VR gamers could be in for a real treat this holiday season, as the highly anticipated sequel to VR’s Gen 1 classic “Arizona Sunshine” looks to be targeting a release on December 7th, 2023. A recent update on the game’s PlayStation Store page might have unintentionally revealed the game’s launch date, and if it turns out to be true, VR enthusiasts will have a nice Christmas gift awaiting them.
UPDATE: On Thursday, October 26 Vertigo Games confirmed Arizona Sunshine 2’s early December release date with the reveal of a new gameplay trailer. The game is available to preorder today at the price of $49.99. There’s also a Deluxe Edition that offers a few in game cosmetics for an additional $10.
Revealed this past May during Sony’s PlayStation Showcase, “Arizona Sunshine 2” is the sequel to the VR’s original zombie shoot ‘em up. The cinematic first look showed the same kind of sun-soaked, zombified landscapes that the original is known for. Players will once again assume the role of the game’s original dark-humored protagonist, navigating through post-apocalyptic Arizona while fighting off hordes of the undead.
However, this sequel promises a new twist. This time, players will be accompanied by a furry four-legged companion named Buddy. More than just “man’s best friend”, Buddy will serve as a capable companion when the path ahead becomes a bit more daunting.
Developer Vertigo Games recently allowed select media and content creators an early preview of Arizona Sunshine 2, and in all cases, the demo received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Some of the more popular features that were highlighted were dynamic weapon reloading mechanics, a new crafting system, and of course, Buddy. The fear and anxiety surrounding Buddy’s fate in the game was a common theme among previewers, and this will certainly provide a new twist to the original Arizona Sunshine experience.
The team at Vertigo Games has been ambitious about the game’s release since its initial reveal in May. They’re planning to launch “Arizona Sunshine 2” on all major VR platforms this year. However, should development face unexpected hurdles on any given platform, they’ve wisely reserved the right to stagger the launches to provide the best possible experience to all VR gamers.
Today’s news, while likely accidental, only heightens the anticipation surrounding “Arizona Sunshine 2.” If the December 7th launch date stands, it could put a proper explanation point on what may go down as the best year for VR releases that we’ve ever seen. As always, you should keep in mind that this date can, and probably will, change, but for now, the hype train is right on track.