Not only did the sixth installment to the Resident Evil/Biohazard franchise undermine longtime fans view of the series, but also it hindered Capcom’s relevance among the survival horror genre of video gaming. Fans, like myself, just wanted that “good ‘ol” Resident Evil feeling and most importantly, something scary even if it meant moving onto different franchises completely. Well, I’m proud to say that Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was definitely the shock-to-life entry the franchise needed. And, wow, it truly is a shocker.
RE7 presents significant changes to gameplay that is both classic and fresh for the series:
First person Perspective.
This technically isn’t the first RE-based game to use this camera angle, but this is the first mainline entry to do it correctly. Somehow the horror atmosphere feels more personal when viewing decrepit environments and watching monstrosities or infected residents stalk directly towards you. The first person perspective helps draw in the immersion that the Baker Estate is conveying adequately. This decision was obviously met with criticisms among fans and non-fans, where the majority thought Capcom was “ripping off” other indie horror titles such as Outlast and Amnesia. I can assure you when playing it, it feels like an original idea from Capcom. Viewing everything in first person also helps intensify the stellar sound design RE7. While there is a severe lack of soundtrack music, your eyes and ears will be working together to perceive RE7’s amazing environment ambience.
Returning to its “Roots.”
RE7 is not the action packed horror adventure where the main hero is performing ridiculous feats after the player performs numerous QTE prompts. This is literally opening a door and searching around the environment for clues so you can progress further into the Mansion estate. Some doors require a certain themed key, or require certain puzzle solving after you backtracked for particular items for close examination. The inventory screen is simple and makes combining and examining items an ease. You also have to decide what to take with you and what to leave in inventory boxes since your character can’t hold everything. Supplies such as healing and weapon items are not in bountiful quantities at the Baker Estate, where the phrase “make every shot count” is constantly prevalent. Moving around and aiming in first person definitely feels slower or sluggish compared to the faster pace of the previous two entries. However, this was intentional as Capcom wanted to bring back the “you are vulnerable” vibe the RE series once had. Controlling the main character in RE7 was never difficult in this newer perspective. On easy and normal difficulties, RE7 does utilize a checkpoint system for some scripted encounters or “boss fights.” However, to literally save your game progress, you will need to find a safe room and use a tape recorder. On Madhouse difficulty, you can only save if you find cassette tapes which harken back to the old typewriter days of classic Resident Evil.
The Bakers.
This is probably my favorite change that RE7 presents. The effort that Capcom put into the main antagonists help convey that this story feels more personal or grounded. In RE7, you don’t play as a super cop/anti Bio-terrorist operative who mows down hordes of mindless monsters and stops an evil corporation’s schemes. In RE7, you play as a normal person trying to escape an insane family that constantly stalk and ridicule you. While there are scripted moments and boss encounters you cannot avoid, the threat the Baker family impose actually feels terrifying. There are even multiple situational events that can occur when encountering just one of them. Jack, the father, is arguably the most memorable of the bunch. He’s a snarky son-of-a-gun who offers southern wit while bursting through walls or throwing you around a room. The technicality of Jack brought back unsettling moments of Nemesis from the third RE game that I didn’t know I actually missed. Marguerite, the mother, is a shrill lady that isn’t afraid to share what she thinks of you. She’s also a “creature feature” who literally provides the term, nightmare fuel. Lucas, the son, is a crafty scoundrel who is actually the less scary of the bunch. He provides the death room or murder puzzles that fans of the Saw movies will feel right at home with. It’s not just the Bakers you have to worry about, there is also the molded, which serve as the “grunts” to the Baker Estate just like how the Zombies were for the Spencer Mansion in RE1. They feel like a combination of the black ooze monsters of RE 5 and the regenerators of RE4. While their details grotesque enough in first person, they aren’t as memorable as encountering the Bakers. I guess Capcom thought there needed be some gun fodder that aren’t literally zombie-clichéd versions of the Baker’s victims. There is an explanation for them, but I felt they weren’t entirely needed since the bakers steal the show every time.
VR.
I regretfully don’t have any first impressions on this feature. I’m still uncertain if I want to spend the hefty price to gamble on Sony’s support promises for this peripheral. However, I’ve watched and read numerous opinions about playing RE7 with PSVR, and they all sound positive. In fact, some state that RE7 SHOULD be played with VR because Capcom actually put effort into the mode.
While the main concept changes are not original and genre defining like Resident Evil 4, RE7 pulled these off so well. If you are unfamiliar with the franchise, you will not be hindered at all with how things play out in RE7. While it has a classic feeling, it’s the most departed from the franchise for all the right reason. I wasn’t sure if I would like this setting since I’m not a fan of grindhouse and cult horror movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre. However, I am a fan of the Evil Dead, which RE7 captures that horror feeling perfectly during its opening segment. This game surprised the hell out of me and it was hard to take breaks from it. The big difference from the other first person horror games, like Alien Isolation, is that RE7 actually feels like a Resident Evil game. It’s first person, but it feels like the old RE games I played on the original PlayStation.
For some, the game is considered short where one could finish their first play through in about 9-12 hours. However, older RE games are usually not long and provide plenty of opportunities for reward unlocks depending on how fast you complete them. RE7 has been so good that I will definitely replay it on Madhouse Difficulty and try to find everything I missed the first time. It’s exciting to hear people are use the word “scary” when talking about Resident Evil again.
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From the manufacturer
Set within a sinister plantation mansion in modern day Dulvey, Louisiana where the twisted Baker family resides, players experience the terror directly from the first person perspective for the first time in the Resident Evil series. Embodying the iconic gameplay elements of exploration, atmosphere, and tense combat that first coined “survival horror” some 20 years ago, Resident Evil 7 biohazard delivers a disturbingly realistic horror experience.
Fear Comes Home
* Opening the doors to a new era of horror – The next major entry in the renowned Resident Evil series makes a dramatic new shift as it comes to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, and PlayStation VR
* Returning to the series’ roots - Resident Evil 7 biohazard will deliver an experience reminiscent of the series’ signature gameplay including high-stakes combat, puzzles, item management, and a realistic tense environment for players to explore
The Next Era of Survival Horror
* First person perspective – Experience the terrifying horror directly up close and personal for the first time in the series
* Built from the ground up on the RE Engine – Capcom’s brand new VR compatible development engine works in tandem with industry leading audio and visual technologies to create a disturbingly photorealistic experience for an unprecedented level of immersion
A Trial of Terror
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Reviews with images
Return to the horror roots.
With the recent slew of action based Resident Evils (Movies, RE 5, 6, and some spin off games) the developers decided to go back to survival horror with their main line title, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard.This game in my opinion is the best in the series as it has modern first person controls (no more lame tank controls like in most of the games in the series) mixed with survival horror which the series was built upon...and sort of lost it's way after RE4. Glad they rebooted (sorta) the series though as the only references to past games are herbs, news clippings of racoon city, and a name drop in the end. They even omitted the required bazooka in the last boss sequenceAtmosphere is great in this game. I recommend using a headset or turn up your home theater surround sound for full effect. Game felt very tense going in and expected a random pop-up scare at any moment when first exploring the environment in the game especially with the house making random noises. But 5-10 after the first human encounter the horror factor died down for me as I got used to the lay of the land. This is coming from someone who doesn't flinch or get nightmares from horror movies. Pop up scare is not real horror it's just there to test your sympathetic nervous system is workingCharacters in this game are really good. They've got a Chain Saw Massacre type boss enemy, along with one that build traps like in the Saw movies. There are minor puzzles in the game, but for the most part you are just collecting items and keys to get to the next area while trying to survive, pick up items, looking for collectables, resource managing and looking out/escape from enemies in the process.Story is very good. It's more realistic than the past two or three main games. You lost your wife for 2-3years and you finally get a random e-mail video saying she's still alive. She tells you not to go find her, but you do anyway. Then you enter this creepy haunted house of sorts trying to rescue her.This game is compatible with Playstation VR. I do not own one so cannot give you first hand accounts, but I heard it is a more immersive experience. Just keep a habit of shutting your eye lids when scared because using your hands to over your eyes while it's still open will not work ;)-Replay value is low. There's no multiplayer online mode, but there is DLC down the line. There are 2 endings for the game with the choice being given at the 3/4 point of the game. If you want to experience both endings I'd make a different save file slot after you make the deciding choice (it's obviously apparent when it happens). Other than that you can try to get PSN trophies. Platinum is somewhat easy with the hardest being:Complete the game using only 3 First Aid Meds or less,Complete the game without opening the Item Box more than 3 times.Complete the game on Madhouse difficultyThe first two may be difficult having not played the game before and the last one may be a bit frustrating if you don't' have a steady hand and miss those headshots or have a tough time scrounging for bullets. I'd say at least 3-4 playthrough to get the platinum trophy if you're good and dedicated enough.Game is very short at around 10-12 hours for the first playthrough depending on how many gameover screens you encounter, and how much you explore . But the hours spent is pure quality and definitely worth a buy if you're into horror games.Overall this game is totally worth it if you're into horror games. Having played this game it's hard to got back to the tank controls of past RE survival horror (not action based) games. One of the best games released so far this year
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2017
Platform For Display: PlayStation 4Edition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2017
Platform For Display: PlayStation 4Edition: StandardVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2018Platform For Display: PlayStation 4Edition: StandardVerified Purchase
