The Resident Evil franchise has been a leader in the VR space, but the upcoming game may not have VR support at launch. The author explores why this is a missed opportunity, given the success of VR in the series and the potential benefits for the broader VR market.
The Resident Evil franchise has established itself as a legendary presence in the gaming world. The series has consistently delivered brilliant new entries, meticulously remade classics, and a selection of well-executed ports, showcasing a level of consistency rarely seen.
While there might be minor imperfections, like small creaky boards in a meticulously maintained haunted house, the virtual reality component has played a significant role in keeping Resident Evil at the forefront of the horror genre. This more intimate approach to experiencing these horror games has been an underestimated element of their overall success, and it would be a true disappointment if Capcom were to overlook the potential of VR moving forward. The game's inherent first-person perspective made it ideally suited for virtual reality, and the newly added immersive qualities amplified the already daunting nature of the Baker Estate. The non-VR version was already considered one of the most terrifying installments in the franchise, but the enhanced intensity provided by the headset introduced another layer of paranoia. Descending into the basement and confronting the crawling, mold-covered creatures is frightening in its standard form, but it transforms into a truly harrowing experience when immersed in VR.\Building upon that foundation, the PSVR2's implementation was particularly noteworthy. The controllers, designed specifically for VR, provided a much more streamlined and intuitive experience compared to its predecessors. Furthermore, the increased visual fidelity meant that there was minimal visual compromise during the transition to VR. Lady Dimitrescu's imposing presence was even more intimidating in virtual reality. House Beneviento, with its unsettling baby, became even more horrifying. The seamless integration of these elements into VR was remarkable. Although it was somewhat unusual that it required a separate save file and didn't allow for trophy unlocking, it was undeniably an exceptional way to experience one of the strongest Resident Evil titles. The game's remake, however, marked Capcom's most impressive venture into virtual reality to date. Parrying flying garden equipment and mowing down aggressive Ganado hordes in first-person resulted in more exhilarating action sequences, while carefully sniping viral pustules on Regeneradores in the darkness was noticeably more unnerving. Everything felt smoother, more terrifying, and more intense, ultimately elevating an already masterful game to even greater heights. It's truly one of the best ways to play.\The future of the series seemed poised to continue this trend. With three VR games, each surpassing the last in quality, it's reasonable to speculate that a potential VR version of the new installment could have been at least as good as the remake in VR, if not even more refined, given the progressive nature of each VR iteration. The upcoming game is even slightly more adaptable to VR because its base version already offers an optional first-person camera angle. While the game is also being developed with a third-person viewpoint in mind, Capcom already has to design it around a perspective that closely mirrors what players would see in VR. Considering the significant advancements Capcom has made in the VR space, it would seemingly not be a monumental undertaking to adapt it for VR at some point. Furthermore, the wider VR gaming landscape could benefit greatly from this support. Major AAA studios are increasingly shying away from VR game development, leaving the niche primarily to independent teams. PlayStation, in particular, has largely moved away from its headset, and despite its VR mode and timed exclusivity for the game's DLC, it is unlikely the console maker would invest heavily in that capacity again. Many studios, even those developing non-VR games, are facing financial challenges. A major Capcom-developed VR add-on for its biggest 2026 title would generate considerable attention for that segment of the medium. While it wouldn’t revolutionize the industry — gaming as a whole is facing some difficulties — every contribution is beneficial. The phrasing of “At this time” potentially suggests that a VR component may be introduced later, mirroring the VR modes in previous titles, offering a glimmer of hope that Capcom might simply be using cautious language. When considering VR, the new game seems incredibly promising and could potentially be another high point for the series, yet it might also feel like it's missing something that some of its predecessors possessed, something only achievable through virtual reality
Resident Evil VR Virtual Reality Capcom Gaming
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Resident Evil's VR Legacy and the FutureThe article discusses the success of Resident Evil games in virtual reality, highlighting the immersive experience VR provides and expressing disappointment over the potential neglect of VR for the upcoming installment. It emphasizes the impact of VR on the horror elements, particularly in titles like Resident Evil 7 and the remake, and speculates on the future of VR integration in the franchise.
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