2023 is shaping up to be a big year for VR gaming and the upcoming PS VR2 would be the perfect home for another Star Wars: Squadrons game.
The highly anticipated PlayStation VR2 is Sony’s second ambitious effort to bring virtual reality gaming to the console market. However, with a limited launch range and high asking price, some believe the new device needs more killer apps. This creates the perfect opportunity to combine the awesome features of PSVR2 and the powerful hardware of PlayStation 5 to give fans of Star Wars: Squadrons a well-deserved sequel to the immersive space combat spectacle.
Sony’s PSVR2 is set to release on February 22, 2023 and is currently available for pre-order for $549.99 USD. A bundled option includes the headset, controllers, and its flagship launch title, Horizon Call of the Mountain, for $599.99. There’s also a controller charging station available for $49.99. The price is certainly high, but the PSVR2 will be loaded with features that allow for a much better VR experience than its predecessor. For this reason, a sequel to Star Wars: Squadrons could take advantage of new rendering techniques, resolution, and headset haptics to deliver the most detailed and immersive Star Wars game yet.
PSVR2’s impressive specs deserve more acclaim
PSVR2 has been revealed to pack a lot of impressive tech, even for some of the most expensive VR headsets currently on the market, such as the Valve Index or the Meta Quest Pro. For the more tech-savvy, these include a 4K OLED display, foveal rendering, up to 120Hz refresh rate, 110-degree field of view, and headset vibration feedback. VR controllers will also include the same responsive haptics and triggers found in PS5 controllers. One area that has many fans worried about its value, however, is that it won’t be compatible with original PS VR games.
Having to rely on ports and hoping for more AAA games, some believe PSVR2 needs more heavy hitters quickly to ensure it stays relevant. Horizon Call of the Mountain is sure to be one of those hits, but when it comes to third parties, few brands spark as much discussion or excitement as star wars. When Star Wars: Squadrons released in October 2020, it was praised for striking a solid balance between arcade and combat sim. This made it fun and intuitive enough for newcomers while offering nuance for those looking to take their dogfights more seriously, and a sequel would feel right at home on the new hardware.
A sequel to Squadrons could take full advantage of PSVR2
One of the biggest critics playing Star Wars: Squadrons in VR on PS4 was the noticeable drop in graphics quality, especially in resolution. PSVR2 has double the resolution of the original PSVR, and foveal rendering allows developers to only reduce quality where the player isn’t actively looking. This allows for higher quality textures and visuals overall instead of having to lower the quality of the entire game to accommodate the heavy demands of VR. Considering that one of the best things about the first game is its highly detailed cockpits, enhanced VR graphics in a Star Wars: Squadrons The sequel could go a long way to improving player immersion.
In addition to better visual details thanks to the PS5 and updated headset features, controllers for PSVR2 could also help increase immersion in a Star Wars: Squadrons following. In the same way that virtual reality itself offers gamers greater immersion in games, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers could have a similar effect. Instead of just pulling the trigger to fire, players could feel the recoil and vibration of each explosion. Rather than relying on the UI to display damage or speed, players could feel the impact of shots hitting their ship and the power of their thrusters as they maneuvered around asteroids.
Many VR fans think it’s fallen into a lull lately, but innovative hardware like PSVR2 and the rumored Meta Quest 3 could turn 2023 into a big year for the medium. For now, Meta continues to dominate the all-in-one space with its Quest line, and most companies have failed to capture the mainstream. However, thanks to all the exciting new technology included in Sony’s PSVR2, gamers could soon get their hands on some of the best VR games to date.
Star Wars: Squadrons is available now on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
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