Now that PlayStation VR's been dated and priced, it's up to Sony to prove to the sceptics among you that you absolutely need one of its hyped headsets on launch day. And while it'll no doubt attempt to prove the peripheral's worth to many of you by taking the hardware on tour, it's the device's launch line-up that's ultimately going to determine how quickly the bulk of you jump on board.
Of course, the platform holder's still got a few months to finalise software plans before the futuristic face hugger's October release, but we've compiled a list of five likely launch titles that probably should be in your Amazon Wishlist. Plans are subject to change, of course, and there are more titles in the pipeline than these – but these are the ones that have us hyped.
PlayStation VR Worlds
No new hardware launch is complete without an obligatory minigame collection, but PlayStation VR Worlds is not the Wii Sports knock-off that you may be anticipating. A somewhat incohesive compilation featuring all of London Studio's pre-release prototypes, this showcase will see you diving into a seedy gangster story and even blasting aliens in outer-space.
The thematic mismatch will also come with a Pong minigame, an arcade-esque street luge experience, and a deep sea diving option. We're a bit disappointed that the first-party developer hasn't managed to pull all of its ideas together into a more consistent piece of content, but you can bet that these will be real demonstrations of what the Japanese giant's new piece of tech can do.
Until Dawn: Rush of Blood
Supermassive probably never expected Until Dawn to be as big as it is when it decided to make a rails shooter based upon the burgeoning horror brand, but every new piece of hardware needs a Time Crisis rip-off, and this one looks alright. Living up to its genre's name, this title will play out from the cab of a ghost train, from which you'll come face-to-face with some familiar characters.
Alright, so it's never going to be as amazing as Hayden Panettiere's anti-gravity towel from the main game, but horror is definitely effective in virtual reality – and Until Dawn has already proven itself as something of a deity in the jump scare department. As such, we're honestly rather looking forward to this one – as long as we eventually get a proper sequel as well.
Battlezone
Based upon a semi-ancient arcade game, Battlezone's back and seriously kicking ass. This may be a simple vehicular shooter at its core, but it leverages Sony's new hardware to brilliant effect – it's quite simply stunning fun racing around neo-futuristic environments, blasting wireframe tanks right in the tush.
The developer's promising a dynamic campaign for this one which it hopes will keep things feeling fresh, while multiple vehicles and varied locales should help in that department, too. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to exist within Tron, then this should do the trick until Disney gets around to making its VR debut.
Tumble VR
The very best PlayStation Move game was probably played by about ten people in total, so it's nice to know that Tumble is making a comeback for PlayStation VR. A bit like Jenga without the setup times, this clinical puzzler sees you stacking different shaped blocks in order to clear various dexterity trials. We promise that it's way, way more fun than it sounds.
Until Dawn dev Supermassive's making this one as well, and it claims that it's rebuilt the original to leverage the unique experience of virtual reality. It's also hinted at some kind of second screen experiences, where you'll need to interact with people watching the television in order to progress.
RIGS: Mechanized Combat League
RIGS: Mechanized Combat League is looking like Sony's main VR showcase until EA's promised Star Wars Battlefront experience arrives. An arena shooter where you'll assume the role of a futuristic sportsperson in a seemingly expensive mech, this title will see teams competing over a ring in the centre of each stadium.
The game, then, is about more than just shooting at your enemies: you'll need to block them from leaping through said loop, too. This one seems cleverly designed with the advantages of virtual reality in mind; you'll be launched into the arena in a vertigo-inducing entry sequence, for starters. Rocket League proved that there's a place for future sports, so hopefully this catches on as well.
Which of these PlayStation VR games are you planning to purchase? Are there any titles that we've not included that you'll hopefully be getting alongside the device? Strap yourself in courtesy of the comments section below.
Which of the following are you most looking forward to? (72 votes)
- Battlezone
- PlayStation VR Worlds
- RIGS: Mechanized Combat League
- Tumble VR
- Until Dawn: Rush of Blood
Please login to vote in this poll.
Comments 52
Mines pre ordered 😀 will the ps4 support 2 vr headsets?
@tilbrook79 Pretty sure it won't. There aren't enough USB ports for starters.
None of them interest me,
Definitely excited for Rigs, Battlezone and Rush of Blood, I was kinda hoping Rush of Blood was more of a constantly moving game but still looks worthy. Not sure about tumble, looks terribly boring. I just hope we don't get a ton of very short gimmicky games flogged at AAA prices just because they're VR. You only have to look at what happened with The Order 1886 for a reminder of consumer scorn. Something that always irks me is the large difference in digital prices for Sd and HD films, yes it's more data but to whack up the price so much is a disgrace. I'll wait and see how pricing turns out for the first big batch.
RIGS looks like a must-have to me, KZ Mercenary was amazing.
In a year that's getting R&C, FFXV, U4, and now supposedly Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last Guardian, even if I cared about PSVR I don't see how I could get too excited about these 5, I only have so much hype to go around.
@rjejr You need to increase your hype levels, sir.
I personally am more interested in Robison, Battlefront, Eve, hopefully NMS, and I really really hope they find a way to create some sort of vr rpg experience. Robinson just looks amazing though.
@SonyInfinity Sony Japan trademarked the name VRPG a few months ago: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2016/01/could_vrpg_be_playstation_vrs_biggest_game_yet
@get2sammyb Now that is a solid find my friend! Hear hear!
@get2sammyb
None here to be honest......but, I would easily choose whatever Driveclub plans to with VR, if I had to pick something.
PS: Please don't mention "hella" ever again, lol.
@sub12 You know how this works - now I'm going to use it more!
@get2sammyb
Haha, fair enough, lots of cringed teeth though!!
You know, as much as people are hyped about Rez, a true Panzer Dragoon sequel would be legitimately cool.
Looking forward to Until Dawn and the Tumble game (yes, I was one of those 10 that own Tumble for PS3). Can't also wait to see some of the other games that are coming for it. Are these 5 the launch games coming with it, or is there more that will be launching with it?
VR Worlds should have been bundled with the headset
RIGS looks good.
Battlezone from Atari???
@sub12 they made a driveclub vr thing for expos but they haven't announced it to be a real game
@SKC_Diamond
Yeah, I think it was at the last Playstation Experience, pretty much regular Driveclub but with 8 cars instead of 12.....as long as the gameplay is intact. Despite that, it's not a system seller for me. I'm not really interested in VR, but I'll watch and see how it does during the first 6 months,....see if it changes my mind.
@tilbrook79 100% No it won't. Even if the PS4 had enough USB ports and an extra HDMI port, it is nowhere near powerful enough.
If PSVR is a big hit with consumers, and im pretty sure it will be, you can pretty much guarantee that the PlayStation 5 will support multiple VR devices.
Nope not for me, not one of them games either looks good or interests me!
For anybody thats thinking about pre ordering the PSVR headset. The video game store known as GAME are taking a minimum deposit of £100. I was going to pre order it yesterday and when they asked for £100 I was absolutely shocked.
When I pre ordered my PS4 they only wanted £25, so why they want £100 for is beyond me. Looks like I may have to wait until payday to place my deposit.
I hate having to give GAME my money. I may have to check with Tesco as I much prefer buying my games from them as they're much cheaper, plus their store is across the road from my house so a midnight release would work out great.
Rigs looks pretty exciting and after Rocket League could well be the next big thing. As for the others Battlezone looks cool but I worry how much life there is in the concept, I'll be getting Playstation VR world's even if the games seem a bit random it should give a broad perspective of what type of experiences we can expect
@get2sammyb has anyone tried it yet with glasses on?
im really excited for vr in general but none of these do anything for me. they all seem like old atari games. put the ball in the hoop, shoot the other tanks, stack the things, the heist seems interesting but im sure its going to be an hr long gamr if were lucky. there is something seriously lacking in the first batch of VR "games" sadly. cant wait for some "real" games though! SO much can be done with this.
@Ps4all yes it supposedly does but when I tried it I had to take them off as it was very uncomfortable
Rigs.. I want it.
I do wonder how much scope is there for turning existing games into VR experiences? I totally get how technically challenging this could be, however assets are there so a patch for a game to make it VR-enabled to make use of 100 degree viewing angles could be a nice thing depending on the game (I am thinking Rocket League for example).
So it's either point and click game's or game's that have obviously been made to fit the PSVR, you can tell by the graphic's. If I were getting PSVR i'd be more excited about playing the regular PS4 game's in cinema mode.
Regardless of my opinions on VR right now, I definitely want to try these out at some point. I wonder if it would be worth Sony doing some sort of moving tour of VR where they go to different locations for people to try it out?
Anyone know how many if any have an online multiplayer function, just curious.
@andreoni79 Brilliant!
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi RIGS obviously does. I'm actually not sure about Battlezone, but that one might too.
@WARDIE I found this out myself today too. It shocked me as surely the average Joe just hasn't got £100 spare cash to put a deposit down on the spot. So, as customers we'll just go and pre-order from a different company for a lot less. I spoke to Game's customer service yesterday about pre-ordering and he didn't mention the price once. Game will lose so many customers using this method. I've got some games to trade in so hopefully that will be enough otherwise I'll be shopping elsewhere
I know it's all about the immersive experience the headset gives you and I'd probably change my mind if I had a go, but none of these games on paper really do that much for me.
Whaaa? No Rez Infinite in this list? Shocking!
Really love the look of Rigs and Battlezone especially, and VR World looks like a decent introduction. Not sure about Until Dawn though...looks a bit shallow. And Tumble? Well, I'll just have to take your word on that one!
Sadly none of them sold me on the device and i can't find a hardcore must have kind of game yet but I'm still gona preorder it and get it on launch though to support the device and try out this jump in gaming
Tearaway would be a perfect game for VR also Ratchet and clank too.
@WARDIE @blakey78 I'd be very wary of pre-ordering from GAME , they're always teetering on the edge of bankruptcy , might never see that £100 again !
@SegaBlueSky I wasn't sure whether Rez Infinite will be a launch game which is why I didn't include it. Would definitely be on my list, though.
@ZeD thanks for the update, Ill have to try it first(or get contacts).
@get2sammyb I'm waiting for my Low-T prescription to be re-filled.
That's an old man joke, you can google it, cause being Brit you may not get it.
https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2014/01/low-t-meds-use-differs-markedly-us-and-uk
@Ps4all I have heard that some find it ok but for me it was just strange & the demo I played just did not do it for me.
@get2sammyb So, this year's EGX is just going to belong to the Playstation VR! I hope it was not like last year though. I played a space shooter which was OK but I really wanted to play the Kitchen!
@rjejr
Ya they're gonna have to do better than this or I may just back off altogether. This is exactly what I feared- a platform of tech demos and short, modified excerpts of pre-existing franchises or games.
No Man's Sky is the only game so far that's actually something I would buy- and coincidentally, it just so happens to be a full game (and presumably a really good one). Battlefront is so disappointing. I didn't buy it on consoles (online only games are automatic no-go's) and I won't buy it on VR.
I'm hoping between now and October we'll get some full, solid retail games announced. Like The Last Guardian or Zero Horizon Dawn, Uncharted 4 or Final Fantasy XV. Bring THOSE to VR. I don't want tech demo (Ill gladly take them, as long as they're a side dish and not the main course).
I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I do not think VR looks appealing. You have to pay $400 more just to wear the screen on your face, supply any extra control schemes that may be needed, own the camera, and the PS4... and that's not including any games. This just reminds me of 3D TVs, Kinects, Playstation Cameras, PowerGloves, VirtualBoy, etc... All have unique gameplay to them and can be fun, but in the end not worth the investment. VR sounds cool in theory, but the experience is not worth $800+ to play at home after you buy the consoles and everything, especially when all we have been shown is mini-game style games or really watered down versions of games we already have.
@JaxonH While I totally respect your opinion, I think VR will be even more of a failure if they just shoehorn it into existing games. It's not going to leverage the true strengths of VR if you're just adding it into stuff that already exists. Something like RIGS is perhaps more what you're looking for - a traditional type of game that's been designed with VR specifically in mind.
@get2sammyb You see, I'd be all for it if implemented right. If you have an online FPS shooter that can be played both in VR and on TV, that would give the former unfair advantage (I assume). That is not the right way to go about it.
I don't think it will happen, though, the 'first person' aspect of VR makes the majority of the most popular genres difficult to translate and some outside the box thinking is required to crack this. I think it's exciting and can't wait to see what's in store.
@get2sammyb
That's a fair point I really can't argue with. But if that's the case those games leveraging its strengths need to be comparable in size, scope and quality. Know what I mean?
It doesn't have to be console games but they need to be as good as console games
@JaxonH Ah there you are. My family and I were discussing last night at dinner whether you would be picking one up at launch or not. I know money won't persuade you if it's something you want, but I also know you won't buy things "just because". So how many 2/3DS do you own? I guessed 7.
Do you think NX would be a determining factor for you? Even your wallet must have a limit, and if you need a $300 NX for Zleda NX would PS VR have to wait?
I'm still determined to have a PS4 by years end - if I don't sina is gonna kill me - but PS VR isn't for us, and I'm leaving the NX decision up to my kids, I'm done.
@get2sammyb "shoehorn"
Heroes on the Move almost made me disown Sony. Who's idea was it to take 3 great platforming heroes and put them in a game that DOESN'T HAVE A JUMP BUTTON?!?!?! So yeah, VR for VRs sake isn't going to cut it. A lot of Nintendo fans are happy TP HD had the waggle removed. God of War 4 as a VR FPS is not a good idea. Second Son 2 (third Son?) could work though. I still haven't played 2nd Son, but the first 2 were great, and as much as I hate FP view I would do it for a generic VR superhero game. Do you think they could repackage the 2 Cole games as VR? hmm
@Arckadius them you need to be baptized.
Or VR simply isn't for you. Which begs the question as to why bother to take the time to actually comment?
You added nothing, good DAY Sir.
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