The long-awaited Resident Evil Village is just two days away from its official release, and although fans have been able to get some good impressions for it based on the recent demos, the full reviews are finally in. After about four years of waiting, reviews are affirming that Capcom has made yet another hit for the iconic survival horror franchise.
Resident Evil Village is part of a trilogy, according to rumors, so this new chapter in Ethan Winters' story could prove to be an almost Empire Strikes Back-like entry for the series and leave things on a substantial cliffhanger for Resident Evil 9. After 7 gave the series a bit of a soft reboot, Village looks to reintroduce older concepts in a new light. For instance, Chris Redfield is returning, but it seems like he's taking on an antagonistic role in the new story.
The mystery, character changes, and continued new take on the Resident Evil series is being showered with praise from critics. Although zombies are less of a focus and Capcom has shifted toward witches, werewolves, and vampires, it seems it hasn't detracted from the experience. Many critics noted similarities between Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 both in terms of setting, but also some gameplay and tone. As of writing, the game sits at an 84 on Metacritic and is receiving plenty of high scores from big outlets. Here's what critics are saying about Capcom's highly anticipated game.
Hayes Madsen - 4.5/5 - Screen Rant
"Capcom has managed to make a game that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time. It's not a complete overhaul, but rather a refinement of the series as a whole. Resident Evil Village is a gorgeous innovation that preserves the heart of a beloved franchise, and continues a string of excellent mainline entries that will dazzle veterans and newcomers alike."
Jade King - 4/5 - The Gamer
"Resident Evil Village is yet another stroke of genius from Capcom as its modern ambitions for the franchise finally come full circle. The first-person perspective has been combined with the pacing and ideas of Resident Evil 4 to craft an experience that feels both refreshing and nostalgic in equal measure. In conclusion - it’s fantastic, but not without a few flaws. Its attachment to the past can hold it back from greatness, especially in regards to its dedication to bombastic set-pieces and a hesitation to explore its own ideas."
Tristan Ogilvie - 8/10 - IGN
"The fact that it's very much a throwback to the fast-paced action of Resident Evil 4 also means it largely takes a step back from the slow-burn scares of Resident Evil 7's excellent opening hours, which may well disappoint those who prefer more psychological dread to blowing off heads. But if you have an itch for action-heavy survival-horror, then Resident Evil Village will scratch it like a fistfull of Lady Dimitrescu’s freakish fingernails."
Sam Byford - No Score - The Verge
"Resident Evil Village is a good game worth playing, and I think it’s very much a solid numbered entry in the series even if Capcom doesn’t want to call it one. But by transparently blending elements of 7 and 4, two of the most dramatic overhauls in series history, it feels less noteworthy than either. As such, the way you feel about it is likely to come down to how you feel about Resident Evil overall."
Dustin Bailey - 8/10 - PCGamesN
"Village varies from ‘outstanding’ to ‘fine’, but the good parts are so exceptional as to make you forget about the segments where it runs a little thin. It’s a creative take on everything that’s made Resident Evil great over the years, filled with memorable new villains and monsters, and even with its emphasis on action, is still occasionally capable of delivering all-out horror."
Ben Reeves - 9.25/10 - Game Informer
"Resident Evil Village is an impressive package. I loved the recent remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3, but I’m excited to see Capcom push the series forward again. Village expands on Resident Evil 7: Biohazard’s approach to first-person combat, offering a series of white-knuckle encounters that perfectly complement Capcom’s unnerving environmental design. Thankfully, Village’s amplified action doesn’t diminish its horror. If anything, Village maintains a sense of dread that few games can match. If you have the intestinal fortitude for intense terror, playing Resident Evil Village is a great way to check your pulse."
Although some critics aren't as keen on the more action-oriented style of Village coming off the heavy horror influences of its predecessor, there's still a lot of love for Resident Evil Village. Since there's a villain in Resident Evil Village that chases players just like Mr. X and the Nemesis, it seems like there will still be plenty of horrors for players to encounter in the halls of the newest game.
Rumors suggest that Capcom is already knee-deep in Resident Evil 9, so it seems likely that Resident Evil Village will include plenty of teases and foreshadowing for where the next entry is going. It'll be interesting to see if the next game continues to lean more toward an action-oriented style or if it'll be more horror-based like 7, but either way, the stakes will surely be raised even further.