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Resident Evil VII Review—Reinvents and Revitalizes the Series
In my view, it has been quite a while since we last saw a worthy addition to the Resident Evil franchise. Capcom has announced that the game will be going back to its origins, which is certainly something I would love to witness. However, is this the reboot that the series truly required?
Lost Love, Deadly Secrets
The game begins with a video message on a laptop from your girlfriend Mia, urging you to stay away. You find yourself in a car heading to a location specified in an email from Mia, revealing that she has been missing for three years.
You take control of Ethan, and as you follow the address provided, you reach The Baker plantation, where your adventure truly begins. Your mission is to locate and rescue Mia while battling against members of The Baker family and terrifying creatures known as the ‘moulded’.
Throughout the house, you will discover video cassettes, including the one you played during the initial hour of the demo. Just like in the demo, you must locate the old TV and cassette player to watch the tape. This will provide you with more context about the events that transpired in the house before your arrival and may also offer useful hints for later challenges in the game. I found this feature to be a delightful addition, presenting a unique way to unveil the backstory and aid you in solving some puzzles.
Modern Horror, Classic Roots
Capcom has taken a different approach with the gameplay in this installment of the Resident Evil series, shifting to a first-person perspective. This change seems to draw inspiration from recent successful horror titles like Outlast and Amnesia, which I believe was a smart move – especially considering the VR capabilities on Playstation VR (which I will discuss later). The game has also returned to its survival horror roots, a necessary step given the revival of the genre that the series originally helped to establish.
As you navigate through the game, you’ll frequently find yourself short on ammunition, which isn’t readily available. This means that when confronting The Bakers and the moulded, you must choose between shooting them or simply running away; there were moments when I attempted to shoot them, missed crucial headshots, and ended up exhausting my ammo, which could have been useful later. Therefore, it’s crucial to weigh your options: fight or flee. The game also includes several boss battles, where conserving ammo becomes vital to inflict the necessary damage.
The days of carrying an abundance of items in your inventory are over, as the game reintroduces a limited inventory space, making it essential to manage what you carry. You have a finite number of slots, with items like your knife, ammo, and health packs occupying one slot each, while your shotgun takes up two. You’ll discover storage boxes in the safe rooms throughout the house, allowing you to discard items you don’t currently need; however, if you later require them, you’ll have to return to those safe rooms. In these safe rooms, you’ll also find the game’s save points – a nod to the classic typewriter save points, now replaced with answering machines, though you won’t need any items in your inventory to save, unlike the previous ink ribbon system.
Once again, revisiting the classic Resident Evil titles, players encounter intricate puzzles that must be solved to obtain the key needed to progress through the door. Sure, some of these puzzles and locks appear quite sophisticated and strange for an old plantation house, but rest assured, this does not detract from the game’s immersive experience. This is precisely where inventory management becomes crucial; at times, I found myself using herbs just to make room for the key.
From the information provided above, it’s clear that Capcom has made a concerted effort to bring the game back to its origins, drawing inspiration from other recent masterpieces that have graced the genre.
Atmosphere of Pure Dread
With the shift to first-person perspective, I believed that the visuals had to be of the highest quality to complement this change – and I’m pleased to report that they have excelled in this area. The character models and the intricate details surrounding the plantation are impressive.
When you get up close to Mia and the Baker family (which occurs frequently), the character details and motion capture are quite remarkable. However, I did notice one significant drawback with the character models: the hair on the female characters often resembled strips of fabric rather than actual hair – I understand that capturing hair texture can be challenging, yet other games have managed to do it much better. The other entities you encounter in the house (the moulded) look fantastic, even though they are essentially composed of a type of black goo – which is what has infected The Bakers.
The game’s environments are exceptionally detailed, enhancing the overall atmosphere and horror aspect. You can sense the age and decay of the house, with the mould, peeling wallpaper, and the intricate woodwork – all of which were crucial for the game’s intended feel.
Additionally, in keeping with the game’s nostalgic vibe, the examination system for the items you discover has been included, as these could be vital for solving puzzles and gathering information. Given the capabilities of the current generation of consoles, one would expect these items to be detailed – and for the most part, they are, but I felt that some items were lacking in detail.
I believe Capcom has successfully captured the essential details needed to bring the game back to the survival horror genre, ensuring that you are fully immersed in the world they have crafted.
There is much to say about the survival aspects they have reintroduced into the game, but the horror element is equally significant. They have created the perfect atmosphere with the adjustments made to evoke a sense of anxiety while playing – combined with jump scares and the uncertainty of what lies around each corner; you will find yourself on the edge of your seat throughout the game.
Horror Elevated by VR
Resident Evil 7 marks the debut of a Triple-A title on the Playstation VR, and it appears that the game was designed with virtual reality in mind. This consideration likely influenced the decision to adopt a first-person perspective. Personally, experiencing the game in VR feels like the way it was intended to be played; the fact that the entire game is accessible in VR means you can fully immerse yourself in this experience.
I initially played the game in VR, and when I switched to the standard mode, I found that while the atmosphere remained tense and engaging, the 360-degree VR and Surround sound added an extra layer of depth. Aside from the heightened immersion and increased scare factor, the gameplay itself was largely unchanged. As previously mentioned, the scare factor significantly amplifies in VR; while the game is jumpy and frightening in standard mode, the VR experience takes it to a whole new level. I consider myself someone who isn’t easily frightened by horror games (or movies), yet there were numerous moments when I felt the urge to stop playing and turn it off—something that never occurred during my standard playthrough.
However, there were some drawbacks to playing in VR. The first issue was that, despite the fantastic immersion, I found it challenging to engage in long gaming sessions. I typically needed to take a break after about an hour—not due to discomfort, but simply because a break was necessary, as the game itself advises. Don’t misunderstand me; some players can manage longer sessions. I’ve seen VR streams that last the entire length of the game (approximately 8-10 hours) with brief pauses, but I personally believe that sessions shouldn’t extend that long. The second drawback was the reduction in visual fidelity; although the game still looked stunning and you wouldn’t expect more while playing, the difference becomes apparent when switching back to standard mode.
An issue that is brought up every time when it comes to VR gaming is of course motion sickness, and with this game offering freedom of movement this could be an issue. For me, even though some games have effected me this way, I found no issues of motion sickness or discomfort – but, this can effect people in different way’s so please take into account this might not be the same for everyone.
The real shame is the timed exclusivity deal they signed with Sony, as people who are using other means of VR gaming will have to wait to take in this experience.
The 4D Horror Gimmick
Numskull Designs has introduced a 4D Candle designed for use while playing the game in VR; this candle emits the scent of the Baker household, enhancing the game’s immersive experience. Initially, I wondered why anyone would want this burning in their home, as the aroma of scented candles tends to linger, and it might create an unpleasant odor. However, after experiencing the game in VR, I felt compelled to give it a try. To me, the candle primarily smelled of old, damp wood – which was fitting for the game, as it takes place in an old plantation house. While the scent complemented the game and contributed to the immersion, after lighting it a few times, the novelty of the 4D concept faded, and it has now become more of a decorative piece on my gaming shelf.
Comfort
Verdict
In my opinion, Capcom has effectively rebooted the Resident Evil series, restoring it to its rightful position at the pinnacle of the survival horror genre. They have put in significant effort to ensure that the game encapsulates everything necessary to revive the survival horror essence in the series, while also considering those who are not playing in VR – making the experience tense and thrilling for everyone involved.. Resident Evil 7 marks a tremendous success in bringing the series back to its roots, and stands out as one of the finest experiences in the franchise since Resident Evil 2. With the return of a genuinely compelling story, along with the gameplay we cherished from the original titles, now presented with a fresh first-person perspective. This game provides a wealth of content in both standard mode and for the Playstation VR – but if you have embraced the Playstation VR, this is undoubtedly the optimal way to experience it.
Release Date: January 24th 2017
Developer: Campcom
Publisher: Capcom
Price: £49.99 / $59.99 USD
Reviewed On: PS4 / PSVR
* Access Provided For Review *
Buy/Wishlist
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Copyright / Virtual Grip (formally The VR Realm) / 2016 -
