Virtual reality is marketed as a game-changing novelty. The emerging technology clearly works and is incredible, but is it more than a temporary trend? To answer this question, it is time to take a closer look at some of the more recent virtual reality headsets and decide whether or not the technology is mature enough.
In the last few years, virtual reality has improved a lot with the further development of the technology. Virtual reality helps gamers, essentially, escape into a virtual environment. These immersive experiences are the kind of gameplay experiences that developers tried to recreate for generations.
What is virtual reality?
A virtual reality headset makes it possible for gamers to explore and experience computer-generated three-dimensional environments as if they were real. Most virtual reality experiences involve a keyboard and mouse, controllers or other motion capture methods to interact with the environment.
Virtual reality on consoles
Virtual reality is incredible and once you have experienced it for the first time, you know that there is a future for this technology. The release of PlayStation VR headset introduced the virtual reality technology to the masses for a lower price than most competitors.
The release of cheaper and more advanced virtual reality headset together with an increase in interesting virtual reality games, is a clear indication that virtual reality is more than a temporary trend.
How does a virtual reality setup work?
As the technology evolves, the user experience becomes better. More recent virtual reality headsets offer a smoother gameplay experience without noticeable stutters or latency.
The PlayStation VR headset comes with a Playstation Camera to track the movements of the headset and the PlayStation Move controllers. These controllers are used to translate your hand movements to the game. Speaking of games, there are a lot of great virtual reality games.
A large library of games
The PlayStation VR is a success and that is evident when you take a closer look to the library of virtual reality games on this platform. In this overview you find racing games, survival horror experiences and first-person shooters, but the most impressive game is Blood & Truth.
After inserting the disk of Blood & Truth in the PlayStation 4, you are ready to experience one of the most immersive first-person shooter experiences ever. As soon as you put the virtual reality headset on and grab the motion controllers, you take control over Ryan Marks, a former soldier who must save his family from a London crime boss.
Experience the game
In Blood & Truth, you hide behind cover and use different firearms to neutralise your enemies. You use your hands to fire and reload your weapon, holster your pistol, open doors with a lockpick and interact with the items in the environment.
The virtual reality gameplay in Blood & Truth feels natural and it requires little to no explanation. The technology behind virtual reality is becoming more and more mature, but that does not mean that there are no more problems or shortcomings.
Limited freedom of movement
The largest letdown of the virtual reality technology is the rather limited freedom of movement in your living room. On several occasions, my body came into contact with a piece of furniture and due to my enthusiasm, my body got entangled in the cables of the virtual reality headset.
These letdowns serve as a reminder that everything the gamer sees and does in the virtual environment is not real. This virtual reality technology still has to come up with a solution for this limitation.
Ready for more
Blood & Truth is a long-awaited game that brings the best virtual reality experience to your living room. The story is full of clichés and meant to connect the action sequences, but Blood & Truth is nevertheless a clear sign that virtual reality as a platform is ready for the more mature titles.
Do you enjoy this content?
Blogging and content creation is hard work. Donations are used to support this blog and its content. Do you want to help me create more and better content? You can now buy me a coffee.
Do you want to donate a different amount with PayPal? Please visit this page and select the exact amount you want to donate to help create more and better content.
Disclaimer. This post contains copyrighted images from Blood & Truth, a video game developed by SIE London Studio and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The fair use of copyrighted works for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting or research is not considered as an infringement of copyright.
