Oculus Quest 2 review: is it the ultimate VR headset?

Source: HW Upgrade added 16th Oct 2020

A few days ago we received a copy of Oculus Quest 2 and we have tried some of the features. We were overall very satisfied with this new headset, which represents the improvement of both the first Quest and the Rift S, while the VR remains critical in some aspects

by Rosario Grasso published on in the Peripherals channel

Oculus

Who has followed the latest announcements of Oculus , already knows that Quest 2 is not just the viewer which updates and improves the first Quest, but is also the next step compared to Rift and Rift S . In other words, it is both a stand-alone solution and the viewer to be connected to the PC for the more detailed experiences and the highest polygonal density. The latter feature is available through the Oculus Link technology , which we will discuss in detail during the review but which we anticipate is a USB connection between the viewer and the PC that processes the images.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OCULUS QUEST 2

  • Oculus Insight
  • Oculus Touch
  • Positional Audio
  • Oculus Quest fit and comfort 2
  • Social experiences
  • Oculus Link
  • Smartphone App
  • Roomscale, Standing and Setting
  • Passthrough +
  • Star Wars Squadrons tested with Oculus Quest 2
  • The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners tested with Oculus Quest 2
  • Conclusions
  • Oculus Quest 2: Technical Specifications

Basically if Oculus Quest was born as a VR experience with polygonal density games “from smartphone” , with Oculus Link you enable the experience “from PC” . Like its predecessor, Quest 2 has a very specific purpose, from the initial program of Facebook : to make VR within everyone’s reach, both in terms of ease of installation and use and from the point of view of the methods of interaction. The potential of VR, although from a commercial point of view, as is well known, encounters difficulties, it is endless, not only in playful terms, but also in therapeutic, professional and other terms. As always when it comes to VR, it is very difficult to convey all this in words, and direct experience must necessarily be recommended.

Compared to the first Quest, the new version offers a display with the 50% more pixels compared to the previous model and, after launch, it will also support i 90 Hz (currently 72 Hz ). Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor, Quest 2 is capable of handling a resolution of 1832 x 1920 pixels per eye thanks to the Fast-switch type LCD , fast switching. Let’s say right away that one of the main features of this Oculus / Facebook offer is the field of vision , for which moreover, the precise specification is not communicated. It always remains very contained, to the point of having the sensation of observing the game scenes as inside a binocular or, worse still, a funnel. The tech specs just say the Quest’s FOV is the same as the original Oculus Rift, while the Rift S and Go boast a “slightly higher” field of view. Spannometrically, therefore, we find ourselves on 110 ° approx.

Oculus Insight

Compared to the first Quest (the was introduced after the launch of the viewer), however, one of the main improvements concerns the tracking of the hands and fingers via Oculus Insight . It turns out to be very precise and manages to reproduce the movements of the fingers with great naturalness in virtuality. You can interact with your fingers to play, to surf the web, to “scroll” a page and for all the functions available in Virtual Reality (except for specific games that require more complex interfacing). By bringing your thumb close to your index finger and moving the cursor over a button you will click on it, while keeping the two fingers close for a few moments will center the screen in the direction you are looking at. Like its predecessor, the new viewer also supports 6 degrees of freedom of head tracking.

Oculus Touch

Oculus has completely redesigned the Touch controller for improved ergonomics (inspired by the design of Rift controllers), with intuitive controls that transport gestures directly into VR for an even deeper sense of hand presence. The new Touch are great, comfortable to use and responsive. Thanks to the constellation of sensors inside them, they can be traced by the viewer and reproduced polygonally in order to allow the user, who wears the viewer, to find them immediately in the real environment. Moreover, unlike in the past, just hold them and they are activated automatically, without having to press any buttons. Furthermore, when not in use, they turn off automatically, thus extending the autonomy of the battery (type AA, not rechargeable).

Positional Audio

One of the technologies that most amazed us with the first Quest, moreover, is that relating to the positional audio . Quest, in fact, uses a spatial audio technology to direct the sound towards the user’s ears through speakers that are placed in two plastic arms that are located near the panel. It is a system that, in the face of a slight loss in terms of sound quality, adapts the emission of noises according to the movements of the head, guaranteeing an absolutely credible auditory immersion. However, it remains possible to use traditional headphones via the jack connection on the body of the device.

The algorithm that manages the audio positions the source of the sounds within a virtual sphere a 360 degrees. Moving your head in reality does not interact with this sphere, so you can continue to hear the sound and perceive its original position faithfully, regardless of the movements that occur in reality.

Oculus Quest 2 fit and comfort

Regarding fit and comfort , Oculus Quest 2 starts from the good assumptions of the previous viewers, and takes further steps forward. First of all, is aesthetically pleasing and is well suited to any type of furniture. Being a Facebook product, aimed at the widest possible audience, a careful study has been done in this regard, and the results are good. A band allows you to adjust the fit according to the head. Slightly change the mechanism of adjustment of the interpupillary distance , now you have to physically move the housing of the lenses, bringing them closer or moving them away according to the level of sharpness with which the images in VR are perceived.

Social experiences

Oculus and Facebook have prepared various types of social experiences in the form of apps available on the store. For example, you can experience the feeling of being in the front row during live concerts, innovative films and exclusive events. An ever-growing list of social experiences that allows you to connect with friends in VR, no matter where you are.

This feature matches the name of Oculus Venues , an app that must be downloaded from the store. It is accessed with your avatar , obviously customizable down to the smallest aspects, and allows you to follow events, live or register, along with friends’ avatars. For example, you can attend a concert, a football match or a film, interacting and exchanging impressions with friends.

All the Facebook’s social features are also integrated into the Oculus Quest 2 home. There is the possibility to send friend requests, chat and invite friends to events. And then there is the highly appreciated Party mode, which can be accessed together with friends, who they will be catapulted into our home, seeing it as we have decided to customize it. They will appear as Avatar, i.e. half-length, while it will be possible to interact together.

Oculus Link

Then there is the whole chapter Oculus Link , essential for those who want to exploit the computing power of the PC. Thanks to this type of connection (unfortunately still available in Beta – the name Link refers to both the software support and the physical cable), players can access all the games for Rift and its features, including its Home . This means that you cannot play Quest 2 games originally designed for Rift such as Edge of Nowhere and Stormland and also with titles belonging to different platforms than Oculus Store such as Steam VR or Star Wars Squad rons for Origin .

Unfortunately, inside the package there is no cable capable of connecting the viewer to the PC. Oculus suggests the purchase of Oculus Link, a 5 meter high speed fiber optic cable which is sold at 99 EUR. From official specifications, this is a USB 3.2 GEN 1 TYPE-C cable . Obviously, it’s not the only way to connect Oculus Quest 2 to the PC: for example, on Amazon there is this other cable that essentially equalizes the performance of Oculus Link. But that’s not all, because actually any cable, even USB 2.0, will do. The only difficulty probably consists in finding a USB-C adapter (the only type of connection available on the viewer) to USB-A: but, if you have the adapter, you can use a very common USB-A cable like the one that allows you to recharge your smartphone.

The only real limitation is the cable size. Of course, having made Quest stand-alone has important positive implications precisely for having limited the size and complications that arose from the presence of a cable that came out of the viewer to connect to the PC. As anyone who has tried Rift knows, very often, due to the continuous and sudden movements that Virtual Reality requires, it happened to get literally entangled in the cable. Due to the current technological limitations in the transmission of large volumes of data wirelessly, however, the cable is still essential if you want to benefit from the polygonal complexity available thanks to the processing of the most powerful GPUs. On the other hand, you need a very long cable (at least 5 meters) to be able to play in an acceptable way (without prejudice to the point that, as we will see, the standing game mode is not the only one possible with Quest 2). To make Oculus Link work, you need to download the relative software for Windows 10 . This allows you to access all content for Rift and Quest, purchase it or browse the catalog of free experiences. All the social features found in VR in the Oculus Home and settings are available, as well as the performance test of the aforementioned PC connection.

Smartphone App

A similar app must also be installed on the smartphone , and is available for both Android and iOS . The pairing between the viewer and the smartphone takes place via the Bluetooth connection . The Oculus app guides you step by step in configuring the headset and, in addition to providing the app functionality for the PC, enables streaming of everything you see in the viewer towards the smartphone. Functionality that is very useful to allow other people who are with us to share the experience we are living in Virtual Reality. Casting currently supports all generations of Google Chromecast, Google Home Hub, Nvidia Shield, and most Chromecast-enabled smart TVs. Chromecast Ultra is recommended for better casting quality.

Roomscale, Standing and Setting

Depending on how the VR app is designed, it may require a type of interaction such as Roomscale, Standing and Setting . When you buy an app in the store, this detail is expressed very clearly. Roomscale : these apps must be used in a 2×2 meter area with a defined Roomscale perimeter. Standing : you can interact with all the elements of the game by standing, crouching, turning, reaching virtual objects or with stationary boundaries than with roomscale. Sitting : the whole experience is playable while seated. This type of app can be used with both stationary borders and Roomscale.

Passthrough +

The configuration part of the viewer has not undergone changes compared to the first Quest, and benefits enormously from the Passthrough + functionality , which allows you to see the real environment around us without having to remove the viewer. Passthrough + uses proprietary technology to minimize depth disparity. Passthrough + view appears by default when the head crosses the border of the Guardian , so you can easily see where you are in and return to the game space. It can also be accessed at any time by double-tapping the side of the viewer.

The game space must obviously be configured at the first start-up of Quest 2 and then remains fixed for every time you use the viewer. You need a minimum space of 2×2 meters to play in Roomscale or a free space of about 1, 13 meters in diameter. During installation you must first set the floor level, then select either stationary mode or draw, by holding the trigger of the controller, the boundary of the game area to play in Roomscale. The Guardian configuration software can memorize the boundaries of multiple rooms so you don’t have to reset it every time you use the headset in an already used location. Also, the headset works best when playing in a well-lit area (due to its tracking systems), while outdoor use is not recommended.

On board the Oculus Quest 2 there are four cameras, which are used for tracking the user’s body, his hands and Oculus Touch controllers. As for the battery life, it stands between 2-3 hours based on the type of content used on Quest 2; closer to 2 hours if playing games and closer to 3 hours if watching videos. At any time, you can check the headset’s battery status in the Oculus app settings or in VR via Oculus Home. Charging time with the supplied USB-C power adapter is approximately two and a half hours.

Star Wars Squadrons tested with Oculus Quest 2

The VR game of the moment is undoubtedly Star Wars Squadrons , developed by EA Motive starting from some technologies already introduced by previous games Electronic Arts . At the same time, it is much more than the extrapolation of the piloting component of the Star Wars Battlefront II aircraft, because the flight model is much more rigorous, while remaining simplistic than an Elite Dangerous, as are the opportunities for interaction. available to players.

Star Wars Squadrons, which works with Oculus Quest 2 via Oculus Link or any other compatible USB cable, offers both single player and multiplayer game modes. The story, which scrupulously follows the precepts of the Star Wars Canon, is set after the events of Return of the Jedi, when the New Republic finds itself having to disperse the remaining forces of the Empire. The campaign, which lasts about 5 hours, represents a sort of tutorial to be able to master the TIE fighter and the Ala X in order to be competitive in multiplayer: in fact, it is necessary to acquire a certain sensitivity, as well as knowing the functionality of the ships available, in order to represent a threat in multiplayer.

In the campaign the player follows an alternation of missions that now see him among the forces of the New Repubblica, where he plays the pilot Vanguard 5, now among the Imperials as Titan 3. He will come across some well-known faces of the Canon, among them the Captain Rae Sloane and the General Hera Syndulla , characters much loved by fans of Star Wars that never before had appeared in a photorealistic key.

But the star Wars Squadrons highlight is definitely the multiplayer. Players must learn to adjust the speed of the aircraft using the appropriate throttle and manage the energy control system. They can redirect onboard energy to engines, weapons and shields, depending on the current strategy. Although it is possible to play with the joystick, the gamepad is the most accessible control system for players: with the left stick you act on the roll while with the right one on the turn. A few minutes of gameplay are enough to acquire sensitivity and familiarize yourself with these controls.

Obviously the real added value of this gaming experience is the Oculus Quest 2 viewer because it increases the level of involvement simply impossible with traditional methods. When you board the X-wing for the first time it is a unique emotion: we turn to give the okay to our astromech droid, we check all the ship’s equipment and take a close look at the instrumentation, when the upper bulkhead closes we are alone with our aircraft. During the battle, then, you can turn around to follow the maneuvers of the opposing fighters and thus have precise control and 360 degrees of action around us. Star Wars Squadrons is fully optimized for this type of experience and you live completely from the first person perspective, both when on the ground and, of course, when in flight.

The main game mode is the so-called “Fleet Battles , which involves 5 pilots per squadron. even the flagships, small star cruisers and support ships to be used as a siege tower in offensives. Crucial for the outcome of the battle is “morale”: your squadron acquires it as you take out the opposing pilots (which can be other players or managed by the AI), while it is reduced when there are too many losses. With high morale you can attack the enemy flagship, while otherwise you have to retrace your steps and defend.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners provat or with Oculus Quest 2

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a very different game from Star Wars Squadrons, because it was designed from the ground up for Oculus Quest 2 and its interfacing system, then the Oculus Touch. It is an open-world role-playing game in a survival context, which in some ways resembles Zombies U. The movement mechanics are similar to those of shooters or first-person games for VR: you move with the lever of the left Oculus Touch and change direction with that of the Oculus Touch held with the right hand.

The player must move the left hand towards the left hip, press the dorsal of the ‘Oculus Touch corresponding, to grab the flashlight, and then the trigger to turn it on. By placing the right arm next to the right hip and pressing the dorsal of the other Oculus Touch, however, you grab the weapon, which can be a blunt weapon such as a screwdriver or a knife or a firearm. To reload, take the ammunition from the corresponding pouch on the front and bring the magazine close to the butt of the weapon, then release the safety with your right hand.

The player can also grab an ax with both hands and to knock out walkers must perform sweeping movements bringing the weapons to the skull of the walkers. Once the weapons are stuck in their skulls, you have to pull them out with quick movements. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a horror game that includes a lot of fear in the player, accentuated by VR. Wandering around a graveyard full of walkers, while you hear the murmur of one of them, aching and hungry, but can’t pinpoint its location, is truly heart pounding.

Completely innovative gameplay aspects for the traditional gamer, not yet accustomed to VR. Which add up, however, to more traditional aspects: players can crouch down, by pressing a button, and silently approach threats to knock them out without consuming resources. Bringing the arm to the back, on the other hand, allows you to take the backpack, or the inventory with all the resources needed for survival and the crafting of new objects, which takes place through the special classic workbenches. Wrapping the left hand around the injured right hand also applies the bandages, essential for recovering vital resources after an unfortunate encounter with a walker.

Although The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners relies only on the hardware of Quest 2, and therefore has a “mobile game” graphics, it turns out to be an innovative and absolutely engaging product, fun to play for its open world RPG mechanics similar to those of a title desktop. As always happens when in VR you move with the lever, and not with your legs, however, it produces not a little motion sickness.

Conclusions

Oculus Quest 2 is finally a complete and affordable product, a real milestone for VR which, as is known, has had a rather long and troubled gestation phase. It is evident that behind the o