PlayStation VR2 horror gameThe Dark Pictures: Switchback VRwill make good use of the new headset’s eye tracking technology to scare players.The Dark Pictures: Switchback VRis following in the footsteps ofUntil Dawn: Rush of Blood, both of which were on-rails shooters from developer Supermassive Games that served as spin-offs of their choice-driven narrative-based horror games.
Rush of Bloodwas a launch title for the original PlayStation VR headset that served as a spin-off toUntil Dawn.Switchback VRis not a launch title for the PlayStation VR2, but it’s expected to release for the PS5’s virtual reality headset on March 16. WhereasRush of Bloodwas set in theUntil Dawnuniverse,Switchback VRis tied toThe Dark Pictures, a horror anthology series that plays similarly toUntil Dawnwhile still firmly establishing its own identity.
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The PlayStation VR2 headset has many new features and upgrades when compared to the original device, in turn giving the developers new tools to work with when crafting their virtual reality experiences. Onenew feature with the PlayStation VR2 is eye tracking, which will be put to good use inThe Dark Pictures: Switchback VR. It’s been confirmed that the upcoming horror game will know when players have their eyes closed. According to game director Alejandro Arque Galladro, some enemies will get closer to the player every time they blink, while other enemies can only move when the player is not looking directly at them. Needless to say, this tech has enormous potential to deliver genuinely terrifying horror game experiences.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VRwill use the PlayStation VR2 headset’s new features in many other interesting ways as well. 3D audio, headset rumble, and haptic feedback in thenew Sense controllerswill all be utilized to increase immersion and scare anyone brave enough to check it out come launch.
Until Dawn: Rush of Bloodearned mixed reviewsat the time of its release, so it will definitely be interesting to see ifThe Dark Pictures: Switchback VRhas a more positive reception when it comes to the PlayStation VR2 headset next month. While early PlayStation VR2 adopters wait forThe Dark Pictures: Switchback VR’s release date to roll around next month, they should have plenty of launch titles to keep them occupied in the meantime. PlayStation VR2 has quite an extensive launch lineup for February 22, so it’s an exciting time for VR enthusiasts on PS5.
