Oh virtual reality technology, what happened to you? Why has your growth slowed down so significantly? Did augmented reality finally surpass you in its usefulness and execution? As an avid fan of virtual reality since its initial boost in popularity, these are just a few questions that I ask myself when I read anything involving the technology. Even now, I have to end up on the side of augmented vs. virtual, as it could be more accessible to a wider audience. Even so, after watching Facebook’s Oculus event last year, the Oculus Quest caught my eye. After waiting for what feels like ages, the Oculus Quest is finally available to the public.

The latest lineup of the Oculus virtual reality headsets.

Meeting in the middle of the full-blown Oculus Rift and the mobile-powered Oculus Go, Facebook presented the Oculus Quest as the next step in the virtual reality experience. Completely wireless and without additional sensor mounts to set up your gaming space, the Oculus Quest represents a much more portable alternative to lugging around your entire Rift setup whenever you want to use it. Even if you downgraded to the Oculus Go, you wouldn’t be able to process the multitude of games that run on the Rift and Quest.

A completely wireless, immersive experience.

The Oculus Quest slots nicely into Oculus and Facebook’s overall goal:convenience. The Oculus Quest is by far the most convenient piece of virtual reality hardware that I have used, even surpassing my praises for the HTC Vive. You don’t have to deal with that clunky sensor kit and set it up (if you don’t have a designated VR gaming space) every time you even want to use it to watch a movie or hang out in VR Chat. When I first wore the Oculus Rift, it felt rather heavy on my face and uncomfortable to move around in. However, Oculus took this into account and redesigned the material the unit and controllers are made of. Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to declare that it feels like I’m not wearing any unit at all, but it is definitely much more comfortable.

But Rhuts, how does the Oculus Quest track your location without a sensor kit? For the latest iterations of the Oculus line, the developers crafted proprietary technology dubbed “Oculus Insight.” The new system provides inside-and-out scanning technology, primarily utilizing four wide-angle sensors built into the headset. When combined with powerful computer algorithms, the Oculus Quest is able to track your exact location within the confines of your operating space. Without exterior sensors, how can it generate a clear boundary field for the user? Oculus Insight pairs with their new process, known as “Guardian Angel,” to make sure you are safe while operating the unit. While I had trouble with boundary issues when I first set up the Oculus Quest, I am marking it up to the area I was working with.

The redesign for the Oculus Quest and Rift doesn’t stop at the headset either, as the controllers have been improved. While the controllers, for the most part, keep the original Oculus design the players are familiar with, they also have upgraded software. Included in this major software change is Oculus Touch, designed to allow the controller to feel more fluid and responsive. Oculus wants each VR experience to be as immersive as possible, and I believe that they have satisfied that goal. While I personally still prefer the Vive’s controller set up, that is perhaps due to how long I have used them. Hopefully, prolonged use of the Oculus Quest will change my mind.

Now, when talking about graphics, plenty of experts were worried that the graphical quality would be underwhelming due to relying on the processing power of the unit alone. This is a valid concern, as unlike the Rift, the Oculus Quest doesn’t have the additional backup supply from a designated computer. Due to this key component, the Oculus Quest does lack in this department, which can be disappointing for the more avid VR gamer. However, due to the absurd amount of freedom you obtain when using the Oculus Quest, we will gladly let lesser graphics slide. Plus, for the casual VR user who won’t spend all of their time gaming, the Oculus Quest can afford to take a hit in this department.

Live testing of Superhot VR for Oculus Quest.

The biggest drawback of the Oculus Quest is glaringly simple. Due to the device’s limitations, the Oculus Quest is not compatible with games from the Oculus Rift. While this is a major disappointment for Oculus fans that have a full library of games to play, Oculus has partnered with a few developers to create Oculus Quest-specific ports of their hit titles. Currently, the Oculus Quest launched with approximately 50 different titles and apps, including fan favorites such as Beat Saber and Superhot. The lack of additional power from a computer also plays an important role here, as the limitation only allows you to download one application at a time. Really, Oculus?

Despite the device’s compatibility and storage problems, the Oculus Quest has been quite well-received by members of the virtual reality community. Many hardware reviewers praise the absolute level of convenience that Oculus was able to reach with the Oculus Quest. Wires have always been an issue and inconvenience for VR users, and the wireless headset adds to the freedom of the experience.

Now, do I distinctly believe that the Oculus Quest is the savior that virtual reality needed? Overall, I would have to say no. The Oculus Quest is definitely a massive step in the correct direction and there need to be more companies heading towards this goal of pure freedom of movement and elevated gaming experience. While it may be a breath of fresh air that the virtual reality industry desperately needed, it may be too late.

Welcome to the stage Oculus Quest.

Now, I want to know what you think. Do you think that virtual reality will fall to the wayside and augmented reality will take center stage? Is the Oculus Quest the superior virtual reality device on the market? Let me know in the comments! Also, follow Nerd Bacon for more news, reviews, and predictions for the future of the gaming industry.