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Resident Evil Village Review
Resident Evil Village Review – A New Milestone for the Series
Over the past few years, Capcom has made a strong comeback in the gaming world. With the success of *Devil May Cry 5* and *Monster Hunter* titles, the company also brought new life to the *Resident Evil* series. Following the groundbreaking first-person perspective introduced in *Resident Evil 7*, the eighth installment, *Resident Evil Village*, stands as one of the best experiences in the franchise.
Story Overview
*Resident Evil Village* takes place three years after the events of *Resident Evil 7*. Chris Redfield moves Ethan Winters and his wife Mia to a European village to keep them safe. The game begins with a seemingly peaceful life, as the couple cares for their infant daughter Rose. However, chaos ensues when Chris and his team attack their home, killing Mia and abducting Rose and Ethan.
After regaining consciousness, Ethan finds himself in a mysterious village filled with werewolves and monsters. His primary goal is to rescue Rose and uncover the truth about the events that transpired.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Like *Resident Evil 7*, *Village* is presented in first-person. However, gameplay feels more refined, with smoother movement and realistic weapon handling. As with other games in the series, you’ll have access to a variety of weapons, unlocked progressively throughout the game.
The gameplay takes inspiration from *Resident Evil 4*, featuring a merchant named “The Duke.” You can buy upgrades, ammunition, and resources from him, as well as sell collectibles found by exploring the environment. Additionally, you can collect ingredients like fish and meat for meals that boost your stats, adding another layer of depth to the game.
World Design and Environments
The village serves as a hub connecting various locations like a castle, swamp, and factory. Each area introduces unique enemies, bosses, and challenges. The game offers significantly more enemy variety than *Resident Evil 7*, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.
Side content adds to the replayability, allowing players to uncover hidden weapons, treasures, and lore. Completing everything in the game can take up to 16 hours, making it a worthwhile investment.
Additional Features
After finishing the main story, you unlock the “The Mercenaries” mode—a fast-paced mini-game where you kill zombies within a time limit to earn rewards. Additionally, a multiplayer mode called *Resident Evil Re:Verse* will be available for free to *Village* owners later in 2021.
Graphics and Performance
The game uses the RE Engine to deliver stunning visuals, including detailed character models and diverse environments. It’s the first *Resident Evil* game to incorporate ray tracing on PC and next-gen consoles, enhancing lighting and reflections. Performance varies across platforms:
- Xbox Series S: 1440p at 30-45 FPS with ray tracing, or 60 FPS without.
- Xbox Series X / PS5: 4K at 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled.
- PC: Best experience with 144Hz support for high-end setups.
Sound and Atmosphere
The game’s sound design immerses players in its tense environments, especially during exploration and combat. Music adapts to the gameplay, ranging from eerie tracks in horror sections to intense action scores in later stages. Voice acting is strong, particularly for Lady Dimitrescu, Heisenberg, and other villains, while Ethan Winters’ performance is less impactful.
Localization
The game is fully localized with Arabic text and menus, making it accessible to non-English speakers.
Conclusion
*Resident Evil Village* is a fantastic follow-up to *Resident Evil 7*, answering many lingering questions while paving the way for future installments. Combining the best elements of *Resident Evil 4* and 7, it’s a must-play for fans of the series, offering an exceptional mix of horror, action, and exploration. The game is well worth its price and delivers an unforgettable experience.