Meta VR Goggles - An Experience To Remember

I have experience with a few different VR headsets. I used the Samsung model that was released with the Galaxy series before virtual reality gained widespread popularity. However, it didn’t compare to the experience I've had with Meta VR.

Let's start by discussing the image quality. I've tried a few different games, and while they are immersive, the graphics on the only games I played remind me of those on the Nintendo Switch, which isn’t a bad thing. The games I experienced include the Batman Arkham VR game, Beat Saber, and a kids' roller coaster game. I've seen a couple of realistic theme park games, and they seem quite life-like based on what I’ve observed. Additionally, I've watched Netflix, Disney, and Apple TV on VR, and the picture quality is fantastic. I love the feeling of being immersed in what I am watching. Testing out ESPN on the VR headset, watching that hockey game was perhaps my favorite moment with those goggles (I know I'm old). Overall, I would rate the image quality a solid 9 out of 10.

Next up is the sound quality. I would personally rate it as decent but not exceptional. You can hear everything clearly, but even at maximum volume, background noise is still quite noticeable. While I was watching my hockey game, I was aware of my kids sitting on the couch nearby. My wife and I could still chat, and I could even tell what she was cooking on the stovetop, which was about 30 feet away. So while the sound is clear, to be really effective—for moments that might startle you—headphones are definitely required. I’d rate the sound quality a 6 out of 10 in my view.

Finally, let’s talk about the controllers. As much as I’d love to say they were flawless, I cannot. Don’t misunderstand, they were certainly not bad. Depending on the specific games, I would even say they were quite impressive. Playing Beat Saber was enjoyable and responded exactly as you would expect, except for a few instances where a wall would pop up, and even when you moved your hands away, it would still register as an error. Picking up items in Batman Arkham VR could be somewhat tricky; that’s where I have a major complaint. You really need to position it just right to get the response needed to successfully grab the object you’re focused on. The shooting mechanics were generally good as well, and missing targets felt more like a matter of poor aim rather than unresponsive controllers. I would give them a rating of 8 out of 10.

Overall, taking into account the price I paid ($399), I think they represented a pretty sound investment. I see a lot of potential that I haven’t fully tapped into yet. The games I’ve played performed as I anticipated, and watching TV was fantastic. I feel that they certainly have the capability to do some truly remarkable things, especially with robotics in the future.