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Japan has some exclusive PSVR titles, but you're not missing much
Sony's lineup of games and demos is often slightly different depending on the region. It's something you may have noticed with PlayStation's VR debut in both Europe and the US -- and that's even more true for Japan. The virtual reality headset launched in Sony's homeland with several titles on the PlayStation Store that are not available elsewhere. While standalone (much less stand-out) games are few, there are still handful of experiences that are only playable with a Japanese PlayStation account. Fortunately for you, I've got one, and have played through some of this Japan-only content. From awkward teacher role-play with a Japanese schoolgirl, to anime J-Pop idol concerts, digitized musicians, Godzilla and virtual karaoke rooms (!), these regional exclusives very much cater to the locals. Here's how they fared over a weeklong playthrough. (Factoring in some time for Rez Infinite, of course.)
The 'Call of Duty' VR mission is free for PSVR owners
Activision has announced that the Jackal Assault VR Experience will be available, for free, for all PS4 owners. Jackal Assault is the standalone virtual reality component of its latest game, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The short level sees you piloting a Jackal fighter jet as it gets shot into space for a spot of, uhm, infinite warfare.
'I Expect You To Die' will come to PlayStation VR this year
Schell Games has announced that its forthcoming title I Expect You To Die will arrive on PlayStation VR in time for the holidays. Previously the game was announced for the Oculus Rift, and was designed to work with that platform's touch controls. I Expect You To Die is a locked room mystery, wth a spy trying to escape capture by solving a series of puzzles and avoiding death-defying traps. The company hasn't issued a specific launch date for PlayStation support, but given that the game launches for PCs on December 6th, it's not hard to assume it'll be around there.
The bottom line: Our quick verdict on the PlayStation VR
And then there were three. The PlayStation VR went on sale earlier this month, making it the third big-name tethered VR headset to arrive this year. Though it's less immersive than either the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive that came before it, the PSVR is compelling for an entirely different set of reasons. It's cheaper than the competition, for one, with a starting price of $400. Secondly, look at all the content available for it! The PSVR launched with 30 compatible games, and Sony promises that number will grow to 50 by year's end. And that includes some major franchises too, including Batman and Resident Evil. Not only are these games people will want to play, but the gear you need to experience them -- a PS4, PlayStation Camera and Sony's "Move" motion controllers -- are already in millions of homes. Equally important, the PSVR is comfortable to wear -- something we haven't been able to say about every headset we've tested. That's the bottom line, but if you're craving a little more, find our full review here.
UK games retailer charges for its PSVR demos
Still not sold on VR? Got a PS4? But still not sure? Then you should probably test it out before laying down the hundreds of dollars (or pounds) the peripheral costs. But you probably shouldn't have to pay to do so. But that's exactly what UK retailer Game is doing, charging £5 (just over $6) for ten minutes of neck-craning and open-jawed gaming. You can also pay £15 for 30 minutes. Deal?
You can't explore PSVR's dinosaur planet until November
Until scientists successfully resurrect dinosaurs, interacting with them in VR is going to be the closest we get to going up close and personal with the terrible thunder lizards. But if you were hoping to do so in developer Crytek's Robinson: The Journey with your PlayStation VR today I have some disappointing news for you: It doesn't come out until November 8th in the U.S., and the 9th in Europe. That isn't too far away, but up until now Crytek hasn't exactly given a specific release date for its dino-centric adventure.
Sony's PlayStation VR teardown video is a soothing diversion
Sony's PlayStation VR headset might not have the graphics horsepower of the HTC Vive or the Oculus Rift, but the lower price tag, the widely available PS4 hardware and bigger game selection make it an attractive option for an entry-level VR rig. Of course, none of that matters when you're watching it get slowly and methodically dismantled by Sony Interactive's mechanical design director Takamasa Araki.
The Engadget Podcast Ep 9: What's he building in there
Managing editor Dana Wollman and senior editor Devindra Hardawar join host Terrence O'Brien to dig through all the big Google news from the week, including the launch of the Pixel phones. Plus they take a brief detour to talk about what makes the PlayStation VR better than its competitors.
PlayStation VR review: Great games outweigh limited specs
The PlayStation VR is just what the fledgling virtual reality industry needs today. While the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive made headlines for being the first truly high-end VR headsets on the market, they're held back by their cost, complexity and lack of killer games and experiences. Sony's solution, on the other hand, starts at $400 (assuming you already own the PlayStation Camera and Motion Controllers) and works with the $300 PS4 console that's currently in tens of millions of homes. It's also launching with a slew of titles from major developers, with even more on the way. While the PlayStation VR isn't as technically capable as its competition, it's a much more sensible option. But it's still not quite a must-buy product just yet.
Sony shows off everything inside the PS VR core bundle box
We're a couple of weeks away from the debut of the PlayStation VR, but you can prepare with this new unboxing video from Sony. The hardware inside the $400 core bundle box (headset, processing unit, headphones and demo disc -- but not the Move controllers and required-for-use PlayStation camera) is all ready and accounted for, but the real trick may be getting your hands on one quickly if you haven't already preordered. We got a closer look at some of the new experiences during the recent Tokyo Game Show, but everyone else will have to wait until it arrives October 13th.
'Here They Lie' trailer is a frightening glimpse at PlayStation VR
Here They Lie wowed us back at E3 with its virtual reality spin on existential horror. Now its latest trailer offers up plenty more reasons to get excited (or preemptively terrified) ahead of its October 13th release (right alongside PlayStation VR's debut). Developed by the team at Tangentleman, it puts you in the shoes of a man experiencing a smorgasbord of horrific imagery while pursuing a mysterious woman. And being a VR joint, you'll get to suffer right alongside him.
'Jackal Assault' is all I ever wanted in a seated VR game
There's already plenty to look forward to in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare due out on November 4th: Space, futuristic weaponry, rifle customization, enhanced multiplayer modes and a bit of Jon Snow. While I missed the opportunity to try the game at the Tokyo Game Show this week, I did come across Jackal Assault, a PlayStation VR freebie that comes with the CoD title. And it didn't take long before I fell in love with this space dogfight demo. More importantly, I didn't feel sick at all, which is surprising given the speedy maneuvers I managed to pull.
The best of the Tokyo Game Show 2016
The biggest gaming show outside of the US, the Tokyo Game Show has a different atmosphere that's all its own. While it's contracted and shrunk over the last few years, the heat and interest in virtual reality has reinvigorated the show -- regardless of the lack of an official Xbox or Nintendo presence. Sony may have already revealed two new consoles in the last month, but it wanted to remind everyone that it has a virtual reality headset coming out. In short: lots of VR, PlayStation and domestic-centered games, sprinkled with just enough weird.
Playing 'Rez' on PlayStation VR made me fall in love again
I haven't been able to find someone at Engadget who doesn't enjoy Rez. (Although now that I've written that I'm sure I will.) And if anyone does dislike it, they should play it in VR, because they're wrong and they need to be corrected. Yes, Rez Infinite, in high resolution, 60 frames-per-second loveliness, comes to the PS4 with PSVR compatibility and it cranks the already addictively immersive experience up a notch. I played it yesterday, and this is definitely what I'll be playing on my PlayStation VR come October.
The PlayStation VR demo disc has 17 games in North America
Last week Sony outlined the eight demos that will be bundled with PlayStation VR for European customers. Now, the company has revealed a bigger lineup of free games that'll be included on the VR demo disc in the US and Canada.
The After Math: Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro event
For an hourlong media event, Sony packed a ton of new info into 60 minutes. Release date and prices for both the PlayStation 4 Slim and PS4 Pro, tons of HDR footage from upcoming games and even a few bits about how the PS4 Pro would better handle PlayStation VR games. That's on top of perhaps the biggest announcement of the keynote: All 40 million + PS4s will get an update that adds HDR video capability. And that's just the beginning.
The PlayStation VR includes a demo disc loaded with games
PlayStation VR is expensive enough by itself, so you probably don't relish the idea of spending more just to get a taste of what the PS4 headset is like. Thankfully, you won't have to. Sony has revealed that PSVR's accompanying demo disc will include samples of eight games. A handful are definitely lighter releases that serve more as showcases (PlayStation VR Worlds most notably), but there are also tasters of games you might well buy later. You can play demos for Battlezone, Driveclub VR, the ubiquitous VR sampler EVE: Valkyrie and RIGS: Mechanized Combat League, among others.
Next 'Call of Duty' lets you craft guns and call down guard bots
Activision is raising the bar for its annual miniconvention celebrating its Call of Duty shooter franchise, Call of Duty XP. This year's has panels, eSports championships and performances by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, but the real attention is on news for the next entry in the franchise, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which launches on November 4th. Here's all the new details of the modern shooter that studio executives shared this afternoon.
'Dead or Alive' VR is basically sexual assault, the game
PlayStation VR is going to launch with a game that allows players to sexually assault a woman who is actively asking them to stop. Yes, that's exactly as gross as it sounds and yes, of course the game is Dead or Alive Xtreme 3. The game's virtual reality update is slated to launch on the same day as PlayStation VR, and features a handful of experiences designed to let players ogle the female body. A video from Gamer.ne.jp shows that one of these game modes features active harassment -- allowing a player to continually touch a woman who is verbally protesting.
'Star Trek: Bridge Crew' hits VR headsets November 29th
Ubisoft has dropped the dates for three of its incoming VR games, including Star Trek: Bridge Crew. That title, set in JJ Abrams Star Trek universe, is available for pre-order and arrives on all three major platforms, the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Sony PlayStation VR on November 29th. It lets you take on the role of captain, engineer, tactical officer or helmsman on the Enterprise-style "Aegis" bridge. The aim is to work with your crew mates to help settle Vulcan's remaining population after the planet was destroyed in the first Star Trek reboot.
