Arizona Sunshine Remake Review: You can’t keep a good zombie down

At the time,

was a groundbreaking experience as one of the very few VR games that went beyond wave shooter/tech demo status to offer a full, if somewhat brief campaign. Arizona Sunshine.Arizona SunshineAt that time,

represented a revolutionary experience, as it was one of only a few VR titles to go beyond the wave shooter/tech demonstration status and offer an entire, though brief, campaign. Vertigo achieved something that was thought to be impossible three years later when it launched a version for the old Quest hardware. It was a great experience for standalone VR players, but it wasn’t enough. It was the core that made it enjoyable, but hardware couldn’t make it better. What is it exactly? :

, which in some ways can be seen as both prequel and sequel to this newest iteration.

Last year, Vertigo Games showed us that there’s still life in the franchise with the outstanding sequel’s release. The game took advantage of everything that made its predecessor a landmark in VR gaming, and showed what else could be achieved with the same formula. Arizona Sunshine 2 refined the concept in every way. It offered increased horde size, melee battles, dramatically improved shooting mechanics and poignant storylines, as well as an impressive graphic update. And…a dog. Vertigo is remaking Arizona Sunshine with all of the assets and new mechanics developed for its sequel. Arizona Sunshine Remake has the same pedigree as its predecessor. A fresh and engaging remake of the original game, including all of its DLC, that has been lovingly reworked with the exact same polish and standards of the more modern sequel.Arizona Sunshine 2Screenshot taken on Quest 3

Undead and Loving it

For the uninitiated, Arizona Sunshine is a linear, story-based zombie shooter, and shooting is one of the things it does best.

For those lucky enough to own a bHaptics vest, Arizona Sunshine Remake also comes with one of the most satisfying implementations of that tech, available right from launch.

Screenshot taken on Quest 3

Don’t I Know You?

All of the iconic set pieces from the original game are here. The alarm outside of the Old Dutchman’s cabin to the scrambling in the dark abandoned mines are all here. However, they now unfold in a crisp, bright environment that treads the line just up to the edge of cartoony without being childish or losing tension.

Hordes can seem dauntingly prolific, with some of the bigger sequences having more than 25 shambling foes on screen at any given moment. The sheer number of zombies that are rushing towards you can make playing single player mode feel overwhelming. Keeping a calm nerve, focusing on headshots and smooth reloading is often the only difference between surviving and ending up as a zombie salad bar.

Dead Man Walking

Rounding out the offer are both of the original DLC campaigns, however these land just slightly flat.

The Damned consists of six additional levels that could have been shoehorned into the main campaign just as easily as introducing a short story for a new character. The final DLC, Dead Man is a short series of missions that take about 40 minutes to complete, but deliver a tension and atmosphere that is entirely enjoyable.

Where Arizona Sunshine runs into risky territory is in its fundamental concept. It’s likely that many will find the game to be “more of the Same” as it is a faithful reproduction of one of the most popular VR games, which has been superseded by its sequel. There are many options for movement, turning and visual effects. Similarly, the ability to switch dominant hand and a best-in-class holster calibration make sure that everyone with the guts to take on the undead will be able to find a way to enjoy the experience.

Leave a Pretty Corpse

Visually, Arizona Sunshine has never looked better and the updated textures and models used in Arizona Sunshine 2 look just as good when playing through the original story.

Open areas are bright and vast, and although the levels are linear in design they never feel small or cramped. The levels are linear and spacious, but they never feel cramped or small. The lighting and textures are excellent in the darkest levels. All of this delivers an atmosphere that’s easy to engage with, regardless of how murky the setting is.

Screenshot taken on Quest 3

The Sound Of Violence

Between the implied menace of unseen hordes and the visceral ambiance created by scurrying rodents in darkened rooms, Vertigo has delivered a masterclass in audio design. Gunplay is a success because of the weight and resonance of each gunshot, as well as every squelchy sound. The original performance by Sky Soleil is also worth mentioning. She brings a level of depth and emotion to her character beyond what the script (which was not inelegant at all) could have achieved. Soleil’s elated despair and manic hopelessness still stand as some of VR’s best work. When you play the DLC, Soleil’s impactful performance becomes evident. The same mechanics and atmosphere are rendered less intense and impactful without the intensity of Soleil’s desperate mania. Arizona Sunshine Remake Review: Final Verdict

With the polished polish of the critically acclaimed sequel combined with the character and wit of VR’s oldest zombie shooter, it is hard to not recommend Arizona Sunshine Remake. Arizona Sunshine Remake is the best sequel if you only have the patience or time for a single jaunt in the desert of the undead. Still, the excellent gunplay, polished presentation, and great sound design make Remake worth a look.

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