We check in on how the PlayStation VR2 is faring after the last few months, then go hands-on with The Lara Croft Collection, Aliens: Dark Descent and Crime Boss: Rockay City.
Believe it or not, but it’s almost been six months since Sony launched its latest attempt at penetrating the virtual reality market with the PlayStation VR 2. But has this passage of time been kind to the high-end device and is it worth your hard-earned cash?
Before we go answering that question though, let’s take a quick step back. A huge evolution from the original PlayStation VR unit, the PlayStation VR 2 is an exceptionally designed bit of kit. While it’s still not entirely wireless like the Meta Quest, you’ll only need to hook up a single cable to get everything up and running, which allowed us to get gaming in mere minutes. It also means you don’t have to worry about battery levels, which is great for lengthier play sessions.
In fact, everything feels more natural across the board. The headset just feels like it sits a lot neater, and if you wear a pair of spectacles, you’ll be glad to discover that we didn’t notice fogging of any kind – a real pain point of the PS VR 2’s predecessor.
The internals are no slouch either, now rocking two 2000 x 2040 OLED displays as well as eye-tracking which can be utilised for easier menu navigation and even in-game mechanics (like Before Your Eyes). We spent some time with Horizon: Call of the Mountain and while the story might be a little forgettable, the game is the perfect showcase for the visual fidelity and control the PS VR 2 offers. It’s perhaps the best VR game we’ve played thus far and climbing with the new Sense controllers is a far smoother affair and comfier to use in the hand. Just make sure those bad boys are charged, because unless you shell out for a fancy charging dock, it can be a bit of a process.
But for all the wonders PlayStation VR2 manages with its impressive technology, its biggest hurdle is its without question its game library. Almost six months on, it still feels like the system is waiting to hit its stride, with releases admittedly few and far between. The occasional new release like Synapse certainly help, but many others feel like basic tech demos that don’t offer meatier experiences that justify the $879 price tag.
Sony’s first-party teams are a notable absence and while Horizon Call of the Mountain is a great start, more of the company’s tentpole franchises need to be leveraged in order to help the PlayStation VR 2 truly shine.
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Fingers crossed Sony has a larger plan at play here, because we’d love for the PlayStation VR 2 to sit happily beside the PS5 for many years to come.
Also out now…
Aliens: Dark Descent (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, XBO, PC)
Considering Aliens’ *ahem* inconsistent… track record with video games, it’s easy to understand why you might initially dismiss Aliens: Dark Descent. But ignore this XCOM-inspired romp at your own peril, because it might just be one of the series’ best entries yet.
A large part of that is thanks to the slower-paced, more methodical squad shooter mechanics lending itself so well to Aliens’ inherently tense atmosphere. Once you deploy your squad into a mission environment, gameplay occurs in real-time, as you gradually make your way through treacherous environments while achieving any number of objectives.
Your team fires automatically, but skills or special weaponry can slow or halt time, allowing for all sorts of strategic plays. Alternatively, you may choose to avoid firefights wherever possible, especially if a terrifying Xenomorph is on your tail which only ratchets up the tension tenfold.
Aliens: Dark Descent is sweaty, strategic and superb, quickly becoming one of 2023’s biggest surprise gems.
The Lara Croft Collection (Switch)
While hardcore Crofties are still waiting to see what everybody’s favourite tomb raider might be up to next, this neat collection is the perfect way to revisit two overlooked gems.
Released back in 2010 and 2014 respectively, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris were co-op action adventure romps that broke away from the mould with a greater puzzle focus and isometric perspective. The good news is that while the two tales may remain as barebones as before, the gameplay holds up remarkably well, allowing for a pretty seamless transition onto the Switch.
Both Guardian of Light and Temple of Osiris look and play great with a steady frame rate that keeps the action chugging along nicely. Add a friend by your side (as online co-op has sadly been given the boot), and you’ll likely get even more enjoyment from the titles thanks to some clever puzzle design that never feels overly complex.
Chaotic twin-stick style combat that pits you against hordes of dastardly enemies helps round out a pretty solid package. There’s plenty of exploration at play and goodies to collect, meaning The Lara Croft Collection is well worth picking up, even if you plan on playing solo.
Crime Boss: Rockay City (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
If you’re a lover of star power, you’ll be more than impressed with Crime Boss: Rockay City. From Michael Madsen to Danny Glover and even the almighty Chuck Norris, it’s almost overwhelming how many Hollywood heavyeights have lended their talents to this heist-centric shooter (in a similar vien to the likes of PAYDAY).
Unfortunately though not even Chuck Norris is able to detract from the rather middling and repetitive gameplay that never quite finds its footing. Instead, Crime Boss: Rockay City ends up as another example of squandered potential and a game with a slight identity crisis.
If you’re desperate for a hit of schlocky ‘90s nostalgia you might manage to find some enjoyment here, but everybody else might be better off giving this one a miss.
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