When the first modern VR headsets were released early in the 2010s, some video gamers thought they were looking at the future of the industry. But although Resident Evil 4 VR won the best VR/AR game at the 2021 ceremony, it’s fair to say the format hasn’t yet dominated the gaming world.
However, Resident Evil 4 VR has received very strong reviews, and demonstrates that VR is far from a passing fad. If other developers can use the format to breathe new life into beloved classics, as well as developing new titles that make equally effective use of the hardware, VR may yet grow to dominate the gaming world.
Why VR Hasn’t Yet Taken Off
Despite the undoubtedly impressive technology and visceral thrill of being immersed in a video game world, VR gaming has not yet become as mainstream as many expected. One reason is the technology itself, with many players complaining that it causes headaches or motion sickness, or is simply still too heavy to be enjoyed for long periods. However, future years will undoubtedly bring smaller and more streamlined hardware.
The attached wires are also off-putting to some players, who do not want to have to undertake a complicated setup routine each time they want to play games with their VR headset, or to have to leave it permanently set up in an unsightly state. However, hardware like the Oculus Quest 2 is now wireless, helping to mitigate this issue.
The final issue plaguing VR is the lack of availability of great games. Titles like Batman: Arkham VR that were released at launch for PlayStation VR were criticized for being very short and having incredibly basic gameplay, and even several years later there is a distinct lack of notable VR releases.
How Resident Evil 4 Might Usher in a Big Future for VR
The release of Resident Evil 4 VR could become a major VR milestone. Not only is the game a recognizable, critically-acclaimed classic, but its VR reincarnation has been very positively reviewed by fans and critics. It could finally address the absence of a “must-have” VR game and entice new players to the Oculus Quest 2.
One of the reasons for the adaptation’s success is its mastery of the VR format. The VR version isn’t just a poorly-calibrated, slapdash re-release, but a bottom-up rebuild that ensures Resident Evil 4 works perfectly in the VR medium. Weapons and items are grabbed from different holsters on the player’s body, and using them requires the player to mimic realistic movements like removing a grenade pin.
To offset the challenge of this quasi-realistic movement, concessions have been made in terms of the game’s difficulty. Resident Evil 4 VR allows players to dual wield weapons, as well as permitting aiming and moving simultaneously, unlike in the original Resident Evil 4. Furthermore, the game also caters for players who experience motion sickness by offering a “Comfort Mode” alongside its normal “Full Motion” setting, as well as enough customizability for players to figure out their own preferred settings.
The success of Resident Evil 4 VR can hopefully pave the way for more high-quality VR remakes of gaming classics, as well as new games that replicate its intelligent use of the control system. Fans of immersive video gaming hope that VR is not a passing craze, but that devices like the Oculus Quest 2 help to establish it in the mainstream in the coming years, and that VR games will overrun the world just like Umbrella’s legions of bloodthirsty zombies.
Resident Evil 4 VR is available for Oculus Quest 2.