GAMES REVIEWS It’s the Village of the damned good
Resident Evil: Village Various
Just five years ago, the Resident Evil franchise looked as if it was dying off — excuse the zombie pun — after part six totally missed the target with fans.
However, 2017’s Resident Evil 7: Biohazard saw the series go back to its survival horror roots. Now Resident Evil: Village builds on that return to form as protagonist Ethan Winters is forced to relocate to an eerie European village, where he sets out in search of his family.
There’s a noticeable shift in atmosphere as you move from location to location, forcing you to switch tactics.
Central to the horror is Castle Dimitrescu —dripping in opulence, mirroring the elegance of its owner, the towering and terrifying Lady Dimitrescu, who resides there with her daughters.
The game’s inventory management system is similar to that of Resident Evil 4, featuring a briefcase where you can stash your expanding arsenal. And in a lovely little homage to Res 4, you can trade for items with the Duke — an amorphous blob of a man, who periodically turns up in his sinister merchant’s wagon to do business.
Graphically, this is jaw dropping, with a story that offers you a selection of gory delights. The horrifying characters feel tangible and fleshed out.
The action is fast-paced and visceral, which fans of the slow-burning, tension-building style of Biohazard may find jarring.
But the depth and breadth of ideas on show here is phenomenal. Resident Evil is here sto stay..