Sony announces ten more launch window titles for Playstation VR 2
Sony's catalogue for Playstation VR 2 grows by ten games. Sony also explains the upgrade options and VR support for Gran Turismo 7.
Sony has announced ten more VR games that will be released for Playstation VR 2. These are new versions of well-known games like Rez Infinite or the eye-tracking adventure Before Your Eyes. Some of them are paid upgrades of the already available versions for the first Playstation VR (see game descriptions below).
Sony also explained how extensive VR support will be for the launch title Gran Turismo 7. Owners of the original for the Playstation 5 will receive a free update for the VR headset launch on 22 February. Except for the split-screen mode, the entire game will then support Playstation VR 2, including online racing.
Content
Before Your Eyes
The most interesting concept is offered by the eye-tracking adventure Before Your Eyes. The adventure is a picturesque memory journey on the way to the afterlife, which is controlled from the first-person perspective with one's own blinking.
In the 2D Steam version, this works with a webcam in front of the monitor. In the Playstation VR 2, on the other hand, the eye tracking integrated in the VR headset records the eye movements.
It is unclear if the control system will be revised, because Sony's eye tracking would offer significantly more possibilities than the original webcam eye tracking.
""You will learn to control the flow of the narrative with your actual eyes – blinking through precious memories of family, first love, and the rise of an artistic career, ultimately revealing a heartbreaking truth," explains Lucas Jozefowicz of Skybound Games.
Puzzling Places
The relaxed spatial photo puzzle game Puzzling Places on PSVR 2 benefits from sharper textures, 120 Hz, higher rendering resolution and eye-tracking for easier piece selection, according to Realities.io.
Other benefits include haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, support for Free in Space mode (puzzles in a larger play area) and a free PSVR2 puzzle with 1000 pieces.
Puzzling Places for PSVR 2 will be released on 22 February and will be available on the PS Store. It will also be available as a free upgrade for all current owners of the PSVR version.
Synth Riders: Remastered Edition
The PSVR2 version of Synth Riders, the rhythm game that glows in neon colors, gets remastered graphics. Kluge Interactive also promises more nuanced controller haptics as you glide along the rails, headset feedback for in-game obstacle feedback, smoother performance, and SSD optimization for quick load times.
All in all, the musical fun should feel more immersive and seamless. The revamped version is available as a free upgrade to all owners of a PSVR version of Synth Riders, including any music DLC purchases already made.
Thumper
Thumper marks the return of an arcade oldie that appeared at the launch of the first PSVR. As a metallic beetle, you whiz through psychedelic landscapes at lightning speed, dodging obstacles with proper timing and simple controls.
For PlayStation VR2, there are improvements in resolution, 3D audio and haptic feedback that should make the game even more immersive. In addition, Marc Flury of developer Drool may hint at a sequel: "Thumper will leave you bruised, battered and hungry for more."
NFL Pro Era
In NFL Pro Era, players become the top quarterback on NFL teams in a fully licensed NFL and NFLPA game. The use of real-time game data is intended to provide the necessary authenticity.
"Step under center and see if you have what it takes to lead your team to a Super Bowl or play virtual catch with friends in your favorite stadium," explains Andrew Hawkins, co-founder and president of StatusPRO.
What The Bat?
What the Bat? is playable slapstick from the makers of the similarly bizarre What the Golf? - a kind of comedy sports simulation from the first-person perspective.
"In a series of increasingly absurd minigames, What the Bat? challenges you to live as a modern-day bat-girl, shooting, cooking, smashing, swinging, parking, painting, pickling, and even petting (there’s a dog)."
This includes shooting, cooking, smashing, swinging, parking, painting, pickling and petting a dog. For now, developer studio Triband isn't mentioning any new features compared to the originals for SteamVR or Meta Quest.
Rez Infinite
Back in 2001, on Sega's Dreamcast console, Rez by Tetsuya Mizuguchi was a psychedelic, musical rail shooter. By now, the VR version by Monstars Inc. and Resonair is the most beautiful way to dive into the colourful flashing techno world, including a new VR level. Rez Infinite has won numerous awards.
On PSVR 2, there is eye tracking (you can track and target enemies with your gaze) and haptic feedback in the controllers and headset. Rez Infinite is also playable in standard TV mode on PS5. Owners of the original PS4/PSVR game can upgrade to PS5/PSVR 2 for $9.99.
Tetris Effect: Connected
Just over four years after the release of Tetris Effect: Connected on PS4 and PSVR, Enhance's puzzle game is coming to PS5 and PSVR2 on 22 February. "With eye tracking enabled, you can enter the Zone by closing and then opening your eyes." Haptic effects are said to enhance the experience.
The title is playable without a PSVR2 headset on PS5. Owners of the original game for PS4/PSVR can upgrade to PS5/PSVR 2 for $9.99.
Creed: Rise to Glory - Championship Edition
Creed: Rise to Glory has been released for various VR platforms since 2018. Great graphics and physically demanding fights set the boxing game apart from the competition. Survios and MGM have added new game content, modes and settings for personalisation on PSVR 2.
Championship Edition players can also put their skills to the test in a revamped online PvP mode with optimised cross-platform matchmaking, ahead of Creed III's theatrical release, scheduled for 2 March 2023.
The Last Clockwinder
In this VR game, you clone yourself. Again and again. And build wondrous machines from your clones. You can find out how well this works on other VR systems in our review of The Last Clockwinder. Not too much seems to change on the Playstation VR 2, since the official description only explains the storyline.
It says: "You play as Jules, a young woman on a mission to repair the Clocktower (...) Create an interconnected system of clones to grow plants, harvest resources, and synthesize new seeds. You can coordinate your clones to create marvels of precision teamwork, hare-brained Rube Goldberg machines."
More games for Playstation VR 2
There was new information on the previously announced PSVR 2 game Song in the Smoke: The survival title from 17-bit is getting an exclusive jumping and climbing mode. The graphically complex VR paddling game Kayak VR (see the latest trailer) and the popular multiplayer VR shooter Pavlov VR were presented again.
All PSVR2 games released in the launch month
Here is an up-to-date overview with all 30 PSVR2 games in the release period, i.e. within one month of the launch on 22 February 2023:
- After the Fall (Vertigo Games)
- Altair Breaker (Thirdverse)
- Before Your Eyes (Skybound Interactive)
- Cities VR (Fast Travel Games)
- Cosmonious High (Owlchemy)
- Creed: Rise to Glory: Undisputed Edition (Survios, release date)
- The Dark Pictures: Switchback (Supermassive, release date)
- Demeo (Resolution Games, no release in Japan)
- Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate (MyDearest Inc., Perp Games)
- Fantavision 202X ( Cosmo Machia, Inc.)
- Gran Turismo 7 (via free update for PS5 version of GT7)
- Horizon Call of the Mountain (Firesprite, Guerrilla)
- Job Simulator (Owlchemy)
- Jurassic World Aftermath (Coatsink)
- Kayak VR: Mirage
- Kizuna AI - Touch the Beat! (Gemdrops, Inc.)
- The Last Clockwinder (Pontoco, Cyan Worlds)
- The Light Brigade (Funktronic Labs, purchase includes PS VR and PS VR2 version).
- Moss 1 & 2 Remaster (Polyarc)
- NFL Pro Era (StatusPro, Inc., free upgrade to PS VR2 not available in Japan or Asia)
- No Man's Sky (Hello Games, release date)
- Pavlov VR (Vankrupt)
- Pistol Whip (Cloudhead, free upgrade for SIEJ, but not SIE Asia)
- Puzzling Places (Realities.io, free upgrade)
- Resident Evil Village (Capcom, via free update for PS5 version of RE Village)
- Rez Infinite (Enhance)
- Song in the Smoke (17 Bit)
- STAR WARS: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge (ILMxLab)
- Synth Riders (Kluge Interactive, free upgrade not available in Japan or Asia)
- The Tale of Onogoro (Amata K.K)
- Tentacular (Devolver)
- Tetris Effect (Enhance)
- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution (Skydance, release date)
- Vacation Simulator (Owlchemy)
- What the Bat (Triband)
- Zenith: The Last City (Ramen VR, free upgrade)
Click here for a list of all previously announced PSVR2 games.
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