Sony’s PlayStation VR2 launched today with just a few matching exclusives. Horizon Call of the Mountain is a big introduction to the hardware, and Gran Turismo 7 has been updated to include impressive VR modes. Outside of those first-party games, however, the launch library is mostly built from previously released VR games. Another big exception is from Capcom, who made Resident Evil Village fully playable on PlayStation VR2 with a free update.
Resident Evil 7 received a similar PlayStation VR port in 2017, but I found playing that game in VR unimpressive. It was released early in the VR lifecycle when the basic mechanics of the new platform were still being worked out and you had to play with the controller. It’s not ideal. On the other hand, Resident Evil 4’s recent VR remake is fantastic. Developer Armature Studio overhauled the classic game and translated it so well that it’s now one of my favorite VR experiences.
With both of those Resident Evil VR experiences in mind, I entered the Village’s VR portal with some pessimism. Thankfully, on the scale of the mediocre Resident Evil 7 VR port to the excellent Resident Evil 4 VR, Village is much closer to the end of the spectrum.
Starting with a tutorial that teaches you how the game plays differently from the core game, it’s like a well-thought-out portal with new mechanics that fit a new perspective. Reloading, for example, is now a multi-step process that feels great in VR and makes encounters even scarier. There’s nothing like struggling to reload your pistol as a wave of werewolves heads towards you.
Gunplay, in general, just feels different in a good way. I find myself accidentally firing more ammo than usual just because that’s my reaction when enemies rush towards me. In this way, the game feels a bit harder, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I will do a higher challenge for a more immersive experience.
One small downside to the new VR mode is that you have to start a new, separate save. I started from scratch and played to Lady Dimitrescu’s castle. Many early moments have more impact when you feel like you’re in the room. Seeing Mia get shot is especially unsettling, and watching Chris dash through your house to get to you is all the more terrifying as he stands over you like a majestic monster.
In fact, all the cutscenes work very well in VR. The game’s first-person design means that the cutscenes take place with Ethan entering a room (or being dragged into the room depending on the situation) and the cast of characters standing around and talking directly to each other. he. This works great in VR and is especially effective when meeting Lady Dimitrescu. One thing VR does well is scaling and, so to speak, having a face-to-face encounter with Lady Dimitrescu really shows her height and fearlessness.
However, not all cutscenes are perfect. Every now and then, the cinematic work, or elements of it, suddenly plays on the flat screen. Meeting the Duke for the first time is the weirdest example of this since the entire interaction takes place in VR, capturing a quick shot where the camera changes for about two seconds. In those brief moments, it turns into a flat image and then quickly back to VR. It doesn’t break or ruin the game, but it’s undeniably distracting.
I can’t speak for other areas of the game, but Lady Dimitrescu’s castle feels right in VR from the moment I step inside thanks to its emphasis on self-directed exploration. VR is really good at letting you take your time and see things, and the way the castle is reminiscent of classic, slow-paced Resident Evil games is perfect for this perspective. Walking around and looking at all the details of the castle almost makes you feel like it was designed with VR in mind from the start.
One minor complaint is that the save system, which involves tracking the typewriter to save your progress, isn’t ideal for VR. The game encourages you to take breaks, and the claustrophobic setting of the Village is an excuse to take off your headphones from time to time. Unfortunately, with the typewriter marking great resting spots, that means you have to find one before removing the headphones. A save anywhere option would come in handy in this regard. There is also no subtitle option in VR, which is a disappointment for someone who likes to play every video game with subtitles like me.
Overall, Resident Evil Village is my favorite PlayStation VR2 experience. There are other games that I like on PlayStation VR2 (you can find a list here), but they are all available on other VR platforms. You can only play Resident Evil Village on PlayStation VR2, which is an unfortunate limitation, but I recommend playing the game if you’ve invested in a new Sony headset. Looking down at your coat to pick up items in your inventory, seeing your hands constantly mutilated from a new perspective, and even small, non-violent moments like lulling baby Rose to bed are all VR-ready. Impressive support.
