This is a great time to get into virtual reality
I’m going to get straight to the point: now is a great time to get into virtual reality. I know you’ll hear the opposite story and how the numbers sometimes paint a different picture, but I don’t think that really reflects what makes now a good time to jump in and pick up your headphones.
Virtual reality, or at least having your own VR headset, will never be for everyone. It’s usually a done experience, and it’s actually still pretty expensive to buy, even on the cheaper side. That doesn’t even take into account other costs, such as buying any VR games to actually play. But this is not an article about that. No, despite everything I just mentioned, I just feel the need to announce how awesome VR is as a gaming platform right now.
Much of this stems from my recent time with the Oculus Quest 2, a standalone VR headset due tomorrow. Although the games that exist today that can be played with a VR headset are just as important as the headset itself.
That’s not to say the Quest 2 isn’t an impressive kit. With a 72Hz screen, 1832×1920 monocular resolution, and inside-out tracking, it’s an affordable yet fully-featured package. At $290, it’s also a steal.
Why I’m so fascinated by this design is that it offers plug-and-play simplicity while also being a window into a tethered VR world that streams directly from your gaming PC to your headset. Using a simple USB Type-C to Type-C or Type-A cable (no need for the $89 Oculus Link cable, but make sure it’s a high-quality cable), you can use the discrete graphics power supply to power your standalone headset.
Oculus supports Steam VR, which means you can access not only its own library of Oculus-compatible games, but also Steam’s entire catalog. You’re not quite getting the perfect customization experience of the Valve Index, which is still my favorite headset, but you also don’t need to invest more than $1,000 to play.
No matter which headset you end up with, whether it’s the budget-friendly Oculus Quest 2, the much-loved Valve Index, or you’re waiting for the upcoming HP Reverb G2 (better for fast moving), modern VR gaming levels use space And technology has been particularly amazing lately.
(Image credit: Valve)
Take Half-Life: Alyx, for example. Even on the $299 Oculus Quest 2, the experience is great. There may be some bumps along the way, but it’s still a fully immersive Half-Life experience with black countertops.
Then look at Star Wars: Squadrons, a game that plays as if it was built for VR and VR separately. No, there’s a standard version of course, but it’s so great for exploring in virtual reality that it’s almost a shame not to try it at least once. Paired with a joystick – I know it’s hard to find these days – it’s yet another dream fulfilled in my youth, born around the time I blew up womp rats in Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader.
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(Image credit: Future)
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I think Star Wars: Squadrons heralds another emerging theme for VR in 2020: games that offer a PC/console experience and a VR mode at no extra cost. Phasmophobia, for example, is another game I’ve been timidly exploring over the past week at low volume through my VR headset. A great game that I’m sure many will attest to (“best ghost game ever” Rich says) that offers a hauntingly authentic experience, a semi-professional metaphorical zoology. Is there anything to say?
I’ll admit, the VR experience isn’t as smooth as a standard game. However, it’s fully compatible with the standard version for the cursed co-op, and it’s a welcome addition to the otherwise excellent pack.
(Image credit: Future)
In addition to that, we have Medal of Honor: Beyond and Beyond, developed by Respawn Entertainment, coming out later this year.
I guess all of this is to say that I’ve had a great time in VR the past few weeks, and I’m very excited about what’s to come. Maybe that’s all there is to it — the excitement of regaining the wow factor has been driven away after years of waning interest in some fancier VR experiences. But given my own relationship with virtual reality, since the first Oculus Rift development headset went off the shelves, I think it’s worth mentioning that I feel VR is in a very good position right now.
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