The launch of the PSVR2 is fast approaching, and despite the high price point, many gamers will be keen to get their hands on Sony's latest VR technology. Its predecessor, the PSVR, was released in 2016, and considering it was Sony's first attempt at dipping a toe into the treacherous waters of VR, it was certainly a commendable effort. The PSVR2 promises to be slicker, quicker, and will use the PS5's hardware to maximize its capabilities. Despite an impressive launch library though, it looks to be an oversight that the headset doesn't come bundled with a built-in tech demo, similar to how PS5 owners were treated to Astro's Playroom.
The inclusion of Astro's Playroom as a built-in PS5 game proved to be a great decision from Sony. Serving as a demonstration of many of the PS5 DualSense controller's new features, including the haptic feedback, the vibrant, colorful platformer was a refreshing success. Reintroducing the titular hero Astro, who had debuted in the 2013 PS4 title The Playroom and went on to have his own solo adventure five years later in Astro Bot: Rescue Mission for the PSVR, Astro's Playroom managed to cram plenty of varied platforming, as well as several easter eggs, into its short runtime. In many ways, it cemented Astro as one of the PlayStation's mascots, and given his history with VR, his omission from the PSVR2 launch lineup feels somewhat odd.
The PSVR2 Needs its Own Astro's Playroom
When the PSVR2 was announced, many were shocked at the price. The standard headset starts from a staggering $549.99. A built-in game, especially one that also serves as a tech demo, would go some way to appease those who feel that the amount of money they are being asked to part with is simply too much, especially in the current climate. The headset itself comes with plenty of new bells and whistles that would warrant such a game, with built-in eye-tracking motion as well as haptic feedback being just two of the new features.
Aside from the headset, the controllers themselves are significant upgrades on the PSVR's PS Move controllers, which were never really designed for VR in the first place. These new Sense controllers seem much more in line with other VR controllers, like those bundled with the Meta Quest 2. As well as using the same haptic feedback and adaptive trigger technology as the PS5's DualSense controller, and being tracked by the headset itself rather than a camera, they also reportedly have finger-touch detection which allows them to track which fingers the player actually has on the controller at any time.
With all of these new features, an Astro's Playroom-style built-in game would've been the perfect opportunity to give the player a whistle-stop tour of each of them, how they work, and what they could be capable of. The developer, Team Asobi, is reportedly hard at work on its biggest game to date, which could well prove to be another outing for Astro and his friends. Whatever it is though, it won't be here in time for the PSVR2's launch, neither as a built-in title nor a standalone game. The PSVR2 does have a diverse launch lineup, which should cater for most gamers' needs. However, each of these games will cost roughly between $25 and $50 dollars, and to make matters worse, the headset will not be compatible with PSVR games either.
While it can't be denied that Sony's PS5 leads the console race at the moment thanks to superior first-party titles and a much larger library of games, Microsoft's Xbox has proved to be the console that provides gamers with the best value for money, thanks to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service. Sony is now asking its consumers to part with more money for the PSVR2 than they did for the PS5 itself, but it could've taken the opportunity to throw in a bundled game with the headset in order to somewhat soften the blow.
The PSVR2 Launches February 22, 2023.