Based on first impressions, the Future of Gaming is VR
It felt like Playing the Wii for the first time all over again!
If you've never worn a VR headset, it's hard to get an impression of what VR is like. You can't really try it before you buy it. So, the impression I always had was something like a normal game console with less movement and worse graphics mixed with all those videos of people punching their TVs. But, this Christmas I got an Oculus Quest 2 and I'll tell you first hand; I was wrong.
I haven't had this much fun gaming since I was a kid playing Wii Sports, and I'm a current gamer. There's just something about using your body, and not just a controller/mouse and keyboard that takes the experience to a whole new level. And, it makes gaming more accessible for everyone. My girlfriend loves the Quest 2, and she's not an avid gamer by any metric. But as soon as she put on the headset and started up Beat Saber she was hooked.
The thing about VR is that it's natural. Everybody knows how to swing their arms and crouch. It brings a whole new dimension to a whole new audience because it feels like an extension of yourself. Not just a simulation. There were times where I even forgot I was playing a game. I can tell you finding myself face-to-face with a barrel of a gun in Onward, if only for a second, completely immersed and terrified me.
It was fantastic.
Sure, the graphics might not be that great, and the battery doesn't last as long as I'd have liked, though considering the hardware I'm not too surprised or disappointed. It just needs to make some more improvements. And, in a generation or two the console will have these kinks worked out and VR will truly be ready for the masses.
If anything I've written here has convinced you, please consider using my referral link (it's just Oculus Store credits) and purchasing one yourself. I certainly wasn't disappointed. And I might write more about my experience with the Quest 2. I'm just excited to have a whole new world of technology to explore!