PSVR2 First Experience: Immersion, Motion Sickness & Sweat!

ByNeo Sphinx

Nothing says immersion quite like Virtual Reality — so of course, I had to test it myself. This is my personal experience with the PlayStation VR2, and how it compares to my not-so-great memories of the original PSVR.

🧠 First Impressions: Facing Old Fears

I’ll be honest — I was dreading this test.
The last time I used VR was with the PSVR1 on PlayStation 4 and Gran Turismo Sport. Within just a few minutes, I was hit with severe motion sickness.

Now, a few years later, I’m back — this time with the PSVR2, the PlayStation 5, and Gran Turismo 7.
I set everything up, put on the headset, and… here we go.

The first few laps?
Let’s just say they were not great. The turns made my stomach twist, and to make things worse, it was a hot day — sweat was dripping down my forehead while I tried to keep focus.

👀 Visuals & Immersion: A Whole New World

Despite the rough start, when I managed to focus, I was genuinely amazed.
The graphics, depth, and overall immersion of PSVR2 are on another level.
It’s not just about resolution — it’s the feeling that you’re part of the car and track.

Things like:

  • The position of the sun
  • The way shadows move across the dashboard
  • The depth perception when turning your head

—all combine to create an incredibly real experience that a flat 2D screen simply can’t replicate.

When it comes to immersion, the PSVR2 is easily one of the most striking experiences I’ve had in sim racing.

🤢 The Motion Sickness Battle

Okay, so… how bad is the motion sickness really?

At first, it was tough. Especially in the corners — my inner ear clearly didn’t agree with what my eyes were seeing.
Straight lines? Fine. Turning right? Awful. Turning left? Slightly better.

However, the more laps I drove, the better it got.
After a while, I realized that if I kept my head movements minimal, the corners became manageable.

The discomfort never fully disappeared, but it definitely improved over time. Maybe it’s something your body needs to train for.

🧩 Technical Differences: PSVR1 vs PSVR2

So why does the PSVR2 feel so much better than the PSVR1?
Here are some key reasons:

  • Resolution: PSVR2 offers four times the pixel count of PSVR1 — sharper images, fewer “screen door” effects.
  • Refresh Rate Stability: While both headsets technically support the same max rate, the PSVR2’s hardware stability keeps frame rates consistent — reducing nausea.
  • Eye Tracking: PSVR2 dynamically focuses and blurs peripheral vision, mimicking real-world sight.
  • Inside-Out Tracking: No more external cameras — this new system greatly reduces lag and tracking errors, another big motion sickness trigger.

Together, these improvements drastically reduce that awful disconnect between your eyes and inner ear.

🔥 Comfort & Heat: The Sweaty Truth

Now let’s be real — using VR while it’s hot outside?
Not ideal.

With the headset strapped on and all my lights, consoles, and PC running, the room became a sauna. My face was drenched, and I had the VR imprint on my forehead to prove it.

That said, the comfort level of the PSVR2 is miles ahead of the original.
Still, during summer months, I’d personally prefer a good screen setup — especially one with eye tracking, where I can enjoy immersion without overheating.

🧩 Future Plans & Next Steps

This was just the first test, and honestly, I’m very happy with how it went.
I plan to:

  • Add haptics to increase immersion even further
  • Try different wheelbases to see if it changes the motion experience
  • Test VR on PC with simulators like BeamNG and Taxi Simulator

There’s definitely more to explore here — especially for sim racers who want the ultimate sense of presence without losing their lunch 😅

❤️ Gratitude & Community

A special thanks to PJ Dobbs, who encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and give VR another shot. Without that push, this experiment might never have happened.

And to you — my viewers and readers — I’d love to hear from you:

  • Do you get motion sickness in VR?
  • What helped you adapt?
  • Have you tried triple screens versus VR — and which did you prefer?
  • Any heat or comfort tips for long sessions?

Leave your experiences in the comments so we can make this an information hub for new VR users.

🏁 Conclusion

The PSVR2 is a massive improvement over its predecessor.
While motion sickness hasn’t disappeared completely, the visuals, stability, and realism make it a genuinely enjoyable experience — once your brain adjusts.

If you’re new to VR and curious about racing immersion, the PSVR2 might just be the way to start.