First Controller-Free Hand-Tracking Game Released for PSVR 2

Back in December, Sony rolled out hand-tracking support for the PSVR 2, opening up new possibilities for developers who wanted to enhance their games with more immersive, hands-on experiences using the headset’s built-in tracking cameras. Excitingly, Waltz of the Wizard, a fan-favorite in the world of wizardry games, has become the first to embrace this technology on PSVR 2.

Since it first arrived as a free demo for HTC Vive in 2016, Waltz of the Wizard has undergone a dramatic transformation. Initially, players were given a sandbox-like experience in a lofty tower-top alchemy lab. Fast forward to 2019, the game introduced not just new abilities and voiced characters, but also an intricate magic-based combat system and a dungeon ripe for exploring and battling, courtesy of its major ‘Natural Magic’ expansion released in 2021.

Yet, Aldin Dynamics, the brains behind Waltz of the Wizard, isn’t calling it quits on development. The game has received nearly 9,000 reviews on Quest alone, and the studio is continually pushing boundaries.

Although this is the first instance of hand-tracking on PSVR 2, leveraging cutting-edge technology is nothing new for Aldin Dynamics. Back in 2016, Waltz of the Wizard showcased its special appeal by using Aldin’s proprietary data analytics and visualization tool, Ghostline, to refine its level design and gameplay. This level of attention to player experience was virtually unprecedented.

In a blog post, the team shares, “From its inception, Waltz of the Wizard was crafted with natural hand interactions, ensuring every gesture and interaction is intuitive and magical. Players can enjoy everything from naturally grabbing and tossing objects, to subtle pokes and touches, fluid movement and snap turning, along with numerous magical hand abilities. And then there are the detailed gestures for chatting with Skully.”

The latest free update brings more than just hand-tracking to the PSVR 2 version; Skully now reacts to hand gestures in a way that Aldin Dynamics describes as “lifelike and immersive,” fostering a deeper connection that animates the virtual realm. What’s more, these PSVR 2 hand-tracking features have made their way into the Quest version as well, which initially embraced hand-tracking in 2020. Keep an eye out for the upcoming Handbook update on Quest, which will delve deeper into these features “in the near future.”

For those who already own Waltz of the Wizard on PSVR 2, the free update is available now. If you’re tempted to dive into a world of magical spells and concoctions, you can snag the game on the PlayStation Store for $20.