Any VR enthusiast can agree that Resident Evil 7 is one of the best VR games to date!
It has action, horror, and the dark and dingy, claustrophobia-inducing Baker’s house – what else can one ask for in a VR game? The best part is that you can play the game traditionally, like on a laptop or desktop screen, as well as immerse yourself in the environment with your VR headset.
However, playing the game in VR is a lot better with smoother motion controls unless you are prone to motion sickness. And let us tell you – Resident Evil 7 is full of brutal and downright disgusting imagery.
So, don’t tell us we didn’t warn you!
About Resident Evil 7
Developed and published in 2017 by Capcom, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard is a survival horror game following a first-person perspective of the protagonist, Ethan Winters.
Fans of the franchise claim this version to be scarier and more action-oriented than its predecessors, Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6. Plus, it is the first Resident Evil game to use a first-person view, making it all the more immersive with VR support.
Note that the official VR version of Resident Evil 7 must be played on PSVR since it is available on PS4 only. But fret not because Praydog released an unofficial mod of the game so that PC users don’t miss out on all that horror action!
The VR mod is called REFramework, and you can play other RE Engine games on VR too. Besides RE 7, you can get a taste of other popular games like Monster Hunter Rise, and the good old Resident Evil Village in VR mode.
Some gamers also argue that Resident Evil 7 VR is much better experienced through this mod than an actual PSVR, as the former adds motion controller support to the game. So, no more floating hands!
That said, let’s start with the hardware requirements of the game.
What Do You Need To Play Resident Evil 7 in VR (Free PC Mod)
- Resident Evil 7 on PC (no-brainer there!)
- USB-C cable
- VR headset
- Medium-spec gaming PC
- VR motion controllers (optional)
- SteamVR
- Controller (recommended)
How To Install Resident Evil 7 VR Mod
Step 1
Go to GitHub and download the Resident Evil 7 VR mod (RE7.zip).
Step 2
Right-click on the Resident Evil 7 Biohazard game from your Steam library.
Step 3
Now open Properties, and click on General. Disable Steam Overlay and Steam VR Theatre.
Step 4
Again, head to Properties, and open Local Files. Click on Browse and then the game file for installation.
Step 5
Extract the zipped folder named RE7.zip file.
Step 6
Connect a VR headset to your PC and launch Resident Evil 7 VR. Brace up and say your prayers now because you are up for some gruesome horror action!
How To Play Resident Evil 7 VR Game With Oculus Touch Controllers?
Thanks to the near-perfect REFramework by Praydog, you can ditch the flatscreen experience and flee from the furry claws of Lycans! Despite being an unofficial mod, it allows you to enjoy Resident Evil 7 with the motion-tracking Oculus Touch controllers. Conversely, if you use a PSVR to play the original VR mode of the game, you’ll have to make do with the DualShock controller.
So, it only makes sense for us to show you how to use Oculus touch controllers while playing Resident Evil 7 VR mod:
With Fluffy Manager
Step 1
Go to fluffyquack.com and install Fluffy Manager 5000.
Step 2
Click on the Oculus Touch Button Prompts and download the prompts for RE7 VR.
Step 3
Start Fluffy Manager and take the .rar file to the application.
Step 4
Refresh the mod list and enable the RE7 VR mod.
Step 5
Launch the game from Steam, and you’re good to go!
Without Fluffy Manager
Step 1
Follow the first step as mentioned in the previous method. But this time, go to Optional Files and download the Oculus Touch Button Prompts for RE7 VR (Standalone PAK file).
Step 2
Extract the .pak file and rename it as re_chunk_000.pak.patch_009.pak. The name may differ if you’re using other mods.
Step 3
Now move the renamed file to the Resident Evil 7 game folder.
Step 4
Finally, launch the game via Steam.
We further recommend calibrating the game settings. All you have to do is point the right controller to your left palm to trigger the Menu.
Why Playing Resident Evil 7 VR Is Better On Mod
Right off the bat, the official VR mode of Resident Evil 7 can only be played on an outdated Playstation VR. The graphics and speed of the gameplay are a far cry from what you would expect from this cult-favorite horror franchise.
As such, Praydog’s PC VR mod has received much acclaim from VR gaming enthusiasts for its high resolution, virtual hands, and simulated body!
1. Better Details, Textures, And No More Floating Hands
What’s a VR horror survival game without some realistic, grotesque imagery? Well, with the VR mod, the gameplay is much smoother, detailed, and scary. If that’s a pro or con is for you to decide!
We also liked how the mod version allowed us to play with our “actual” hands and not just a pair of floating hands. So, even though your interactions in the game are pre-rendered animations, certain actions like picking up weapons, aiming the gun, etc., feel easier and more realistic.
Impressively, the mod also features new interactions in the game, like blocking attacks and healing your hand.
2. Fluid Movements
The mod adapts to your body’s movements, allowing much more fluidity and fidelity. You can even look down at yourself, though we don’t think that has added much to the overall experience.
Also, while the smooth motion controller support makes the game more realistic, the truth is – it’s still “virtual” reality. No matter how real it looks, at the end of the day, you still have a screen sitting right in front of your eyes. As such, playing the VR game can make you feel sick in the stomach, especially during some brutal scenes.
To Sum Up
Praydog’s unofficial mod version of Resident Evil 7 is a godsend for every gamer. And the best part – it is free of cost! So, if you already have the right hardware and controllers, you don’t need to spend an extra dime to experience the full glory of this VR game.
However, the game is definitely not for the faint heart and a weak stomach! Hence, we do not recommend playing the entire game in one go.
