Sony’s done a pretty bang up job of drumming up hype for PlayStation VR this year, offering plenty of opportunities for gamers to go hands-on with the best PlayStation VR games in the lead up to its mid-October launch. Still, it’s fair to say the device still has its fair share of naysayers, and will probably need a bigger push until VR latches onto the mainstream consciousness in any meaningful way.
While we could debate whether or not PSVR is going to be a revolutionary step forward for the industry or another flash-in-the-pan ala 3D, let’s turn our attention to the smorgasbord of titles that Sony brought to London this week—and PSU was there to have a butcher’s at them all.
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Resident Evil 7: biohazard
While the demo of Resident Evil 7 was identical to the one that is currently up for grabs on the PlayStation Store, the addition of VR support adds a whole new dimension in regards to player immersion. As before, your objective is to simply escape the creepy, roach-infested house that your mystery protagonist finds himself trapped in, although you probably all know how that ends up. Regardless, I found Resi 7 in VR to be a suitably horrifying introduction to what the tech is capable of. Popping your head cautiously round a corner or shooting a look behind you at the distant echo of footsteps is a palpable experience that simply cannot be replicated in standard gameplay.
Yes, there’s been horror stories from E3 of everything from poor controls to dodgy stomachs, but my experience was anything but. You use the analogue stick to move as normal, while the PS VR headset gives you full view of the grisly, dilapidated abode that makes up the demo’s location. Using the right stick to turn in 30 degree increments feels a tad odd at first, but I soon found myself more than acquainted with the fundamentals. The most pertinent point? Resi 7 in VR genuinely creeps you out; if the full game can match this pace and provide a comfortable experience with VR, then Capcom’s onto a winner.
Batman: Arkham VR
There’s few people would turn down an opportunity to step into the shoes of the legendary Dark Knight, and for about 15 minutes, I became Batman. A slightly bumbling, nervous take on the iconic DC hero, yes, but still every bit the muscle-bound detective. The demo I played split things into two tasters: becoming Batman and solving a murder on the grimy streets of Gotham City. The former kicks off in Bats’ mansion abode, where you venture down into the Bat Cave and suite up—literally and figuratively in my case, as I strapped on a pair of Batman-themed earphones. You’ll switch levels and punch touchscreen commands as you use the PlayStation Move to intuitively grab an array of gadgets, from Batman’s grappling hook to his scanner device. Oh, and you also get to lob some Baterangs at a few targets to flex the old reflexes. The defining moment came when you gear up in the Batsuit and put on the cowl; seeing yourself in a mirror after gives you a chance to strike a dashing pose as the legendary Dark Knight. Naturally, I went for the double-bicep to flex Bats’ ample guns.
The second slice of action sees Batman investigating Nightwing’s death at the hands of an unknown perpetrator. Utilizing your high-tech wizardry, it’s possible to rewind the events and witness firsthand what happened to your old pal, while ascertaining how he sustained three deadly injuries. This is as simple as whacking the PlayStation Move trigger when you see the fatal blow landed; if you miss it, you can simply rewind the footage using the on-screen prompt. Dashing to key points at the crime scene just requires you to highlight the area in question and hit the appropriate PS Move button. It’s a brief, albeit tantalizing glimpse at Arkham VR’s potential, and one that admittedly did make me feel like I was the World’s Greatest Detective for a short time.
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DriveClub VR
Evolution Studios’ ambitious racer makes the transition to virtual reality territory, this time under the gaze of SIE Immersive Technology Group. After strapping on a PS VR headset, I was plonked right into the thick of things as the starting grid, with a steering wheel and pedals within comfortable reaching distance. As you’d expect, the virtual cockpit gives you a complete view of your motor’s innards—not to mention some beautiful scenery—and for petrol heads, the authenticity of the whole affair (not that i’m an expert) should definitely curve those lips upwards. It’s been meticulously created, so props to Sony for attempting to really make you feel like you’re in the driving seat of a turbo-charged racer. Control-wise, DriveClub VR is a buttery-smooth experience; edging your foot on brakes as you ease around a corner before accelerating off feels seamless and ultimately as rewarding as you’d hope it would be. Being a rubbish driver, I spent most of the race catching up with the pack, although when I did manage to pass a few, using the PS VR to clock the racer attempting to overtake me was pretty handy, not to mention intense as we approached the final stretch of the track. Sadly, the race was all too brief and I only got to play on one track, although it’s a promising start for sure.
Robinson: The Journey
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be plonked into Jurassic Park, then Robinson: The Journey does a pretty damn good job of it. Set in the heart of a lush jungle populated by dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes, the taster of Robison was very much an explorative affair, punctuated by the occasional (and very basic) environmental puzzle. You’re guided by your floating robot companion—I was immediately reminded of Ghost from Destiny—who ensures you are on the right path as you explore your gorgeous surroundings. If anything, Robinson is a definitive showpiece for the immersive worlds that PS VR is capable of pumping out, and many times I found myself stopping in my tracks and simply gawking at the canopy above my head, sunlight filtering through and illuminating the surprisingly tranquil scenery. There’s a lot of climbing involved, which is done easily enough using the PlayStation Move pad to simulate grabbing motions with your virtual hands. Pleasingly, what could have been a pretty awkward motion felt quite intuitive and there’s a warm sense of accomplishment when I managed to scale a particularly lanky tree trunk and made it to the top. As for what the rest of the game plays out like? We’ll have to wait and see.
Which PlayStation VR games are you looking forward to?