Anticipation is building for Sony's PlayStation VR, which will be released on Oct. 13. The virtual reality system, which will hook up with the PlayStation 4, will be sold for $399.99 and will come with a demo disc of playable games.
Reviews for the PlayStation VR have started to trickle in before the official launch, further increasing the excitement for the system. The biggest question among gamers, however, is how it will compare to two other virtual reality headsets that are already out in the market, namely the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive.
Design
The first thing that will stand out when comparing the PlayStation VR with the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive is the design for Sony's headset, as it "looks way cooler" compared to its rivals, according to Venture Beat's Jeff Grubb. The combination of black and white, the seamless edges and the shimmering blue lights make it look like a futuristic device compared to the relatively boring looks of the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive.
Comfort
The great design of the PlayStation VR extends beyond its looks, however, as its ergonomics are also better than the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The headset's crown, which wraps around the wearer's head, features soft materials and few rough parts that can pull on hair. In comparison, the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive use Velcro and bands similar to ski goggles, which are nowhere near as comfortable, as they pull on the wearer's hair with weight that is difficult to distribute.
Controls
Now on to how the PlayStation VR actually plays. For controls, the Sony headset utilizes either the DualShock controller or the Move motion-based controllers of the PlayStation 4. In comparison, the Oculus Rift utilizes an Xbox One controller and the upcoming Oculus Touch, while the HTC Vive uses a pair of wireless controllers.
The PlayStation VR is not great at tracking position, requiring players to sit or stand in a specific area so that the PlayStation Camera will detect the player. This is a huge limitation compared to the HTC Vive, which features room-tracking technology that follows gamers as they walk around a playing area.
System Requirements
The PlayStation VR headset only requires the PlayStation 4, and in the future the PlayStation 4 Pro, which could give the system a slight boost, along with the PlayStation Camera, which can be bought in a bundle with the gaming system. These requirements are much easier and cheaper to acquire compared to the needs of the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, which require powerful PCs that can come with price tags of several hundred dollars.
Price
The standalone PlayStation 4 VR system will be sold for $399.99, with a bundle that adds the PlayStation Camera and a pair of Move controllers to come with a price tag of $499.99. This is compared to the $599 price tag of the Oculus Rift, which includes an Xbox One controller, and the $799 cost of the HTC Vive, which comes with two controllers.
Verdict: Which One To Purchase?
Gamers who already own the PlayStation 4, along with those planning to upgrade to the PlayStation 4 Pro once it is released, will definitely see the PlayStation VR headset as a viable option to get into virtual reality. Gaining access to the PlayStation 4's gaming library on virtual reality is also a huge bonus.
However, for those who would like a more complete virtual reality experience and with more money to spend on the platform, they should definitely take a longer look at the more powerful Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets and invest in a powerful PC that can support them.
