Resident Evil 4 Remake VR Mode: Elevating Fear Factor and Gameplay on PSVR 2

The VR adaptation of the original Resident Evil 4 was a game-changer for Quest owners. With the success of that experience, it’s no surprise that Resident Evil 4 Remake is set to make its mark on the PSVR 2. Building on the outstanding VR mode for Resident Evil Village, which was introduced as a free update to coincide with the headset’s launch, this latest installment promises an even more immersive experience.

We had the opportunity to dive into the new VR Mode on PSVR 2 at the Tokyo Game Show, and even though the demo was limited to the early stages of the game, it’s already showing great potential in delivering more than just enhanced visuals on the RE Engine.

A Spooky Upgrade

The VR adaptation of Resident Evil 4 Remake is scheduled for release in the winter on PSVR 2, as confirmed by the latest trailer. While it’s still early days, this hands-on experience hints at an even spookier atmosphere compared to the Quest version. The visuals are more photorealistic, and the lighting (or lack thereof) adds to the eerie ambiance. However, true immersion is somewhat limited, as your hands (or Leon’s hands, to be precise) can only brush past objects in the demo; you can’t interact with most of them unless prompted.

When darkness falls, and Leon needs to use his flashlight, it doesn’t manifest in your hands but instead as a light emanating from and tilting with your head movements. Unfortunately, the demo was limited to seated mode, which meant that holsters and other equipment were positioned slightly in front of you rather than being accurately mapped to your waist.

A Familiar Quirk Persists

One of the persistent quirks from the Quest version is that it occasionally reverts to the original third-person perspective during cutscenes. Even the first-person cutscenes follow the same pattern as Village, with abrupt transitions that momentarily wrest control from the player, a decision that can induce motion sickness in some players.

A Subtle Improvement

However, amid these observations, there is one subtle change that deserves mention. When executing Leon’s roundhouse kick, the Quest version played a pre-animated cutscene. In contrast, the PSVR 2 version smoothly adjusts the camera to a slightly elevated position, allowing you to watch Leon as he delivers the counter move. While it’s unlikely that Capcom would have chosen to protrude Leon’s feet in a first-person perspective, this solution keeps the action contextually intact and maintains immersion.

Familiar Shooting Mechanics

Regarding shooting mechanics, the experience is reminiscent of Village’s VR Mode, though the demo only provided access to Leon’s pistol. Reloads are executed by pressing a button to empty the clip, followed by inserting a new one and cocking the hammer. Leon’s knife can be used to break barrels and boxes for items, but we didn’t get the chance to confront the chainsaw-wielding maniac in the village.

However, it was quite amusing to channel another iconic horror movie villain by changing Leon’s grip on the knife. Holding R2 alters the grip so that he wields the knife downward. When dealing with a Ganados, you can swiftly finish them off by grabbing the knife and engaging in some stabby action, invoking tense cinematic moments.

While it would have been great to experience more action-packed sequences, the Resident Evil 4 VR Mode demo holds a lot of promise. If it can match the quality of the Quest version, PSVR 2 players are in for another exceptional Resident Evil adventure. And that’s something we’re eagerly looking forward to.

Resident Evil 4 VR mode is set to arrive as a free update on PSVR 2 this winter, and horror fans have plenty to be excited about.

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Resident Evil 4 Remake VR Mode: Elevating Fear Factor and Gameplay on PSVR 2

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