Since releasing in 2016, PlayStation VR has shown how virtual reality can do more than place its players in fantasy worlds where anything is possible. In fact, it has the capability to tell amazing stories that put players literally in the boots of the protagonist. Unfortunately, however, its titles have rare explored that possibility.
Most PSVR games have been small demos of how the controls work that let players interact with the world without any objectives. However, some have feature condensed stories set within established worlds, like Batman: Arkham VR. What's missing, though, are exclusive franchises that explore their own stories or expand on existing IP. This worked well with Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, which translated the terror and excitement of the original into a new VR story.
PlayStation is best known for its groundbreaking exclusives and that tell heartfelt stories, like God of War and Uncharted. However, its VR headset doesn't have a single franchise that continues a story, though some have the potential to do just that.
Blood and Truth is a first-person shooter that tells a story reminiscent of a Guy Ritchie film. The game's action is top-notch, and its narrative takes itself seriously while letting players have fun in the environment. Sadly, despite ending in a cliffhanger, no sequel has been announced. Nevertheless, continuing this story would show that the PlayStation VR has the potential to tell powerful stories over the course of multiple game just like traditional PlayStation hardware has.
So far, PSVR has both introduced new franchises and released games based on well-known characters. For example, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission went on to receive a sequel in the PlayStation 5 pack-in game Astro's Playroom. The system also received Iron Man VR, which opens up the possibility of further Marvel VR titles. Pursuing these franchises through games with their own contained narratives could prove that the headset is more than just a cool gimmick, but the future of gaming.
Virtual reality has a long way to go if it wants to match -- or even succeed -- traditional gaming platforms, but that doesn't diminish its potential. It could be a great avenue for storytelling, and exclusive franchises would give developers the opportunity to pursue such a thing. This could be what finally pushes VR to the forefront, making it an essential part of the medium that deserves to be taken seriously.