When Did Resident Evil Dare to Look Through Our Eyes? Exploring the Franchise’s First-Person Shift

The Resident Evil franchise dramatically shifted perspectives in 2017 with the release of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. This marked the first time a main installment in the series fully embraced the first-person perspective, immersing players in a way never before experienced within the survival horror world Capcom had meticulously crafted. This wasn’t just a cosmetic change; it was a fundamental reimagining of the gameplay and atmosphere, leaving a lasting impact on the franchise’s future direction.

The Evolution of Perspective: A Resident Evil Retrospective

For over two decades, Resident Evil had firmly established itself within the third-person perspective. From the fixed camera angles of the original trilogy to the over-the-shoulder action of Resident Evil 4, players observed the unfolding horrors from a distance, controlling their characters within a broader view of the environment. This created a sense of strategic awareness, allowing players to plan their movements and conserve resources accordingly.

However, as the horror genre evolved, so too did the demands of its audience. Games like Outlast and P.T. redefined fear through the vulnerability of first-person gameplay, placing players directly into the character’s shoes and amplifying the impact of every jump scare and unsettling encounter.

Resident Evil 7: A Bold New Vision

Capcom recognized the potential of this shift and took a calculated risk with Resident Evil 7. The decision to adopt a first-person perspective was driven by a desire to create a more intimate and terrifying experience. By limiting the player’s field of vision and placing them directly within the claustrophobic confines of the Baker plantation, the game successfully ratcheted up the tension and amplified the sense of dread.

Why First-Person? Design Choices and Impact

The designers behind Resident Evil 7 made a conscious decision to prioritize horror over action, drawing inspiration from classic horror films and contemporary survival horror titles. The first-person perspective allowed for greater immersion, making players feel more vulnerable and connected to the protagonist, Ethan Winters.

Furthermore, the confined spaces of the Baker mansion would have been challenging to navigate with a traditional third-person camera. The first-person view allowed the environments to feel more realistic and oppressive, contributing significantly to the game’s terrifying atmosphere.

Resident Evil Village: Continuing the Legacy

The success of Resident Evil 7 paved the way for its sequel, Resident Evil Village, to continue the first-person perspective. While Village introduced a greater emphasis on action and exploration, it retained the immersive quality that had become a hallmark of the new direction.

A Hybrid Approach: Offering the Best of Both Worlds

Interestingly, Resident Evil Village later received an update allowing players to experience the game in third-person. This decision allowed players to choose the perspective that best suited their preferences. The team at Capcom put significant effort into adding the third-person camera, showing a commitment to listening to the playerbase. This provides two unique ways to experience the game and potentially appeals to those more accustomed to that perspective in the franchise.

Beyond the Mainline: First-Person Experiments

While Resident Evil 7 marked the true turning point, the series had previously flirted with the first-person perspective in spin-off titles and VR experiences. These experiments demonstrated the potential of the format and laid the groundwork for its eventual integration into the main series.

The Future of Resident Evil: A Perspective Shift?

The enduring popularity of the third-person remakes alongside the success of the first-person installments has solidified Capcom’s commitment to offering players a variety of experiences within the Resident Evil universe. Whether the series will continue to explore both perspectives or lean more heavily into one remains to be seen, but the legacy of Resident Evil 7 as a bold experiment that redefined the franchise is undeniable. Learning about the history of games can be intriguing; explore the GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about game design and education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to delve deeper into the topic:

1. Was Resident Evil 7 the first time the series experimented with first-person? No, the series had experimented with first-person in spin-off titles and VR experiences before Resident Evil 7, but it was the first mainline title to fully embrace the perspective.
2. Why did Resident Evil 7 switch to first-person? To create a more immersive and terrifying experience, emphasizing horror over action. The claustrophobic environments of the Baker mansion were also better suited to a first-person view.
3. Did Resident Evil Village continue the first-person perspective? Yes, Resident Evil Village initially launched with a first-person perspective, continuing the trend set by Resident Evil 7.
4. Can you play Resident Evil Village in third-person? Yes, Capcom released an update that allows players to experience Resident Evil Village in third-person, giving them the choice of perspective.
5. Did the change to first-person affect the gameplay of Resident Evil? Yes, it significantly impacted the gameplay, emphasizing resource management, close-quarters combat, and exploration within confined spaces.
6. Was the switch to first-person well-received by fans? Reception was initially mixed, with some fans embracing the change and others preferring the traditional third-person perspective. However, Resident Evil 7’s critical and commercial success ultimately validated the decision.
7. Are there any other Resident Evil games planned to be in first-person? While Capcom hasn’t explicitly stated their plans for future Resident Evil games, the success of Resident Evil 7 and Village suggests that they are open to exploring both first-person and third-person perspectives.
8. How does the first-person perspective impact the horror elements of Resident Evil? It amplifies the horror elements by limiting the player’s field of vision, increasing their vulnerability, and placing them directly in the character’s shoes during terrifying encounters.
9. Did the first-person perspective in Resident Evil 7 draw comparisons to other games? Yes, it drew comparisons to modern survival horror games such as Outlast and P.T., which also utilized the first-person perspective to create intense and immersive horror experiences.
10. Why isn’t Leon in Resident Evil 7 or 8? The story of Resident Evil Village was based in an unnamed Eastern European country, which is undoubtedly outside the jurisdiction of the United States – hence, Leon’s absence.
11. What is Resident Evil called in Japan? Resident Evil is called Biohazard in Japan and Southeast Asia.
12. Is Resident Evil 7 the scariest game in the franchise? Many fans and critics consider Resident Evil 7 to be one of the scariest games in the franchise, due to its intense atmosphere, grotesque enemies, and immersive first-person perspective.
13. What year is Resident Evil 8 set in? Resident Evil Village is set three years after the events of Resident Evil 7, largely on the day of February 9, 2021.
14. Is Resident Evil 5 first person? Resident Evil 5 is a third-person shooter with an over-the-shoulder perspective.
15. Will there be a Resident Evil 9? Resident Evil games have been going strong, and with the ninth main entry likely in development, 2025 seems like a good time for its release.