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The VR panorama has shifted dramatically since mainstream client VR headsets first hit the market again in 2016. Again then, the novelty of VR carried quite a lot of video games that most likely wouldn’t be as well-received at present. Only a few video games stood out as must-haves, and one recreation specifically rose above the remaining because the premier VR zombie-slayer: Vertigo Video games’ Arizona Sunshine. The sequel to the comedic carnage has lastly arrived, however is a brand new canine companion sufficient to maintain issues contemporary? Whereas Arizona Sunshine 2 remains to be a gory good time, this next-gen sequel is something however.
Arizona Sunshine 2 follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, sending gamers by a sequence of linear ranges the place the one factor that stands between them and potential salvation is a sea of Freds. The core gameplay is usually the identical, however there are a number of enhancements that VR followers have come to count on from their shooters like guide reloads and a skull-smashingly satisfying melee fight system. It doesn’t matter what you concentrate on Arizona Sunshine 2, you’ll be able to’t say that Vertigo Video games doesn’t perceive what VR gamers need.
The sport comes with all of the management schemes and kinds that you simply’d count on from a contemporary VR title, too, and there are many choices to fine-tune the expertise like adjusting the peak of your weapon holsters. There’s additionally a large amount of interactivity attainable when exploring ranges, which is a telltale signal of a VR studio that is aware of what it’s doing. Breaking bottles, placing on hats, and lighting up cigarettes go a protracted solution to make the world really feel extra actual, which helps so much given the sport’s linearity.
Arizona Sunshine 2 is unfortunately simply as brief as its predecessor, however the environments and setpieces that you simply’ll expertise alongside the way in which are a ton of enjoyable. If you’re not blowing the heads off hordes of Freds, Arizona Sunshine 2 feels just like the sort of theme park attraction that all the time has lengthy traces. An early recreation phase the place you cross the tarmac of an airport lined with explosive barrels is a main instance of this. There are a bunch of moments the place the sport simply allows you to soak within the sights and take within the carnage such as you’re using the world’s bloodiest curler coaster. Vertigo Video games actually understands the facility of linear VR.
Sadly, Arizona Sunshine 2’s linearity is a double-edged sword. Whereas the setpieces are electrifying, the moment-to-moment gameplay suffers tremendously due to it. The unique Arizona Sunshine was an business chief again in 2016, however that was almost a decade in the past. Arizona Sunshine 2 inherits a bit an excessive amount of of that method. Even the most effective of 2016’s VR titans have been criticized for being little greater than taking pictures galleries, and Arizona Sunshine 2 would match proper in with that crowd. The taking pictures mechanics are strong, however there’s actually not a lot else that units this sequel aside, particularly with its premium price ticket.
Nonetheless, being within the warmth of the second, struggling to slam a brand new journal into your gun whereas Freds shut in is a superb time (which is why the sport’s new horde mode is such a blast). Buddy, the sport’s new canine companion, provides a brand new layer to fight as properly. You possibly can command Buddy to assault Freds and purchase your self some respiratory room, and it’s extremely satisfying to execute a Fred whereas Buddy has them pinned on the bottom. Apart from biting Freds and grabbing a key from time to time, Buddy doesn’t have an effect on the sport that a lot, however having him round is good and permits for some cool moments.
Arizona Sunshine’s story has by no means been something to write down house about, and that continues with the sequel. It depends on quippy dialogue from its unnamed protagonist to maintain the narrative movement going, however the jokes fall flat most of the time. The sport chases a method of humor that could be very laborious to get proper, and its never-ending want to be quirky backfires. The jokes are so cringy that it’s nearly insulting to listen to them coming from the character you’re controlling. Arizona Sunshine 2 tries so laborious to make the humor a focus of its identification, however nearly none of it lands.
Finally, Arizona Sunshine 2 simply looks like an extension of the primary recreation, for higher and for worse. There’s a extremely strong basis right here, nevertheless it’s nothing we haven’t seen earlier than. It’s good at what it does, however what it does isn’t significantly new or thrilling. The sport depends on the inherent satisfaction of nailing a headshot or slamming a crowbar right into a zombie’s cranium, and whereas that’s all the time a very good time, it does are inclined to get previous fairly rapidly with none main modifications to the method.
The Verdict
The VR gaming panorama has superior so quick over the previous couple of years and Arizona Sunshine 2 feels prefer it missed the memo. It’s a secure, serviceable sequel that touches up the unique Arizona Sunshine method with some fashionable quality-of-life options however doesn’t have a lot else to supply. The taking pictures is as strong as ever, however the degree design and humor could be dated even through the first recreation’s launch window. You’ll have a adequate time with Arizona Sunshine 2, however for the sequel to certainly one of VR’s best, it’s laborious to stroll away with out feeling prefer it may’ve been one thing extra.
This recreation was reviewed utilizing a duplicate of the sport offered by the sport’s writer,public relations firm, developer or different for the specific objective of a assessment.
– This text was up to date on December eighth, 2023
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