Opening with a magic-filled fairy-tale reminiscent of Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows, Resident Evil Village immediately removes itself from its predecessor's shadow, and sets its own expectations for both narrative and aesthetic. Whereas Biohazard rooted its horror in the contrast between normalcy and corruption, Village sweeps Ethan and the player away and into an unknown land, governed by the intertwined powers of legacy, mystery, and the Other.
The beginning of the game poses the largest threat to both Ethan and new players - you are dropped into a (not-so) abandoned village and forced to contend with fearsome lycan monsters with little ammo and protection and no clear objective other than to survive. I will admit that I failed at this objective at first, feeling more frustrated that I ever felt in Biohazard's first few hours, despite the setting being less terror-filled. However, this helplessness feeds into the existential and at times nihilistic theme and narrative of Village. Shortly thereafter, the game does open up and begins equipping Ethan with all sorts of tools needed to survive and explore the village. The bevy of weapons and upgrades offered by the shop system help keep things fresh, and provide small goals to work towards, offering a solid sense of progression throughout the game. It's not perfect, as newer versions of weapons acquired are just straight-up better than their counterparts - some trade-offs would've been nice for replay value, but the system is serviceable. It's incredibly satisfying to upgrade a weapon and run through the levels frightened but prepared to punch through monsters or whatever else may come your way.
Village does an absolutely fantastic job of keeping all of its areas unique but thematically consistent as well. The faded opulence of the Dimitrescu castle, the Innsmouth-esque fishing village, an industrial mad-scientist's laboratory, and the traditional haunted house all boast near flawless level-design that ensures the player learns every inch of their locales, while still keeping them grounded within the central hub of the village itself. In a game that contains some wonderfully designed characters, the landscapes themselves are as much a part of them as their motivations, dialogue, and stories.
The spectacularly fun action gameplay and the masterful world design both combine to support the mystery and narrative of Village in exciting and impactful ways, as well. The game never drops its atmosphere - even the most campy and kitsch moments find footing within the world of the game, though it may not always be obvious in the moment. Though I'm not sure Village quite reaches the peak moments of its predecessor, Biohazard, the total of the game is much more consistent and satisfying. Village is a triumph of action gameplay, character design, and thematic storytelling, providing moments of both gleeful terror and adrenaline-fueled action for fans of the genre and franchise.
The beginning of the game poses the largest threat to both Ethan and new players - you are dropped into a (not-so) abandoned village and forced to contend with fearsome lycan monsters with little ammo and protection and no clear objective other than to survive. I will admit that I failed at this objective at first, feeling more frustrated that I ever felt in Biohazard's first few hours, despite the setting being less terror-filled. However, this helplessness feeds into the existential and at times nihilistic theme and narrative of Village. Shortly thereafter, the game does open up and begins equipping Ethan with all sorts of tools needed to survive and explore the village. The bevy of weapons and upgrades offered by the shop system help keep things fresh, and provide small goals to work towards, offering a solid sense of progression throughout the game. It's not perfect, as newer versions of weapons acquired are just straight-up better than their counterparts - some trade-offs would've been nice for replay value, but the system is serviceable. It's incredibly satisfying to upgrade a weapon and run through the levels frightened but prepared to punch through monsters or whatever else may come your way.
Village does an absolutely fantastic job of keeping all of its areas unique but thematically consistent as well. The faded opulence of the Dimitrescu castle, the Innsmouth-esque fishing village, an industrial mad-scientist's laboratory, and the traditional haunted house all boast near flawless level-design that ensures the player learns every inch of their locales, while still keeping them grounded within the central hub of the village itself. In a game that contains some wonderfully designed characters, the landscapes themselves are as much a part of them as their motivations, dialogue, and stories.
The spectacularly fun action gameplay and the masterful world design both combine to support the mystery and narrative of Village in exciting and impactful ways, as well. The game never drops its atmosphere - even the most campy and kitsch moments find footing within the world of the game, though it may not always be obvious in the moment. Though I'm not sure Village quite reaches the peak moments of its predecessor, Biohazard, the total of the game is much more consistent and satisfying. Village is a triumph of action gameplay, character design, and thematic storytelling, providing moments of both gleeful terror and adrenaline-fueled action for fans of the genre and franchise.