Virtual reality is still in its infancy, but that might soon be changing now that Sony's PlayStation VR for PlayStation 4 has officially released.
With a significantly lower barrier of entry and Sony's full power behind the device, some analysts are forecasting more than 1.4 million PlayStation VR headsets could be sold before the end of the year. That would have PS VR far outselling its primary competitors, namely the HTC Vive and Facebook's Oculus Rift.
All that being said, those who haven't yet jumped on the VR bandwagon must be wondering: is it worth it? That's the real question, and critics who have spent dozens of hours playing with the device have been posting their impressions all week. So what's the verdict?
Well, that depends on who you ask. Many outlets, including Engadget, Ars Technica and Wired, have given positive impressions of the device. A common thread throughout many PS VR reviews is affordability. At $499 for the PS VR bundle (or $399 if you already own the required PlayStation Camera and the PlayStation 3 Move controllers), Sony's headset is far cheaper than both the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, especially if you already own a PS4 and aren't planning on investing in an expensive gaming PC.
The headset's cheaper price tag brings to mind the phrase "You get what you pay for," and critics do seem to agree that some aspects of Sony's headset are technically inferior to its competition. The PS VR is said to have head tracking issues and also comes with a lower resolution display than that of the Vive or Oculus. It also uses outdated tech. While the PS4 camera seems solid enough, the 6-year-old PS3 Move controllers appear to be a serious downgrade from VR controllers specifically built for the Vive or Oculus Rift.
But despite those technical setbacks, the PS VR does seem to come far ahead in the area of wearability. Much has been written about how well designed the headset is from a sheer comfort standpoint, with The Verge writing that it's "a sheer joy to wear." Given the PS VR's cheaper price tag, the fact that the headset is easier and more comfortable to wear than its competition is a compelling selling point.
At the end of the day though, what is truly going to sell the PS VR is its lineup of games. Sony is a major publishing force in the gaming industry, which gives it far more power when it comes to creating quality, exclusive titles for their device.
As of launch, however, games doesn't seem to be the headset's strong point. Many of the games are short, demo-like "experiences" rather than full-fledged games. USA Today writes in its review that "PlayStation VR's launch lineup feels like those launch day options players see whenever a new video game console arrives. There is no one game that truly stands out."
PlayStation VR Worlds, for instance, which comes with the $499 PlayStation VR bundle, is mostly a series of 10-20 minute "experiences" where players do very little. It gives a small glimpse at the potential of the device, but doesn't go any further than that. Sony is giving free demos for nearly every PS VR game available at launch, which is a nice gesture, but none of the games available feel like experiences worth shelling out several hundred dollars for.
That could very well change in the future. In many ways Resident Evil 7 is shaping up to be the first major release that will fully embrace Sony's VR headset. First-person games, especially first-person horror titles, benefit greatly from the immersion the VR headset brings, and come January Capcom's latest entry in the franchise may be the hardware seller Sony needs.
Which brings us back to the initial question many gamers have at the moment: is it worth it? If you've long waited for the chance to experience VR and have the cash to spend, Sony's headset appears to be a great gateway into the realm of virtual reality gaming. But if you're waiting to see the full potential of VR realized, you may want to wait a little longer before diving in.
