Sony’s PSVR 2 Adapter for PC Makes It a Great VR Headset, but It’s Not Better Than Wanted.

Sony’s PlayStation VR 2 headsets can finally play PC games, thanks to the new Steam VR PC Adapter — if you have a gaming PC to connect to. For anyone frustrated that Sony hasn’t released enough PSVR 2 games on the PS5 to justify its high price, the PC adapter is a small consolation prize. It means, at least, that Sony’s headsets can live a second life as Steam VR PC headsets.

Its $60 price tag isn’t a lot to pay to unlock more compatibility for a headset that you’ve probably paid at least $350 for and often closer to $500. But the small adapter box feels clumsy compared to a single USB-C cable solution for connecting a Meta Quest 2 or Issue 3 on PC for VR. The Quest can also work wirelessly with PCs, while the Sony adapter requires DisplayPort and USB 3 ports on your PC, and a DisplayPort cable is not included. You also need to power the adapter itself with an included power supply that has a hardware connector instead of USB-C. It reminds us of the explosion box of the original PlayStation VR that was needed years ago but smaller.

Sony also left some important features of PSVR 2 in the list for use with PCs. Eye tracking doesn’t work and it also offers foveated – an enhanced eye tracking feature that improves visuals of the area you’re looking at, revealing more performance from the PS5. The new sensory functions on the PSVR 2 Sense controllers are also disabled; instead, the controllers have basic rumbling haptics. The in-headset vibration doesn’t work either.

What you’re left with is a set of nice but plain VR features. Sony’s OLED display on the PSVR 2 is excellent and very bright and clear, although the 2,000×2,040 pixels per eye are lower than the Quest 3’s 2,064×2,208. I’m a big fan of how easily the PSVR 2 headset sits on top of my glasses, something that’s hard to do with the Quest 2 and 3. But the visor-type design of the PSVR 2 is also he means bulky, non-portable headsets. .

Hands-on ideas and setup

I connected my PSVR 2 with the adapter to the Alienware laptop and played some games Half-Life Alyxa game I wish had come to PS5 for PSVR 2. Although I was initially skeptical about how good Sony’s headset would be with a few key features left, I found PSVR 2 to be the same well and beautiful and comfortable-to-. put on a piece of equipment for PC gaming, at least if I was staying in the same room. The PSVR 2 cable is long enough to keep it moving when it’s plugged in, and I like the freedom of my head compared to others.

The PSVR 2’s audio resolution is less desirable, however. The included earbuds hang awkwardly on the sides, and the headphones don’t have a soundbar — sound is projected near your ears without the headphones, a feature found on the Quest 2 and 3. there’s a separate headphone jack, so you’re still sitting on those buds.

Finding compatible cables to connect to your computer can be a problem. My Alienware laptop had USB ports but only a small DisplayPort, which meant I needed an adapter.

To use PSVR 2 on PC, you need to install the Steam app for PSVR 2 which acts as a bridge to play Steam games. PSVR 2 is the only headset compatible with Steam VR on PC, which is good because there are a lot of great SteamVR games and apps to try.

Following the connection guide was relatively straightforward, although firmware updates were required for the controllers and headsets. Steam VR uses the PSVR 2’s in-headset cameras for room editing and room tracking, and it worked well.

The Sense PSVR 2 controllers are great, but the way they connect to a PC using Bluetooth feels a bit odd. (I had trouble getting my laptop to recognize them at first, and everything worked fine after a reboot.)

It’s fine and welcome, but not the savior of PSVR 2

Also: I’m glad Sony found another use for the PSVR 2 other than just being a PS5 accessory, but the move feels like a weak way to try to make money off a product that’s unpopular and what is more expensive than the expansion of PSVR 2. can be.

Working with Steam VR is a welcome step, but it’s a little annoying that the PS5’s VR game library is still limited. Sony hasn’t brought some of its console exclusives to VR formats and hasn’t ported many of the best original PSVR games that still don’t work with PSVR 2. Anyone who already bought PSVR 2 for PS5 probably. I’m disappointed with how many great games came out last year — I know I am. Working with a PC doesn’t solve the problem of making PSVR 2 a better PS5 headset. It provides another use for some good, and underutilized, hardware.