7 reasons why "Resident Evil 7" is a real Resi again
27.1.2017
Translation: machine translated
After the lukewarm last two instalments, "Resident Evil 7: Biohazard" attempts a new start: back to the roots. More horror, more puzzles and still plenty of new things. With success.
"Resident Evil 1" didn't do things by halves. From the short intro video, the message was clear: get ready for something. The supposedly abandoned Spencer mansion, where you narrowly escaped from bloodthirsty zombie dogs, was not to be the hoped-for refuge, but the beginning of a nightmare.
To this day, the first instalment with its perfect blend of horror, puzzles and action is regarded as a genre reference that has been imitated countless times. Unfortunately, the series' own successors have recently left something to be desired. "Resident Evil 7: Biohazard" therefore attempts a new start from a first-person perspective. Seven reasons why "Resident Evil" rocks even without zombies.
The estate
The Spencer mansion from "Resident Evil 1" was not just decoration but a central character. In part seven, you find yourself in the no less iconic Baker mansion, which is strongly reminiscent of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "True Detective". In the American hinterland, in the middle of swamps, you wander through an abandoned plantation. Everything is dirty, run-down and eerie. Blood-smeared floors and undefinable fridge contents only hint at what has happened here. You can almost smell the stench, that's how disgusting the presentation is. Developer Capcom really manages to create a place of horror that you won't soon forget.
The level design
Beautiful decoration is one thing, but the level design, i.e. the various rooms and locations you will visit, paint a believable picture of an absolutely insane horror family. The horror is alive here. There is also plenty of variety. You sneak or flee from one eerie place to the next. Sometimes you wade through a cellar filled up to the neck with putrid water, then you sneak through an old shipwreck. The levels are well organised and varied. You never know what to expect next - but you can't wait to discover it.
The sound
The sound design is first-class. You constantly hear eerie noises. There are creaks and rumbles everywhere and you are never sure if the game is playing a trick on you or if something is chasing you. Doors squeak when you push them open and with every footstep, you wonder whether it was you or the Bakers.
The atmosphere
The sound, the level design and the creepy, poorly lit locations create a wonderfully eerie atmosphere. Everything inside you urges you to turn back, just get away from this madhouse. Your nerves are often stretched to breaking point. There are enough horror games out there, but "Resident Evil 7" is not just shock and blood. The story and the characters will scare you even without jump scares.
The mix
A real "Resident Evil" consists of horror, action and puzzles. Part seven also shines here. Panicked chases are followed by calm passages in which you explore rooms, solve puzzles and your heart rate drops back to non-life-threatening levels. Your inventory is limited again, but the game never degenerates into an inventory manager like part 1. Of course, you can also shoot again, and now from a first-person perspective. Ammunition is scarce and good aim is priceless.
The horror
"Resident Evil 7" doesn't start on a squeamish note and shows how things are going in the first few hours of the game. Sawed-off limbs, entrails and lots of blood. "Resident Evil 7" serves up rough fare, but never feels contrived. Especially if you play alone in the dark, the hairs on the back of your neck will soon stand on end. Really nice scares.
The VR
The most intense way to experience the game is with Playstation VR. The game can be played entirely with VR glasses. The realisation is first-class and doesn't feel contrived in any way. Targeting enemies with weapons is even better than with the controller because you can aim with your head. Shock moments are much more intense. When a hand suddenly grabs your face out of nowhere, your heart races. However, the constant eerie sound will also make you a little paranoid. You start to constantly turn round to see if someone is sneaking up on you. Every corner becomes a test of courage.
Works pretty well even without Move controller support, even though you can see your own hands, which is often confusing.
The VR compatibility in our environment was pretty good overall. Visually, it looks a little better on the PS4 Pro. The controls are designed so that you go where you look. You can also use the analogue stick to turn piece by piece.
Conclusion: Go for it
Finally, you can once again speak with pride of a new "Resident Evil". The seventh instalment lives up to its name. The switch from third-person to first-person perspective works perfectly and provides real shock moments, especially in VR. The action is well-paced, weapons feel powerful and, with ammunition in short supply, they are a rare commodity. The puzzles are sometimes tricky, but mostly fair and ensure that you search every room thoroughly. The game is not perfect. Boss battles can be frustrating if you don't know how to win them and often it's simply a case of spiking them with countless bullets. On the other hand, the graphics and animations are first class. At last, "Resident Evil" is once again a genuine horror game that will make your forehead sweat and your pulse race so high that your smartwatch will think you're doing high-performance sport.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.