I don’t really do horror games. In fact I don’t really do horror anything. While most crave the adrenaline rush associated with being scared out of your skin as a thrill, I detest the feeling. The constant-on-the-edge-of-your-seat type of tension that just doesn’t satisfy me with the punch line. Except for Resident Evil 7, which shipped with PlayStation VR support out of the box. So how else was I going to see if I liked it without trying that.
And sweet Christmas is it scary. I mean I already knew that Resident Evil 7 was a return to form in terms of actually delivering tense, atmospheric horror, but putting that into VR just cranks the dial up to 11. I’ve managed to get past the opening few hours, but I don’t think I’ve ever stopped a gaming session and had my heart racing quite like it was a few evenings ago. Naturally, nothing shows that off better than actually watching me come really close to ejecting out of the game during my first play session.
What I didn’t expect to happen was to crave another session straight afterwards. Resident Evil 7 comes with some gorgeous visuals that aren’t always faithfully represented in VR. It has HDR support which bathes the game in stunning lighting. And playing it on a standard TV setup certainly makes it a little more manageable to control and play. But I don’t want to experience it like that, because I can’t imagine not being as immersed in the Baker Family house as I was when I first entered.
That in a nutshell is the beauty of VR, and more specifically how well it lends itself to games with a tense, horror nature. There simply isn’t a better way to experience these sorts of titles, and especially so for ones that make it so comfortable to use. Capcom offers a range of options to tweak your VR control scheme, ranging from the comfortable 30-degree turns that I settled on to the potentially stomach turning free motion. Ensuring that players are comfortable (relatively speaking, since I was never truly happy exploring the derelict house) is paramount to VR implementation. And Resident Evil 7 is a good example of it being done right when needed.
So if you’re lucky enough to have snagged a PSVR unit last week, Resident Evil 7 should certainly be on your short list of games to play. It’s seriously worth the trip.
Last Updated: February 8, 2017
Ottokie
February 8, 2017 at 11:33
https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/abpyqeO_460s.jpg
Matthew Figueira
February 8, 2017 at 18:50
LOL xD this is the best!
Ottokie
February 8, 2017 at 11:34
I watched this yesterday. Don’t worry Sandy, I was right there yelling and swearing with you on the stairs.
Original Heretic
February 8, 2017 at 11:38
Wish I could jam this with VR, but I aint coughing up all that moola just yet.
PikeyZA
February 8, 2017 at 11:39
I need to get a headset for PC. Playing the game normally isn’t scary at all, at least not in the first few hours. Just some minor jump scares, which are as predictable as always, and a disappointingly ‘on rails’ boss fight.
Haven’t touched the game since then, but hoping it gets better after the part I’m on. (‘Lantern lady’ should explain where without giving too much away)
Matthew Figueira
February 8, 2017 at 12:32
Good lawd you are a brave soul Al xD can’t wait to watch the video later!
Ir0nseraph
February 8, 2017 at 12:34
Just think if you stuck around a few weeks longer that could have been you.
Matthew Figueira
February 8, 2017 at 12:39
Geoff did offer me VR 😛 I politely declined!
Ir0nseraph
February 8, 2017 at 12:40
XD
Ir0nseraph
February 8, 2017 at 12:34
Best way to play Resi 7 , watch someone else 🙂
Shadowblade Tokashi
February 8, 2017 at 13:12
VR is over rated!
Praise KEK
February 8, 2017 at 15:22
from the lets play I saw, it kinda looks like “Outlast”. But with guns. And more light. And no batteries or camera. It still looks scary as hell.
Deceased
February 8, 2017 at 21:17
MAN I love how the doll takes precedence over the damsel 😀
Matthew Figueira
February 8, 2017 at 22:28
“Run! Run run run run run! Run! Run run run run run!” – Alessandro Barbosa 2017 xD
Geoffrey Tim
February 9, 2017 at 07:50
“Oh shit, oh shit oh shit” – Also Alessandro Barbosa
Graeme Selvan
February 9, 2017 at 15:59
Whole heartily agree its incredible in VR!