Do You Need to Play Resident Evil 7 Before Village? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether to play Resident Evil 7: Biohazard before diving into Resident Evil Village is a common one, and for good reason. These two titles are directly linked within the larger Resident Evil canon, but are they inseparable experiences? The short answer is no, you don’t absolutely need to play Resident Evil 7 before Village to understand the basic plot. However, the more nuanced answer is that doing so will significantly enhance your overall experience and appreciation for Village. Here’s a deeper dive into why.
Understanding the Connection
Resident Evil Village is a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7. Both games star Ethan Winters as the protagonist, and Village continues his story from where Biohazard left off. Village picks up a few years after the events of Resident Evil 7, thrusting Ethan into a new, terrifying scenario as he searches for his kidnapped daughter.
While Capcom has provided a recap cinematic at the beginning of Village, designed to catch up players who may not have experienced the previous game, this recap only offers the bare minimum. It highlights essential plot points but lacks the emotional context and character development that players gain from experiencing RE7 firsthand. The emotional impact, particularly related to key characters and past trauma, is diminished without the shared experience of the previous game.
The Benefits of Playing Resident Evil 7 First
Experiencing RE7 before RE8 offers numerous benefits that greatly enrich your playthrough of Resident Evil Village:
Character Development
You will gain a much deeper understanding of Ethan Winters‘ character, motivations, and relationship with his wife, Mia. This understanding is crucial in understanding his drive in Village. Furthermore, the character of Chris Redfield appears at the end of RE7, with a major role in Village, understanding his role is greatly impacted by experiencing RE7.
Emotional Resonance
Certain moments in Village will land with far greater emotional impact if you’ve personally witnessed the events in RE7. Knowing the trauma Ethan went through at the Baker estate will add layers to his actions and responses in Village.
Story Continuity
While Village’s storyline is self-contained, it frequently references characters, plot points, and themes from RE7. Having that background knowledge will allow you to grasp these nuances and make better sense of certain situations.
A Better Horror Experience
Resident Evil 7 is widely regarded as the scarier of the two games. Its intense atmosphere, claustrophobic environments, and gruesome encounters make for a genuinely terrifying experience. Playing it beforehand will set the stage for the less overtly horrifying, but still tense, atmosphere of Village, allowing you to appreciate the different styles of horror each game employs.
Appreciation for the Overall Narrative
Playing both games consecutively offers a better understanding of the overall arc, and allows players to fully immerse themselves in the narrative that links both games together. Both titles have a subtle, but present, connection to the broader Resident Evil lore.
When It’s Okay to Skip Resident Evil 7
While strongly recommended, there are scenarios where skipping directly to Village may be acceptable:
- You’re Primarily Interested in the Action: If your focus is less on the detailed narrative and more on action-packed gameplay, the recap provided by Village will suffice.
- You’re Already Familiar with the Plot: If you’ve watched gameplay, read spoilers, or are otherwise familiar with the main events of RE7, the need to play it beforehand is less crucial.
- You Prioritize Accessibility: If you are just entering the series and desire a shorter entry point, Village is generally considered an easier game, though both are accessible.
However, keep in mind that even in these cases, skipping RE7 will rob you of a significant portion of the experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while you don’t have to play Resident Evil 7 before Village to enjoy the game, it is highly recommended that you do. The narrative context, emotional depth, and overall understanding that you gain from experiencing RE7 first significantly enhances the experience of Village. You’ll get more from the story, understand the characters better, and appreciate the overarching narrative to a much greater extent. Therefore, If possible, begin with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. You’ll thank yourself when the credits roll on Resident Evil Village.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Resident Evil 7 required for Village?
No, it is not strictly required to understand the basic plot of Resident Evil Village. Village provides a recap, but the emotional context and understanding will be greatly enhanced by playing RE7 first.
2. Is Resident Evil Village a sequel to Resident Evil 7?
Yes, Resident Evil Village is the direct sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. It continues the story of Ethan Winters.
3. Will I be lost if I start with Village?
You won’t be completely lost, as the recap will explain key events. However, you’ll miss out on significant character development and emotional impact without having experienced RE7.
4. Is Resident Evil 7 as scary as Village?
Resident Evil 7 is generally considered scarier than Village. It has more claustrophobic environments and a more intense horror atmosphere.
5. What is the connection between Resident Evil 7 and the rest of the franchise?
RE7’s ties to the broader franchise are subtle but present. It explores the legacy of the Umbrella Corporation and has connections to the overall Resident Evil storyline.
6. Is Resident Evil 7 a standalone game?
While it is a unique experience, RE7 is not entirely standalone. It has connections to the overall storyline and characters. It can be played without prior knowledge of previous entries, though.
7. What is the story recap in Resident Evil Village like?
The recap is a brief cinematic that summarizes the key events of Resident Evil 7. It provides the bare minimum necessary to understand the basics of the story for Village.
8. Can I play Resident Evil 7 after Village?
Yes, you can, but playing them in order is the recommended experience. Playing RE7 after will make certain events in Village less impactful and potentially spoil surprises.
9. Is Resident Evil 7 scarier than all the other games in the franchise?
Many fans consider Resident Evil 7 the scariest game in the main franchise. It stands out for its intense atmosphere and terrifying enemies.
10. What year does Resident Evil 7 take place?
Resident Evil 7 takes place in 2017, a few years prior to the events of Resident Evil Village.
11. Does the choice in Resident Evil 7 affect Resident Evil Village?
The choice of curing either Mia or Zoe in RE7 has only minor narrative impact on Village, but provides extra emotional context to some situations.
12. Are there connections between Resident Evil 7 and 6?
While RE7 takes place after the events of RE6, the two games are not directly connected. RE7 is more of a soft reboot for the series.
13. Is Resident Evil 7 harder than Resident Evil Village?
Yes, Resident Evil 7 is generally harder than Village, particularly in resource management and enemy encounters.
14. Which should I play first, Resident Evil 7 or 8?
It’s recommended to play Resident Evil 7 before 8, or Village, for the best narrative experience. It will greatly enhance your understanding and emotional investment into the story and its characters.
15. Is Resident Evil Village the 7th game in the series?
Resident Evil Village is the 8th main entry in the Resident Evil series. Biohazard, or Resident Evil 7, is the preceding game to Village.