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The original was posted on /r/games by /u/Rob_Cram on 2024-12-05 07:15:13+00:00.
I think a lot of people are still skeptical about VR games for a number of reasons, but I genuinely feel the latest update for the Luke Ross R.E.A.L. VR mod is a decent progression. I think many dedicated VR games can appear low-quality, especially when placed against their flatscreen counterparts. There just isn't the desire or investment to make AAA titles VR compatible. So it lies in the hands of modders such as Praydog and Luke Ross to offer what VR gamers desire. Sure, it's a niche audience (around 2% of users on Steam use a VR headset), but that is growing and as the cost of entry lowers, these flatscreen to VR conversions add to the expanding library of games available to newcomers and VR vets alike. Yep, VR isn't for everyone, again for a number of reasons. I get that.
As a dedicated Quest 3 user streaming wirelessly, I have had my reservations about Luke Ross's business model for selling his Alternate Eye Rendering VR Mod. Nonetheless, the R.E.A.L. VR V15 update marks a significant milestone worth celebrating, and it's exciting to know that further improvements are on the horizon.
Technical Advancements and Benefits
On a technical level, Ross has achieved a notable reduction in the overhead required to run this mod by cropping the edges that are out of view in the headset. This feature, reminiscent of one found in VorpX, frees up GPU power that can be redirected to enhance resolution. The result is smoother gameplay and a reduction in the headaches that can sometimes accompany VR sessions.
Implications for Gamers
So, what does this mean for gamers?
Lower spec GPUs now have a better chance of delivering a high-quality experience. The extreme ghosting that was a significant issue when using DLSS (or without it) has been substantially minimized, and distant details are much clearer. While the Aero headset still surpasses the Quest 3 in visual fidelity, as a PCVR gamer with a Quest 3, the experience now aligns more closely with what I believe should be the standard. With the RTX 4090, I can crank up the in-game resolution and enhance the graphics settings significantly.
A Much-Needed Improvement
If you've previously dismissed the mod due to its performance on lower spec GPUs, it's time to revisit it. The once fuzzy visuals have undergone a marked improvement, making the game much more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Although the mod does not support motion controls, they aren't essential for this game. What you do get is a AAA budget game that you can marvel at in VR, which is an impressive achievement in itself.
The "it's not proper VR without motion controls" is a valid stance. Yeh I get that. And, in some ways quite correct. But...it without those hands inside the game, does provide the same sense of immersion and belonging inside the game-world rather than outside of it.
As I've said numerous times before, being able to grab and touch inanimate objects is maybe VR's selling point, but most games are not afforded the same budget as AAA games, so it's a toss-up between immersion and quality. I find being able to touch and grab stuff is mostly not very well implemented outside of reloading weapons and aiming. Games like Job SIM do a great job of using motion controls for gameplay. But most games just use them as a gimmick feature.
The Rift CV1 released without motion controllers against the Vive wands. For months, many VR enthusiasts still enjoyed those VR games without motion controls (of which there were many).
Different strokes for different folks.
Luke Ross's VR mods, known as R.E.A.L. VR mods, are compatible with a variety of popular games. Here's a list of some of the games that his mods work with:
- Atomic Heart
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Dark Souls: Remastered
- Elden Ring
- Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
- Ghostrunner
- Grounded
- Ghostwire: Tokyo
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Horizon Zero Dawn
- Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Stray
- Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
These mods bring VR support to games that originally didn't have it, enhancing the gaming experience for VR enthusiasts