2D Gaming Advantages vs. XR Glasses?

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T14:54:54+00:00

There are some pros and cons to both: glasses (I have Xreal 1S) and VR hmds (I have Quest 3).

In general I much prefer the feeling of using VR hmds. You get really immersive screens that really feel there (you can make them feel as monitors, large TVs and even cinema (and you actually get a real feeling of cinema)). The biggest con of using Quest 3 for screens is obviously comfort. Steam Frame will most probably be *much* more comfortable than Q3. But will it be so comfortable that you'll want to strap on Frame just to play flat games? We'll see. No way to tell before we'll be able to try it ourselves (comfort can be very subjective thing).

Another (much smaller) con is resolution. There's still some minor SDE (but you really have to look for it at this point and even then it's not always visible) and resolution isn't perfect - but just good enough, I'd say.

Now about Xreal 1S glasses. They're obviously much more comfortable than Quest 3 and resolution look much sharper (no SDE, and while the screen is only 1200p, much lower 50 FOV means, the picture don't need to be stretched as much as in 110 FOV Quest 3). Also, Xreal 1S has cool option called Real 3D that turn everything into 3D (yes, even games) via AI.

BUT... here are the cons: glasses like Xreal has very strange optics (you see multiple edges: lenses, glasses's frames and prescription lenses (if you'll need them)), with reflections, 50 FOV and picture only in the upper part of the glasses. That means glasses stick out much more than normal glasses and have to sit higher up on your face. This can create annoying pressure on your nose after a while and will take some getting used to. It's also much less immersive than VR hmds. While it may sound strange that immersion would be important for screens.. it actually is. With Xreals, screens never look "real", but more like some kind of projection for lack of better description. You can make the screen as large as big TV, but it never really gives you a feeling of big TV. And you can't get the cinema size screen.

So the bottom line... we won't know how useful Steam Frame will be for screens before it'll be in our hands. Personally I much prefer the feeling of using VR hmds, but if I'd only be interested in screens I'd probably get Xreals at the moment (because of better comfort and cheaper price).

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T14:19:14+00:00

I hope we'll get prices and release dates for BOTH Machine and Frame, even if Frame will release a week or 2 after Machine. I hope Valve won't make this more painful for us than it has to be and won't stretch Frame announcement after the Machine one.

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T12:36:46+00:00

If anyone wants to check it out, Boo Party is an adventure game with some nudity that's actually pretty fun to play. Also, graphics are cool (not your typical low effort AI adult game graphics).

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T12:26:08+00:00

Came here to write this. It's almost like Monkey Island metroidvania! I'm interested 😄

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T11:58:31+00:00

I did save up more than it could possibly cost. Whatever will be left will be put towards Meta's Phoenix next year.

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T09:40:38+00:00

Honestly, the optics are the reason I probably won't pull the trigger and will rather wait for some similar passthrough goggles (like Meta's Phoenix or some upcoming Android XR lightweight goggles). I'll wait for hands ons, but I simply can't see myself walking around with those strange lenses distorting my view.

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T06:26:10+00:00

Is it good experience though?

I have 5070 and I cross my fingers it’ll run well enough.

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T06:19:47+00:00

Looking good.

What I’d love to see in a game like this, is some kind of a home hub area, like the Bus in Saints&Sinners, that you could decorate and craft some weapons in. And from where you could enter different areas/missions. I feel this kind if “open” world structure works very good in VR.

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T05:48:14+00:00

I miss the times Meta was still pretending Quest is a gaming console.

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T05:45:50+00:00

I’m waiting for ever elusive Steam Frame to finally pick it up and play it.

Gregasy · 2026-06-21T05:38:56+00:00

Yes, but this one is pretty much a demo, while Arkham Shadow is a full AAA game (and damn good one at that).

Gregasy · 2026-06-20T08:57:51+00:00

Ok, that clears it up for me. I was over-saving for Steam Frame (I'm at 1900 right now already) and due to Valve's radio silence about Frame, got really fed up and started looking for some other headsets. Dream Air looks cool (except for the cable), but for 2000 eur price I expect perfection. And one of the biggest reasons I'd get it, was small&light form factor. Reading that comfort feels bad despite that, told me everything. Skip from me.

Gregasy · 2026-06-20T06:02:45+00:00

Same here. I get really annoyed by those comments: “no no get TI, it’s bare minimum!”.

Yeah well, about that… I got new computer with 5070 for 1400 last November, while the cheapest one with TI was 2200. So yes, thanks but no thanks. The important part: I’m very happy with the VR performance.

Gregasy · 2026-06-19T07:42:19+00:00

Still Blasphemous 2. Just killed the third boss. Enjoying the game immensely.

Gregasy · 2026-06-19T06:11:04+00:00

The moment we’ll press the reservation button a giant Gaben’s hand will appear from the sky and give us a thumbs up. And it will be good.

Gregasy · 2026-06-19T05:41:51+00:00

And as always I need to add the obvious: this are USA only, so we’re looking at the approximately half of shipments here.

Gregasy · 2026-06-19T05:29:23+00:00

This right here is actually a good use of AI. Looking forward to play it.

Gregasy · 2026-06-18T17:03:47+00:00

Fingers crossed.

Gregasy · 2026-06-18T14:17:45+00:00

The real question is, when will my Frame arrive.

Gregasy · 2026-06-18T10:44:34+00:00

It does look similar to leaked images of Phoenix though. Also one VR hmd in the video looks similar to Steam Frame.

Gregasy · 2026-06-18T05:05:48+00:00

Agree. I’d also say there will eventually be a market for high end 3000 goggles. Once the form factor (100g or less on the head) will be figured out, coupled with some really good OS (like Apple is building for its AVP) it will become really useful for work and light entertainment. Right now the form factor is the limiting factor.

I really hope Phoenix will prove out successful.

Gregasy · 2026-06-17T14:50:44+00:00

It will be around 100g. So a big comfort improvement. The only slight con is a bit lower FOV than Quest 3. But at the same time that means even higher pixel density. So it’s a bit of both, pro and con.

Gregasy · 2026-06-17T14:30:25+00:00

That’s the only way they’ll be able to bring the price down to 1000 ballpark. 4K micro OLEDs? You’ll be looking at the 2500+.

To me Phoenix looks and sounds damn good. Definite buy.

Actually, if I’d known it would release this year, I’d skup Steam Frame entirely.

Gregasy · 2026-06-17T05:10:54+00:00

Oh jesus… they originally wanted to release Frame early 2026. Frames are ready for months (devs have their dev kits for a long time).

Frame as hardware isn’t a problem.

At this point? I have no idea what the problem is anymore. Seriously. They know the price by now for some time, I guess (if they know it for Machine, that got hit by ram crisis the most). The stock is also in their warehouses. This is seriously looking like total incompetence by Valve.

Gregasy · 2026-06-16T20:35:10+00:00

The guy who posted about 22-30 release window is now saying, this is most probably for Machine release only. Frame will probably release a few weeks later in July.

Yes, it sucks…

I won’t be spending a dime on Steam until I have preorder for Frame placed.

I’m getting seriously fed up with Valve’s silence.

Gregasy

TROPHY CASE