Resident Evil 7 changes the format of the franchise, but does it define its future?
The primary concern of many gamers had shifted from Will this game be good?
to Will this game live up to the legacy I have assigned it?
Instead, think of the tragically underrated Xbox 360 launch titleCondemned: Criminal Origins.
Resident Evil 7s campaign is one of the greatest single-player adventures released in recent memory.
Then again, nobody could have ever quite anticipated the brilliance of this titles level design.
Nearly every section ofResident Evil 7incorporates some new theme or mechanic designed to keep the experience fresh.
Remarkably, most of these areas are strung together to create a cohesiveMetroid-like overworld that can be seamlessly explored.
Actually, 90% ofResident Evil 7s story is captured in the games opening moments.
You are a man named Ethan Winters who comes to Louisiana to look for his missing girlfriend, Mia.
The closing moments ofResident Evil 7s story are going to be divisive.
Not only does this rob the story of some of its What the hell is going on here?
The gameplay features a similarly favorable ratio of brilliant and unfortunate.
The big surprise here is the quality of the gunplay.
Sadly, that compliment does not extend to the games boss fights.
Early on inResident Evil 7, you participate in two boss encounters.
The second is an immensely clever confrontation that makes brilliant use of the games mechanics and your environment.
In fact, I was surprised by how little the game relies on jump scares.
This feeling of constant dread is amplified by the games impressive visuals and minimalistic soundtrack.
Actually, lets not measure the game against its forebears quite yet.
Thats a conversation that will only serve to distract you from the brilliance ofResident Evil 7as a standalone experience.
But hey, I get it.
You still want to know howResident Evil 7stacks up in terms of legacies.
Well, Ill tell you.
Its the most notable horror game released sinceP.T.Its the greatest horror campaign weve seen sinceDead Space.
Matthew Byrd is a staff writer.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
