PlayStation VR’s October 13th release date is drawing ever closer, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Accessible, console-based VR is going to give the industry a real boost in these early years, though there’s some concern as to if the PlayStation 4 unit with which the headset runs is really up to the task of powering full VR experiences.
You can understand those concerns; the PS4 is already starting to look a little dated compared to the high-powered PCs that run the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Games like Uncharted 4 look absolutely incredible, but usually at the cost of either frame rate or resolution. Even Sony itself has cast doubt on the original system’s VR capability by confirming a new, higher spec console.
But rest assured; we’ve had extensive hands-on time with PS VR and we know for a fact that the standard PS4 is powering some amazing experiences for the kit. Here are seven games from E3 2016 and beyond that prove that.
Robinson: The Journey, from Crytek
Leave it to Crytek to defy expectations for PS VR graphics. Robinson is easily most visually striking game we’ve yet seen for the system and even rivals what we’ve seen on Rift and Vive. We’d expect nothing less from the creators of Crysis, who have already produced one great VR game. Add to that the promise of the first true dinosaur adventure for VR HMDs and Robinson has us very, very excited for PS VR.
EVE: Valkyrie, from CCP Games
VR’s flagship multiplayer experience is coming to PS VR later this year and, having played both the PC and console versions of the game, we can tell you it offers a strikingly similar experience. Not only does Valkyrie feel right at home on console, with the DualShock 4 serving as the best input to weave through battlefields, but it’s set to get all the updates the PC version has, including cross-platform play.
Battlezone, from Rebellion
One round of Battlezone‘s intense brand of neon tank combat is enough to convince you that the PS4 is more than capable of producing great VR action. This is a rock solid arena combat game that will have you strafing around battle fields, desperately firing off missiles and dodging incoming fire. It’s easy to get so lost in the excellent combat system that you fail to notice just how well the game is performing, without a single frame drop as explosions litter the environment.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, from Capcom
PS VR’s big reveal for E3 this year was also arguably the biggest game yet announced for VR as a whole. Resident Evil 7 is set to take a step back from the recent action-oriented entries in the series and dig deep to find a whole new level of terror. It wears its P.T. influence on its sleeve but, seeing as we’ll never get to play Silent Hills, that’s fine by us. We’re a little concerned about the reports of nausea from the E3 show floor, but Capcom has seven months to fix all of that and make sure we get the VR horror game we deserve.
RIGS: Mechanized Combat League, from Guerrilla Cambridge
RIGS is a full, fast-paced VR FPS that’s controlled using the DualShock 4. That might sound like a vomit-inducing experience but by housing players in a mech it actually feels very comfortable. It shows remarkable confidence from both its developer and Sony that PS VR can handle nimble shooters, the likes of which we’re yet to see on Rift and Vive.
Wayward Sky, from Uber Entertainment
We couldn’t let this list go by without highlighting the utterly wonderful-looking Wayward Sky. From the developers of Planetary Annihilation comes a look-and-click adventure with a gorgeous art style. You explore a floating fortress in search of your missing father, but Wayward Sky‘s real magic is in switching from first and third person to provide cinematic action moments mixed with comfortable movement. Put this one on your radar if you haven’t already.
Farpoint, from Impulse Gear
Resident Evil, Batman, Final Fantasy and Star Wars may have been bigger announcements for PS VR at E3, but many agree that Farpoint was probably the best. This full sci-fi FPS is the debut game from Impulse Gear, and even introduces a new gun-shaped peripheral to help really put you in the experience as you explore an uncharted planet. If this game goes down as a success (and we suspect it might) then this could well be the future of shooters on the headset, which is something we’d readily welcome.
