Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Features

7 PlayStation VR2 launch window games you’ll want to grab on day one

Billy Givens
By

The VR space is ever-expanding with new headsets and technology pushing the medium forward in impressive ways, but it’s usually the games and how they take advantage of each headset that matters most. That’s why Sony is ensuring that its upcoming PlayStation VR2 — set to launch February 22 — has a diverse lineup of titles that showcase what its new device is capable of achieving.

While many of these titles are updated ports from other headsets, the sheer number of unique experiences in the PSVR2 launch window means there should be a bit of something for everyone. If you’re planning to snag the headset next month, here are seven launch games that you’ll want to keep on your radar as you plan out what to buy first.

Related Videos

Horizon: Call of the Mountain

Horizon Call of the Mountain game still with characters in a boat.

Sony has positioned Horizon: Call of the Mountain as the PSVR2’s killer app, and it’s easy to see why. Expanding on the world and story of one of the company’s most popular first-party franchises, Call of the Mountain is a visual showcase unlike anything else currently in the launch window. The game’s gorgeous vistas are already a thing to behold based on early trailers, but being able to experience the thrill of the series’ massive robot dinosaurs walking over you or attacking you in breathtaking action sequences is all but certain to elevate this one to a must-have for most PSVR2 owners.

Moss and Moss: Book II

moss 2 press image showing Quill and other characters in action poses

Moss and Moss: Book II were originally released to widespread acclaim for Sony’s first VR headset, but both games are now headed to PSVR2. Each will come with updates that take advantage of the PSVR2’s new controllers. The Moss franchise blends third-person platforming with first-person interaction to amazing effect, letting players assist adorable mouse protagonist Quill on her quests through a beautiful, dangerous fairytale world. While perhaps not the visual powerhouse of something like Horizon: Call of the Mountain, these two beloved and emotional journeys are certain to warm all but the coldest hearts — even if the lack of a free upgrade for existing owners is a bit disappointing.

Firewall Ultra

first-person perspective of a hand holding a gun

First-person multiplayer shooter Firewall Zero Hour was a standout hit for PS VR when it launched back in 2018, prompting developer First Contact Entertainment to push ahead with its upcoming sequel Firewall Ultra for PSVR2. Set five years after the original game, this remarkably detailed tactical shooter lets players squad up for strategic PVP and brand-new expanded PVE content across multiple modes with all new contractors, weapons, and maps. The team has even promised that it has answered fans’ cries for a round-based structure and dedicated servers, too. Though a release date hasn’t been formally announced, this thrilling action game has the potential to be the go-to multiplayer experience during the PSVR2 launch window.

Zenith: The Last City

players congregate around a point of interest

MMOs are an obvious choice for VR, but the genre has previously struggled to land particularly well with players due to the poor quality of releases. That all changed with Zenith: The Last City when it hit early access on headsets last year. This anime-style role-playing adventure has been a huge hit with players around the world thanks to its accessible gameplay and interesting world design, which has ensured that developer Ramen VR has remained dedicated to keeping the game updated regularly with fresh content. With improved graphics and a completely free upgrade for PS VR owners, Zenith: The Last City is likely to only see further success on PSVR2.

Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 has been one of the best-received racing titles in recent memory, and the announcement that the game is set to receive a free day-one upgrade for PSVR2 has been met with praise from across the industry. With 4K visuals and all of the unique controller innovations the PSVR2 promises, this should be the most immersive way for players to enjoy racing in Sony’s beloved sim racer. For those interested, the game even be taken online to play against others while in VR mode, making this one of the PSVR2’s most enticing offerings for those seeking multiplayer challenges on launch day.

Resident Evil Village

Player battling creature in Resident Evil Village Gold Edition.

Given the popularity of Resident Evil 7‘s VR mode, it was a no-brainer that Resident Evil Village would make its way to virtual reality, too. A free DLC update will be available on day one to owners of the original game and will allow them to play through the entire campaign in a freshly designed VR mode. The new mode will have some exclusive features, too, such as allowing players to hold two weapons at once (one in each hand) and embracing more interactive reloading by using the PSVR2 controllers. It may not be an entirely new survival horror game, but it’ll allow fans to see the whole story from an enveloping first-person perspective.

Tentacular

a huge squid moves things around an island

Tentacular made its debut last year on other headsets and quickly captured the hearts of VR fans everywhere. Players take on the role of a gentle but giant squid who has been raised by the human denizens of a small coastal town as it tries to discover its true origins by solving a variety of environmental puzzles around the island. While it certainly provides some brain-teasing moments, this humorous physics-based title is all about the laid-back and humorous vibes that should put it on the right track to be a winner when it lands on PSVR2.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
PlayStation VR2 is my first headset. Here’s what I think after one week in VR
A side view of the PlayStation VR2, which sits on a wood table.

Before my PlayStation VR2 arrived at my doorstep last week, my experience playing in VR was minimal. I'd reported on the industry and its games for years, but my actual playtime in a headset was limited to an Eve: Valkyrie demo at a GameStop ahead of PlayStation VR's launch, a couple of demos at trade shows, and one 15-minute session of Phantom: Covert Ops on Meta Quest 2 while hanging out with a friend. 
Despite claims by companies like Meta that VR would serve as the future of communication and entertainment, the technology seemed too scattershot and underdeveloped for my liking, with many competitors putting out underpowered headsets, many of which need a wire or two. That said, part of me still wondered if it would take the right headset with the right features and game library to transform the gaming medium forever. Although the Meta Quest 2 has tempted me for some time, it was the PlayStation VR2 that finally got me to bite the bullet and embrace VR.

PSVR2 is expensive at $550, but it appealed to me with its impressive specs and the fact that it only requires one wired connection to the PS5. That was all I needed to bite the bullet. Since it arrived, I've gone all-in on the tech to make up for lost time, trying out games like Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded. Although I'm impressed by the headset's power and how comfortable it is, don't consider me a convert just yet. I can't imagine it replacing traditional gaming on my PS5 or becoming my preferred social setting anytime soon, and that leaves me to wonder how high VR's ceiling can actually go.
Strapping in
My first thought when I got my PSVR2 was that the package was much smaller and lighter than I expected. VR always seemed large and clunky from an outside perspective, so I was impressed by the sleek and easy-to-unbox packaging and the headset's manageable size. Next, I had to set up the headset, which was something I was dreading as a first-time user. Surprisingly, the setup process was pretty quick after I plugged in the headset.
Within about 15 minutes, I had completed the initial setup and was already familiar with the passthrough tool. It didn't dig into my head and nose like I thought it would, mercifully. The few times I've strapped on other VR headsets, they've always felt like they're squeezing my face. That was not the case here, as I easily adjusted the headset to my liking. Even the feeling of the wire quickly became a non-factor for me as I played more and more.

Read more
The best video games of February 2023: Metroid Prime, Wild Hearts, and more
Samus stares up at Meta Ridley in Metroid Prime Remastered.

After a shockingly strong January for video game releases, February 2023 was relatively quieter, held up by just a couple of big releases, remasters, and the launch of a new VR headset. There are still plenty of games worth playing, but you probably got the most out of February if you're a Nintendo Switch owner.
We've combed through this month's big releases to share our favorites, but let's address the elephant in the room: Hogwarts Legacy was the most notable release of February, despite being mired in controversy. While Harry Potter fans are enjoying the title, Digital Trends was a bit less enamored with it in our two-and-a-half star review. Writer Giovanni Colantonio criticized the open-world game's uninspired use of magic and generic design, noting that nostalgia for the IP does a lot of the heavy lifting.
As such, we've left it off this month's list for a simple reason: There were just better games released in February. Our goal with this series of lists is always to compile the very best gaming has to offer every month, not necessarily the most talked-about games. From excellent remasters to a surprisingly robust rhythm RPG, these were no shortage of titles that deserved a shout-out. These were our six favorite games released in February (plus one great piece of hardware).
Metroid Prime Remastered

GameCube classic Metroid Prime is already considered one of the best games of all time by many people. As such, it’s no surprise that a Nintendo Switch remaster that adds dual analog supports and makes the game look even better is one of the best releases of the month. Metroid Prime Remastered even got a surprise launch during a Nintendo Direct, adding even more excitement to its release ahead of a physical release on February 22.
“While it might have been tempting to give the original a Dead Space-type remake treatment, the GameCube title didn’t need modifying,” Colantonio wrote about the game. “Instead, the remaster does some quiet technical work to remind players why Samus’ first 3D outing is still an unparalleled adventure two decades later.”
This refurbished version of a GameCube game has no glaring technical shortcomings. If you enjoy beautifully crafted sci-fi worlds and excellent game soundtracks, and want to experience one of the best-looking Switch games, we recommend picking this remaster up. Metroid Prime Remastered is available now exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
Wild Hearts

Read more
Everything announced at Sony’s February 2023 State of Play
Harley Quinn lays down while speaking to Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's reveal trailer

Following shows from Nintendo and Microsoft, Sony held its first major showcase of the year on Thursday. PlayStation has had a busy 2023 so far with Forspoken's release in January and the February 22 launch of the PlayStation VR2. The February 23 State of Play serves more as a stopgap, highlighting many notable third-party games and indies coming to the PlayStation 5 and PSVR2 over the next several months. The presentation ended with a lengthy segment dedicated to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, giving us our clearest look yet at Rocksteady Studios' next game.
State of Play | February 23, 2023 | [ENGLISH]
It was a pretty packed show, although none of the announcements were quite able to match the ones made at Nintendo and Microsoft's early 2023 game showcases. Regardless, there are still plenty of reveals that PlayStation fans should know about from this State of Play. That's why we rounded up everything announced during the event right here.
5 games announced for PlayStation VR

The February 2023 State of Play started with a look at five upcoming PlayStation VR2 games. The first was a supernatural shooter called The Foglands. After that, we got a look at the PSVR2 port of Green Hell VR. Then, nDreams announced a first-person shooter where players can manipulate gravity called Synapse. That was followed up by a trailer for the sci-fi shooter Journey to Foundation, based on Issac Asimov's creation. Finally, we saw Before Your Eyes in VR. These games will launch throughout 2023. 
March's PlayStation Plus games revealed

Read more