After a lengthy wait, PlayStation VR2 is finally out, and while opinions from reviewers have been pretty mixed on the new headset, the general consensus seems to be that if gamers are already into VR, then the lofty price tag is worth the investment. One of the most divisive aspects of the PSVR2 right now is its launch line-up. Officially, PSVR2 has just over 40 titles coming out in its launch window, and while a good portion of these games are quality experiences, they can already be played elsewhere for a lot cheaper. That being said, horror fans have managed to luck out here, with six great horror games on the roster.
PlayStation VR2 boasts a whole slew of new features not often seen in a headset of this price range, including eye-tracking hardware, haptic feedback, and a set of impressive Sense controllers. And out of all of PSVR2's launch line-up, its selection of horror titles may just be the ones that make the most of all of these new features.
Resident Evil Village
Available right now, Resident Evil Village's VR mode launched alongside the PSVR2. One of the most "complete" PSVR2 titles right now, Resident Evil Village VR lets fans play through the entirety of Resident Evil Village in virtual reality, from start to finish. Every moment of gameplay and every mechanic has been adapted for VR, now letting players manually reload and aim with the Sense controllers, and even search drawers and chests manually too. Those that have already played Resident Evil Village know exactly what horrors are waiting for them, and now it's all even more terrifying with the addition of VR.
Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue
Another title available right now, Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue takes the horror-puzzle gameplay of its predecessors and translates it well to the world of virtual reality. In Hello Neighbor: Search and Rescue, players will need to sneak into their creepy neighbor's house in order to rescue their friend, who's trapped behind a series of puzzles. To solve these puzzles, players will need to sneak around the house collecting various items, all while the neighbor stalks them. The cartoon-y visuals of this VR title make it one of the more family-friendly horror options for PSVR2.
After the Fall
Heavily inspired by Left 4 Dead, After the Fall sees up to four players fight their way through waves of zombies in a co-op horror shooter. Originally releasing in December 2021, After the Fall had some pretty big technical issues, but the core premise and gameplay was enough to keep many players returning to its frozen post-apocalyptic world. Hopefully the PSVR2 port, which is also available now, can fix those issues.
Jurassic World Aftermath Collection
An incredibly simple but effective VR horror title, Jurassic World: Aftermath Collection is available for PSVR2 right now. This game sees players sneak around an Isla Nublar research facility as they attempt to recover some sensitive data, but it all goes disastrously wrong when a pack of raptors enters the facility as well, leaving the player to escape against all odds.
The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners Chapter 2 - Retribution
The first Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners game is still widely regarded to be one of the greatest VR games ever made, featuring a mind-blowing physics system, intuitive crafting, and a wealth of content. Hopefully, The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners Chapter 2 - Retribution can not only match the level quality of its predecessor, but take it one step further. Saints and Sinners Chapter 2 will launch on PSVR2 sometime during its launch window, which essentially means sometime before the end of March.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR
Perhaps the most exciting game on this entire list, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is a spiritual successor to Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, a launch title for the original PlayStation VR. Much like its predecessor, Switchback VR drops players onto a horrifying rollercoaster ride through a variety of terrifying set pieces, all of which take inspiration from the different Dark Pictures titles. This title is set to take full advantage of the PSVR2's new features, including incorporating eye-tracking technology to deliver even more spine-chilling jumpscares. Switchback VR is set to launch during the PSVR2's launch window.
Resident Evil 4
It's just been confirmed that Resident Evil 4 Remake's VR mode has started development, meaning that its release date is probably a little ways off. It's currently unknown what this VR mode will actually entail. It's possible that this VR mode will just be a separate mode like Mercenaries, or it could be a fully-fledged port of the whole game, though that's a little unlikely.
PlayStation VR2 is available now.