We tell you our impressions after testing PlayStation VR next to PlayStation 4 Pro and its standard edition, with games like DriveClub VR, PlayStation VR Worlds and the demo Kitchen.
PlayStation VR it now has the extra power of PlayStation 4 Pro to offer a better experience, giving the possibility of achieving a higher rate of screens per second, rendering at higher resolutions and using better textures, among others. The aforementioned improvements will provide greater sharpness and image quality, as well as a lower tendency to produce dizziness, thanks in part to not requiring reprojection, as long as the game is prepared, as we will tell you below.
The PS4 Pro includes some improvement regarding its standard edition, such as the 2.1 Ghz processor and the graphics capable of providing a bandwidth of 218 GB / s and 4.2 TFLOPS, compared to the 176 GB / s and 1.84 TFLOPS of the previous model. All this for € 400, which is a difference of € 150 compared to the standard version, or € 100 in the case of the Slim standard.
PS4 Pro on the right.
The facility the console is done in the same way as the previous one, but with the difference that the USB that comes from the connection box of PSVR connect the new USB connector on the back, anything to let free the two in the front, to load our Move, Dualshocks, or connect to other devices. The power cord is also different, being identical to that of any PC, and in terms of its size it is a little longer and wider.
In the PS4 Pro box comes the new version of the Dualshock 4 controller which has some differences from the previous one, such as an apparently more refined finish, gray sticks and triggers, and a transparency in the upper part of the touch area that at first made us believe that the control tracking would improve. But with Kitchen and VR Worlds we have been able to verify that it works exactly the same, so the light only brings a better aesthetic.
New Dualshock 4 with light reflection in touch zone.
When carrying out our tests we have been releasing several games on both consoles in order to achieve a greater impact and really determine the differences. Our session starts with the immersion mode of PlayStation VR Worlds, which places us inside a cage to dive to the seabed. In this experience, one can see increased sharpness, which may be due to the render in higher resolution. We notice it in the robots that accompany us, we can read their name and appreciate the details more clearly. It also happens to us with rocks and other elements, even the bars of the cage seem to be less pixelated.
In the tutorial of The London Heist we have also noticed this improvement, and even in the mode selection menus, where options appear floating to our right with more defined and clear texts. It also happens to us if we look at the ground that it looks more uniform.
DriveClub VR it is a very demanding title for PS4 and in this case visually we have not noticed any difference. It gives us the feeling that they look practically the same, but the graphics are not everything in virtual reality. The first thing we did was load a race and examine the driver’s seat of our vehicle, while it is located on the starting grid. Now what we were doing was approaching the screen above the gear lever and moving away, while we see the outside, and this is where we noticed that something is wrong at some moments with the standard PS4 version. And it is that there is a drop in screens that solves the reprojection, but this technique does not work so well as to trick our brain and we notice a jump in positioning.
This commented problem, on PS4 Pro practically does not occur or does it to a very lesser extent in the situation discussed above. And it is something that we may think that it does not matter, but when it comes to the truth it may be the difference that makes us dizzy or not, especially if we are more sensitive to it. So Driveclub VR on PS4 Pro looks very similar, but it works at a higher rate of screens per second.
The litmus test has been running on PS4 Pro a full race, where at some moments we looked out the windows and leaned in our seat. Moments before starting I thought I would end up dizzy, but I was surprised to finish the race and not notice any discomfort. After resting a little, we return to the load, but in this with the previous PS4, but here I could not get past the first lap because I started to notice the cold sweat and dizziness effects, so I stopped the game so as not to aggravate the consequences. Like everything we are commenting on, they are first impressions, so we will repeat this test to make sure.
Test bench with PS4 Pro and standard edition.
So far our tests with games prepared to squeeze PS4 Pro, now it’s the turn of an unimproved content like the demo Kitchen that we have indeed noticed exactly the same in every way on both consoles, both visually and speed. Therefore, to gain improvement, you have to prepare the content, which we believe will happen both with the games already launched and with all the new ones that are coming.
As for the track from the viewer, from the Move and Dualshock controllers, we have not noticed any difference, they still have the already known limitations. Here it is clear that the positioning results do not depend on the power of the console, but are linked to the optical system that the camera offers us, whether we have the new or previous model, since the two cameras give the same results. We have also seemed to appreciate a slight improvement in loading times, but we have not stopped to measure it.
After these first impressions, we believe that PS4 Pro is undoubtedly the best option for a virtual reality with PlayStation VR despite not making a big leap, but in these circumstances a little more can make a difference, not only in visual quality but in comfort of the experience. Even in the worst case scenario, in which our previously commented dizziness with DriveClub VR in the standard edition would have been for another reason, it must be borne in mind that the more screens per second and less downs, our comfort will be more guaranteed.
Have you purchased or made the switch to PS4 Pro? have you noticed any differences?
