Before Trump and Brexit came like a wrecking ball, 2016 was supposed to be the year virtual reality went mainstream. In the gadget magazine I used to work in, the big internal debate back in March was whether to put the new Oculus Rift on the cover or the HTC Vive instead. The former had Facebook’s financial resources behind it, but the latter was the technically more powerful device. Nobody wanted to choose the “losing headset” in one step that might have proven similar to Betamax versus VHS.
As it turned out, the entire difficult decision was a moot point as no one bought the problem and the headsets themselves performed only marginally better. VR wasn’t quite dead in the water, but it was certainly a niche issue. Four years later, the Oculus Quest 2 isn’t going to get your grandmother to play Beat Saber, but it’s the first headset I’d recommend to absolutely anyone. Why? It gives you all of the really amazing things about virtual reality with almost none of the nonsense that other alternatives make you suffer.
What’s in the box?
The key to Oculus Quest 2’s success is its ease of use. A wireless headset and two controllers (one for each hand) are included. At 503g, the Quest 2 doesn’t feel strained when strapped to your face and is also well padded for comfort. It is a completely stand-alone device so there is no need to connect the device to a powerful PC or laptop in order to use it. Oh, and compared to last year’s original Oculus Quest, this 2020 edition has a more powerful processor, higher visual fidelity, and Christmas gift-friendly for £ 299.
Perhaps more important than any of those tech features, the Quest 2 VR makes it as fun as it should be. It’s a headset that does its utmost to get out of the way and make sure you’re enjoying yourself as quickly as possible – enough so that you can turn on the device and jump into the content you choose within 30 seconds . On the one hand, this is an impressive achievement; On the other hand, it’s exactly what virtual reality should be. Because messing around with wires or messing around in loading screens will not convince anyone of the strengths of the technology, which are now numerous. Mainly because you can choose from a four year old catalog of games and entertainment apps.
Lots to play
There used to be a lot of talk about the fact that VR needs a “killer app” in order to be successful. This was mainly a way to sound smart without saying too much. Basically, this meant that the headsets supposedly needed an app exciting enough to convince the skeptics to invest in one, but the logic falls apart when you realize it’s better to do a lot of things with an expensive one Buying to do than with one.
Since exclusivity doesn’t play a role in VR when comparing Quest 2 to a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, almost all of the most notable game titles you’ve heard of elsewhere are available here. The charming fairy tale Moss, the nightmarish knocker and the dazzling Tetris effect, first known on PlayStation VR, are waiting to be downloaded. Then there are VR classics like the aforementioned rhythm-with-fitness extravaganza Beat Saber, the seditious Job Simulator, and the team-based puzzler Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes. In other words, there really is something for everyone and that is before you watch Netflix or YouTube in VR.
Really, the best VR experiences are out there that use the format in its most imaginative form in short, inflammatory bursts of fun. You don’t really need any other device to watch The Haunting Of Bly Manor. Exploring the depths of the Atlantic in Ocean Rift or 3D painting in Tilt Brush? This is something that you can only do with Quest 2.
Make peace with Facebook
As long as you are sufficiently intrigued by Quest 2, there aren’t too many downsides to owning one. Perhaps the most controversial of these is that you need a Facebook account to use and operate the headset, unlike the separate Oculus account from earlier. Of course, this means that you are putting even more of your personal information in the hands of Mark Zuckerberg, and we wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to do so. However, if you already use Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp regularly, then you have effectively made peace with this agreement.
Technically, this headset isn’t quite as good as the HTC Vive Cosmos (£ 699) and the Valve Index (£ 919), but it can still play the most challenging VR titles like Valve’s sensational Half-Life: Alyx and Star Wars : Squadrons … as long as you have a PC with enough computer grunts to fill the gap and an Oculus Link cable (£ 89, amazon.co.uk) to plug Quest 2 into. I haven’t tried this myself, but the reports from those who have are overwhelmingly positive; It’s a good solution if you decide to get even more out of the headset.
Oculus Quest 2 verdict
Essentially, Oculus Quest 2 gives you the best of virtual reality for a lot less than you might expect. It’s an extremely well-designed headset that is comfortable to wear and yet is able to showcase the technology in its optimal form. Better still, there is something for everyone in Oculus’ extensive library of games and experiences. I really had a great time with it after anticipating another initially promising but ultimately overwhelming VR odyssey.
Although the Oculus Quest 2 doesn’t outperform the new 2020 game consoles or suddenly make VR as ubiquitous as face masks, TikTok, or bulk buying toilet rolls, it’s a huge success in itself. What if you try? You could become a believer in virtual reality yourself.
£ 299. amazon.de
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