The Resident Evil video game series has consistently led in the horror genre of gaming for many years. Despite some stumbles such as the contentious launch of Resident Evil 6, it’s fair to say that the series has been more successful than not. Its triumphs include the classic original Resident Evil releases from the ’90s and ’00s, and in recent times games like Resident Evil Village and the Resident Evil 4 Remake have shone brightly.
The long-lasting popularity of Resident Evil can be traced back to several key elements, with its knack for innovation and adaptability being among the most significant. In truth, Resident Evil can assume various roles, moving seamlessly between the intense, terrifying horror experienced in the early stages of Resident Evil 7, to the exaggerated and comical elements seen in numerous scenes from RE4. This duality allows the franchise to straddle the line between fear-inducing and entertaining content. Furthermore, this versatility extends beyond its narrative, positively impacting the interactive aspects of the series as a whole: as a video game franchise, Resident Evil excels at delivering both suspenseful, eerie storytelling and engaging gameplay. While not universally acclaimed as the best RE title, Resident Evil Village might be the entry that best embodies this iconic equilibrium more effectively than any other in the series.
How Resident Evil Village Straddles Action and Horror Through Its Structure
Resident Evil Village Provides Versatile Scares
In the beginning, Resident Evil Village delivers a gripping mix of thrill and dread: Ethan suspects his wife has perished at Chris Redfield’s hands, gets abducted, survives a car crash, and finds himself in the titular village teeming with strange Lycan-like creatures. The first hour of Village places players in a precarious predicament, compelling them to advance despite their fragile state, establishing the tense atmosphere for the game’s nail-biting action and frightening elements.
In no time, gamers will find themselves in Castle Dimetrescu, the abode of the most adored vampiress from the web, during their playthrough of Resident Evil Village. This part of the game shares similarities with the suspenseful gameplay of earlier Resident Evil installments. Here, players must stay alert at all times, as they can expect Dimetrescu to pursue them relentlessly. Just like a scared mouse in a labyrinth, Ethan is left helpless, contributing to the player’s growing sense of tension and unease.
As Ethan progresses in the game, it becomes increasingly psychological, especially when he visits House Beneviento, or the dollhouse, which is quite unsettling. This part of the game moves at a slower pace but might be the most unnerving because there’s no combat involved. Instead, players must solve puzzles and ultimately confront one of the most disturbing enemies in Resident Evil Village – a mysterious being referred to simply as Baby.
Similar to certain parts in Resident Evil 7, the House Beneviento level in Resident Evil Village appears to draw inspiration from Kojima’s P.T., much in the same way these games do.
Resident Evil Village Balances Its Horror with Action
Similar to Resident Evil 4 and 5, Resident Evil Village leans heavily towards action in the action-survival-horror spectrum, often presenting players with intense battles against significant threats or waves of common enemies. Areas such as the Stronghold and Heisenberg’s Factory primarily serve as combat challenges, emphasizing fast-paced gunplay and strategy over horror elements. The finale sees the departure of everyman Ethan Winters, with players taking control of the experienced special operative Chris Redfield instead. At this stage, the game transforms into a first-person shooter with a horror theme, as opposed to a traditional survival horror experience.
In a masterful balance between thrilling action and heart-pounding horror, the game Resident Evil Village skillfully delivers the finest elements of the classic Resident Evil experience. The hub world design and level progression in Village provides a dynamic structure, segregating horror and action sequences before escalating into full-blown action towards the end, culminating in a thrilling finale. Despite some minor flaws, these thoughtful gameplay principles make it one of the most adaptable and diverse games within the Resident Evil series, demonstrating that the franchise can excel at both intense gameplay and chilling suspense.
Read More
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- Tainted Grail: How To Find Robbie’s Grave
- Deltarune Chapter 1 100% Walkthrough: Complete Guide to Secrets and Bosses
- Pokemon GO: How To Get Crowned Sword Zacian & Shield Zamazenta (Can They Be Shiny)
- Tainted Grail the Fall of Avalon: Should You Turn in Vidar?
- Find All 13 Bromides in Lunar Remastered Collection!
- Pokemon GO: How To Get Volcanion (Can Volcanion Be Shiny)
- One Piece Volume 112 Drops July 2025: Shocking SBS Answers & Live Action Update Revealed!
- Red Samurai’s True Identity in Death Stranding 2 Revealed by Kojima’s cryptic post
- Top gainers and losers
2025-05-04 13:04