I’m getting back into PCVR in 2025 after selling my Index a while ago. I had to let it go because my PC wasn’t great, I needed some cash, and my kids were little and just learning to walk, so it wasn’t safe to have the setup around. Now that they are older, I really want to dive back into VR again. I have a new PC with a GTX 3090 and I’m ready to invest since I have some disposable income. I still haven’t finished Half-Life: Alyx and I’ve managed to keep it spoiler-free all this time, which is quite the achievement for me. I’ve been waiting for the Deckard headset for over a year, but it seems like there’s no guarantee it will release anytime soon. So, what’s the best headset and controller combo these days? Should I just go ahead and buy something now or wait a few months to see what happens with Deckard since the leaks suggest it might be closer than we think?
If you have the disposable cash, maybe consider getting the Quest 3 for games like Batman while you wait for Deckard for Half-Life: Alyx. Remember, you can always get more games or accessories later when you have extra cash, but you can’t easily upgrade the main hardware inside your VR headset down the line. So looking at lens type and resolution is pretty important when choosing a device.
Yeah, it really is. I recommend avoiding anything that still uses fresnel lenses, like the PSVR2. You don’t want to deal with that kind of compromise if you can help it.
Honestly, I think Deckard may not even drop this year. If you’re itching to get back into VR, the Quest 3 is a solid starting point. You can find refurbished models from Meta for not much more than the 3s right now. The pancake lenses on the Quest 3 are really nice and kind of unmatched at this point. Plus, you can access a huge library of Quest games and enjoy standalone experiences if you want.
The PSVR2 has really nice OLED screens, which look great. A lot of people say it feels more immersive than the Quest 3, but the Quest is a bit sharper overall. It really depends on what you prefer.
If you go for the Quest, you can use it wired or wirelessly. I personally use Virtual Desktop to play PCVR games wirelessly, and it works really well for me. A link cable will give you the best visuals and lowest latency, but being tethered to your PC can be a hassle sometimes.
A link cable connects your headset directly to your PC, which gives you the best graphics and lowest lag. But if you prefer being untethered, wireless can still be good with the right setup.
Make sure to grab a comfortable battery-powered head strap and maybe some knuckle-style grips for the controllers. Those make a big difference in comfort and usability.
As for games, definitely check out Blade and Sorcery, Red Matter 1 and 2, Behemoth, and Saints and Sinners. Moss 1 and 2, Asgard’s Wrath 1 and 2, and the I Expect You to Die series are all entertaining. Beat Saber and Superhot are classics too. There are so many great VR games out there, and Half-Life: Alyx is definitely one of the best.