The original Arizona Sunshine is one of our favorite PSVR titles. Sure, it had some rough edges at launch, but after a few patches and the inclusion of Aim controller support, it was a real blast. For that reason, we were really looking forward to Arizona Sunshine 2, the long-anticipated sequel that promised another immersive experience packed with gore-rich zombie action. Narrated by a dark-humored protagonist, the game introduces players to a post-apocalyptic world where every bullet counts, and survival becomes thrillingly realistic with a range of new and fan-favorite weapons, from shotguns to flamethrowers – we tested it on a Meta Quest headset.
The narrative for Arizona Sunshine 2 kicks off as you wake up in a grimy trailer, setting the tone for a narrative-driven journey full of dark humor. A helicopter crash leads to the discovery of Buddy, a loyal canine companion, marking the beginning of a quest intertwined with the military’s search for patient zero – a familiar element in zombie stories and a potential ticket out of the apocalypse for those left behind.
The single-player, narrative-driven campaign unfolds seamlessly, emphasizing the standout gunplay that made the original title a hit. The satisfaction of landing headshots and the variety of weapons, including pistols, machetes, Uzis, and more, contribute to an engaging and diverse approach to zombie slaying.
The protagonist’s relationship with Buddy stands out both in terms of immersion and gameplay, with the dog not only providing companionship but also actively participating in combat and fetching items for you. Rob Yescombe’s excellent writing and Sky Soliel’s voice acting enhance the character’s emotional range and story delivery, making the narrative captivating and emotionally resonant.
Visually, Arizona Sunshine 2 improves upon its predecessor, featuring atmospheric graphics portraying diverse environments. While occasional glitches exist that will hopefully be fixed post-launch do occur, they don’t significantly impact the overall experience. The audio also plays a crucial role in creating an immersive atmosphere, with weapon sounds and zombie growls all adding to the overall intensity. Adding on to that, the music effectively sets the mood for the narrative depending on the scene you’re in, ranging from suspenseful to action-packed.
The gameplay, whether in single-player or 2-player co-op mode, offers around 7-10 hours of intense survival – which is more than decent for a VR title. The return of the horde mode for up to 4 players and the promise of additional free maps throughout the first year after the release of the game extend the replayability as well, and provide an incentive to jump in.
Arizona Sunshine 2’s strengths definitely overshadow its minor flaws. A few iffy physics and visual bugs are things that should be fixed, but the engaging writing, fantastic voice acting, and the addition of Buddy easily outweigh these issues. As such, Arizona Sunshine 2 sets another high bar for single-player narrative-driven campaigns in VR. Is you enjoyed the first game, this one is a must-play with a thrilling and emotionally engaging journey through a post-apocalyptic Arizona. We wouldn’t mind if this one turned into a franchise.
Score: 8.0/10
Press Play Media 