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Resident Evil: Village – Everything We Know About the New Resident Evil

Resident Evil: Village – Everything We Know About the New Resident Evil

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Resident Evil: Village is one of the most anticipated video games of 2021. The eighth installment in the iconic survival horror franchise will be released on May 7th. The developers are actively building up interest in the game, sharing new details and features that make this installment unique. With each new announcement, fans eagerly await the opportunity to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of horror and adventure, making Resident Evil: Village one of the most talked about games of the year.

The Resident Evil series, developed by the Japanese company Capcom, has been around since 1996 and has established itself as one of the most famous survival horror game franchises. The eighth installment, Resident Evil: Village, was announced in June 2020 during the PlayStation 5 reveal. Fans are highly excited about Resident Evil: Village. The developers promise not only a continuation of the gripping story but also new mechanics, improved graphics, and the atmosphere inherent to previous installments. Skillbox Media shares its expectations and predictions for what awaits players in Resident Evil: Village.

What will Resident Evil: Village be about?

In Resident Evil: Village, players will be able to immerse themselves in the story of Ethan Winters, the protagonist of the seventh installment of the series. Several years have passed since the events of the previous game, and now he and his wife Mia have moved to a safe place protected by the Bioterrorism Counter-Action Alliance (B.S.A.A.). A long-awaited daughter, Rosemary, appears in their lives, whom they tenderly love and care for. However, Ethan's dark past will catch up with him again. Captain Chris Redfield, a key figure in the entire franchise, suddenly attacks Mia and kidnaps their daughter. The developers leave Mia's fate unknown, building tension and intrigue around her. Resident Evil: Village invites players to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of horror and the struggle for survival, and also reveals new aspects of beloved characters.

Concept by Ethan Winters. Image: Capcom

The protagonist, determined to save his child, begins pursuing the kidnapper, Redfield. His search leads him to an isolated European village, cut off from civilization, where an atmosphere of fear and mystery reigns. Locals hide in their houses, and eerie screams are heard from the fields. On the hilltop above the village rises an imposing Gothic castle, which does not fit into the surrounding landscape. This mysterious setting increases the tension and emphasizes the danger the protagonist faces in his quest to get his child back.

Inexplicable events occur in the village, causing alarm among the locals. Mysterious creatures lurk in the castle, and fear of them forces people to lock their windows and doors. Questions about Rosemary's fate become increasingly persistent. Ethan must unravel the dark secrets of this place and find answers to all the mysteries that shroud the village and its inhabitants.

The new game features vibrant and memorable characters alongside Ethan and Mia Winters. Each brings their own unique atmosphere and storyline to the table, making gameplay more engaging. Characters have deep backstories and motivations, allowing players to better understand their actions and choices in critical situations. These iconic figures add emotional tension and make the game more immersive. The supporting characters also play an important role: they help flesh out the game's world and mythology, enriching the main plot with new details. The interactions between characters shape the dynamic and create many memorable moments, making every game session unique.

Chris Redfield

The kidnapper of Ethan's daughter and the presumed killer of Mia. He was previously a member of the elite police force S.T.A.R.S., but currently holds the position of operations manager for the military company Blue Umbrella.

Concept by Chris Redfield / Capcom

Lady Alsina Dimitrescu

A mysterious figure lives in a hilltop castle. He is the father of three daughters: Bela, Kassandra, and Daniela. He stands at an imposing height of almost two meters and has razor-sharp claws. Throughout the game, he stalks Ethan, creating an atmosphere of tension and mystery. His figure becomes a symbol of threat, and interaction with him opens up new facets of the plot, giving the game uniqueness and depth.

Screenshot: Resident Evil: Village / Capcom

Mother Miranda

A new villain appears in the village, establishing his rule over the locals and controlling the monsters that inhabit the region. Lady Dimitrescu is also under his influence, which only heightens the atmosphere of fear and oppression in the area. This antagonist not only controls creatures, but also manipulates the inhabitants, forcing them to submit to his will.

Presumably a portrait of Miranda's mother. Screenshot: Resident Evil: Village / Capcom

The Duke

Ethan's assistant is a merchant who offers the hero a wide range of essential resources and weapons. He provides the player with access to important items that can significantly facilitate the gameplay. His shop offers both basic materials and unique artifacts that can help improve skills and increase the chances of success in battle. Interaction with Ethan's assistant is an important part of the gameplay, as the further development of the plot and effectiveness in battle depend on the correct choice of resources.

Screenshot: Resident Evil: Village / Capcom

The eighth installment features a character named Heisenberg, who plays a key role in the management of the werewolf community.

The Resident Evil: Village Universe - Vampires, Werewolves, a "Death Place"

Capcom presented the Resident Evil: Village game world in an original way. In early April 2021, the company published a screenshot showing the game's map. This map highlights four key areas that will likely become central locations in the plot. These are the Moro Reservoir, the Beneviento House, the Heisenberg Factory, and Lady Dimitrescu's Castle. Each of these locations promises a unique gaming experience and a variety of challenges for players.

Resident Evil: Village World Map. Image: Capcom

The map contains icons representing monsters, which may indicate the presence of bosses that players will encounter in these locations. These creatures include a dragon, a bat, and a sea monster. These symbols serve as important reference points for players, allowing them to prepare for upcoming battles and develop strategies to successfully overcome the challenges posed by these powerful opponents.

The village Ethan arrives in at the beginning of the game remains unnamed, but locals have dubbed it "the place of death." In the second demo, dubbed "The Village," players can see this settlement overrun with werewolves thirsting for human blood. Dimitrescu Castle, judging by the trailers, will be infested with vampires. The developers claim that this location will feature exclusively female opponents, and the entrance to the castle will be littered with the corpses of bloodless men. This creates an atmosphere of horror and mystery, emphasizing the dangers Ethan will face.

You can learn more about the inhabitants of various locations in exclusive demos for PS4 and PS5. A pre-release demo is also planned for release on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Steam, and Stadia on May 2nd. This is a great opportunity for gamers to immerse themselves in the game's world and get acquainted with its features.

Official release schedule for Resident Evil: Village demos. Image: Capcom

Resident Evil: Village Gameplay

The eighth installment of the game continues the traditions established in the seventh. Players will be immersed in the world from a first-person perspective, fighting enemies, including mainly Lycans, and solving a variety of puzzles. This part offers a unique gaming experience, combining dynamic battles and intellectual challenges, which makes the game exciting and rich.

Lycans (the same werewolves) in Resident Evil: Village. Screenshot: Capcom

As players progress through the game, they will discover new weapons, but finding ammunition for them will be difficult, as this is a survival horror game, not a typical shooter. Ethan will have a diverse arsenal, including a knife, a revolver, a hunting rifle, a pistol, an assault rifle, a sniper rifle, and a machine gun. In addition, players will be able to master new combat skills, such as parries and counterattacks, which adds a strategic element to the gameplay.

The crafting and inventory management system in Resident Evil: Village remains the same as in Resident Evil 7. All collected items fit into a small suitcase with limited capacity, forcing players to choose their carry-on items wisely. It is important to note that the game once again lacks the ability to carry all the items found, which adds a strategic element to the gameplay. Additionally, Resident Evil: Village introduces animal hunting mechanics, which expands the variety of resources. Now, in addition to traditional healing herbs and other materials, players will be able to find valuable loot obtained from killed animals, which adds a new level of interaction with the game world.

Inventory in Resident Evil: Village. Screenshot: Capcom

Capcom reintroduces the merchant to Resident Evil, who has been absent since Resident Evil 4. In this installment, he is a large, nameless man known as the Duke. The Duke is willing to assist Ethan in his search for his daughter, albeit for a price. His return adds a unique element to the game, allowing players to upgrade their abilities and find the necessary resources to overcome challenges.

The protagonist will be able to purchase stat upgrades and weapon modifications from the merchant. Resources gathered during hunts can be brought to the Duke. These resources will allow the merchant to prepare unique dishes that will help "level up" Ethan, increasing his defense, movement speed, or boosting his health by several points. In addition, you can sell unnecessary resources to the Duke, which take up space in the protagonist's suitcase and interfere with further adventures.

The Duke in Resident Evil: Village. Screenshot: Capcom

The crafting system in the new game remains unchanged from the seventh installment. Players will be able to combine various resources to create medicine and ammunition. For example, crafting a first aid kit requires one slot of herbs and one chemical liquid. This crafting mechanic adds depth to the gameplay, allowing players to adapt to different situations and manage their resources effectively.

Used first aid kits in Resident Evil: Village. Screenshot: Capcom

Until recently, that was all the information about the gameplay mechanics of Resident Evil: Village. However, on April 14, Capcom provided Game Informer with additional details about the gameplay. New elements and mechanics promise to make the gaming experience even more exciting and immersive.

Ethan will actively comment on events, allowing players to delve deeper into the protagonist's character and understand his psychological state. He is no longer just a "walking camera" for the player, but becomes a fully-fledged person, significantly enriching the gaming experience and interaction with the story. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the character's motivations and emotional state, making the game more engaging and memorable.

Screenshot: Resident Evil: Village / Capcom

Ethan has suffered The changes aren't limited to just his character—he's more agile in the new game compared to Resident Evil 7. He now moves faster, can climb onto rooftops, barricade himself, and use the environment to distract enemies. Enemies have also become more intelligent. They can set up ambushes, form groups, and dodge attacks. Lycans, in turn, demonstrate phenomenal speed, making them dangerous opponents.

The developers expressed surprise and satisfaction with the community's positive feedback about Lady Dimitrescu. Their goal was to create a charismatic villain, and by all accounts, they've succeeded. In previous articles, we've covered in detail the development process of this majestic character, as well as the inspirations that helped the team create her unique look.

Puzzles are a key element of the gameplay, and Capcom claims that the new game features the "best puzzles in the series." They won't just be scattered across game locations, but organically integrated into the plot and gameplay, which creates a more engaging and logical experience for players.

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