No one expected EA to publish a game as surprising as Star Wars: Squadrons for a considerably lower price than most other games. Squadrons is, admittedly, a game focused on 5v5 multiplayer matches that propel players into epic dogfights just like the ones from the films. Its campaign is short and sweet and gives the proper space to learn how to fly a spaceship before jumping into the more unforgiving multiplayer aspect of the game.
The most important element present in this videogame is the implementation of VR. Depending on the gaming setup, personal preferences, and dexterity with flight simulators, players might want to jump to hyperspace either with a VR headset or a trusty controller. But which one is better for the overall experience?
10 Pro VR: Amped Up Immersion
Games that are engineered with VR support are leading gamers into the future of the gaming medium itself. It goes without saying that playing something like Half Life: Alyx or Beat Saber results in hours of endless fun due to the modality of gameplay.
Virtually any game with a first-person perspective can benefit from being experienced in VR. The same is true for Squadrons. Players are not sitting in front of a screen looking at an objective; they are in the cockpit flying towards it.
9 Pro Controller: Eye Fatigue
Though any Star Wars fan should not miss the opportunity to fly an X-wing in the most immersive way possible, VR comes with some inherent drawbacks. The most common is the heavy tax someone’s eyes pay during a gaming session. Remember when parents said not to watch the TV from up close? VR definitely disobeys that advice.
Tolerance varies depending on the user, but the general rule of thumb to live by while playing in VR is to take a break after a set period of time. People who work with screens a great deal will remember the 20/20/20 rule. Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
8 Pro VR: Controls Feel More Intuitive
That magic VR immersion comes with the ability to get used to controls more easily. Flight simulators require players to grow used to a different kind of spatial awareness. The first person perspective of being in a spaceship is not the same as controlling a soldier with boots on the ground.
The former uses space differently, so controls can be a bit daunting to master at first. VR helps people understand how to fly more easily by placing them directly in the center of the action.
7 Pro Controller: Joystick Controls In VR Can Be Weird
Without a HOTAS controller (Hands-on Throttle-and-Stick), playing with a joystick in VR can feel a bit strange. Controllers that are made for flight simulators are especially useful if players want to get the best out of Squadrons though they require some getting used for beginners.
Depending on what type of VR accessory people have such as PSVR or Oculus Quest 2, there are specific sets of handheld controllers available. Playing Squadrons with a joystick in VR can feel limiting when it comes to immersion.
6 Pro VR: Easier Tracking
Squadrons is built around frenetic dogfights. Making sure players know how to survive and go on the offensive is essential to winning matches. Flying a spaceship isn’t exactly the same as shooting a gun and requires some trial and error.
Knowing how to effectively track another player takes skill, practice, and dedication. It’s hard to master, but from a VR perspective, it’s easier to focus on a target since a player is as close as possible to the action. Playing on a screen can be difficult if people have a hard time distinguishing a rebel ship from a grey backdrop. VR makes things much easier to see and provides clarity.
5 Pro Controller: Easier To Relax
Some gamers only have a couple of hours, or less than that, to enjoy some much-deserved downtime. That’s why some might see videogames as an activity meant to relax their mind and unplug from the worries of everyday life. Playing Squadrons in VR, or any other game for that matter, makes it hard to relax.
By its very nature, VR requires a deep engagement of the senses. So VR has the opposite effect when it comes to relaxing — it excites, thrills, and draws players into the experience. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just something to keep in mind if someone has relaxation in mind over immersion.
4 Pro VR: Amazing PC Resolution
Some games are built exclusively for VR while others can only be played on screens. VR support is still a rare element to find in most titles for now. However, if a player happens to have a serious gaming PC, they should absolutely give Squadrons a try in VR.
A custom-built or high-end stock PC works as the optimal setup to play Squadrons with the best possible VR resolution. Gaming PCs support a wider range of resolutions in general and the same applies to VR games.
3 Pro Controller: The Base Console Isn’t Great For VR
People could play Squadrons on the PSVR with a PS4 or PS4 Pro (opt for the latter if possible). The game dynamically downscales the resolution in both PS4 versions with the Pro offering a more consistent gameplay experience when it comes to steady graphics.
The base PS4 produces a significantly lower overall performance that severely cuts back on the game’s stunning visuals. Players can still have tons of fun with it though; there’s no doubt the technology will get better in the future. But for now, PS4 players might want to stick with controllers rather than investing in new hardware for one experience.
2 Pro VR: Minimal HUD Is Awesome In VR
When people first start playing Squadrons, they can select whether they would like to display relevant information using only the instruments in a cockpit. That essentially translates to having no HUD overlay, but rather an immersive way to view a ship’s status.
They can select this option regardless if playing in VR or not. However, it is undoubtedly best experienced with VR, making the player feel even more immersed in one of the best Star Wars games out there.
1 Pro Controller: VR Headsets Are Expensive
The biggest drawback to playing Squadrons in VR doesn’t concern the game itself, but the cost involved to do so. Buying a VR headset is not exactly cheap and, while it’s becoming more affordable to purchase one, the amount of money required to get the cheapest possible setup is still substantial.
Considering one might only want to play a great starfighter combat simulator, buying a VR headset just for Squadrons might not be the best idea. However, if someone plans to play other games that support VR, then they should definitely grab Squadrons as well.
NEXT: 10 Things Only Pro Players Know How To Do Do In Star Wars: Squadrons
