Virtual reality is both the most intriguing and the most terrifying space in gaming. The technology is still so relatively new that developers are experimenting and trying to create novel experiences. It’s an area that has a sense of unbridled potential as developers figure out the best ways to make the medium work.

At the same time, the technology is still unproven and some consumers who buy it are afraid that in a few years it will be an expensive paperweight. Look at how 3-D televisions never took off.

LEARNING FROM THE PASTDespite those risks, companies are still putting out virtual reality headsets, and Sony has produced one of the more successful ones by leveraging the Playstation user base. The original PlayStation VR was a decent piece of hardware with several great games, but its biggest problem was that it never felt truly integrated with the PlayStation 4.

The headset was great, but it felt as though Sony jerry-rigged a system around it using little-used peripherals such as its first-party camera and the PlayStation Move controllers. The PlayStation VR even had a separate processor unit that added several other wires, creating a messy setup.

For its successor, Sony learned from its mistakes and created a more streamlined system that’s integrated with the PlayStation 5 and feels built from the ground up. The PlayStation VR2 upgrades every aspect of the virtual reality experience. The OLED display inside the headset offers a higher resolution at 2000 x 2040 pixels per eye and a field of view of approximately 110 degrees.

This makes images clearer and sharper and it eliminates the screen door effect. With the power of the PS5, the visuals look much better, deepening the immersion. The textures are richer and the worlds are more convincing compared to the blocky, simpler ones on other underpowered headsets.

SURPRISING EXTRASThat alone would be a decent upgrade, but Sony went further, building force feedback into the headset. At first, it seemed a little gimmicky but the haptic rumble is helpful when used in games such as “Horizon Call of the Mountain.” It offers another layer of detail to the experience while, outside the game, it offers important status info such as whether the headset is actually on.

The eye-tracking adds more finesse when it comes to controls, and it’s surprisingly accurate. The PSVR2 has cameras that follow a player’s eye movements and it’s fairly responsive. Once you’re used to it, it offers a second level of control that’s useful in navigating menus or situations where fine movements are required. It’s almost like a slight analog stick nudge when compared to using head-tracking to pick menu items.

MAXIMUM COMFORT WITH CLEVER DESIGNThe PSVR2 follows the excellent design of the original, which was comfortable. This time around, Sony improved the cushioning around the headband so it doesn’t squeeze the head as much. The construction also distributes the weight evenly around the head so players can wear the headset for a long time without fatigue.

I also had no trouble using the headset with glasses and the lens never fogged up. That’s partly because the ingenious fan that keeps the electronics cool and also pulls air into the headset, making it less likely your face will feel like it’s in a sauna.

When it comes to audio, I appreciate the included in-ear headphones that fit seamlessly into the headband of the PSVR2. They offer good 3-D audio that surrounds players. The original PSVR just had a dongle that required players to supply their own headphones.

EASY SETUP IS THE KEYThe best part about the whole package is that the PSVR2 connects easily to the PS5. Players just need to plug the cord into the USB-C port on the front of the console and they’re done. That fixes a big problem with the original model. Players had to connect and reconnect so many wires that playing VR games felt like a space shuttle launch.

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A simple setup is huge when it comes to the medium because the system already demands a lot from players. If players want the full experience, they’ll have to rearrange furniture or have a dedicated VR room so that players can move around and explore the space more naturally. With a little more than 14 feet of cord, the PSVR2 has the slack to provide room-scale VR. The headset has cameras that will scan the play area and will warn you if you’re going to hit a wall or, god forbid, your television.

In my setup, I could play comfortably just sitting in my desk chair a few feet from my gaming monitor. The software is great at warning me when I was near the boundary so I didn’t accidentally smash any expensive electronics. In a few instances, such as climbing in “Horizon Call of the Mountain,” I did hit the danger zone trying to reach for a ledge, but if you’re afraid of damaging an area, players can always check around them with the built-in cameras so they don’t have to remove the headset.

A FLAW IN THE CONTROLLERThe PSVR2 comes with a set of controllers called the PlayStation VR2 Sense that works well. They remind me of the original Meta Quest controllers, but the strange shape makes it harder to strap on, especially with a headset strapped to the face. Once they’re on though, they work well, accurately tracking movement. The placement of the triggers and the R1/L1 buttons are heavily influenced by Meta. They’re also super sensitive.

The one problem I ran into when playing is that my thumbs would constantly hit the PlayStation button and stop the game during tense moments. The placement for these buttons could have been better, so that they are not so easily pressed, especially when grabbing items or using the analog sticks for movement.

That’s the one irksome flaw in a package that is otherwise a huge upgrade over the original. Those improvements don’t come cheap, though, with the PSVR2 costing $549.99. That’s more than a PS5 and it’s $150 more than the original PSVR and its biggest competitor the Meta Quest 2. Regardless of price, it’s impressive hardware, and now, it’ll be up to developers to create content that will make gamers want to dive into the technology.

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PlayStation VR2

3½ stars out of 4Manufacturer: SonyPrice: $549.99