Hands-on with Arizona Sunshine Remake: A zombie classic rises back from the dead
The remake of the popular VR shooter Arizona Sunshine is here. We take a look at what has changed compared to the original.
Almost eight years ago, you were able to set your feet in the red sand of the deserts of Arizona Sunshine for the first time. The VR title from Vertigo Games was an important milestone at the time. A lot has happened since then, as Arizona Sunshine 2, released last year, proved with its better graphics, story, and gameplay.
Now, Vertigo Games is bringing the original game back with Arizona Sunshine Remake — rebuilt from the ground up and optimized for current headsets such as Meta Quest 3 and PSVR2.
Familiar desert world in a new guise
The remake of Arizona Sunshine will be instantly familiar to fans of the original. The iconic locations such as the Old Dutchman cabin or the abandoned mine are all back, but they shine in new splendor thanks to high-resolution textures, improved lighting and shadow effects, and overall sharper graphics.
Vertigo Games strikes the right balance between cartoon style and realism, making the game world appealing and cohesive. The zombie hordes are particularly impressive, with over 25 undead on the screen at any one time, creating intense battles and a dense atmosphere.
From the original to the remake — what has changed?
Fans of the original will immediately notice the massive improvements. Everything looks sharper, more detailed, and more alive thanks to completely reworked textures and state-of-the-art models.
Much has also changed in terms of gameplay: Gunplay feels even more satisfying, melee combat is more terrifying, and the greatly expanded physics interactions make the world feel more believable and interactive overall.
At its core, however, Arizona Sunshine Remake remains the game fans have come to love. The iconic moments and locations are all back, just in a contemporary look - skillfully modernized without losing the charm of the original.
One of the new features in the Arizona Sunshine remake are the melee weapons. | Image: Vertigo Games
More than just a visual makeover
Vertigo has also given the remake a big boost in terms of gameplay, incorporating many improvements from the sequel. First and foremost is the excellent gunplay with satisfying weapons that allow for precise aiming even from a distance. A powerful sound design makes every bullet feel real.
The new melee combat with machetes and crowbars adds to the immersion and terror when the zombies get too close. Almost any object can be picked up and used as a weapon, making the world more interactive and alive.
Overall, noticeable improvements in physics, interactivity, and usability make for a more immersive and realistic gaming experience.
Co-op fun and more content
As in the original, the entire campaign can be played in co-op with friends, which is not only fun, but also makes some tricky passages easier.
The Horde mode offers four maps, but these have been carried over from the sequel. Unfortunately, there is no new content here - a breath of fresh air would have been welcome, especially for veterans.
On the other hand, both DLCs from the original, The Damned and Dead Man, are included and add another two to three hours of gameplay to the three hour campaign. Dead Man in particular impresses with its dense atmosphere and suspense despite its thin story. All in all, there is enough content to keep newcomers interested.
The hordes in the Arizona Sunshine remake look even better thanks to the polished graphics. | Image: Vertigo Games
Conclusion: A remake as it should be
Arizona Sunshine Remake gets almost everything right. It captures the spirit of the original, polishes up the graphics and gameplay, and adds sensible improvements. Only a little more new content would have been nice.
Newcomers will find this the perfect introduction to the Arizona Sunshine series. Veterans can relive a beloved classic in impressive quality. Owners of the original can upgrade to the remake for just $10 - a fair deal.
Arizona Sunshine Remake is a prime example of a successful VR remake, breathing new life into an important piece of VR history. I can't wait to return to the Arizona desert with a gun in my hand and the undead in my sights. The remake is a must for VR shooter fans.
Arizona Sunshine is available now
- for Quest 2, 3, 3S and Pro in the Horizon Store,
- for Pico 4 (Ultra & Pro) in the Pico Store,
- for Playstation VR 2 in the Playstation Store and
- for SteamVR-compatible VR headsets on Steam.
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