When Arizona Sunshine first launched, it quickly became a beloved title in the virtual reality community, bringing zombie-slaying action to life in a way that felt fresh and immersive. Now, Vertigo Games is back with a remake for today’s VR platforms, offering revamped visuals, improved mechanics, and a return to the wastelands of the Grand Canyon State. But does this reimagined version breathe new life into a VR classic, or is it simply a nostalgic trip for longtime fans?
What we know
Arizona Sunshine Remake is a first-person shooter built from the ground up for next-gen VR systems. Set in a post-apocalyptic Arizona, the game has players navigating through a world overrun by zombies, with a key focus on physical combat using motion-controlled weapons. Whether you’re wielding shotguns or machetes, you’ll need to fend off hordes of the undead while scavenging for ammo and supplies. The remake claims to bring “gore-geous” new graphics to the table, with high-resolution textures, detailed environments, and an upgraded gore system that lets players experience the chaos in even more visceral detail.
In addition to its solo campaign, the game also includes co-op multiplayer modes where you can team up with a friend, or tackle Horde mode with up to four players. The remake also bundles all previously released DLC, making it the most complete version of Arizona Sunshine to date. It’s set to launch on the PSVR2, as well as other major VR platforms like Meta Quest. And while the upgraded visuals and mechanics should shine on PSVR2, it remains to be seen how these improvements will translate to less powerful platforms like the Quest.
What we saw
At Gamescom, we had the chance to go hands-on with an advanced build of the game, playing through some of the familiar early stages of the campaign. These sections largely mirrored the original release, but with noticeably enhanced visuals and improved weapon handling thanks to the PSVR2’s advanced features. Our recorded gameplay can be viewed here:
What we thought
Right from the start, it’s clear that Arizona Sunshine Remake retains the core of what made the original game so enjoyable. The game’s zombie-filled world is as fun to explore as ever, and the combat feels more satisfying thanks to the PSVR2’s improved tracking and haptics. Shooting and slicing through hordes of zombies remains the heart of the experience, and the ability to physically handle weapons like shotguns adds a level of immersion that feels fantastic. However, those familiar with the original might find that the core gameplay hasn’t changed much, aside from the visual and mechanical upgrades.
The remake certainly looks impressive, especially on the PSVR2’s high-resolution display. The environments feel more detailed, and the new lighting effects help make Arizona’s post-apocalyptic wastelands feel even more oppressive. The gore system, in particular, has been given a notable boost, with zombies reacting more realistically to damage. Whether you’re blowing limbs off or slicing through hordes with melee weapons, the level of detail adds to the visceral thrill of survival. That said, the improvements are primarily visual, and longtime fans who have already played through the original and its DLC might not find enough new content to justify another playthrough. What’s perhaps most intriguing for them, when you look past the campaign, are the co-op and Horde modes, which allow for multiplayer carnage.
The PSVR2’s power makes the experience smooth and visually appealing, but we’re curious to see how well it performs on less capable platforms like the Quest. While the PSVR2 version should take full advantage of the new tech, Quest players might notice fewer graphical enhancements due to hardware limitations – so we’ll have to see how it compared to the PSVR original.
In conclusion, Arizona Sunshine Remake brings a beloved VR title back into the spotlight, but how much it adds for returning players remains to be seen. For newcomers, it’s an excellent entry point into one of VR’s standout zombie shooters, especially with the upgraded visuals and combat. For veterans, the remake feels more like a polished revisit than a brand-new experience, but its core remains just as fun as ever.
Press Play Media 