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Five Classic Video Games That Deserve A VR Remake

VR remakes are all the rage at the moment. Here’s our selection of classic video games we’d love to play in VR.

Earlier this month, Resident Evil 4 VR launched on the Oculus Quest 2 and so far players are absolutely loving this expertly-crafted VR remake of the original 2005 horror-action video game. During the 2021 Facebook Connect conference, Facebook—now called Meta—revealed yet another classic making its way to the Quest 2: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

This begs the question: which other classic video games deserve a VR remake? From genre-defying shooters to groundbreaking RPGs, the following are five legendary games we’d one day love to play in VR.

BIOSHOCK

Anyone who’s had the pleasure of playing Bioshock will tell you how incredible this groundbreaking first-person shooter is. Set in the 1960s, 2K games’ one-of-a-kind adventure has you exploring the fictional underwater city of Rapture. Once a sanctuary for great minds seeking freedom from government and societal restrictions, class warfare and a mysterious mutagen known as ADAM has turned the city into a nightmarish hell inhabited by a variety of horrific monsters.

Bioshock’s combination of first-person gunplay and melee combat make it a perfect fit for the VR format. Not to mention the plasmids, which allow you to harness a variety of unique abilities, from telekinesis to pyrokinesis. Exploring the dark and atmospheric districts that compose Rapture would be an absolute joy in VR, as would seeing a Big Daddy up-close and personal.

GOLDENEYE 007

One of the greatest first-person shooters of all time, GoldenEye 007 is a no-brainer for VR headsets. Based on the hit 1995 film, this classic action title has you stepping into the role of legendary secret agent James Bond as you work to prevent a dangerous criminal syndicate from triggering a global financial meltdown. Along the way, you travel everywhere from Monte Carlo to Russia uncovering the details surrounding this nefarious plot.

Needless to say, GoldenEye’s exciting first-person combat and grandiose set pieces make it an obvious addition to the list. I can’t think of a better way to introduce younger gamers to what could easily be considered one of the most influential first-person shooters of all time.

And if you’re worried about the gameplay being too dated, there’s always GoldenEye 007: Reloaded, a 2011 remake of the original game. Or what about 2002’s James Bond 007: Nighfire? I certainly wouldn’t mind experiencing some of those fast-paced car chases in VR.

METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY

Widely considered the most popular game in the franchise, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is everything fans of the series wanted and more. Whether it be the expertly-crafted stealth gameplay or the absolutely bonkers plot, Konami’s “Tactical Espionage Action” game is absolute perfection from start to finish.

In Metal Gear Solid 2, players return to the role of Solid Snake, a former spy, special forces soldier, and mercenary, as well as rookie agent Raiden, a newcomer to the series. In this action-packed adventure, players navigate a sprawling jungle island as they search for a way to stop a dangerous terrorist organization from killing the US President and triggering a massive environmental catastrophe.

No doubt the cover-based gameplay mechanics and first-person aiming mode would translate beautifully to VR. Imagine dangling off a bridge to avoid enemy detection, or wielding Raiden’s powerful blade with your own two hands. Those unfamiliar with the series may feel a bit out of the loop, but, then again, that’s half the charm of a Hideo Kojima game.

SILENT HILL 2

You can’t talk about the best horror games without mentioning 2001’s Silent Hill 2. Set in the fictional mountain town of Silent Hill, this obscenely creepy horror-adventure game has you playing the role of James Sunderland as he searches for his deceased wife. The game features improved controls over its predecessor as well as some of the most unsettling imagery featured throughout the series.

Silent Hill 2 features a variety of combat, but gameplay, for the most part, revolves around solving puzzles and locating key items needed to progress through certain areas. One of the most interesting aspects of the game is its use of light. A large portion of the game involves collecting maps, which can only be read when the player is near a light source or has a flashlight equipped. Needless to say, sculking through the pitch-black alleyways of Silent Hill in search of light sources would make for an interesting experience in VR. There’s even an HD remake that launched in 2012.

DEAD SPACE

You know what they say: save the most obvious for last. Originally released back in 2008 on consoles and PC, Dead Space is a masterclass in space horror. In this nerve-wracking science-fiction adventure, players take on the role of Isaac Clarke, a deep space engineer, as he fights for his life throughout a decrepit mining ship overrun with nightmarish abominations referred to as Necromorphs.

Dead Space sets itself apart from other horror-action games with its unique combat mechanics. Instead of using standard weaponry such as pistols, rifles, and shotguns, players use Isaac’s various engineering tools to literally cut through their way through enemies. The only way to kill a Necromorph is to remove its limbs. In addition to combat, players are tasked with solving a variety of physics-based puzzles as well as navigating treacherous environments in zero-g. Whether it be the dark, atmospheric environments, terrifying combat, or in-depth weapon crafting, Dead Space feels like it was tailor-made for the VR format.

Again, these are just a few classic games we’d love to player in VR. But what do you think? Are there any other games you feel as though deserve to be on the list?

Feature Image Credit: 2K

About the Scout

Former Writer (Kyle Melnick)

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