Introduction

The brilliance of VR gaming is best enjoyed when all it takes is donning a headset and firing up a tailor-made experience. This is why the PSVR2 on the PS5 feels substantial to someone like me who enjoys VR gaming in a more casual sense, giving me confidence when choosing a game since it was designed entirely for that set of hardware for optimal play. There’s already a lot of discomfort to overcome when playing in virtual reality, so the fewer steps the better. Complicating that simplicity is the new PlayStation VR2 PC Adapter, a device that promises to unlock the massive VR library of Steam for those lamenting over the smaller library of the PSVR2. Unfortunately, the plug-and-play nature of the PSVR2 melts away as soon as the box is opened, leaving an unsightly amount of dust in its wake that leaves anyone who touches it thirsty for more. 

Before getting into the nitty gritty of this review, I do want to admit that this is the exact type of product that will likely result in a mixed experience depending on one’s familiarity with VR gaming, patience, and budget. My approach for this criticism is built upon the 30-40 games I’ve played on the PSVR, Meta Quest 2, and PSVR2 systems so SteamVR is a vast, often scary frontier for me. Additionally, I prefer to play my VR games in a seated position. I don’t like moving about while tethered to a cable, so for PSVR2 I almost exclusively play while in a chair. I gravitate towards games that support this type of play.

There are so many games on Steam and since this is new tech there is a high likelihood that some of the faults I highlight here will be addressed with software updates. Ultimately though, there are few major problems at a hardware level that would need a new product to fix. 

All to say, this is one of the most confusing PlayStation hardware releases in years.

Recognizing Player Desire for More Games

The PSVR2 released in February of 2023 to a mixed reception that seems to have sold on a promise more than actual usefulness. I’ve covered a few PSVR2 games already and the hardware definitely feels like a leap forward compared to the PSVR but the launch and adoption has been slow to say the least so a lot of PSVR2 players are stuck replaying their favorites and waiting for the higher profile releases such as Metro Awakening or Skydance's BEHEMOTH. 

When the PC adapter was announced, I could feel the energy among my friends who adopted the PSVR2 system with most of them eager to play Half-Life Alyx, the nearly unattainable tentpole release that when it launched required several thousand dollars of gear to play properly. While the finances are still high when considering one needs a good gaming PC, the PSVR2, and the new adapter because some gamers already have most of these components the $59.99 PSVR2 PC Adapter seems like a great deal plus Alyx went on sale for about $20 right around the time of this hardware’s launch. Sadly, this wondrous gateway into the world of SteamVR is riddled with pitfalls and guarded by angry giants. 

The First Boss is Setup and it is Brutal

As many have noted already, the PSVR2 PC Adapter doesn’t come with everything needed inside the box. To connect the adapter to one’s graphic card a DisplayPort 1.4 cable must be used running me about $30 at Best Buy. Worse, the Sense controllers connect via Bluetooth and one needs an adapter or a motherboard solution that uses Bluetooth 4.0 or later. Thankfully, the one I have already worked, though not consistently. The problems continue though because not all Bluetooth adapters will function properly and even PlayStation’s guide of specific models admits that they’re not sure if these work. Even with the proper cable and Bluetooth connectivity, whether or not this product works is a crapshoot.  

Why not just add a Bluetooth connector to the adapter that specifically connects to the Sense controllers? How was this oversight overlooked?

Not including a direct bluetooth connection for the PSVR2 Sense controllers on this adapter is a baffling design choice. Considering that so many users are struggling to get their controllers connected and that Sony’s recommendations are not even guaranteed, this is the biggest flaw for this hardware. I feel similarly about not including the recommended display port cable. Having everything included in the box of the adapter would’ve made this a more valuable, useful experience but instead there are so many steps to do the thing Sony promised in its marketing, playing great SteamVR games – specifically Half-Life Alyx – with the PSVR2 headset. 

Oddly enough for those with Virtual Link capable graphics cards, there is no need to pick up a PSVR2 PC Adapter. That said, performance through Virtual Link performance in some instances could be worse than using an adapter. For gamers with Virtual Link and a PSVR2, it doesn’t hurt to try before buying an adapter. 

The best version of the PSVR2 PC Adapter is one that has on-board controller connection and comes with every cable needed. PlayStation really should consider putting out a more complete product in a future iteration. 

This whole PC Adapter situation also shines a massive spotlight on another poor design choice. The cable for the PSVR2 is fixed rather than replaceable. Since this is an item that’s meant to be used in movement, wear and tear becomes an inevitability. Most of Sony’s PlayStation products have been so expertly crafted that the PSVR2 feels like an afterthought. The lackluster launch of the PSVR2 PC Adapter, which is a tremendously cool concept, adds fuel to the fire. 

Furthermore, lots of the best features of the PSVR2 are not currently available in SteamVR while using the adapter. This includes the adaptive triggers, headset rumble, HDR, and eye tracking. It is unclear at this time if these features will be enabled through patches. If anything, adaptive trigger support seems likely considering that several games already support that feature when using a DualSense controller such as Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition. 

After about a week of troubleshooting and buying additional hardware, I was finally able to get everything up and running for some SteamVR gaming. 

PSVR2 on SteamVR is a Game of Chance

Using PSVR2 feels awkward most of the time. One first has to launch the PlayStation VR2 App and ensure that the headset and Sense controllers are connected. Sometimes lighting can affect the unit’s tracking or the USB connection claims to be weak, causing an error message and lengthening the amount of time it takes to get into a game. After that, one has to launch SteamVR and then choose a game either using the Home interface or through a simpler menu that Steam Deck users will recognize.

Of course, the first game I tried was Half-Life Alyx but I’ll get to that later since it is the core reason why most PSVR2 owners would want this product and deserves its own section. 

Most SteamVR games are hit or miss when it comes to working well with the PSVR2 and Sense controllers and it seems like there might need to be updates to most SteamVR games to fully take advantage of this setup. More than anything, the controllers are the most limiting factor and it is unclear if Sense controllers work on a particular game while browsing Steam, resulting in constant trials and a lot of error. There’s just no player confidence to be found when it comes to using the PSVR2 PC Adapter on SteamVR, at least as of this writing. 

The battery length of the Sense controllers also became more apparent when playing on SteamVR and made me realize the inherent value of using a charging system that energizes both controllers at the same time. Usually, I put my PS5 into rest mode, connect both controllers via a USB and try to remember if my DualSense or if my Pulse headphones need a charge. There are not enough charging ports on the PS5 and it seems like all of the PlayStation accessories have a short battery life these days. For those planning on playing games between either system, maybe pick up a charger and remember to resync the Sense controllers. I accidentally started the PS5 with one of them only to have to forget the device on my PC’s Bluetooth list. 

There is no elegance in this. 

Like PSVR2 there are several VR demos to find on Steam. Of course, since the PSVR2 is new to the scene, compatibility can vary. Once I got the PC Adapter up and running, I played a weird assortment of titles after discovering I already owned a few with VR support. The games I tried included Half-Life Alyx, Elite Dangerous, Narcosis, Prey: Typhon Hunter, SEGA Mega Drive & Genesis Classics, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice VR Edition, and War Robots VR: The Skirmish. 

There were several games that didn’t even start or couldn’t get past certain loading screens. I was unable to play Hellblade at all which didn’t respond to any controller method. The SEGA collection loaded but didn’t recognize my controls, leaving me to sadly stare at a pretty adorable 90s bedroom full of games I would have loved to play. Prey: Typhon Hunter loaded but the controller movement didn’t work and there wasn’t another option such as analog stick movement that I found. While I did get to play the War Robots demo, recentering caused a brutal spin that nearly made me sick. 

So for this test, the only games I was able to play for an extended amount of time were Elite Dangerous, Narcosis, and Half-Life Alyx. 

Despite Problems, There is Fun to be Had

I picked up Elite Dangerous on a whim while looking for games that used a traditional controller while using a VR headset. Surprisingly, this game looked and played great with little fuss, though the simulation nature of it means I probably won’t play more than the opening section. Granted, I did need to use the Sense controller to navigate the initial menus but once I was in a ship, it was all rather intuitive. Seeing the massive planets, steely space stations, and the infinite vastness of space felt so humbling and exciting. This is the type of experience I look for in VR, ways the hardware can elicit moments of awe.  

That said, I have enough VR experience to be resilient to motion sickness. I wouldn’t recommend Elite Dangerous to VR newcomers as flying while looking around the cockpit can be disorienting. If I had more patience, I could absolutely see myself playing this or another type of space flight simulation game. Playing even the opening section of Elite Dangerous makes it apparent why so many space gamers love using HOTAS controls. I would love to try that. 

Narcosis is another game that doesn’t need motion controls and I actually played this one with the headset on while using my mouse and keyboard. This underwater horror game has extremely simple mechanics so it’s one I’d recommend to those just getting their feet wet in VR gaming. Even though this is an older title, I was blown away by how good the PSVR2 lenses bring out the darker colors. I could see this being a memorable game for those afraid of being underwater; it’s an eerie feeling that VR heightens. 

A lot of VR players that are familiar with various headsets and far more PCVR gaming experience than me are noting that the PSVR2 headset outperforms other headsets particularly in darker situations such as nighttime in driving simulators or horror games that use a lot of shadow. Considering my other headset is a Meta Quest 2, which I love for its convenience and low price point, I don’t have a good way to compare the PSVR2 to other headsets since it is leagues above what the Meta Quest 2 is capable of. 

I could see glimpses of what others have reported while playing Narcosis and I could see myself checking out more indie VR horror in the future. I already love that genre on the PSVR2 via the PS5 so maybe there will be new scary gems to uncover this fall. 

The Main Reason for this Adapter: Half-Life Alyx

Speaking of games with horror elements, Half-Life Alyx is the game I played the most using the PSVR2 PC Adapter and despite it being not the best way to play this impressive title, it allowed me to play it and that’s pretty special. 

I’ll preface my impressions of Alyx with a pretty controversial stance: I don’t like Half-Life. 

I’ve tried dozens of times in my life across multiple types of hardware and even though high profile mods like Black Mesa or the recent 25th anniversary update of the original game are impressive, I find that style of play and level design dull and frustrating. I do respect the hell out of those games though and I will undoubtedly try again in the future. Believe me when I say this, as a person that dislikes Half-Life, Half-Life Alyx is the most compelling experience to come out of this universe and it is absolutely worth seeking out. 

Setting up Alyx on the PSVR2 PC Adapter is – like most things on this setup – harder than it should be. I struggled to get the game running at a good framerate and had to bump down the resolution to  68% (2804 x 2860p) which some users claim to be the sweet spot since the native resolution of the PSVR2 is 2000 x 2040 per eye. Sometimes the Sense controllers just wouldn’t sync up and I had to restart my PC or connect to a different USB port. By the way, the Bluetooth adapter should be connected to a USB 2.0 rather than a USB 3.0 port. Switching to a 2.0 port did seem to make connecting the Sense controllers more consistent on my system. Yet, when it works, playing Half-Life Alyx is pure sci-fi magic. Although, VR veterans might find the action a little too simplistic. 

Oddly enough, the last update to Half-Life Alyx according to Steam was in May 2022 so it’s a bit of a miracle that the PSVR2 hardware works at all. This leads me to believe that the controller profile and backend Steam software is what makes the PSVR2 PC Adapter work more than game-specific updates. I still think that most VR games would benefit from ensuring PSVR2 works since a lot of those players appear to be coming to Steam in droves. 

Regardless, Half-Life Alyx is definitely the premier game to get when using the PSVR2 PC Adapter but I don’t think it’s a great investment at this time because of the myriad of strange hardware design choices, wonky software, and no way to tell if a game is going to work when browsing Steam. For SteamVR, it still might be best to spend the extra money for a Valve Index but for anyone curious about the broader world of VR Gaming this is an interesting way to test the waters. 

VR Tech Experts Might Love this Adapter

There are a bunch of third-party software options and mods that could enhance one’s VR gaming with this adapter. For this review, I only played games that were available through Steam but there are also common ways to play lots more titles. Revive VR for example enables one to play Meta Quest exclusives while UEVR is a clever mod that adds VR gameplay to most of the high profile Unreal Engine 4 and Unreal Engine 5 games. Since those games take a lot more technical knowledge and the fact that most consumers using this adapter are looking for an easy way to play SteamVR games, I didn’t take the time to really dive into the more complex games. 

The PSVR2 PC Adapter is for really specific types of players, though I imagine a lot of people are in the exact situation I am in as a PSVR2 owner who happens to have a solid gaming PC already. This scenario assumes a lot and requires an expensive list of equipment that makes more sense for gamers who have already invested in a PC and a PSVR2 but for those specific players, the adapter is an exciting prospect that falls incredibly short of expectations. 

A common criticism from those who prefer to play games on consoles is that with consoles there is little setup and tinkering to make the games look good and play well. This is also true for the PSVR2 PC Adapter. Trying to understand how this hardware works, setting it up, and making adjustments for the best experiences is far more complex than simply playing a game on the PS5 through the PSVR2 headset. For example, loading up Resident Evil Village’s VR Mode on PS5 is stupid simple when compared to trying to play Half-Life Alyx on SteamVR with this finicky adapter. There are just more settings to consider that usually need an adjustment. I do like the simplicity of the universal resolution scaling slider in SteamVR but it is sensitive so it can be tough picking a specific percentage. 

Conclusion

For now, considering the much smaller PSVR2 library and the weirdness around most games that were available on the first PSVR, this adapter does give PSVR2 gamers more things to play and that’s a good thing. However, this is such a strange, convoluted release that could have been much better. It feels like a monumental missed opportunity for PlayStation.

I would not be surprised to see the modding community create a better way to connect the PSVR2 to SteamVR and this fumble seems like a great opportunity for third-party hardware developers. That, or other headset manufacturers to lower their prices or rekindle their messaging as a better option for SteamVR.

After a few weeks of playing games on my PC using the PSVR2 setup, I’m left more frustrated than amazed. The concept of this product is so appealing but the execution is messy at best and non-functional at worst. While this adapter was aimed at more casual VR gamers, I think that power users that have been playing VR for several years will get the most out of it. Hopefully, a firmware update or even a hardware revamp will make the bridge between PSVR2 and SteamVR stronger. Currently though, I cannot recommend this adapter to most PSVR2 players.

Until an improvement is made, PSVR2 owners will have to wait to see if the next major releases revitalize our interest in this hardware. There is so much potential that PlayStation could nurture into something amazing. If they choose to. . .

More information about the PSVR2 PC Adapter can be found on the official website. Additional tips to having the right equipment can be found here and recommended Bluetooth adapters can be found here. Screenshots were captured using the native features of Steam.

Simple Troubleshooting

Reduce SteamVR resolution to around 70% - This could be lower or higher depending on one’s GPU but most users will likely find better framerates at 68% (2804 x 2860p) which some claim to be the sweet spot since the native resolution of the PSVR2 is 2000 x 2040 per eye. Those with stronger systems can utilize a higher percentage for a sharper image.

Ensure you’re using the right DisplayPort cable and Bluetooth Adapter. If problems persist, reduce the amount of connected USB devices such as portable harddrives, hubs, and such.

Like most PC gaming options, there are a ton of guides out there. I’ve never been as knowledgeable about the specifics of these sorts of options and settings but more skilled gamers might be able to get more out of the PSVR2 than myself. That said, I wish this setup was way simpler.

Power users may want to consider purchasing fpsVR, a tool that enables real-time performance monitoring within VR games.