Mint Virtual Reality

Resident Evil Village VR Mode Director Kazuhiro Takahara told UploadVR that a “very large majority” of PSVR 2 owners have tried out Resident Evil Village in VR mode.

In a snippet from an upcoming Q&A to be published this weekend, we asked Capcom’s Kazuhiro Takahara, Director on Resident Evil Village VR mode, if he could share any indication of how successful the game’s VR mode has been or how many PlayStation VR2 players have tried out the mode since launch.

“I can’t share exact numbers,” said Takahara, “but I have heard that a very large majority of PS VR2 owners have played Resident Evil Village in VR.”

This tracks with what you might expect, given that Village was one of the headset’s most high-profile launch games and an existing PS5 title that many new PSVR 2 users might have already owned before getting the headset. That said, there’s also no indication of how long those users played for – it’s unlikely they all finished the campaign and many might have just tried it out in VR mode for an hour or two.

Yesterday, analyst firm IDC (International Data Corporation) told that Bloomberg that Sony is “likely” to have sold only around 270,000 PSVR 2 units between launch and the end of March. That said, we also posed the question of whether Sony is just getting started with PSVR 2. 

Headset sales aside, PSVR 2 released with a pretty strong launch lineup and Resident Evil Village was among our top picks. In our review, we called it a stunning and engaging horror shooter, praising the clever adjustments made to translate the game to VR and its satisfying gunplay.

Keep an eye out for our full Q&A with Kazuhiro Takahara later this weekend, where we discuss the challenges of developing Village’s VR Mode, future plans for the series in VR and more.

Beat Saber announced another music pack revamp today, which will add six new songs to the Panic! At The Disco pack and update the beatmaps, environments and lighting for its existing tracks.

Hot on the heels of the revamped Imagine Dragons pack from last month, today Beat Games is updating the Panic! At The Disco music pack. The update will adds songs from Panic!’s 2018 album Pray for the Weekend and 2022 album Viva Las Vengeance, while overhauling the pack’s existing four  tracks.

The new tracks available today are:

• Hey Look Ma, I Made It

• Say Amen (Saturday Night)

• Viva Las Vengeance

• Dancing’s Not A Crime

• Sugar Soaker

• Crazy = Genius

While it’s nice to have some new tracks, it’s crazy that even after these new additions, the music pack still doesn’t include the band’s biggest hit, I Write Sins Not Tragedies.

These new tracks will feature a new Panic!-themed environment, using Beat Saber’s updated lighting and effect system. The pack’s original four tracks – Emperor’s New Clothes, High Hopes, The Greatest Show and Victorious – will also be updated with the new environment. Those existing tracks will also receive revamped beat maps featuring arc and chain notes, similar to the overhauled applied to the Imagine Dragons pack last month.

If you already own the existing four Panic! tracks, you can pick up the six new tracks for $7.79. The revamped pack is available in full for $12.99, with individual tracks available for $1.99 each.

Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station is an innovative Spider-Man-style action adventure swinging its way onto VR headsets this year. We played the first few hours of an early access alpha version for Quest 2 – read on for our hands-on impressions. 

Step into the space shoes of a plunger-wielding cosmonaut once more in the upcoming sequel to Yupitergrad from developers Gamedust. Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station follows in the same footsteps as its predecessor with players avoiding hazards and solving puzzles whilst vaulting at break-neck speed through a space station using an innovative plunger and rope grappling system. This latest installment promises to be bigger and better than before, with new features such as a combat system and weapons that attach to your grappling appendages.

After a brief tutorial, the alpha dropped me straight into the action. One of the first features to strike me was the beautiful cell-shaded environments, which look stunning even on standalone VR systems like Quest 2. Similar to the previous game, Yupitergrad 2 is set in a seemingly abandoned space station you stumble upon after detecting traces of activity. However, this time you are also accompanied by an artificial intelligence named Alsha who acts as a guide to support you through the station’s many challenges.

Gameplay will be very familiar to fans of the original game, delivering the same exhilarating, fast-paced swinging action. Traps were still challenging but the controls seemed tighter when compared to its predecessor, which made the experience feel a little less demanding and frustrating so far. 

Another thing that’s noticeably different from the first game is the open-ended exploration that encourages searching the space station for pickups and new passages. In true Metroidvania style, the game now includes a dynamically-updating map to aid your wayfinding through the large interconnected station. The original Yupitergrad had little need for navigational support, as it was a much more linear affair that tended to funnel players from one area to another with little deviation.

The newly introduced combat system was also a welcome addition, providing a healthy dose of action that changes up gameplay nicely. Alternating your arms to swing through the air while taking out a drone with a Boltgun is an experience somewhat reminiscent of the VR arcade action game SWARM. However, traps and combat felt unbalanced at times and there was also an assortment of bugs to deal with. The latter is understandable given the game is still in alpha though, and Gamedust says it’s aware of the bugs and intends to fix them by the final build. 

The alpha preview took me about two hours to complete, with the final campaign said to be 4-6 hours long – around twice the length of the original Yupitergrad campaign. From what I played, Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station takes the best parts of the first game and improves upon the formula with welcome additions that are likely to appeal to existing fans and newcomers alike.

Gamedust says Yupitergrad 2: The Lost Station is slated to cost $24.99, subject to change, when it arrives later this year. It will release first as a timed exclusive for Pico 4, before coming to Meta Quest 2, PC VR, and PS VR2 platforms at a later date.

The Last Worker brings a satirical narrative adventure to Quest, PSVR 2 and PC VR, mixing strong humor with tense stealth action. Jointly developed for flatscreen platforms and VR, here’s our full review:

We’ve seen countless takes on sci-fi dystopian futures over the years and in The Last Worker, they all seem to be happening simultaneously. Healthcare only exists for the rich, you live where you work, there’s heavy environmental pollution, while automation runs rampant. Truly unimaginable. A textbook example of a mega-corporation gone mad but despite this familiar premise, strong writing keeps it fresh.

Playing the world-weary Kurt, every Jüngle employee except you was fired and replaced by robots, making him the last human worker. After living in isolation for many years with his robot companion, Skew, he’s approached by an activist group to take down Jüngle for good. It’s an over the top premise that could only happen in fiction and The Last Worker plays to these situational absurdities well, punching up against late stage capitalism and its grubby excesses through entertaining satire.

After a seven hour campaign, The Last Worker concludes with three potential endings, which I won’t spoil here. Everything follows a set course until this divergence point, so don’t worry about making ‘wrong’ decisions like it’s Mass Effect or a Telltale game. Better still, you can jump back to this point at will through a chapter select menu once you’ve hit credits. Two decisions shape this pivotal moment.

I can’t explain why without spoilers but I wasn’t completely sold on this ending. The build up within this final chapter feels a little odd, and even the ‘good’ ending leaves some unanswered questions. However, this approach also fits the narrow scope of Kurt’s story; you only see this world through his eyes and from what other people tell you. So despite wanting to explore the implications of his actions further, it still works from a narrative perspective, leaving me with mixed feelings.

The Last Worker Review – Final Verdict

The Last Worker is an entertaining title that doesn’t overstay its welcome. By taking aim at late stage capitalism, this over-the-top journey offers a fine narrative and great satirical humor, coupled with tense but enjoyable stealth missions. While I wanted more from the ending, this doesn’t greatly detract from the wider experience. It’s well-paced, fun, and comes recommended for anyone after a new adventure.

UploadVR focuses on a label system for reviews, rather than a numeric score. Our reviews fall into one of four categories: Essential, Recommended, Avoid and reviews that we leave unlabeled. You can read more about our review guidelines here.

Apple announced WWDC23 will take place June 5-9.

Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is a yearly developer-focused Apple event where upcoming versions of its operating systems and SDKs are revealed, and sometimes new Mac hardware too.

In recent years WWDC has been fully remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year Apple will host a “special in-person experience at Apple Park on June 5″ too.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote in February that Apple’s rumored AR/VR headset is set to be unveiled at WWDC23, and he’s sticking by that reporting today. This matches what prominent supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed in December.

Some have noted that Apple’s teaser image for the event resembles a VR headset lens.

Apple’s headset has reportedly been in development for more than 5 years now. Last year The Information published an investigative report detailing the product’s troubled development and changing form factor. The report outlined an evolution from a thin client wirelessly paired with a custom console to a fully standalone device covered with sensors and an external display showing the wearer’s eyes.

In August an Apple-linked company filed to trademark ‘Reality One’, ‘Reality Pro’, and ‘Reality Processor’, suggesting the headset and its processor will be branded Apple Reality. Gurman previously reported Apple is working on a VR client for FaceTime with face tracking for driving avatars, a VR version of Maps, spatial versions of Notes and Calendar, the ability to view a Mac’s display in-headset, and AR/VR tools for developers.

The Information and Gurman have previously reported the product will be priced around $3000. Kuo claimed it will weigh noticeably less than current VR headsets and feature high resolution OLED microdisplays, while The Information has claimed it will be powered by the M2 chip seen in the latest MacBooks and feature hand tracking, eye tracking, face tracking, leg tracking and iris scanning for logins and payments. 

So if the reports are to be believed, Apple’s product will have higher resolution, a more powerful processor, more features, and a slimmer design than Meta’s Quest Pro – though at perhaps three times the price.

Not For Broadcast is the propaganda broadcasting experience available now for Quest 2 and PC VR. This flatscreen-to-VR port translates nicely, delivering a wonderfully entertaining job sim filled with clever adult humor. Find out more in our Not For Broadcast VR review.    

It’s the 1980s and you’ve been appointed the studio director for the National Nightly News. A political party named Advance has also been voted into power and their increasingly tyrannical behavior means that things in the country soon start to take an Orwellian turn. You have the power to sway public opinion about the party one way or the other – the choices you make inside and outside the broadcasting studio will have significant ramifications.  

A game about broadcasting the National Nightly News might initially sound a bit pedestrian, but Not For Broadcast is nothing of the sort. There are two main elements to the gameplay. First is the interactive elements, all about keeping the audience tuned in by operating the right controls at the right times to deliver an entertaining broadcast. 

Then there’s the 43 hours of video footage that delivers a top-notch story – replete with political satire, slapstick comedy and dark humor – that is so engaging it will make you forget you’ve got a job to do. Watching the news team exchange acid-tongued barbs off-air and being privy to the deliberately over-the-top drama in the newsroom is hilariously entertaining.

Minor Issues

There’s a certain megalomaniacal joy to having the power to shape a nation at your very fingertips. However, some minor issues with the VR controls detract from what is otherwise a fun interactive experience flipping switches and adjusting dials.

For example, your virtual hand automatically points with the index finger when nearing a button, which would have felt more natural to control manually myself with controller triggers or capacitive sensors. Similarly, the little joystick on the control panel, used to adjust wavelength frequency and reduce broadcast interference, feels a little off when moving the stick. It makes it more difficult to control than it should be.

Plenty Of Content

The game maintains a nice pace, chunking broadcasts into sections that last around 20 minutes each and mixing it up with the non-broadcast text storyline sequences. Just when you’ve started to get tired of doing one thing, the game will often throw in something new to keep it engaging. 

Five different difficulty settings and a custom mode that allows players to adjust the difficulty of specific aspects of the game provides a lot of control over the level of challenge. The easiest setting is best for players who just want to enjoy the story, while the most difficult setting is a brutally unforgiving slog aimed at more seasoned players.  

The game takes about 8 hours to complete one full playthrough, with potential for replayability given the choices you make can result in one of fourteen different endings. There’s also a challenge mode that lets you replay some sections for rewards and an archive where you can relax and view all of the footage without any broadcasting responsibilities.

Not For Broadcast VR Review – Final Verdict

Not For Broadcast successfully balances thought-provoking writing with a mix of clever political satire, light-hearted slapstick comedy and dark humor for a hilariously captivating story. Making morally difficult choices while dealing with the stress of managing a live broadcast gives players plenty to engage with beyond the entertaining narrative. 

With the exception of some minor interactivity issues, operating a TV broadcasting station translates beautifully into VR, with Not For Broadcast offering up one of the most unique and entertaining VR games I’ve played this year.

UploadVR focuses on a label system for reviews, rather than a numeric score. Our reviews fall into one of four categories: Essential, Recommended, Avoid and reviews that we leave unlabeled. You can read more about our review guidelines here.

Looking to find the best PlayStation VR2 games available on Sony’s new headset? Here’s out full list of the top 25 best PSVR 2 games for PS5.

At launch in February 2023, PSVR 2 came running through the door with a fairly hefty library of VR games and exclusive titles. It’s only getting bigger too, with more games launching every week and many more to come. Since launch, we’ve been trying out as many PSVR 2 experiences as possible to put together our list of the best options across the entire library.

Across the list, we’ve tried to represent a wide range of titles from different genres, showcasing the best picks in each and ranking all 25 games in ascending order. There’s some obvious picks and first-party exclusives you might expect to make an appearance, but there’s also a pleasant selection of hidden gems from indie developers as well. Some of the games are also available on other platforms such as Quest 2 or the original PSVR, but offer improved visuals and other upgrades on PSVR 2.

Without further ado, here are our picks for the best PSVR 2 games available right now.

Note: We’re still making our way through all of the PSVR 2 library and with some recent PSVR 2 releases, such as The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 1 and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution, we haven’t had enough time with them to confidently place them on the list just yet. 

Keep an eye out as we continue to try PSVR 2 releases and update the list with more entries over the next few weeks and months. 

25. Rez Infinite

Originally a PSVR launch title, Rez Infinite is back once again . Featuring the original game’s full campaign mode and Area X level, it remains as gorgeous as ever on PSVR 2. That’s boosted further by eye tracking for tracking and aiming at enemies, alongside haptic feedback support from the headset and controllers.

24. Tetris Effect

Tetris Effect: Connected reimagines the classic arcade puzzle game into an immersive sensory experience, featuring a full campaign and several game modes, as well as online multiplayer. On PSVR 2, Tetris Effect features uses headset haptics, eye tracking and Sense controller haptics to increase the immersion and bring you closer to feeling the indescribable Tetris effect.

23. Puzzling Places

One of the best puzzle games in VR is now available on PSVR 2 with 120fps support, eye tracking support, haptic feedback support, and a 1000-piece puzzle. A 3D jigsaw game, Puzzling Places recreates worldwide iconic landmarks like Thailand’s Chiang Rai Blue Temple through realistic miniatures, letting you choose puzzles usually ranging from 25 pieces to 400. Thanks to regular free and premium updates, expect support to continue for a long time.

22. Zenith: The Last City

For MMOs fans, Zenith: The Last City is the clear frontrunner on PSVR 2. The game was a massive success when it launched in early 2022 and since then it’s received a multitude of content updates and overhauls to existing systems, now featuring a new player onboarding experience and brand new areas to explore. On PSVR 2, it features eye tracking mechanics for aiming and locking on during combat, alongside haptic feedback in the Sense controllers and headset.

21. Tentacular

One of the hidden gems on the Quest platform, Tentacular is now available on PSVR 2 and looks better than ever. This wonderful VR kaiju game features interesting physics-based puzzles and a whole lot of heart. Not only does it bring its VR-first design over to PSVR 2, but looks incredibly crisp on the new headset. Plus, the game cleverly uses eye tracking on PSVR 2 to allow quick dialogue navigation and menu selection, which is a nice quality-of-life update.

20. Song in the Smoke: Rekindled

We awarded Song in the Smoke the honor of Best PSVR Game in our Best of 2021 Awards. Now, Song in the Smoke: Rekindled brings one of VR’s best survival games to the next generation on PSVR 2. It features eye-tracked foveated rendering and upgraded visuals, alongside many new features driven by feedback from the original release.

19. No Man’s Sky

No Man’s Sky is notorious for its rocky launch in 2016. Since then, however, the game received VR support and a wealth of updates that have turned it into an expansive survival space simulator. Recent updates also overhauled many of the VR mechanics, adding new interaction methods and immersive menus.

On PSVR 2, No Man’s Sky brings the entire experience across to the next generation. While it does feature some upgraded visuals compared to the original PSVR release, don’t expect a shocking makeover – all things considered, the game still isn’t the most visually impressive, even on PSVR 2. However, if you want to explore an infinite, endless universe in VR, look no further – No Man’s Sky is the perfect fit.

You can read more in our No Man’s Sky PSVR 2 Review. 

18. Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded

The PSVR 2 version of this movie tie-in game significantly improves on the original Quest and PC VR release, featuring an extra story level, three new remix levels, additional Gun Range challenges, new weapons and more. Plus, the adaptive triggers in the Sense controllers and the headset haptics add a little extra in terms of immersion.

Yes, the basic gameplay is still the same as the Quest and PC VR release, which isn’t particularly ambitious or lengthy. However, the PSVR 2 version features a new cel-shaded art style with new character models and animations, which is a night and day difference to the original. If you’re looking for an enjoyable arcade shooter on PSVR 2, this is a good bet.

You can read more in our Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded Review. 

17. Unplugged

Originally available on Quest as a hand tracking-exclusive game, Unplugged on PSVR 2 is a slightly different premise. With no support for hand tracking on Sony’s headset, developers Anotherway offer the controller-only version on Unplugged on PSVR 2. While this isn’t quite as magical as the original concept, it’s nonetheless an engaging rhythm game featuring an absolutely stellar lineup of rock tracks to play along to.

Yes, without hand tracking it’s a little less air guitar and a little more Guitar Hero, but that’s isn’t wholly a bad thing – there’s still a fantastic game here for those looking to rock out on PSVR 2.

You can read more in our Unplugged PSVR 2 Mini Review. 

16. The Light Brigade

The Light Brigade is a VR roguelite that merges fantastic gunplay with an interesting world and beautiful environments. Developers Funktronic Labs launched the game on both PSVR 2 and Quest in late February, so while it’s not a PSVR 2-exclusive, it was one of the few new releases available at the headset’s launch.

While we haven’t got around to a review of The Light Brigade just yet, we’ve played enough to know that it’s deserving of a spot on the list. You’ll journey through a mist-covered world and shoot down enemies with guns that feel meaty and satisfying to use, requiring a level of patience and precision to reach mastery. Runs are split up into smaller areas to clear with a few enemies in each, alongside chest and coins that will grant buffs as you go. Between runs, you can unlock new classes, acquire new weapons or upgrade existing ones, giving you different options depending on your play style.

For fans of roguelikes, The Light Brigade is definitely one to check out on PSVR 2.

15. Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition

Two years after its release on Quest 2, both parts of Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge get combined into this new ‘enhanced’ release on PSVR 2. The resulting package is one that lacks new content but does receive visual upgrades that push it far above its Quest 2 counterpart. It features more detail in character models and environments, with better lighting and a higher level of detail overall. It doesn’t sound like much, but it comes together to create a much more immersive experience that Star Wars fans should enjoy.

You can read more in our Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced Edition PSVR 2 Hands-On.

14. Job Simulator

One of VR’s earliest titles and a consistent best seller on the original PSVR, Job Simulator is still a shining example of excellent VR-first design. This is an experience for everyone, easily enjoyed by those fresh to VR or those who are seasoned veterans. Featuring sharp writing and wacky satirical gameplay, Job Simulator performances flawlessly and looks visually crisp on PSVR 2. It’s easy to see why it stayed high on the original PSVR charts for so long, and even with many new releases and exclusives since its original debut, this latest PSVR 2 of Job Simulator release remains a solid pick.

13. Cities: VR – Enhanced Edition

While the original Quest release felt like a disappointment, Cities: VR feels like it’s finally living up to its true potential on PSVR 2. Featuring upgraded visuals and an improved UI, this version of the game also features an increased world size, which is nine times larger compared to Quest 2.

You can read more in our Cities: VR – Enhanced Edition PSVR 2 Hands-On. 

12. After the Fall

If you’re looking for a Left 4 Dead-like co-op experience on PSVR 2, then After the Fall is a great pick. Vertigo Games launched After the Fall in late 2021 and while we enjoyed it, we also wanted to see more content added to the game over time. Since then, there’s been loads of new content added in, including many new maps, weapons and enemies, alongside a horde mode as well.

All of those additions are rolled into the PSVR 2 ‘Complete Edition’ release, which is a fantastic platform to play the game on, thanks to some PSVR 2-specific upgrades. While After the Fall was never an overly stunning game on Quest or the original PSVR, it looks significantly better on PSVR 2 and reaches a pretty impressive level of fidelity. Graphics aside, the Sense controllers are also used to great effect, with great haptics and excellent use of adaptive triggers that makes guns feel fantastic to fire.

For some zombie-shooting co-op fun, After the Fall is a great option on PSVR 2.

11. What the Bat?

What the Bat? was easily one of the best indie VR releases of 2022, so much so that we awarded it the title of our VR Game of the Year. On PSVR 2, the game remains as engaging and hilarious as ever. It’s dipping in charm and creativity, placing you in a bunch of scenarios where you’re given a pair of baseball bat hands and tasked with doing almost anything besides actually playing baseball.

It’s a deceptively complex game that begs to be shown to family and friends who might be interested in VR. With spectator mode on the TV, PSVR 2 is the perfect fit to play What the Bat? with a room for of friends, passing the headset from person-to-person.

You can read more in our full What the Bat? Review.

10. Moss: Book I & Book II

So yes, technically these are two separate games. We’re slightly cheating by combining them here, but to be fair, they are two releases that form one larger story and are both fairly similar in terms of gameplay.

The original Moss, now known as Moss: Book I, released on the original PSVR and has since made its way across many VR platforms and headsets. Its sequel, Moss: Book II, released last year, expanding on the platforming concepts of the original in some places and continuing on threads from the first game. Together, they form a wonderful VR platforming experience and feature PSVR 2-specific upgrades, such as subtle uses of eye tracking and improved visuals compared to the original releases. Book I and Book II are both available on PSVR 2, either in a bundle or purchased separately.

You can read more in our Moss Review and Moss: Book 2 Review.

9. Pavlov

Pavlov has long been a favorite among PC VR players, but now it’s also available on PSVR 2.

The game is a VR first-person shooter experience modeled after Counter-Strike. That means that while it does have limited offline single player modes, it’s best experienced online with its variety of team-based FPS game modes. Pavlov is a shooter based around precision, balancing itself between realism and engaging gameplay mechanics. The guns feel fantastic to use and playing online with friends will be your best bet for ongoing entertainment – there’s little in the way of progression, nor is there any kind of true campaign to work through.

Unlike Pavlov Shack on Quest, which brings a ‘lite’ version of the game to standalone hardware, Pavlov brings the full PC VR experience to PSVR 2, with support for cross-play with PC players as well. The only missing part is the mod support available on PC VR, meaning that the current game modes are the extent of what you’ll be playing.

You can read more in our Pavlov VR Review for PSVR 2.

8. The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR

Another PSVR 2 exclusive, this release from Supermassive Games sees you take part in some arcade shooter gameplay while traveling aboard a horror-themed rollercoaster. You’ll play through several scary scenarios, with a plethora of villains and jump scares to keep you on the edge of your seat. It features entertaining, arcade gun mechanics reminiscent of The House of the Dead, alongside some fantastic horror theme park scenarios that feel ripped out of a dark version of Disneyland.

While it’s not the most visually impressive title on the list, nor is it the longest campaign ever, it’s nonetheless an engaging horror shooter with fantastic enemy designs and some brilliant settings. It’s also worth nothing that some users have reported graphical issues and ‘blurriness’ since launch, which Supermassive Games recently acknowledged. The studios is working on the issues, which seemingly only affect some users.

You can read more about the game in our Switchback VR Review and read more about the reported graphical issues. 

7. Kayak VR: Mirage

Kayak VR is a quiet highlight of the PSVR 2 launch lineup, offering a stunning visual presentation and a relaxing experience across locations four locations: Papagayo, Antartica, Bjørnøya and Australia. There’s a competitive multiplayer mode, but it’s free roam where the game shines, allowing you to sit back, relax and enjoy the view. It may not feature a fully-fledged campaign or an extensive selection of game modes, but Kayak VR is one of the most relaxing VR experiences available on the platform and a joy to look at from every angle.

You can read more in our Kayak VR: Mirage PSVR 2 Review.

6. Pistol Whip

Pistol Whip is one of VR’s longest-running and well updated games across all platforms. Luckily, it shines on PSVR 2, looking fantastic and taking advantage of PSVR 2’s unique features such as adaptive triggers in the Sense controllers, which gives you a ‘more realistic firing experience.’ Headset haptics on PSVR 2 also add to the immersion, letting you truly feel each time you get shot and giving those moments a much greater sense of impact.

For those who aren’t aware, Pistol Whip is the beautiful intersection between rhythm games, Superhot-like action and Matrix-style cinematic flair. You’ll move along on-rails scenes with enemies popping up to a pumping soundtrack – your task is not just to shoot the enemies as they approach, but do so in time with the beat of the music.

It’s a fantastic concept and developers Cloudhead Games continue to expand the game with numerous free content updates and expansions, making it a great option for PSVR 2 players.

5. Before Your Eyes

Before Your Eyes is a tragic yet beautiful narrative experience, with the VR version available exclusively on PSVR 2. It’s a unique 90-minute story, with an eye tracking mechanic that is unlike any other use of the technology. You’re transported back into the memories of the protagonist Benny, experiencing them from his first-person perspective as they happened. The catch is that every time you blink, the story moves forward. Sometimes it’s just a moment, sometimes it’s a jump forward a few years into the future.

What follows is a unique, compelling and innovative VR experience that demonstrates how the medium can tell stories that movies, games and other media can’t. Plus, it’s a controller-free experience and very little artificial movement, making it an accessible experience to almost anyone.

You can read more in our Before Your Eyes VR Review.

4. Demeo

Demeo, the tabletop dungeon crawler RPG from Resolution Games, remains one of the best social VR games across all platforms, and its PSVR 2 release is up there with the best. Not only does the game support cross-platform play – so you can team up with players on Quest or PC VR – but it also looks better than ever on PSVR 2. There’s no jagged edges to be seen and the game looks better than ever, thanks to the PSVR 2’s OLED display with HDR support, allowing for much deeper blacks than you’ll get on a headset like Quest 2.

With several expansions available since release, Demeo offers players a wealth of content and an engaging social experience among the best that VR has to offer. On PSVR 2, it’s the best non-exclusive release so far. On PS5, you also have the option to play flatscreen as well – the best of both worlds.

3. Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 is one of the most potent racing sims to ever grace VR and it’s available exclusively for PSVR 2. While the menus display on a flat screen in-headset, the races and gameplay itself will take place in full, immersive VR – it’s a sight to behold. Not only is the game stunning, but offers fantastic racing simulation with various levels of difficulty and a full campaign and many other mode, all available in VR. For racing fans, this is an absolute must.

You can read more in our full Gran Turismo 7 PSVR 2 Review.

2. Resident Evil Village

Village marks the second mainline Resident Evil game to get VR support, after Biohazard launched with PSVR support in 2017. Much like Biohazard, Village is a phenomenal launch title for PSVR 2 and an amazing horror shooter with a fully-fledged campaign that is captivating from start to finish.

It’s particularly impressive given that the game was designed for flatscreen platforms first, however that also means that it features sequences that might be fairly intense for new VR users. Expect your head and field of view to be quickly repositioned, shoved and moved around without notice. Nonetheless, the well-paced campaign, gorgeous visuals and engaging gunplay make Resident Evil Village easily one of the best experiences on PSVR 2 right now.

You can read more in our full Resident Evil 8 Village VR Review.

1. Horizon Call of the Mountain

It’s a tough call to pick a number one on this list, but Horizon just edges out the other to take the top spot. This PSVR 2-exclusive is one of the most visually stunning and dense VR experiences available, with some stunning environments that feature a level of detail rivaling Half-Life: Alyx.

While the gameplay isn’t necessarily revelatory for VR, it is nonetheless incredibly polished and a stunning experience to behold in-headset. For any PSVR 2 owner, Horizon Call of the Mountain is a must-have.

You can read more in our full Horizon Call of the Mountain review.

Note: UploadVR Staff Writer Henry Stockdale also contributed to ranking and entries on this list. 

Half-Life 2: Episode Two will soon join its predecessors in PC VR, arriving as a free Steam mod on April 6.

Having previously confirmed plans for an Episode Two VR port, the Source VR Mod Team revealed the release date for this final part (sorry Half-Life 3 hopefuls) of Valve’s iconic FPS last week when Half-Life 2: Episode One VR Mod released. Like the Half-Life 2 VR Mod and Episode One, you must own the base Episode Two game on Steam to access this. Furthermore, the Source VR Mod Team states anyone using someone else’s account via family sharing feature won’t work.

Offering full room-scale VR with motion controls, new weapon interactions, comfort options like motion vignettes and more, that’s compatible with any headset supported by SteamVR. You can check out the mod page for more information. Based on the quality-of-life updates Half-Life 2: VR Mod received post-launch, support for bHaptics TactSuit vests and Steam Workshop also seems likely.

Half-Life 2: Episode Two is available now on Steam for $7.99, and included in the The Orange Box bundle for $19.99 alongside the Half-Life 2 base game and Episode One.

Spider hunter game Kill It With Fire is coming to VR headsets later this year.

Update March 24, 2023: As confirmed during the Future Games Show, Kill It With Fire VR arrives on Quest 2 and PC VR on April 13, while it launches for the original PSVR and PSVR 2 later this year. Original article, published February 24, continues below with a new trailer attached.

This new VR version of the game is set for release on Quest 2, SteamVR, the original PSVR and PSVR 2. While we don’t have any VR gameplay just yet, you can check out the trailer for the flatscreen version embedded above.

The game will see you go to war with house spiders, tearing rooms apart and building new tools from household items to get rid of the arachnids menaces once and for all:

The leggy lurkers hide anywhere and everywhere. Even the odds collecting a bevy of weapons, utilising state-of-the-art spider-tracking technology, and mastering the new VRACHNID() gloves to better detect the eight-legged enemies. Follow the tracker and listen for the telltale squeaks indicating spiders, spiderlings, and other unholy abominations. 

Smash arachnids with office supplies and frying pans, blast spiderlings with shotguns, and slice through eight-legged armies with ninja weaponry. Lob TNT at them for good measure. Still feeling phantom legs crawling around? Whip out that flamethrower and burn it all down. 

ByteDance reportedly halted the US launch of Pico 4 due to the TikTok hearing.

On Monday Pico seemingly teased a big announcement on Twitter, writing “A new journey begins” on “22 March 2023” with the hashtag #PICO4. But come Wednesday, nothing was announced.

The Verge’s Sean Hollister reports a Pico employee told him the company planned to release Pico 4 in the US, but decided to wait because of the congressional hearing regarding a possible ban or forced sale of TikTok. The hearing was announced on Wednesday and took place on Thursday. US lawmakers are concerned about possible Chinese government access to user data and influence over the content recommendation algorithm. ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant behind TikTok, acquired Pico in 2021.

A new journey begins

Save the date: 22 March 2023#PICO #PICO4 #VirtualReality #VR pic.twitter.com/xK27fkDMFw

— PICO XR (@PICOXR) March 20, 2023

Pico 4 launched in October as the first serious competitor to Meta’s Quest 2, but it’s currently not officially sold in North America. It’s powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 processor used in Quest 2 but has a range of improvements: a slimmer and lighter design, higher resolution, wider and taller field of view, color passthrough, precise motorized lens separation, and controllers with high fidelity haptics.

While a significant chunk of Quest’s content library has been ported over, ByteDance has yet to offer standalone exclusive titles to match the likes of Meta’s Beat Saber, Resident Evil 4, Population: ONE, Onward, and Iron Man VR. Pico announced its first major exclusive, Just Dance VR, last year, set for a 2023 release.