This is the last installment of this three-part series.
Virtual Reality (VR), an exciting piece of technology that is currently being ramped up in today’s technological climate. Virtual Reality allows us to experience multiple adventures and worlds that we could not otherwise experience for a variety of reasons. With the human mind being one of the most curious things in the world, it will always try to seek and push the boundaries of what a piece of technology can do. A lot of excitement currently revolves around VR that several companies have developed multiple VR headsets over Augmented Reality (AR).
At first, VR headsets were wire-bound devices and required high spec PCs. As technology got better came the emergence of wireless VR Headsets. The most popular one in the market right now is the Oculus Quest 2. It is a very impressive piece of technology that allows one to experience virtual reality unencumbered by wires which makes it quite exciting, I might add.
Currently, Meta (formerly known as Facebook) and other tech companies are exploring other possible uses of VR other than for entertainment purposes. Research is ongoing as far as developing more advance applications of VR including for medical purposes or possibilities of enhancing the ability to work from home.
The new reality of work from home caused by the pandemic is an area where adaptation of VR can help people communicate with coworkers and interact with them as if they are talking to each other face-to-face. This idea has popped up with so many companies wanting to embrace this form of interaction to save office space and be assured of working safely as far as getting infected by viruses.
During my initial experience with VR, it felt kind of creepy talking to someone whom you know physically occupies a space far from you. By wearing the Oculus Quest 2 Headset and trying several different head movements, you may be able to experience the ability to see the image or avatar of your officemate and be able to talk to them as if they are right next to you. Now, that is pretty cool!
The third and final game I experienced in Oculus Quest 2 is the well=-known game of:
Resident Evil 4 VR
Now, this was the game that really piqued my interest in VR. I wondered how this legendary game Resident Evil4 is going to be translated into Virtual Reality. I wasn’t sure how game play is going to be incorporated. What kind of compromises were considered that may affect the overall experience of the game?
Resident Evil 4 VR is the entire base Resident Evil 4 game completely remade for a VR experience. You would have to walk through the environment, gathering materials and treasures to help you through the adventure. I am extremely glad to say that Resident Evil 4 VR was successfully translated into virtual reality. It was done so well that it has now become my preferred way of playing the game. Playing it in VR made the game feel brand new even though I am familiar with the game. VR really elevated the game to an entirely new experience.
The VR iteration of Resident Evil4 incorporated what is called “Immersive Mode”. This made the game much more realistic to fire guns. It also allows you to reload the guns. Putting the game in Immersive Mode gives this new type of stress that I have never felt when playing a horror game and it makes it more enjoyable. The ability to physically reload and cock the gun raises the immersion. The vast amount of VR Comfortability options are great because it allows people who experience VR motion sickness to feel more at ease.
So far, I am satisfied with my experience with the Oculus Quest 2 and has further solidified my confidence in VR. I can see this piece of technology to continue to grow and advance in the future. As more companies embrace the capabilities of VR, it has the potential to become an integral part of society. It may sound creepy at first but there are a ton of benefits that will help out people in the long run. The possibilities are endless with VR. It still has a few bugs and glitches that need to be worked out, but the potential applications are endless.
I would highly recommend the Oculus Quest 2 as a great introduction to the world of VR and it is relatively inexpensive..
Review Score: 8.5/10
Gabriel Craig Hernal Rivera
Gabriel Craig Hernal Rivera is an Engineer. A graduate of De LaSalle University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering. He currently works at Accenture U.S. in Metro San Francisco as a Training and Development Specialist. Outside of work, Gabriel enjoys exercising, watching various TV series programs, and especially video games. He also enjoys watching videos regarding Game Design, Game Theories, and in-depth reviews on video games to get a better understanding of the current trends in gaming.
