PlayStation VR: All the best game announcements so far

Playstation VR reviews: What do the critics think?

13 October

Today could see the start of virtual reality moving into the mainstream with the launch of the Sony PlayStation VR.

At £349.99, it's a much cheaper device than its PC-based rivals, the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, and with more than 43 million compatible PlayStation 4 consoles sold since 2013, the PSVR has a much larger potential user base.

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The Financial Times says virtual reality is a potentially huge untapped market, with analysts predicting devices such as Sony's PlayStation VR could see revenues rise from $2.9bn (£2.38bn) today to $40bn by 2020.

The FT adds that new analysis from research firm IHS Technology forecasts Sony selling up to 1.4 million headsets this, generating $134m (£110m) in VR spending.

There's still a long way to go though. The BBC reports a forecast from Strategy Analytics saying three per cent of Britons will own a VR headset this year, the overwhelming majority smartphone-based headsets such as the Samsung Gear VR. Nevertheless, PSVR may account for seven per cent of the UK's virtual reality market by the year's end, say the analysts.

The first reviews are in, so is the PlayStation VR worth your money?

According to GamesRadar the headset could be worth it, with the site saying that while the headset cannot compete in terms of quality, it wins out in two vital areas – comfort and games library.

"Comfort is a crucial part of enjoying VR, and the PS VR headset has been masterfully designed to feel as comfortable as possible," it says.

The HTC Vive and Oculus Rift both strap on to your face, with all the weight focussed there, while the PlayStation VR uses a headband designed to evenly distribute its weight across your head.

Meanwhile, the demo disc that comes with each headset "does an admirable job of showcasing the sheer variety of PSVR's library", says Games Radar. As for the full titles available at launch, there's "no killer game that exemplifies all of PS VR's strengths", it adds, but you do get a diverse array of experiences that can't be found anywhere else.

The Daily Telegraph also thinks Sony's effort has huge potential and says its lower price tag doesn't make a disappointing experience. Indeed, the headset "may well be the bellwether" of the VR market, it says.

Buyers may find the lack of a PlayStation Camera with the headset irritating, adds the paper, as it's a required item and the headset cannot be tracked without it. But not including it keeps the overall cost of the system down. Gamers can also make use of any PlayStation Move controllers they have collecting dust too, as they will also work with the headset.

"PSVR is a genuine doddle to set up," says the Telegraph, and the build quality and its external processor unit are "tremendous". The overall quality of the virtual environments aren’t quite as sharp as the ones produced by the Vive and Rift, but "most games still look terrific". Crucially, the PSVR's 120 frames per second standard means all experiences are smooth and flow without trouble, the paper concludes.

The Verge, however, says that aside from the headset, the rest of the kit – the camera, DualShock 4 controller and PlayStation Move wands – are all older pieces of hardware and it feels like a kit cobbled together rather than an all-new system.

It goes on to say the Move controllers are the weak link in the chain - because they've not been designed with VR in mind, they're "painfully limited compared to either Oculus Touch or the HTC Vive remotes".

However, the Verge feels the overall impression is good, with the PSVR being more affordable, easy to use and comfortable.

The critics at Pocket Lint largely agree, giving the PSVR four stars out of five for its cheaper price tag, "incredible gaming experiences" and quality headset. It does criticise the tracking issues that can occur, however, and the fact there aren't many cheap titles out yet.

Going against the grain, The Guardian's impressions of the headset have been unenthusiastic so far.

It's a "very interesting virtual reality product" that's comfortable and easy to use, says the newspaper, and graphical fidelity is good enough, but it won't kick off the VR revolution just yet.

The games available don't venture far beyond being demos, adds the critic, and only highlight the "scintillating possibilities" of virtual reality without exploring them deeper. It also feels the PlayStation VR pushes the PS4 to its limits and that it could require the upcoming PlayStation Pro to really unlock the medium.

Those who can afford the PSVR and are comping at the bit to go beyond smartphone virtual reality won't be disappointed, concludes the Guardian, but it's still "not a mass consumer proposition in the way the Wii controller was".

Business Insider has noted a trend among many reviews too – that the PSVR's motion tracking can't stack up against the accuracy of its two PC-powered rivals. If it's a problem that's encountered regularly, it could have a "pretty substantial impact on what you experience", it says.

The PSVR is tracked by older technology – the PlayStation Eye Camera looks out for the light sensors on the headset and Move controllers. It's an effective way to make an affordable system, especially if gamers already own these items and only need to buy the headset, but is clearly lacking when compared to Sony's rivals.

Not everyone has come across tracking issues, though, and a lot of it will depend on the room you use PSVR in.

Looking over the games available from launch, Eurogamer says PSVR may still be looking for its "killer app", but there's still interesting stuff hidden among the titles.

The small collection of games and experiences in PlayStation VR Worlds is "probably the best starting point for many VR virgins", it adds, with gamers able to play through a gritty London heist full of gangsters and "exquisitely produced (if achingly cheesy)" interactive VR cut scenes alongside some virtual shootouts.

Rez Infinite "is as close to a banker as you can get" and similarly Thumper is "not a game you should miss out on", advises the site.

PlayStation VR launches on Thursday 13 October priced at £349.99. Sony's new PlayStation Camera costs around £40 and a pair of PlayStation Move controllers can be bought for £69.99.