While theResident Evilfanbase waits for a remake of the fourth main game,Resident Evil 4 VRis here to satiate them. The game is currently exclusive to Oculus Quest 2, and it’s unclear whether it will reach other VR platforms. Hopefully it will in the near future, as the game has received a lot of praise. Serving as a reinterpretation ofResident Evil 4in virtual reality,RE4 VRrecreates many of its iconic scenarios and mechanics. It even had the ingenious idea to cut to a third-person view when Leon performs a roundhouse kick or other knockdown move.
With such a well-executed VR remake, it’s easy to imagine otherResident Evilgames could benefit from the same treatment. Both ofResident Evil’s outings in VR have gone well, withResident Evil 7: Biohazard’s optional VRoften cited as one of the PlayStation VR’s best exclusives. Fans have been asking for moreResident EvilVR for a while, and there was disappointment aroundResident Evil 8for dropping the feature. Capcom and Armature Studio ought to take what they learned withRE4 VRand bring moreResident Evilgames to VR platforms.
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Old Resident Evil Games Would Be Great in VR
The successful adaptation of a GameCube and PlayStation 2 game into VR inspires confidence for the same to be done to most otherResident Evilgames. VR shouuld enhance the horror aspects of each game, as well as add additional skill-based elements to positioning, aiming, reloading, and using items. The PS1 and older PS2 entries would be tough sells in this respect, especially considering part of their inherent tension stems from cramped environments, fixed cameras, and unwieldy controls. Letting a VR playerheadshot their way throughRE1would feel rote after a while, and that’s not getting into how the pre-rendered backgrounds would need to be completely remade.
Still, a lot of the games in the series will work with their assets slotted in and mechanics copied.Resident Evilhas always been about exploring and shooting, and if those both work in virtual reality forRE4andRE7, they can work in other games. For the older mainline games, it may be best to adapt their remakes into VR. That would meanparts of the originalRE3are still lost, and the remake of1would have to be overhauled again, but it’s still best to go with whatever has the most assets to work with.Resident Evil 5andVillagecould be reenvisioned in the same way as4and7, andRE5VR with co-op would be great. The one wrinkle in the mainline games isRE6, which involves so many mobile combat options that it may be difficult to adapt.
The Future of Resident Evil VR
With two successful VR conversions under its belt and the potential for more to follow,Resident Evil 9feels poised to bring back VR support as a recurring feature. If Capcom intends to stick with first-person gameplay for at least one more title, VR is a must.RE9is expected to wrap up the trilogyconcerning the Winters family, as well as show what’s been going on in the widerResident Eviluniverse after the events of6. It will be a major entry, and giving fans the chance to experience that in VR will make it even more special.
This is a long shot, butResident Evil Villagestill has the chanceto get VR support while its DLC is in development. One of the content updates could include a full VR mode, or a smaller VR-compatible experience. The game would work perfectly with one, especially considering its increased emphasis on horror and action in different sections. VR has a way of emphasising all thatResident Evilis, and the series would be a leader in the field of VR horror if it adopts the format more often going forward.
