Introduction
Basic information
- Developer Name: Capcom
- Full Name: Resident Evil Village (Resident Evil 8)
- Release Date: May 7, 2021
- Released on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Cross Play: Not Available
Initial thoughts
My wife is a massive fan of Resident Evil 7, which received excellent ratings and praise from us for its graphics and atmosphere. Naturally, she was eager to dive into the next installment, Resident Evil 8, and I was excited to watch her play through it. Given how well we rated the last installment, our expectations were high—and Resident Evil Village did not disappoint.
Story and setting
Plot overview
Resident Evil 8 continues the story of Ethan Winters. He embarks on a terrifying journey to save his daughter, Rose, from a mysterious village inhabited by grotesque creatures and enigmatic figures. The plot unfolds with a gripping opening sequence that sets the tone for the rest of the game. As Ethan delves deeper into the village, he encounters various horrors, each more chilling than the last, leading to a climactic and emotionally charged conclusion.
World building and immersion
The game introduces a memorable cast of characters, each with distinct personalities and motivations. Lady Dimitrescu, in particular, has become an iconic figure in the Resident Evil franchise. Ethan himself is given more depth this time around, and his interactions with the game’s antagonists reveal layers of his character that were only hinted at in the previous installment. The return of Chris Redfield, who is now badass and no longer a hippie, also adds a layer of intrigue, as his role in the story keeps you guessing until the very end.
Character development
Resident Evil 8 balances its horror elements with a surprisingly emotional narrative. Ethan’s determination to save his daughter and the sacrifices he makes along the way add a personal, emotional weight to the story. The game’s ending, in particular, delivers a powerful and poignant conclusion that left us both hopeful for the future of the series.
Emotional impact
The game balances light-hearted humor with moments of genuine emotion. Whether it’s the joy of a successful jump or the frustration of a failed mission, the game manages to evoke a wide range of feelings without ever becoming too serious. It’s a feel-good experience that leaves you smiling.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with an 9
The story is even darker and grittier compared to the last game, a significant improvement!
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
The gameplay in Resident Evil Village builds on the foundation of its predecessor while introducing new elements that keep the experience fresh. The game retains the first-person perspective, enhancing the sense of immersion and tension. Combat is smooth and satisfying, with various weapons to collect and upgrade. The inventory system is reminiscent of Resident Evil 4, adding a layer of strategy as you manage your resources.
Difficulty and balance
The game offers a balanced difficulty curve, providing a challenge that feels fair but not frustrating. You can choose from various difficulty levels, catering to both newcomers and veteran fans of the series. The game’s pacing is well-executed, with a good mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and intense combat sequences that keep players engaged from start to finish.
Pacing of the game
Resident Evil 8 excels in its pacing, alternating between moments of high tension and quieter, more atmospheric segments. The game never feels rushed, allowing you to fully immerse in this world while keeping the narrative momentum strong. The pacing ensures that each area of the game feels distinct, with its own unique challenges and horrors to overcome.
Innovation and uniqueness
One of the game’s standout features is its healing mechanic, which is cleverly explained within the context of the story. This attention to detail enhances the immersion and shows Capcom’s commitment to creating a cohesive experience. Additionally, the game’s varied environments and enemy designs keep the gameplay feeling fresh and innovative throughout.
Controls and user interface
The controls are responsive and intuitive, making both combat and exploration smooth and enjoyable. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, with quick access to the inventory and map, allowing you to focus on the action without being bogged down by menus.
Microtransactions
There are no intrusive microtransactions in Resident Evil 8.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with a 9
I, and my wife, liked it that the inventory system from Resident Evil 4 made a comeback.
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
Resident Evil Village boasts stunning graphics, with highly detailed character models and environments that bring its world to life. Chris looks great again, no longer is he a hippie! The art direction is exceptional, blending realistic visuals with Gothic horror elements to create an atmosphere that is both beautiful and unsettling. Each location is distinct, with a visual identity that enhances the overall experience.
Technical performances
The game performs smoothly with minimal load times and no significant technical difficulties. The attention to detail in the graphics is complemented by solid technical performance, ensuring an immersive experience without any distractions.
Environment and design uniqueness
The environmental design in Resident Evil 8 is top-notch, with each area offering a unique aesthetic and set of challenges. From the opulence of Castle Dimitrescu to the haunting isolation of the village, the game’s environments are not only visually stunning but also integral to the gameplay and story.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 9
The graphics are intense, I wanted to rate it higher, but I want to leave room for improvement from Capcom.
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The music in Resident Evil Village is masterfully composed, enhancing the tension and atmosphere at every turn. The soundtrack complements perfectly the game’s setting, with haunting melodies that linger long after the game is turned off. The music is both subtle and powerful, contributing significantly to the overall horror experience.
Sound effects quality
Sound design is another area where Resident Evil 8 shines. Every creak of a floorboard, growl of a creature, and distant echo is designed to keep players on edge. The sound effects are meticulously crafted, adding to the immersive and terrifying atmosphere.
Voice Acting
The voice acting is superb, with strong performances that bring the game’s characters to life. Ethan, Lady Dimitrescu, and Chris Redfield are particularly well-voiced, adding depth to their characters and enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 10
Nothing to improve here, I just hope they keep it this way in the next installment.
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
Resident Evil 8 offers a substantial amount of content, with a main story that can be completed in about 10–12 hours. However, the game also includes various collectibles, challenges, and unlockable modes that add to its replayability.
Extra Content
The game features various extra content, including the Mercenaries mode, which offers a more arcade-style experience with timed challenges. Additionally, there are numerous secrets and Easter eggs to discover, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
Replay value
With its multiple difficulty levels, extra modes, and hidden content, Resident Evil Village has high replay value. The game’s compelling story and immersive world make it worth revisiting, especially for those looking to unlock all of its secrets.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Resident Evil Village with a 8.5
There is a lot to do in this game, you won’t get bored!
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
While Resident Evil 8 is a fantastic game, there are a few areas where it could be improved:
- More Varied Enemy Types: While the game offers a good variety of enemies, a few more unique types could add even more depth to the combat.
- Extended Exploration: The game’s environments are so rich and detailed that allowing for more open-world exploration could enhance the experience further.
Comparisons
Compared to Resident Evil 7, Village expands on the series’ core elements while introducing new ideas that keep the franchise fresh. It draws inspiration from earlier titles like Resident Evil 4 with its setting and pacing but blends these influences into a modern horror experience that stands on its own.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
The ending of Resident Evil 8 was a highlight for both of us, delivering a satisfying conclusion that sets perfectly up the next chapter in the Resident Evil franchise. Without spoiling anything, the final moments left us both excited and eager to see where the series goes next. The journey was thrilling from start to finish, and we both enjoyed discussing the game’s twists and turns as they unfolded.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Resident Evil 8, I give it a personal rating of 9,5
The story had us guessing what was going on until the very end!
Last words
Pros
- Gripping story with strong character development
- Immersive and beautifully designed environments
- Smooth, satisfying combat mechanics
- Stunning graphics and exceptional art direction
- Masterful sound design and music score
- High replay value with extra modes and secrets
- Detailed and atmospheric world-building
- Nostalgic elements that pay homage to previous Resident Evil titles
Cons
- Could benefit from more varied enemy types
- Limited exploration in some areas
Resident Evil Village is a masterful continuation of the series, offering a perfect blend of horror, action, and storytelling. With its immersive world, compelling characters, and top-notch production values, it’s a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Capcom has once again proven why Resident Evil remains one of the most beloved franchises in gaming.
Final Rating
9
Please let me know what you think of Resident Evil Village in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
If you liked reading this review, maybe you would like to share this review with your friends.
long shade
Good review! Can't go wrong with Resident Evil!
FranckCastle
I played the demo a year or two ago, looked nice. And that's a really nice final rating. 😳
Did you play it with PS+, or do you own it? 😮
supersven
We used to own it, already traded it in, but PS5 was the console Simone played it on.
Silentrets
It deservers to review point. Forever Resident Evil after Silent Hill 😛
supersven
Never played Silent Hill.
emperoru
was close to win Goty in 21
supersven
for good reasons!
Ilan Vertone
Never played a Resident Evil game before, but this review seems to match the opinions I heard about this game. It seems to be an awesome game overall! 😀
supersven
It is indeed an awesome game!
fano23
By what I tried looked like a great game, with pretty good environment and creepy stuff
supersven
It is indeed creepy!
Alamar
Is this the best Resident Evil game ever? From the reviews and opinions i have heard i have such impression. I already had this game on a list of games i want to play, you review shows it is really is a good game. Thanks for review.
supersven
I am not sure if it is the best one, I guess we will have to make a ranking.
Myr
This sounds really nice, I'll try to get my hands on this game! and ... Yeah Inventory management xD
supersven
Inventory management will always come back in these games.
Rezonono
Some find it too short. But it makes you want to play it.
supersven
Resident Evil 3 Remake is shorter.
Delicious Bacon
I don't mind limited exploration in games - some are splendid when linear with a single path. If anything, it makes decisions which way to go easier, and often there are extra things at play, such as tension or an emotional moment, usually coupled with sounds/music.
supersven
A semi-open world is usually fun to explore!
Blink
one of my favorite RE
supersven
That is amazing!
Twigas_Hobbes
If you could deactivate the Horror aspect to just explore I might play them perhaps ...
supersven
Don't you like the horror?
Vibe
Excellent review!
supersven
Thank you!
fLuke
i am on a mission to collect every resident evil game
supersven
Good luck with that!
HassanTheCobra
I'm a huge Resident Evil fan but I still haven't played the first-person Resident Evil games (7 & 8) and I'm really excited to play these two, and excited to try Resident Evil on first-person. Thanks for the review!
supersven
I am glad you liked the review!
Nicole
This looks like one of the most interesting Resident Evil games to me! The environments look really atmospheric, characters seem cool/unique and the story seems to have a nice underlying emotional theme! If I were to play any, would probably be this one!
supersven
The emotional theme is very present in this game.
Vitalikboykiller
I like this game and review. Resident Evil 8 is a masterpiece!
supersven
Resident Evil 8 is indeed a very good game!
ZeroKasa
I tried the demo a while ago and liked it, glad to see that the whole game seems to be on par with its quality.
supersven
The whole game was indeed fun!