Sony’s PSVR, the PS4’s virtual reality headset, is a revelation. The headset has seen off all of the sceptics and proven to everyone that VR has an important role in the future of video game entertainment.
This monumental achievement has been no small feat. Sony needed to fulfil two pretty big conditions to make it work. The first condition was that the VR worlds needed to look not just good, but brilliant. This high bar was set by their own systems, the PS4 and the PS4 Pro, and Smart TV’s progression into affordable 4K technology. Simply, no one would adopt VR if it looked bad.
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The second condition Sony needed to fulfil was that the VR games needed to be strong games, not just gimmicky titles full of cheap tricks to dazzle, but ultimately mislead and disappoint, the player. Again, Sony made a rod for their back by bringing such a strong catalogue to the PS4 system.
Thankfully, Sony took their time, put the work in, and created the premier VR headset for console gaming.
If you’re looking to explore universes beautiful and bizarre whilst enjoying some brilliant gameplay, here are our choices of the best PSVR titles available. For the full immersive experience, don’t forget to couple the VR headset with a gaming headset and Move controllers.
Happy adventuring.
The best at a glance:
Moss
Superhot VR
Star Wars: Squadrons
Gran Turismo: Sport
Beat Saber
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Astro Bot: Rescue Mission
Tetris Effect
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
Blood & Truth
Iron Man VR
Farpoint
Batman: Arkham VR
The best in detail:
The best PSVR games
1 of 13Moss
Moss follows the story of Quill, a wee mouse who embarks on a journey dripping with fairy-tale whimsy. The gameplay is inventive too, as it jumps between first and third-person perspective to deliver a truly unique and not-to-be-forgotten video game experience. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Not Required / Not compatible
2 of 13Superhot VR
Despite its stripped back look, Superhot VR is one of the best PSVR FPS games available. The player takes on hordes on red enemies with an array of weapons and Matrix-style time-bending abilities – it's super addictive. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Required
£38.42
3 of 13Star Wars: Squadrons
Well… this is a dream come true. Star Wars: Squadrons allows player to jump into the cockpit of dozens of iconic starfighters, from both the Rebel Alliance's and The Empire's hangers. As if piloting a TIE-Fighter or X-Wing wasn't cool enough, the player then joins team mates online for galactic battles - from smaller five-on-five skirmishes through to huge fleet battles. As a VR-compatible title, players are free to choose between the standard and VR experience. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Not Required / Not compatible
£14.50
4 of 13Gran Turismo: Sport
GT Sport was already the PS4'sbest racing sim – adding VR into the mix has only served to heighten the title even more. The player is placed into the driving seat of a high-spec vehicle and hits the track with dashboard, HUD, wing mirrors, and rear-view mirror all around – the player is in the car, and the world around them is beautiful. With a controller it's great, but with a racing wheel and pedals, we're talking some next level stuff.PlayStation Move motion controllers: Not Required / Not compatible
5 of 13Beat Saber
Beat Saber - you've probably seen the YouTube videos and Twitch streams. This omnipresent VR title has the player grabbing onto two lightsabre-like swords to swipe and smash oncoming block in time with the thumping soundtrack. It's satisfying, exciting, addictive and physically exhausting. When the swipes, dodges and blocks are chained together, it feels nothing short of epic, plus there's a battle mode to spice things up with a little competition.PlayStation Move motion controllers: Required
6 of 13Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The PSVR is an ideal platform of horror gaming. Resident Evil 7 is a stunningly designed survival-horror offering which provides the player with 15-hours of cannibalism, chase-scenes, and genuine psychological discomfort. It's not for the feint of heart, but it's really, really good. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Not Required / Not compatible
7 of 13Astro Bot Rescue Mission
Astro Bot Rescue Mission is a cute, innocent looking title that'll enthral anyone with its charm and near-impeccable platform gaming. The 360-degree view afforded by the PSVR lets the humble platform genre to take on whole new possibilities. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Not Required / Not compatible
8 of 13Tetris Effect
Tetris has always been two things – with us during every console gen, and hypnotic. The series' PSVR outing has taken the latter and turned it up to eleven. The basic gameplay is what we all expect, but the worlds are shimmering, psychedelic wonders. There is no excuse for missing this one. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Not Required / Not compatible
9 of 13The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR
Despite its age, Skyrim has been reconfigured for the PSVR – and for good reason, it's a darn brilliant game. The RPG modern-classic has always felt vast, but the VR experience offers a new perspective to the title – there really is nothing like running through the tundra, hearing that foreboding rumble, and turning to face a dragon. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Optional
10 of 13Blood & Truth
Blood & Truth places the player at the heart of an action movie, exploring the London criminal underworld, getting caught up in high speed car chases, and jumping from explosion while blasting baddies with dual wielded pistols. It's over the top and we love it. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Required
11 of 13Iron Man VR
We aren't smart, suave or fictional enough to be Tony Stark. However, thanks to some developers, we can get a glimpse into the crazy escapades of Iron Man in this VR title. The game gives players control of the suit, allowing them to burst into the skies with the Repulsor Jests and with JARVIS in-ear. There are plenty of abilities and suits to unlock, along with plenty of epic battles to be had. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Required
12 of 13Farpoint and PS Aim Controller
Farpoint is a sci-fi shooter, from top to toe. It's good, but with the addition of the PSVR Aim controller, the gameplay, gunplay, and game design come alive, leaving the player feeling as though they're a true space marine. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Not Required / Not compatible
£17.18
- Rrp: £19.80
13 of 13Batman: Arkham VR
It's a game that lets the player become Batman. As if that wasn't enough, the PSVR will give the player chance to come face-to-face with Gotham's nastiest names, including Penguin, Killer Croc, and of course, the ubiquitous Joker. In a welcome break for the series, the villains are defeated by beating puzzle-based challenges using an arsenal of Batman gadgets. PlayStation Move motion controllers: Optional
How much does PSVR cost?
The Starter Pack retails for £259 and includes the VR headset, PS Camera and the game/experience PlayStation VR Worlds.
The Mega Pack retails for £299 and includes the VR headset and PS camera, and five VR games: PlayStation VR Worlds, Skyrim VR, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Resident Evil 7 and Everybody’s Golf VR. These games do not require PlayStation Move controllers.
In our opinion, the Mega Pack is the option to go for as it provides you with the headset and a number of the best VR games. If you already have a roster of PSVR-compatible titles, however, you may prefer the Starter Pack.
Do you need PlayStation Move controllers?
Nope, a pair of PlayStation Move controllers are not required for PSVR use. However, without them, there will be a wide array of games that you won’t be able to play, or at least have a limited experience of.
Typically, games that can be played without the VR headset (like GT Sport or Star Wars: Squadrons) will not require the Move controllers. Games that have been developed specifically for the PSVR experience (like Iron Man VR or Superhot VR) will require the Move controllers.
Though it does add to the overall cost of the setup, we’d recommend opting for the Move controllers wherever possible. They add to the sense of immersion and intuitive nature of the VR experience.
Is PSVR bad for your eyes?
It’s understandable why people may think that any VR headset is bad the eyes, given the proximity of the screen to the wearer’s face. Though there’s been no mainstream studies into the effects, regular users report no adverse effects from using sets like the PSVR.
The only thing people may encounter is dry or fatigued, which can happen with any screen, and motion sickness.
Does PS4 Pro make the PSVR better?
Not in any huge, game-changing way. The main feature of the PS4 Pro over the standard PS4 is its ability to produce 4K graphics (3840 x 2160). This resolution can only be achieved on games developed with PS4 Pro 4K compatibility. Besides, even if a PSVR game was released with 4K support, this won’t have any effect on the PSVR headset, which carries a screen only capable of full-HD, 1920 x 1080 resolution.
There is, however, a slight boost given to PSVR titles with the PS4 Pro’s improved GPU, which better handles frame rates and can smooth the VR experience out a little.
If you have a PS4 Pro, be happy with the fact you’re getting a little boost. If you have a PS4, rest easy knowing that you’re not missing out.
Can you watch Netflix on PSVR?
Yes - the PSVR can be used in Cinematic Mode to watch any streaming media, be it from the likes of Netflix, Prime Video or YouTube.
Will there be a PSVR 2?
Probably - the long and prosperous life of the PS4 and PS4 Pro have come to an end with the launch of the PlayStation 5. While there has been no official announcement around a PSVR, it is almost certainly on the way; likely boasting higher refresh rates, fewer cables and higher resolutions. When this will be and for how much remains a mystery, for now.