HTC Vive

WHAT IS THE HTC VIVE?

If you’ve tried Google Cardboard, Gear VR or even the Oculus Rift and think you know what virtual reality has to offer, then prepare for a rude awakening. The HTC Vive bombards you with the most immersive virtual reality experiences you can get right now. It’s incredible, and tops a promising 2016 for HTC after the excellent HTC 10.

Trying to describe it in words is a near impossible task – there are none that can do it justice. It’s like trying to draw a symphony or sculpt a ballet – the essence can be evoked, but it needs to be experienced to be truly understood.

This means that this review will be different to TrustedReviews’ usual ones. I’ll still make sure that all the positives and negatives are covered, but before you worry about any of that, you need to know that the HTC Vive is immense, wonderful and utterly fantastic.

GETTING STARTED WITH THE HTC VIVE

Development may have started later than it did for its major competitor, the Oculus Rift, but in many ways the Vive is the more complete product.

You can walk around and interact with virtual worlds by using specialised controllers that come bundled with the Vive. This is its biggest strength. It’s also its biggest weakness.

The sheer amount of space you need to dedicate to make the most out of the HTC Vive will make it a challenge for many to have it in their home. It’s also the most expensive VR headset out there.

Still, if you’ve got the cash, and enough spare room, then the HTC Vive provides experiences you just can’t get anywhere else.