Vertigo Games, known for its chilling productions, is set to release the highly anticipated virtual reality title, *Metro: Awakening*. In the meantime, they’ve remade their original game, *Arizona Sunshine*, initially launched in 2016. This updated version retains the same storyline but enhances graphics and gameplay. It features cleaner visuals, improved zombie models, increased gore, and includes previous DLCs, ensuring a more immersive and thrilling experience for players on Meta Quest 2 and 3(S).
Renowned for crafting chilling experiences with titles like After the Fall, Hellsweeper, and The Seventh Guest, Vertigo Games is generating excitement this year with the anticipated release of Metro: Awakening, a new installment focused solely on virtual reality. In the meantime, they’ve treated us to a remake of their debut game, Arizona Sunshine. Originally launched in late 2016, it was reimagined three years later into a standalone iteration to give Oculus Quest players a thrill. Having recently shared our impressions of the PSVR 2 version, we now dive into the upgraded experience for Meta Quest 2 and 3(S). Is it worth your investment? Let’s explore.
Picture this: alone amidst the glowing cliffs of the Grand Canyon, in a desolate world overrun by flesh-eating zombies. Just when despair begins to creep in, a radio transmission hints at possible survivors nearby. Armed with little more than a weapon and determination, we set out on a perilous quest to locate them. Like most zombie-themed games, the narrative primarily serves as a backdrop for relentless action. In the case of Arizona Sunshine and its remake, this familiar element holds true as it closely aligns with the original storyline. Players will encounter the same dialogue, familiar locations, and identical objectives, resulting in an experience that feels like an almost flawless replica. To refresh the adventure for fans of the original, the studio has now bundled in the The Damned and Dead Man DLC with the base game.
Now, let’s discuss the standout improvement in this remake: the graphics. The visuals are significantly more polished and detailed. From rocks to vehicles and buildings, the graphical fidelity has seen a substantial upgrade, resulting in a more visually appealing experience. The color palette is less intense, featuring softer, pastel hues that are easier on the eyes. Enhancing this impressive graphics overhaul are thoughtful touches like swirling sand, wind-blown leaves, and the delicate flutter of small butterflies.
While not perfect, the undead in this modern version showcase impressive detail, contributing to a more immersive experience. The variety and abundance of zombie types also reduce the repetitive feeling often associated with the genre. Combat is more exhilarating, with striking displays of gore, as blood and viscera splatter dramatically across the environment. Additionally, the advancement in explosion effects and a wealth of decorative elements in the settings create a much more realistic atmosphere.