February 12 will mark 26 years (oh, for heaven's sake) since the release of Groundhog Day, the classic comedy starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Fortunately, nobody thought of doing anything strange with the story beyond a stage adaptation, and the idea of a video game sequel doesn't quite sit well with us... but Sony believes it will hit the nail on the head with Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son, a title available for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR.
A Classic That Needed No Sequel
The town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania was never the same after Phil Connors went there to cover the Groundhog Day celebration. Contempt and disdain, chaos, excess, several suicide attempts... at first Connors didn't handle being trapped in a time loop very well, but he managed to escape it through pure kindness and generosity, with a good dose of love. Groundhog Day has a happy ending however you look at it, with no obligation to extend or complement what happened. It is a finished work, especially for Bill Murray and Harold Ramis, who didn't speak for over 20 years. Does it need a sequel? No. Will they make one anyway? Yes… but not as you imagine.
Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son
That's right, Phil Connors Jr., trapped in the picturesque Punxsutawney just like his father. The confirmation of Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son was published effectively on Groundhog Day (February 2), and being so close to the 26th anniversary of the film, let's say more than one was surprised. However, there's something extra: Unlike what happened with Telltale Games adaptations, Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son is a virtual reality title with no platform limits. Whether you own a Rift, an HTC Vive, or the PlayStation VR headset, the game will work on all three. A wise decision in my opinion, because virtual reality needs more games than ever, and any "exclusive" development would affect its evolution.
The Madrid-based company Tequila Works (which we remember for Rime and Deadlight) is involved in the creation of Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son, along with MWM Immersive, and all of Sony's virtual reality division. Unfortunately, no one confirmed the release date, but it should reach our claws before the end of the year. The question everyone is asking is: Will there be a cameo by Bill Murray? We'll find out soon...
Official announcement: Click here
