Did Resident Evil 7 Revive the Series? A Deep Dive
Absolutely! Resident Evil 7: Biohazard unequivocally revived the Resident Evil franchise. After a period of diminishing returns and a drift away from its survival-horror roots, RE7 acted as a potent shot in the arm, injecting new life and a renewed sense of terror into a series that had begun to feel stale. By returning to the core tenets of what made Resident Evil great – tense exploration, limited resources, and genuinely frightening encounters – while simultaneously reinventing itself with a first-person perspective and a more intimate narrative, RE7 re-established the franchise as a leader in the survival-horror genre. This bold move not only pleased long-time fans but also attracted a new generation of players eager for a truly terrifying experience.
The Shift Away from Action
The defining characteristic of the decline for many fans was the gradual shift towards action-oriented gameplay in titles like Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6. While these games were not necessarily bad, they veered significantly away from the careful, methodical gameplay that defined the earlier entries. Ammunition was plentiful, enemies were numerous, and the focus was more on blasting through hordes than strategically managing resources and avoiding confrontation. This approach alienated a significant portion of the fanbase who craved the slow-burn tension and vulnerability that were hallmarks of the original Resident Evil games.
Resident Evil 7: A Return to Form
Resident Evil 7 directly addressed these concerns by stripping away the excess and focusing on the core elements of survival horror. The game’s setting, a dilapidated plantation in rural Louisiana, felt claustrophobic and menacing. Resources were scarce, forcing players to carefully consider every shot and item usage. The Baker family, the game’s primary antagonists, were genuinely terrifying, embodying a raw, visceral form of horror that hadn’t been seen in the series for years. The switch to a first-person perspective amplified the feeling of vulnerability, making each encounter feel far more personal and intense.
Key Elements of the Revival
- Focus on Survival-Horror: The core mechanics revolved around resource management, puzzle-solving, and strategic combat, emphasizing tension and fear over all-out action.
- First-Person Perspective: This bold change immersed players in the game world like never before, heightening the sense of vulnerability and fear.
- Compelling Narrative: The story, while initially seemingly disconnected from the broader Resident Evil lore, offered a fresh and engaging narrative that drew players in.
- Terrifying Antagonists: The Baker family provided a unique and disturbing threat, moving away from the global conspiracies of previous games and focusing on a more personal and intimate form of horror.
- Visual and Atmospheric Excellence: RE7’s visuals were stunning, creating a believable and unsettling environment that added significantly to the overall horror experience.
The Impact on the Industry
Resident Evil 7’s success had a ripple effect across the industry. It demonstrated that there was still a significant appetite for traditional survival-horror games, and it encouraged other developers to embrace more atmospheric and tension-based gameplay. The game’s use of the RE Engine also set a new standard for visual fidelity and performance, influencing the development of future titles. In a broader sense, RE7 revitalized the conversation around what made survival horror great, inspiring a new wave of games that prioritized atmosphere, tension, and vulnerability.
FAQs About Resident Evil 7 and its Impact
1. Is Resident Evil 7 a reboot to the series?
Resident Evil 7 is more accurately described as a soft reboot. While it introduces new characters and a new storyline, it still exists within the established Resident Evil universe. There are connections to the wider lore, though they are initially subtle. It effectively resets the tone and gameplay focus of the series without completely erasing the past.
2. Is RE7 connected to the rest of the series?
Yes, though the connections are initially subtle and primarily found in easter eggs and lore elements. The most significant connection comes in the form of Chris Redfield’s appearance at the end of the game. This links the events of RE7 to the wider BSAA storyline and the ongoing fight against bioterrorism.
3. Why is RE7 so different?
The shift to first-person, the focus on a single psychotic family rather than global zombie outbreaks, and the emphasis on survival-horror were all deliberate choices to reinvent the franchise. Capcom aimed to recapture the spirit of the original Resident Evil games while also creating a fresh and modern experience.
4. Does RE7 have 2 endings?
Yes, Resident Evil 7 has two main endings, determined by which character (Mia or Zoe) the player chooses to cure with the serum. Each choice leads to different cutscenes and slightly altered narrative outcomes.
5. How are Resident Evil 7 and 8 connected?
Resident Evil 8: Village directly continues the story of Ethan Winters, the protagonist of RE7. It picks up a few years after the events of RE7, with Ethan and Mia living a peaceful life before Chris Redfield intervenes and thrusts Ethan into a new nightmare.
6. Why isn’t Leon in Resident Evil 7?
According to Matt Mercer, the voice actor for Leon Kennedy, Capcom decided to “scale back” the use of familiar characters in RE7. The focus was on creating a new and self-contained story with a different cast.
7. What happens if you cure Zoe instead of Mia?
Choosing to cure Zoe leads to Mia being left behind and eventually succumbing to Eveline’s influence. Ethan then has to fight and kill Mia. In this scenario, Zoe ultimately dies from Eveline’s influence.
8. Does Resident Evil 7 have a happy ending?
The ending can be considered “happy” depending on your choice. If you cure Mia, both she and Ethan survive and are rescued. Curing Zoe, while seemingly selfless, leads to a more tragic outcome for both Zoe and Mia.
9. Is Resident Evil 8 a continuation of 7?
Yes, Resident Evil Village is a direct continuation of Resident Evil 7. It carries on Ethan Winters’ story and builds upon the events and themes established in RE7.
10. Is Leon still alive in Resident Evil 7?
Leon Kennedy is still alive within the Resident Evil timeline during the events of Resident Evil 7, but he does not appear in the game.
11. Will the Winters be in Resident Evil 9?
According to Capcom, the Shadows of Rose DLC was intended to “conclude the Winters family saga,” suggesting that Ethan and Rose Winters are unlikely to be featured in Resident Evil 9.
12. Why isn’t Leon in Resident Evil 7 or 8?
Leon’s absence from Resident Evil 7 and 8 is attributed to a desire to focus on new characters and storylines, as well as the fact that the events of Village take place in Europe, outside of Leon’s operational jurisdiction.
13. Why is Resident Evil 7 better than 8?
This is subjective, but many fans prefer Resident Evil 7 for its intense horror atmosphere, realistic villains like Jack Baker, and emphasis on pure survival horror elements. Resident Evil 8 leans more towards action and gothic horror.
14. Will there be a Resident Evil 9?
Yes, given the success of Resident Evil Village and the franchise’s overall popularity, it is highly likely that Resident Evil 9 will be released. Based on past release patterns, it could be expected around 2025.
15. Does Chris appear in Resident Evil 8?
Yes, Chris Redfield plays a significant role in Resident Evil Village. He is involved in the events that lead to Ethan’s abduction and subsequent journey to the village.
The Enduring Legacy
Resident Evil 7 was more than just a good game; it was a course correction. It reminded players what they loved about Resident Evil in the first place: the fear, the tension, the vulnerability, and the strategic gameplay. It served as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to look back and rediscover the core elements that made something great in the first place. By embracing its roots while also innovating in meaningful ways, Resident Evil 7 revitalized the franchise and paved the way for a new era of survival horror.
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