Sony’s PSVR Aim looks like a sci-fi prop, morphs into any gun, launches May 16

By Danny Cowan March 2, 2017

Farpoint - E3 2016 Announce Trailer | PS VR

Sony will launch its PlayStation VR Aim Controller in May alongside Farpoint, a first-person shooter that offers players full freedom of movement and locomotion during gameplay.

Designed with input from Farpoint creator Impulse Gear, the peripheral promises to deliver a seamless first-person shooter experience in virtual reality, minimizing the nausea-inducing side effects normally associated with free-movement VR shooters.

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Billing itself as “an unnerving VR space adventure set on a hostile alien planet,” Farpoint challenges players to investigate the origins of an anomaly near Jupiter. Gameplay soon takes a turn as the anomaly ruptures, sending players and their squadmates into an alien world filled with deadly threats.

Farpoint is unique among its VR peers, as it gives players full control over character movement during gameplay. Previous VR shooters have adopted teleportation-based movement mechanics, as many VR users experience nausea when given full control over character movement in a first-person context.

The PlayStation VR Aim Controller represents Sony’s attempt to combat this phenomenon, as the publisher claims that its peripheral can deliver 1:1 tracking that syncs up perfectly with in-game aiming and movement. According to Road to VR, the device features a PlayStation Move tracking sphere, a trigger, and a built-in thumbstick, eliminating the need for players to juggle multiple controllers during gameplay.

While Farpoint is optimized for PlayStation VR and the Aim Controller specifically, the game can also be played using a standard DualShock 4 controller. Developer Impulse Gear additionally revealed that Farpoint will feature an online co-op mode, allowing players to team up with multiple PlayStation VR users for the duration of its campaign.

A retail bundle that includes the game and the PlayStation VR Aim Controller will arrive on May 16.

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Gaming

Final Fantasy 16: release date, trailers, gameplay, and more

Shiva in Final Fantasy 16.

Final Fantasy 16 is finally on its way after a prolonged gap from the previous numbered entry. While numerous major titles have seen delays in the past couple of years, we're glad to finally know the game is nearly upon us. There are still plenty of mysteries about the new adventure, but here's everything we know so far.

Further reading

Gaming

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.

Gaming

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