Resident Evil Village Review (HexStrain)
The pinnacle of Resident Evil
Category
Rating
Description
🎮 Gameplay
8
I initially dismissed Village as a simple survival horror game: fight werewolves, encounter some horror elements, confront a castle-dwelling big booty lady, the end. I was very wrong. This game's story offers so much more. The gameplay is largely excellent, despite a few flaws. The expansive map begs exploration, with things placed into every corner. Divided into distinct levels, each area evokes a unique atmosphere and gameplay style. One section channels the puzzle-solving of Resident Evil 2, another the intense action of Resident Evil 4, and yet another the chilling tension of Resident Evil 7. It's a clever blend of RE elements. While I appreciated the initial sense of helplessness and terror, the game quickly overloads the player with firepower, undermining that early vulnerability. Unlike RE2, resource management is nonexistent; ammunition is plentiful, making combat feel effortless, even trivial. Personally, I enjoyed scouring the richly detailed environments for loot, a strength of the game's level design. However, the boss fights, particularly later in the game, proved disappointing. They felt like tedious bullet-sponge encounters, lacking any real challenge or excitement. The story, though, is the crowning achievement. The way everything connects in the finale is genuinely thrilling. Ethan Winters is a refreshing protagonist, far removed from the superheroics of Ada Wong or Leon S. Kennedy. He feels like an ordinary dad fighting for his , which makes him relatable. While the over-the-top action is undeniably entertaining, the sheer abundance of resources diminishes the sense of accomplishment.
📷 Graphics
9
The graphics are immersive, effectively drawing you into the game world. Performance is generally smooth, maintaining high frame rates even with RTX enabled. However, I did encounter a few specific areas where the frame rate dropped unexpectedly. The level design is visually stunning, offering numerous picturesque moments that practically kneel to be screenshotted.
🎧 Audio
9
The audio design is excellent across the board, from the soundtrack to the immersive environmental sounds and top-notch voice acting. Heisenberg's and Dimitrescu's performance, in particular, stands out. The sound design is flawless.
💲 Value
10
Stop reading reviews and just buy this game. At $25, it's already a steal, but snatch it up during a sale when it drops to around $10 for an unbelievable bargain. Don't forget to grab the Winters' Expansion as well.
👑 Overall
9.5
Resident Evil Village surpasses expectations, delivering a thrilling and surprisingly nuanced experience. From its immersive graphics and stunning level design to its excellent audio and captivating story, this game offers a compelling blend of RE elements with fresh new ideas. While the overabundance of resources lessens the survival horror tension and some boss fights disappoint, the overall package is highly engaging. Ethan Winters' compelling journey to will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Don't hesitate – dive into this chilling world and experience the story for yourself. Just be sure to grab it on sale for the best possible value. Highly recommended.
📝 Main Pros, Cons, and Suggestions:
🟩 Pros:
+ A gripping continuation of the RE7 storyline, seamlessly weaving in connections to Umbrella's lore.
+ Diverse gameplay experiences across varied levels, encompassing thriller, action, adventure, and puzzle elements.
+ A rewarding sense of progression.
🟥 Cons:
- Disappointing boss fights that, despite impressive visuals, feel like glorified common enemies with inflated health bars. Lady Dimitrescu and Moreau are exceptions, delivering more engaging encounters.
- Overabundance of ammunition diminishes the survival horror aspect, shifting the gameplay towards a run-and-gun style. (Note: This can be a positive for players who prefer action-heavy gameplay.)
🏷️ Suggestions:
~ Feel like the Doom Slayer? You practically are, with the sheer amount of firepower at your disposal. Don't overthink and run from encounters; vomit bullets on those enemies!
~ Thoroughly explore the environment and loot everything you can find.
~ Combine valuable items before selling them for maximum profit.
~ Immerse yourself in the world by reading all notes and letters for valuable lore and backstory.