Review: Meta Quest 3S is cheaper in both senses of the word

Significant visual and comfort compromises make last year's Quest 3 a better VR investment.

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[Flipper35]

I feel like approaching VR's adoption as "cost of device" as the problem is the wrong approach ...

People want super fun activities they can do and as far as i can tell most non VR enthusiasts who have tired it has found that "fun, but only for a while".

No lowering the bar of cost entry makes something "fun, but only for a while" any better.

Not that I think Carmack or any of the talking heads in the VR world have all that better ideas that will increase adoption.

For casual players VR is as you say were they find it fun for a while and then go back to Stardew Valley.

Dad still plays when he gets a chance but it is still "new" to him after us having it a few years because he doesn't get to use it often.

Kids and I love it, but I am a big flight sim geek and flying in VR is a huge advantage. Also, VR boxing/fighting games are good exercise.

Also, games like Payday are easier for me to play in VR over KB/Mouse but not so for everyone.

Some multiplayer games like Phasmaphobia or Keep Talking are more immersive in VR.

Price keeps some people away. Having space for a set keeps some away as well. Beat Saber is fine for a static standing area, but most really do need room to move around.

Like a HOTAS or good racing wheel, they aren't for everyone, but those that do use them are pretty happy with them.

 

[Flipper35]

My thoughts come from someone who has owned a DK2, Rift CV 1, Quest 1, Quest 2, Quest 3, HTC Vive, and a Valve Index. I have extensive VR experience going back to the Virtuality systems of the 90s. That makes me an enthusiast for VR tech I suppose.

The Quest 3 is overall the best VR headset I have owned. I borrowed a friend's 3S and pretty much agree with the review in all major points. If you are a 14 year old and spending Christmas money or birthday funds or whatever, the 3S may be the price point you are looking for. Though, really kid, mow some lawns or something to make the extra bucks to buy a 3 and skip the 3S.

Also, I have a separate account with Meta for all my VR stuff. Complaining about Meta at this point in VR discussions is old and often disingenuous. You don't want to buy from Meta, cool. You don't like their history, or policies, or corporate governance, or Zuckerberg, or whatever, cool - you do you, but please stop telling me about how you feel every time VR comes up in discussion.

Finally, the library of experiences, activities, and options continues to grow with a lot of great content. If that library needs to rival Steam for you, okay, this isn't for you and probably never will be. Otherwise, I'd tell you it is a great time with a lot to enjoy. Between VR videos, watching movies, playing games, Horizon Worlds experiences, hanging with friends and building my own stuff - I never run out of things to do.

I wish the Index had pancakes.