Highlights

  • Capcom's VR mode in Resident Evil Village received positive reviews, setting high expectations for a potential VR mode in Resident Evil 9.
  • The enhanced visuals and attention to detail in RE8's VR mode make a strong case for RE9 to have a VR mode, giving players a real-life experience of the zombie universe.
  • However, Capcom needs to address issues with reprojection and physics in a potential VR mode for RE9 to provide a smooth and immersive experience that can compete with other top VR games.

In terms of immersion, one could argue that no current technology on the market can beat the offerings of virtual reality, and more franchises are beginning to explore the gaming mode's advanced physics levels to bring unparalleled levels of fun to their releases. Capcom is one of the pioneers on this front, with the developer making noteworthy forays into VR, the most exemplary being Resident Evil 4, which earned the title of Best VR/AR Game at The Game Awards in 2021. Although Resident Evil 9 has yet to be officially announced, fans have an idea of what to expect from the Resident Evil franchise -- and after the release of Resident Evil Village's VR mode, there's a possibility the upcoming title will come to the headset. As with every potential new game, there are some pros and cons that Capcom will need to weigh before making a concrete decision.

The Resident Evil franchise has prided itself on masterful quality releases since its inception in 1996, and recent projects like Resident Evil 4 Remake show that Capcom isn't slowing down any time soon. Resident Evil Village set the bar high for Resident Evil 9 with its performance, even expanding into a VR mode that allowed players to experience firsthand the horrors of a village run over by mutants in the search for Ethan Winters' kidnapped baby daughter. Given the largely positive reviews, it stands to reason that Capcom will look to do the same for Resident Evil 9. However, there are some areas for the developer to improve upon with RE9 for its VR mode to be considered a success.

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RE9 VR Has to Build on the Element of Stepping into a Nightmare

RE9 Claire and Chris

The first thing a virtual reality game has to nail is its visuals. Fortunately, Capcom has some experience delivering intense animations in VR, as Resident Evil Village VR proved to be one of the better works of art in the futuristic headset.

Visuals and Added Tension Make a Case for RE9 to Get a VR Mode

The lore-accurate massive depiction of Lady Dimitrescu and the attention to environmental detail vastly improved on RE4's VR version, and the leap inspires some confidence a mode for RE9 could be even better. The enhanced visuals are a plus for the franchise, and by itself poses a strong argument for Resident Evil 9 to get a VR mode, if only to give fans a real-life view of what it's like to be a protagonist in the zombie universe.

Another strong argument for RE9 to get a VR mode is the puzzle enhancement Resident Evil Village VR saw. Puzzles can feel like a tedious distraction from the standard game pace in most action RPGs. However, RE8 VR added a sorely missed tension element to the otherwise boring dynamic. Fumbling with keys to open a door while being chased by malicious-looking creatures can really spike the heart rate in virtual reality, and placing more emphasis on such features could make RE9's prospective VR mode feel like something out of a cliche horror movie.

Reprojection Issues and Physics Pose a Problem for RE9

While there are solid reasons RE9 should feature a VR mode, Capcom still has a few things to work on for a smooth transition. Firstly, although the scary graphics were among RE8 VR's strengths, it was also obvious at certain junctures that it was a 2D conversion to a 3D environment. A common complaint is the reprojection -- which made text almost unreadable -- and low resolution that got exposed when looking closely at items.

Hardcore virtual reality gamers are used to the polish of games like Half-Life: Alyx, and if RE9 is getting a VR mode, it needs to cut out the problems that hamper its best feature, perhaps by building a version for VR from scratch. Additionally, it's essential for game physics to not feel wonky in a virtual reality setting. RE8 VR, for the most part, did a fine job with its controls by accentuating blocking combat mechanics.

However, accessing the protagonist's arsenal with the arms wasn't as smooth as players expected, and basic handling such as opening cabinets could prove frustrating. It's left for Capcom to assess whether a VR mode in Resident Evil 9 can top the experience from Resident Evil Village, but for any future version to compete with the big players in the industry, it needs to refine some of its elements.