line-up is quite varied. It's hard to assess replay value without bias, because I'm still super excited for this new hardware; but I'd like to add that I've played all of the games I bought many times over (except the longer titles like EVE Valkyrie and Battlezone, or Loading Human, which I purchased after my return). I savored every game on that Demo Disc. I played that free Playroom VR single player level more times than I could count. And I attempted every trophy my skill level could handle. And when I shared several of these games with my wife (who doesn't play games at all); she actually put her hands together and started thanking the lord for being "lucky enough to have seen the future". She even prayed that she could "live long enough to see what wonders the future holds". That must have been, both, the funniest and most endearing moment thus far in my game room. And I shall forever cherish it.
My favorite game, thus far, has been Until Dawn: Rush of Blood. It is the perfect combination of horror and "light gun" shooter. I wrote a thorough review of it on the "A Winner is You thread", so there's not much more to add. On your first experience, you will get spooked. I don't care how manly you are, how much hair you have on your chest, you will get scared! But when the scares stop after you've tried the game enough times, you actually start enjoying this carnival ride so much you just can't get enough of it. It simply becomes a joy to play.
Another game that was outstanding, though short, was London Heist on VR Worlds. This probably was my second favorite game thus far (and the second game I actually beat on the hardware, for that matter). It is actually touted as an "experience" more than a "full" game. But, compared to Batman VR, it felt like it had a much more structured plot (beginning, middle and end).
A third "game" I actually loved (if you can call it a game), was Into the Deep on VR Worlds (it actually was the first game I beat, if you can call it "beatable"). It is, in essence, purely an experience. You don't do much but enjoy a descending ride down an ocean abyss; dispersed into three separate levels (or experiences). This is surprising to me, because it is just the type of game I actually not only didn't have any anticipation for before launch, but one type I actually bashed. And, boy, do I eat my own words. This is a genre I will most definitely be purchasing for in the future.
The Playroom VR is actually a free game that comes with the purchase of the PS VR (although I think anyone can actually just download it). It is sort of an extension of The Playroom for the PS4 camera, only not a DLC, but a full game. Think of it as the "Mario Party" for the PS VR. I only managed to play through a couple of levels (one, if you think about it). The other levels you are actually forced to play in a sort of couch multiplayer fashion, where one wears the VR helmet, and the others play via the TV. But it is that singular level that is playable which really did it for me; and it actually has given me a lot to hope for in the future of VR 3rd person platformers. Boy, does this little level play smoothly! You actually play it with the DS4 like you would any 3D platformer, only, you are actually inside the world! How awesome is that? But I think that the one thing that makes it perfectly smooth (as in, no motion sickness, no nausea, no disorientation), is that the level moves constantly forward. You can move backwards, left and right, but the game is designed in this sort of tunnel with all the platforms already preset for you. The result: a perfectly smooth immersive 3D 3rd person platformer that is completely free of motion sickness; actually, perhaps I may have felt it once, but only at the end where you go down a slide and there is a sudden halt.
I'd go as far as saying that the best and most immersive VR games, however, will be the ones played with the two move controllers. Even a simple game like Job Simulator can be so immersive and so fun, you get the most complete experience I believe is meant to be had with this new technology.
There were also games where you control everything with your head. It works beautifully for games like Danger Ball (where you remain constantly stationary); but can become quite nauseating for in others like VR Luge (but I'll leave that one for the next section). But where the motion controls on your helmet truly shines is when you unplug and start using "cinematic mode". You can adjust the size of the screen to three optional sizes (I always chose the largest :D). It was so impressive to me to be able to watch anything and everything from Youtube gamers to feature films as though I was inside a movie theater. And no matter where my head turned, all the borders and corners of the screen remained in the exact same position I had placed it (which you can set by holding the options menu). I suppose where I'm trying to get with this is that motion controls have taken on a whole new level of awesomeness. We really have come to that point in time when mainstream VR can become a success.
So, thus far, there are "light gun" style games (I can't think of a better term to give it right now; but I'm sure these VR genre definitions will pop soon-enough as the technology becomes more and more mainstream). There are simple immersive experiences (which are actually awesome). There are also "racing" games and variants thereof. There are 3D third-person view platformers (which I hope continue to get developed). There are "point-and-click" adventures with the occasional action commands (which are also very awesome). And then there are the "cockpit-view" style games (which can go anywhere from a tank in Battlezone, a spaceship in EVE Valkyrie, and an exoskeleton in RIGS or even Scavenger's Odyssey through VR Worlds). And where I thought it was going to be these "cockpit-view" style games that would be best for VR, it's the above mentioned genres that truly made for the best experiences in my game room.
The Bad:
Cables upon cables. I managed to set my "rig" up (no pun intended) in just under an hour. But only because I was meticulous and wanted to hide as many cables as possible. Either way, if you don't take long to set it up (which should be simple enough to do, as the cables all come numbered), you'll probably end-up with more cables than you'd want in front of your TV console or on the floor.
But being a child of the 80s and 90s, cables have never really been an issue for me. What truly became cumbersome for me was the lack of universality in "player positioning" amidst the games themselves. So much so, that some games that require you to stand up (i.e.- Batman VR and Job Simulator) will cause you to completely redo your entire gaming setup if you're not far enough from the PS4 camera. And I don't mean REALLY far. So far, that it is virtually (no pun intended) up to the allotted length of the provided extension cables. Here are some of my own words when describing this issue in my one gripe with Batman VR:
.Quote:
...My gripe with this game, as I started, is with the "mandatory" positioning of the player. This is not the only PS VR game that is a culprit of this, however (Job Simulator, I'm looking in your direction ). I will elaborate:
It takes a considerable hour, or more, of your life to fully setup the PS VR with all the cables well placed behind your TV, the camera pointing in just the perfect direction and your couch perfectly lined-up in-front. All of this, so that you can have the best PS VR and PS4 camera experience you can possibly have. And, yet, you're prompted in Arkham VR, to stand-up or sit the fuck away. Waaay the fuck away (as in, to the limits of the provided VR extension cable). So much so, that sitting that far back makes the option to stand up vs sitting down useless on the settings menu. Not because it is not feasible to do either of the two, but because it forces you to change one of the presets you worked so arduously to setup; either change the position of the camera, pull on the fucking cables you took all this time to hide behind the TV, or push your couch way the fuck back to either sit or stand where it once layed. At the end, it doesn't matter what position (stand/sit) you choose. The calibrated position (or should I say "forced calibrated position") is a bat symbol atop which you must stand at the beginning of the game (very similar to other VR games). And this bat symbol layed exactly where my butt hits my motherfucking couch. And you would think the devs smart enough to consider this position proper enough for the "sitting" option. But no. This is the location where I have to stand. If I want to sit down, it is not an option you can just click. It means you grab your couch and set it so far back that the cabling setup is extended to the max (destroying the perfect setup I had for my other 2000 games). Funnily-enough, I chose to kneel on my couch throughout the whole game (another reason why I'm so thankful this game is so short).
And here I thought PS VR was 100% attainable in the comfort of your own couch. I shall elaborate further on the issue of player position on my PS VR review. It is a crucial element that, sadly, I don't think has been universally implemented right from the get-go. It should be as easy as putting on your helmet and turning it on. But some of the games already out will indeed prompt you to, either, have a large room or considerable distance from the PS4 camera, or cause your room to be in constant cabling disarray of nightmarish proportions. Luckily, like I said, I managed to get passed this by kneeling on my couch (keeping all my cables and camera setup intact). But here's to hoping that none of these titles that force you to stand up will last longer than 1 hour; cuz my knees be hurting!
The Ugly:
Don't buy this stand. It is flimsy, light, very brittle at the junctions (as careful as I am, I even broke some parts just trying to take it apart again), and it DOES NOT HOLD YOUR VR HELMET IN PLACE!. You will notice that the piece that acts as a "forehead" is too small and not long enough to hold the helmet in place (not even if you tighten your helmet to the max). It causes the helmet visor to fall down with time (as in, within seconds), and you're left with a balancing act that may even break those white plastic pieces that encircle your head. Looks good at first glance. Maybe even functional. But fails miserably at the most important job: holding your VR helmet. I returned mine soon after I tried it.
http://i.imgur.com/zhrY6vd.jpg
Final Thoughts:
The PS VR is a gaming peripheral, first and foremost. One must not forget that. It is akin to what the 32X or the Sega CD were to the Genesis. And, for a more modern analogy, it is akin to what the Kinect was to the 360. Heck, even to what the Eye Toy was to the PS2 and the PS3 Camera was to the PS3. They each had a peripheral-specific library of games that could only be played via those peripherals. But I'd go full circle with my statement and compare it all the more to the 32X and the Sega CD for one specific reason more than others: It comes with its own separate processor and power supply! And where I had zero interest in the Kinect, Eye Toy or PS3 camera (heck, even the PS4 camera with its own motion controls back before the PS VR), the PS VR actually has held my interest as much as even the Sega Dreamcast did back in the day. I'd say I have not had this much fun getting acquainted with brand new hardware since 1999.
Why did I return my PS VR launch bundle? Simple. I use glasses. I mentioned on the Haul thread I had a rough time at work and that's why I had decided to give myself this present. But to elaborate, I was dead tired, destroyed. I think I may have worked over 80 hours each week. And I even took a long trip to Orlando in between. So, on the third day of owning this beauty, I made the mistake of using something other than the provided cloth to clean my lenses: And I ruined my right lens. Not so much that it would rendered the hardware unplayable; but enough for me to have a sour taste in my mouth every time I'd put my brand new $500 piece over my eyes. But, rest assured, it was an honest return with full disclosure to the sales manager. The only thing I regret after this return was handing over my copy of the demo disc (which I hope I can get back in hard copy at some point). I actually feel glad it is out of my hands, as I can not only say I had the PS VR at launch, but I also can now have it for a reasonable price once "the market cools down" ;). And, yes, I have chosen to wait till Black Friday to get my new PS VR. :D
Great review sir. I got mine on Friday. And I'm enjoying it! I'm also 36! And I've wanted decent VR since I was 14. So I really couldn't wait to have one!!
My only grip is the low resolution. You get past it pretty quick. But there are a few games that the low resolution stand out. Most handle it very well.
I also realize that the other VR options really aren't that much higher resolution.
But the tracking and 1:1 movements are so outstanding! Once your eyes get past the resolution, you do feel like you're there.
Now that I've played all the demos. Bought the Harmonix music/drawing game. Which is quite fantastic. I'm considering taking mine back as well. I'll pick it back up when the price goes down. Or maybe wait for PSVR2. But my 14 year old self would be proud that I got it.
Thanks for the write up, it answered a lot of the questions I had about the VR. I know I would get a kick out of playing it, but I'm still a bit sketched out about leaving it on for extended periods of time for some reason. Idk I'm like 50/50 on it.
I really wish the sega VR had come out bitd, even if kids would get sick and hurl after extended play, it would have been worth it. Idk y but the idea of playing 16bit games in a fully immersive environment with sprites scaling all over the place would be really great. A toejam n earl game would be great in VR. Sorry my feeble mind is wandering off topic again..
Ok stupid question time (&sorry if it's already been asked), but do I need the ps4 pro to play the PS VR or can a stock PS4 play it? I've held off buying a ps4 so far but will be picking one up soon. If I get the VR I hope my aura interacter will work with it. That thing sends powerful vibrations right into my chest, feels like a defibrillator, might stop my heart but it'd be worth it. If after a few weeks of owning the VR the neighbors report a foul smell coming from my place, cops kick in the door guns drawn only to discover my rotten emaciated skeleton on the couch w VR goggles on and jiggling around from the aura interacter's nonstop vibrations.
It works on a stock PS4.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirt Ball Gamer
Thanks Ken!
You're welcome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirt Ball Gamer
Good write-up. But again, I can't ever see myself doing this. Just seems weird to sit on the couch wearing a VR helmet.
Um...why would they have their guns drawn? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirt Ball Gamer
Cuz he's black?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bones Justice
MURRICA!
I saw this the other day and had a chuckle:
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...playstation-vr