Arizona Sunshine Vs. Arizona Sunshine 2

Virtual reality games have brought a new and exciting change to the gaming world through an immersive and interactive experience. Arizona Sunshine 2, the long-awaited sequel to the popular VR zombie game Arizona Sunshine, is set to make this experience even better. Coming out on Thursday, December 7, 2023, the game is attracting quite a fanbase. The game is available for early purchase on Steam and Meta Quest. 

Arizona Sunshine is a first-person shooter video game that revolves around a zombie survival theme. After its release, the game gained popularity for its immersive gameplay and intense setting. However, with its sequel around the corner, we are bound to wonder which will supersede the latter. In this regard, let's compare Arizona Sunshine vs. Arizona Sunshine 2.

What is Arizona Sunshine?

Arizona Sunshine is a virtual reality game released on December 6, 2016. Vertigo Games and Jaywalkers Interactive worked together to develop and publish it.

The game is known for its immersive VR experience and cooperative gameplay. It is designed to work with various virtual reality headsets, including the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Valve Index, and PlayStation VR. It offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing players to team up with others to survive the challenges of the zombie-infested world.

What is Arizona Sunshine 2?

Arizona Sunshine 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the popular VR zombie apocalypse game. The game will launch this year. Currently, the game is available for pre-purchase on both the Steam and Meta Quest platforms. Like its predecessor, the game features a cooperative campaign and cross-play functionality.

Storyline

The protagonist begins the Arizona Sunshine journey by awakening in a cave within an Arizona river valley. The player stumbles upon a radio while navigating the landscape and taking down zombies. The radio captures faint human-like voices amidst the static. Driven by the hope of finding survivors, the character follows the radio signal to a military-reinforced refinery. However, zombies have taken control of the refinery, starting a fierce and desperate battle. The player perseveres, spending a night in the refinery's safe room before continuing the quest the following day.

Desperately, the protagonist discovers another radio, revealing that the signal originates from Sunshine, Arizona. The journey to this town becomes a crucial point in the narrative. Upon reaching Sunshine, the player finds a radio station, discovering that it operates automatically and that all station occupants are dead. Frustration builds as the player vents into the microphone. Surprisingly, this desperate act leads to a breakthrough as someone on the other end responds. The voice instructs the player to wait outside. The storyline climaxes as a helicopter arrives, rescuing the protagonist from the dire situation after bravely enduring a massive zombie horde.

Characters

The protagonist in Arizona Sunshine is an unnamed player character voiced by Sky Soleil. The player begins the game awakening in a cave in an Arizona river valley and embarks on a journey to survive a zombie apocalypse. Throughout the game, the character explores various environments, encounters zombie hordes, and interacts with the story elements that unfold. 

Additionally, Arizona Sunshine introduces an additional character known as Buddy. Buddy is a four-legged companion to the players. Apart from companionship, Buddy aids in taking down zombies known as Freds. The dog buddy is a surprisingly fast and efficient killing machine, adding value to the gameplay. The dog not only attacks zombies but also stores smaller weapons on its vest. Furthermore, players can command the dog to attack specific zombies or retrieve items that are out of reach, making it a versatile and favorite companion in the game. 

Gameplay 

Arizona Sunshine and its sequel, Arizona Sunshine 2, show how virtual reality gaming has improved. In the first Arizona Sunshine, you could play alone or with friends. The controllers used in the game provide players with the ability to interact with the virtual environment. This includes actions like handling virtual firearms and managing their inventory. Players have the flexibility to carry firearms using both hands and can holster two additional weapons on their hips.

Initially, you could only teleport to move around. However, later on, they added a way for players to roam freely. Similarly, the game featured a mode where you had to survive against lots of zombies coming at you. The game also featured a horde mode, where players faced increasingly challenging waves of zombies. Notably, both the campaign and horde modes are available in single-player and multiplayer modes.

On the other hand, Arizona Sunshine 2 brings several improvements and new features to the table. One significant enhancement is the introduction of next-gen virtual reality (VR) environments. The game introduces a variety of new and fan-favorite weapons. These weapons include shotguns, machetes, and flamethrowers. These weapons complement the new mutilation and gore system for slaying the Freds.

The companion system is a notable addition to the sequel, featuring a character named Buddy who accompanies players on their journey. This adds a unique dynamic to the gameplay, providing players with a zombie-fighting companion. The game's Deluxe Edition offers exclusive content, including the undead Buddy Companion, Freddy Flesh Hands skin, and a Doggy Weapon Charm. Additionally, the sequel enhances cooperative gameplay through a 2-player co-op for the campaign and a 4-player co-op Horde mode.

Verdict 

In conclusion, Arizona Sunshine 2 emerges as a highly anticipated sequel that builds upon the immersive foundation laid by its predecessor. Similarly, the sequel's standout feature remains its robust emphasis on cooperative gameplay. The feature will foster a social and collaborative dimension that enhances the thrill of survival in the face of zombies. Arizona Sunshine laid the foundation for immersive VR zombie experiences. However, Arizona Sunshine 2 builds upon it with improved graphics, new weapons, and exclusive content. The focus on cooperative gameplay ensures players can share the adrenaline-pumping moments of survival in a challenging zombie world.

Arizona Sunshine 2  promises to deliver improved gameplay mechanics to immerse players in an incredible adventure. Fans can expect a fascinating adventure as they enter the next part of surviving in a virtual post-apocalyptic world.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with the verdict for Arizona Sunshine vs. Arizona Sunshine 2? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here.