Sony has confirmed plans to release a next-generation PlayStation VR headset for the PS5, but it won't be launching until 2022 at the earliest. But even though next-generation PlayStation VR headsets are on the horizon, Sony is still making sure that there is plenty of content in the pipeline for the original PSVR on PS4. Today Sony surprised VR fans by revealing six new games on the way for PlayStation VR, including some rather notable titles.
While these games are coming to PlayStation VR on the PS4, it should be noted that they are technically playable on PS5 as well. As long as fans get their free PSVR PS5 adaptor from Sony, they should be able to plug in their existing PSVR headset and play. Playing these PlayStation VR titles on PS5 will have some benefits in some cases, like better resolutions and faster load times, but tit should be stressed that they are not true PS5 games.
PlayStation VR fans will have to wait another year or more to experience next-generation VR titles, but in the meantime, they have the six games announced on March 3 to look forward to throughout 2021.
Doom 3: VR Edition
Every 30 minutes on March 3, Sony made a new PlayStation VR announcement, kicking things off with Doom 3: VR Edition. Doom 3: VR Edition is just the latest virtual reality take on the franchise, re-imagining the original Doom 3 to work with VR headsets. Compatible with the PlayStation Aim controller, Doom 3: VR Edition allows players to go through not just Doom 3, but its Resurrection of Evil and The Lost Mission expansions as well. Any PlayStation VR fans excited to play Doom 3: VR Edition will be happy to learn that their wait won't be all that long. Doom 3: VR Edition is set to launch for PlayStation VR on March 29.
Song in the Smoke
Survival games have not made a major impact in the VR space, but that could change with 17-BIT's Song in the Smoke. It's a unique, atmospheric survival game where players have to survive in a dangerous wilderness filled with all kinds of strange creatures. Using PlayStation Move motion controls, Song in the Smoke will allow players to craft better tools to assist in their survival, like weapons that can be used to fight off potential threats. The survival genre has not been thoroughly explored in a VR space yet, so Song in the Smoke could fill an important niche when it launches later this year.
Fracked
With Phantom: Covert Ops, which is essentially Metal Gear Solid in kayak, developer nDreams proved it could really think outside of the box when it comes to delivering unique experiences that could only be done justice in a virtual reality space. The studio's next game, PlayStation VR exclusive Fracked, fits that bill as well, delivering a unique spin on first-person shooter gameplay while taking narrative inspiration from films like Die Hard and RoboCop. One of the more action-packed trailers showcased for the upcoming PlayStation VR games, fans will be able to find out for themselves if Fracked lives up to expectations when it launches this summer as PSVR exclusive.
I Expect You to Die 2: The Spy and The Liar
When it comes to early PlayStation VR games, one that has earned some of the most acclaim is quite easily I Expect You to Die. The tongue-in-cheek spy film parody was praised for its sharp sense of humor and clever puzzles, and now it's coming back in sequel form. I Expect You to Die 2: The Spy and The Liar will give fans of the original game even more missions to complete utilizing PlayStation VR and PlayStation Move motion control technology.
Zenith
While there are some examples, there haven't been all that many VR MMORPGs released to date, especially on PlayStation VR. However, that will change with the upcoming Zenith, a game that takes inspiration from classic JRPGs. Zenith allows players complete freedom when it comes to traversing the game world, with players able to utilize motion controls to climb objects in the environment. Motion controls are also used in Zenith for the combat system, so it should be a bit more involved than what most gamers are used to when it comes to MMORPGs. Zenith sounds like one of the most ambitious VR projects currently in development, and so it will be interesting to see if it lives up to expectations.
After the Fall
Arizona Sunshine is a zombie VR game that is quite likely one of the most well-known VR games on the market. It has been heavily pushed across a variety of virtual reality platforms, and now the developers of that game are returning for a brand new post-apocalyptic experience called After the Fall. Taking inspiration from 1980s action movies, After the Fall is a post-apocalyptic co-op shooter game for up to four players. There aren't many VR games available that allow for co-op play, so After the Fall will have to prove itself when it launches for PlayStation VR later this year.