Resident Evil 4 VR (Meta Quest 2) Review
An Immersive Twist on an Iconic Game
Since being convinced to take a dive into horror gaming, despite my apathy for the genre for much of my life, Resident Evil 4 has been a favorite of mine after borrowing a PS2 copy from a friend. The forest-gripped Spanish countryside full of dangers terrified me and I still think that the game has some of the most horrifying moments in games. I have played RE4 on almost every platform it has been released on, spanning from the Gamecube to the Wii to the Switch and even briefly on an iPhone. When it was announced that the game was getting a VR remake, I had to try it and I was delighted to finally get my hands on a Meta Quest 2 for that specific purpose. While it could be even more immersive using techniques found in other VR games, Resident Evil 4 VR is a dynamic update to the classic survival horror experience in a thrilling way.
Built from the ground up in VR but utilizing the classic visuals of the original, RE4 VR is immediately familiar enough for veterans but the different approach to combat opens up a ton of possibilities. From a first-person view, Leon can now wield weapons in either hand or hold larger weapons with both hands for more accuracy. Using the immersive style of play, grenades and the knife are easy to grab from the chest while a pistol is set to the right hip and a large weapon is fixated over the right shoulder. Healing sprays can be quickly accessed by grabbing from the left shoulder. While we’ve seen immersive shooting in VR before, adding this style of action to RE4 is immediately interesting though using slightly more interaction with the knife would have made it more grounded as the knife only swings, likely to keep the game’s core combat intact, rather than having physics that deal damage through other actions like stabbing.
The way that the game plays is nearly identical to how it was presented in RE4, meaning that Leon can kick and suplex foes after shooting them in the knees or exploding sticks of dynamite before they’re thrown. Thankfully the game utilizes a third-person theater-style view for special actions and cutscenes. Being in that theater usually had me repeatedly flipping my gun from hand to hand just to keep myself occupied. Where the game differs slightly is that it is much harder to get faster knife swings for prone targets, resulting in utilizing firearms instead to most effectively take down fallen foes.
There are more ways to approach combat by comparison to the original and even things like shooting through loosely nailed boards or popping over the ledge of a window make things far more engaging. Of course, some areas are harder to navigate than others such as the battle on a boat with the monstrous Del Lago but overall the game feels incredible to play and explore.
Finding treasures in RE4 VR is so much easier, even though I know where most of them are from the years of playing the original game. For example, early on there is a watch that one can shoot down and grab for extra money once sold. However, unless Leon shoots a board that’s propping up the lid the watch will fall into dirty water, depreciating its value. From a VR perspective, it was obvious how I could solve the simple puzzle.
That closer point of perspective also means that certain moments in RE4 are scarier even though I know they’re coming. One of the first frightening encounters on the PS2 for me was the introduction of the wolves on the return trip to the church. Steeped in shadow, these beasts are demonic-looking with fiercely glowing eyes, leaving me to panic and revisit that nightmare all over again. I do not look forward to facing these wolves in the hedge maze or coming face to face with the menacing Verdugo in the sewers.
Since the game initially launched, a few features have been added including the classic Mercenaries mode and unique challenges such as trying to get a high score using the Chicago Typewriter. These modes expect near mastery of the game’s mechanics and require a faster pace, meaning that it will take several runs to unlock extra levels and characters. I was having a lot of trouble getting four stars on missions but I do think that these are a great way to sit down and have a short session of survival horror action.
Considering that the Meta Quest 2 is a self-contained unit that’s far more approachable than PC options, RE4 VR is a killer app for the platform though I am sure that VR enthusiasts are annoyed that the game is currently locked to Meta Quest. The game undoubtedly looks far better on the recently released Meta Quest Pro but the lower fidelity nature of RE4’s visuals, being from 2005, actually makes the game look fine enough on the Meta Quest 2. It can certainly be a bit blurry in parts (and maybe I’m having a better time than a brand-new player) but overall the game has been converted well to the VR style of play.
Honestly, I hope that more Resident Evil games find their way onto the Meta Quest in this style. Games like Bonelab and Half-Life: Alyx are pushing VR further so it would be great to see something more physics-based in the Resident Evil world. This could be achieved in the form of another adaptation or a new, VR-specific title making for a ton of potential for this franchise in VR generally. Of course, Capcom has put considerable effort and time into making RE7 and RE8 function in VR but it would be fascinating to see an RE game developed primarily within VR.
It might be far more likely to see something like that on the PSVR2 (an update to the successful option for PlayStation players that releases in February 2023) but with the ease of use and RE4 VR being a huge selling point for Meta Quest, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Capcom prioritize that player base or Meta as a company commissioning Capcom for a special project. Regardless, I do wish that these games were available across all VR platforms. Playing RE4 VR on the PS5 through the PSVR2 would likely be fantastic but I would also love the accessibility of playing through RE8 on the Meta Quest 2.
Overall, Resident Evil 4 VR is a must-have for Meta Quest owners. The game plays surprisingly well on the Meta Quest 2 headset and it captures the feel of RE4 in a way that respects the original while also adding enough elements to entice players of previous versions. If it wasn’t for RE4, I wouldn’t have played most horror games or become such a huge fan of Resident Evil. Revisiting the game in VR has been an absolute delight and I imagine this will be another entry point for me into a new exciting world of VR gaming.
SCORES
GAMEPLAY - 8.5/10
VISUALS - 7.5/10
SOUND - 8/10
CONTROLS - 7/10
REPLAY VALUE - 9/10
OVERALL - 8/10
Resident Evil 4 VR is currently only available on Meta Quest. Screenshots were captured using native features of the Meta Quest 2 system and then cropped to a 16:9 format. Learn more about the game on its official website. A digital copy was purchased by the reviewer.
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