Does PSVR 2 make you feel sick?

Motion sickness is a worry with any VR headset, but what about PlayStation VR2?

(Credit: The Shortcut/Sony)

Not everyone is equipped to handle the mind trickery that occurs during virtual reality, which is why you may be wondering if PSVR 2 makes you feel sick. After all, motion sickness can be an all too common occurrence for some VR players – even traditional displays can cause some people to feel a little queasy, depending on the game.

Great strides have been made in combating motion sickness in VR, however. Higher refresh rate displays have helped reduce ghosting and make games appear smoother in motion, and additional comfort settings can also tackle the issue – like making navigating around virtual worlds feel less jarring. But does PSVR 2 make you feel sick? And is PSVR 2 worth it if you are susceptible to motion sickness?

While Sony has adopted many of the best practices that other manufacturers have introduced, it doesn’t mean some PSVR 2 games won’t make you feel queasy at times. Again, several features help the PSVR 2 mitigate motion sickness. Sony’s headset has a fast refresh rate of 90Hz/120Hz that makes things easier on the eyes and a novel feature that not many other headsets have: a vent. The vent can prevent you from feeling stuffy and from the headset from steaming up during more vigorous gaming sessions.

Many games now also offer comfort settings that can also counteract the negative effects of playing in VR. Options to reduce fast motion, teleporting instead of using an analog stick for movement, and other settings like lessening the impact of swinging the camera around tend to be available in most modern VR games.

PSVR 2 doesn’t eliminate the risk of motion sickness entirely, then, but there are some things you can do to reduce your chances of feeling nauseous if you’re planning on buying Sony’s headset.

How to reduce motion sickness when using PSVR 2 😌

(Credit: The Shortcut)

If you’re experiencing motion sickness when using PSVR 2, here are some tips you can follow that should prevent you from having to lie down in the fetal position for a few hours each time you play.

1. Play PSVR 2 games in short bursts

The most frequent advice you’ll see for those who are new to VR is to play in short bursts. As someone that is still relatively inexperienced with virtual reality, I can tell you that I wish I’d stuck to this rule more often. At first, you’re best playing VR games in small doses to build up your tolerance levels. After that, things should get a little easier.

Even the PSVR 2 instruction manual recommends taking regular breaks every 15 minutes for every hour you play, though this will vary from person to person.

2. Wear motion sickness wristbands

Nausea relief wristbands can be incredibly effective for those who suffer from motion sickness. They use acupressure to lightly press against your wrists to deliver fast-acting, drug-free results. They’re relatively cheap, and I can personally attest that they mitigate motion sickness somewhat, although not entirely.

3. Opt for seated VR games over standing ones

Many VR games can be played sitting down, which can help you to stop feeling sick. Because you’re firmly planted to the ground, your brain is less likely to be tricked than it would be when you’re standing upright. I’ve found that playing seated VR games is far easier on my constitution than those which require a lot of movement. These are all the PSVR 2 games you can play sitting down.

4. If you start feeling sick, stop

This may seem obvious, but if you take any advice from this article, let it be this: stop playing PSVR 2 if you start to feel sick. It can be tempting to ignore any feelings of nauseous that may arise, but pushing through it is not a good idea. You’re likely to prolong any motion sickness you may have, and it could result in hours, if not days, of feeling rather sorry for yourself. It’s not simply worth it.

5. Don’t play PSVR 2 if you’re tired

Sony advises not to use PlayStation VR2 if you’re tired or need sleep. It also says PSVR 2 shouldn’t be used if you’re feeling “dizzy, light-headed, nauseated, sick, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or have an impaired sense of motion or balance.”

Stick to these five rules, then, and there’s a good chance your experience with PSVR 2 will be a positive one. However, remember to take it easy if you’re new to VR – it’s a lot for your eyes and brain to take in, so take regular breaks and stop as soon as you start to feel sick.

6. Lower the headset’s brightness

I’ve found that lowering the PSVR 2’s brightness can significantly help stave off the feelings of motion sickness. The PSVR 2 has two OLED displays for each eye which can get incredibly bright, but it can be punishing on your retinas – particularly during brighter scenes with white backgrounds.

Users have found that lowering the headset’s brightness can also help with PSVR 2’s persistence issues. The headset produces a lot of motion blur compared to headsets that use LCD panels, but lowering the brightness can reduce the amount of motion blur that PSVR 2 exhibits in games.

7. Play in a well-ventilated area

It may seem trivial, but playing in a room that’s cool and airy can help combat nausea when playing PSVR 2. The headset has a fan inside that prevents the headset from fogging up when you’re playing, but it doesn’t exactly keep you cool, nor is it designed to. If you’re playing in a warm, stuffy room, try cracking a window open before you jump into your next VR game.

8. Use in-game comfort controls

Some titles, like Horizon Call of the Mountain, include in-game comfort controls that can help negate motion sickness. Settings include slow movement speed, screen vignetting, smoother rotation, and “disable falling while climbing”. It’s worth activating as many comfort settings as you can if you’re new to VR or susceptible to motion sickness, as it can really help keep nausea at bay.

Updated: August 16, 2023