Sony, oh Sony. A game that is basically a tech demo is being sold for a whopping 70 euros in the PlayStation Store even though it is included free of charge in the official PS VR2 bundle. We are talking about Horizon Call of the Mountaina game that shines less through its added gaming value than through its function as a VR showcase. But why is Sony still charging a full price for a product that, at best, serves as little more than a tech demo for PS VR2 technology?
The pricing: a bad joke
If you buy a PS VR2, you can choose between two official bundles choose:
- PS VR2 without game - 449 euros
- PS VR2 with Horizon Call of the Mountain - also 449 Euro
In plain language, this means that Sony itself rates the game with exactly 0 Euro. But if you want to buy it separately in the PlayStation Store, you'll still have to dig deep into your pockets - because it's still being sold there. 70 Euro called. An absolute cheek, considering that this is a glorified tech demo.
At launch, the bundle was still 50 euros more expensive than the basic version and the price difference was therefore 20 euros - alright, you could kind of swallow that. But now charging 70 euros for a virtually "free product"? That's no longer a pricing policy, that's active customer deterrence. Anyone who voluntarily accepts this should perhaps think about their life choices.
Sony needs to rethink - or the players will do it for them
It cannot be ruled out that Sony only wants to force a quick sale of the remaining bundle stock with this price. The problem? 70 euros is simply too much for a single product. Realistically, a price of 30 Euro the absolute maximum - of course, it would be even better if the game were completely free, if Sony had already made it available for 0 Euro given away in the bundles. Apart from that: Horizon Call of the Mountain is also by far the most expensive VR game in the PlayStation Store.
It is absurd that Sony continues to act as if Horizon Call of the Mountain a fully-fledged game. The fact is: anyone who buys a PS VR2 can play this game. free of charge regardless of the bundle. Or to put it another way: anyone who doesn't already have it is unlikely to be convinced for this price. Perhaps Sony itself will realize this at some point - especially in light of the fact that the VR market is not in a good state anyway.
Added playful value? Not a chance!
As in our previous Review determined, can Horizon Call of the Mountain can hardly keep up with a real game. The graphics are impressive, no question, and as a showcase for the capabilities of PS VR2 it does a solid job. But in terms of gameplay? A linear climbing excursion with sporadic battles and little depth. If you're looking for a real VR experience, you'd be better off with Resident Evil Village VR or Gran Turismo 7 VR reach.
Until then, the only tip is to save your money and play the demo - it has all the highlights of the full version, just without the credits, but with the good feeling of not having been ripped off.
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