Resident Evil Village

Resident Evil Village is a technical masterpiece, featuring a fantastically realised and foreboding setting with a great sense of balance between action and horror elements. The king of survival horror refuses to relinquish its crown.

88%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

95% User Score Based on 71,410 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 94 reviews

Platforms

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About

In Resident Evil Village, Ethan Winters returns to face a mysterious village filled with horrors, including Lycan and Vampire creatures. Using a mix of puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat, Ethan searches for his kidnapped daughter in a first-person perspective, uncovering dark secrets and battling grotesque bosses along the way. This latest entry in the Resident Evil series delivers classic survival horror gameplay with updated mechanics and stunning visuals.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+14

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 71,504 reviews

story8.2k positive mentions

stability274 negative mentions

story
17,651 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
The story of *Resident Evil Village* is a captivating continuation of Ethan Winters' journey from *Resident Evil 7*, blending horror and action elements with a rich narrative filled with unexpected twists and memorable characters. While some players found the plot convoluted and criticized its pacing, many appreciated the emotional depth and engaging gameplay that kept them invested throughout the experience. Overall, the game is praised for its stunning visuals and immersive storytelling, making it a standout entry in the franchise.
- “The storytelling is deeply immersive, with a rich lore that adds depth to the world and its characters.”
- “The story keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the gameplay is smooth--even for someone with a desktop as bad as mine.”
- “The story is a perfect and emotional sequel to biohazard.”
- “Fun game with impressive settings but slightly let down at the end by a lackluster story.”
- “The story starts good, but then becomes mediocre, as if rushed.”
- “The story is where the game sadly fumbles.”
gameplay
7,238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
Resident Evil Village offers a compelling blend of action and survival horror gameplay, successfully merging elements from both Resident Evil 4 and 7. Players appreciate the engaging combat mechanics, diverse enemy types, and the introduction of a merchant system, which enhances the overall experience. While some critiques point to a lack of horror compared to its predecessor and a more linear gameplay structure, the game is generally praised for its polished mechanics, stunning visuals, and immersive storytelling.
- “Resident Evil Village successfully revitalizes the series by blending its classic survival horror roots with innovative gameplay and an engaging narrative.”
- “The gameplay in Resident Evil Village is a perfect blend of survival horror and action, with tense exploration, strategic combat, and challenging puzzles keeping players on their toes throughout the journey.”
- “The gameplay is engaging with its mix of exploration, puzzles, and intense combat encounters against terrifying enemies.”
- “Gameplay and aesthetic are kind of separate thoughts here... I really liked RE5's combat, and yet the feeling here was still competent. I felt like I was handicapped to some extent of expecting deeper, more involved mechanics.”
- “Let's put aside how the characters behave and the very thin story, the gameplay is obnoxious, it's tedious, there's no sense of mystery or horror, just unbelievably annoying chase sequences broken up by droll puzzles and very unsatisfying gunplay that's weak and unfun.”
- “The gameplay switched between tolerable and right out tedious.”
graphics
5,878 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
34%
1%
The graphics in Resident Evil Village have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual fidelity and intricate detail, showcasing a beautifully crafted world that enhances the horror experience. Players have noted the game's ability to run smoothly even on mid-range hardware, with impressive lighting effects and character models that contribute to an immersive atmosphere. While some minor graphical issues and performance drops were reported, the overall consensus is that the game sets a new standard for graphics in the Resident Evil series and modern gaming.
- “That feeling you get when it's a new generation of graphics, or the first time you see something that's both pretty and haunting at the same time.”
- “The graphics are absolutely breathtaking—every environment is richly detailed, from the hauntingly beautiful landscapes to the terrifying interiors of the castle and homes.”
- “Resident Evil Village boasts some of the most stunning visuals in gaming history.”
- “Done a fresh install, tried all the troubleshooting tips online, messing around with brightness and graphical features and it's absolutely unplayable.”
- “The game itself looks beautiful in terms of graphics but this first person aspect just ruins it.”
- “The story and aesthetics were promising only for it to be ruined with terrible, rushed game design.”
atmosphere
2,437 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
2%
The atmosphere in Resident Evil Village is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively blending horror and action elements. Players appreciate the game's stunning visuals, detailed environments, and exceptional sound design, which together create a sense of tension and dread throughout the experience. While some feel it lacks the intense horror of its predecessor, Resident Evil 7, many agree that it successfully captures a unique gothic atmosphere that enhances gameplay and storytelling.
- “The atmosphere is exceptionally well-crafted, and the story is arguably the best in the series.”
- “The village setting is incredibly atmospheric, and the game excels in creating a sense of tension and dread.”
- “The sound design and music further elevate the experience, enhancing the game's chilling atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is completely lacking.”
- “I expected more of re7's tense atmosphere and got disappointed.”
- “The game lacks any of the tension and atmosphere needed to be a good horror game, and it lacks the satisfying gunplay and consistent difficulty to be an effective shooter.”
replayability
1,596 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
Resident Evil Village offers a high level of replayability, bolstered by features such as New Game Plus, multiple difficulty settings, and the return of the Mercenaries mode, which encourages players to revisit the game for additional challenges and unlockables. While some players feel the game could have more replay value due to its linearity and certain scripted segments, many appreciate the variety of gameplay options and collectibles that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game is designed to be replayed multiple times, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the series.
- “New game plus adds a huge factor of replayability, making it very fun to do some runs after beating the game.”
- “The replayability factor is undeniable, with multiple endings and unlockable content incentivizing players to revisit its haunting locales time and again.”
- “Resident Evil Village offers moderate replay value, with multiple difficulty levels and unlockable bonuses encouraging players to revisit the game after completing the main story.”
- “Limited replayability compared to previous entries in the series.”
- “Its a weak entry on the Resident Evil games, it feels slow for no good reason, there's plenty of unskippable cutscenes, elevators and stairs for no good reason half of the time Ethan feels like just walking slowly, half the bosses are boring, this game has no replayability value unlike Resident Evil 2 that I was ecstatic to replay.”
- “The replayability is severely lacking, and by the third playthrough I felt like I was forcing myself to even enjoy the game at all.”
optimization
1,506 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
46%
19%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many praise its ability to run smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems, others report significant performance issues, particularly related to stuttering and frame drops during intense scenes or when ray tracing is enabled. The introduction of DRM has also been criticized for negatively impacting performance, leading to a call for further patches to address these issues. Overall, the game is generally well-optimized but still suffers from notable inconsistencies that can affect the player experience.
- “In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by how well optimized the game was even with ray tracing turned on.”
- “The game is optimized to get the most out of your GPU and the graphics menu lets you see the changes based on the graphical options you select.”
- “This is a fantastic game that not only stays true to the feel of Resident Evil but is super well optimized thanks to the RE engine.”
- “However, with RE Village I have to play it on the lowest potato quality and it still has severe performance problems.”
- “Its a damn shame, because it looks like such an amazing game too, I enjoyed RE7 and was hoping for more of the same here, but it's badly optimized, it's just not happy on my system at all.”
- “The performance was terrible, frame dips, stutters all the time.”
music
753 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the eerie atmosphere and build tension during gameplay. While some players found the soundtrack to be haunting and memorable, others felt it was forgettable or lacking in standout tracks. Overall, the sound design and ambient music effectively contribute to the game's immersive horror experience, though opinions vary on its memorability and thematic diversity.
- “The sound design and music further elevate the experience, enhancing the game's chilling atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack and sound design effectively heighten the game's atmosphere, contributing to its overall immersive quality.”
- “The soundtrack blew me away with how well composed it was!”
- “The music was bland.”
- “The ost seems non-existent, which is a shame for an RE game.”
- “The soundtrack is practically absent, unlike other games in the series.”
emotional
616 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Resident Evil Village" is widely praised, with many players expressing that the narrative is both gripping and heart-wrenching, often leading to tears during pivotal moments, particularly the ending. The story's focus on familial bonds, especially Ethan's sacrifice for his daughter, resonates deeply, making it one of the most emotionally impactful entries in the series. Players appreciate the character development and voice acting, which enhance the emotional weight of the story, creating a memorable and touching experience.
- “The game excels in crafting a compelling narrative that is both gripping and emotionally satisfying.”
- “A truly heartbreaking and touching story.”
- “The ending really got to me emotionally in a way that no other game has before; I even found myself shedding a few tears.”
- “Boring story, terrible and lame gameplay.”
- “If you like easy horror with intense moments and can ignore a boring story and sometimes bad game loop.”
- “Boring story.”
humor
488 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Resident Evil Village" is a notable aspect, blending dark comedy with horror elements, often through quirky characters like the merchant Duke and the protagonist Ethan, whose dry one-liners and absurd situations elicit laughter amidst the scares. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance genuinely creepy moments with hilariously campy dialogue and scenarios, making it entertaining even when the horror is at its peak. While some find the humor to be hit-or-miss, many agree that it adds a unique charm to the overall experience, reminiscent of the series' earlier titles.
- “The developers did not forget to add a little humor.”
- “Moreover, the game balances its horror elements with moments of dark humor and action, preventing it from becoming too grim while still delivering genuine scares.”
- “The merchant, Duke, provides a welcome dose of humor and acts as your one-stop shop for weapons and upgrades.”
- “The dialogue is hilariously cringey at times, but that's to be expected with Resident Evil games.”
- “This leaves RE8 with some experience disconnecting moments, as on one side, it's dark, serious, and downright horrible (in a good way), and on the other, it's cringey, hilariously bad, and unamusing when it tries to be funny.”
- “The big scary baby and the dollhouse were not funny, Capcom; it wasn't supposed to be scary.”
stability
370 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
1%
74%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs and crashes, particularly on PC, while others report smooth performance with minimal issues. Many users noted frequent freezing, especially during cutscenes or specific encounters, leading to frustration and the need for troubleshooting. Overall, while some players enjoyed a largely bug-free experience, the game is often described as unstable, particularly on certain hardware configurations, suggesting that patches may be necessary for a more consistent experience.
- “Performance-wise, the game runs great, just like previous entries of RE. Optimization is very good, and I've run into zero issues with bugs or crashes.”
- “The game runs great, this proves the strength of the RE engine even more.”
- “No need to fear, Capcom is here to show the rest of the AAA devs how to properly launch a game; it's actually polished and 99% bug-free on launch.”
- “Done a fresh install, tried all the troubleshooting tips online, messing around with brightness and graphical features and it's absolutely unplayable.”
- “Game always crashes - cut scene where Lady Dimitrescu cuts off my hand in the wine cellar, if I skip the cut scene and make it down to the platform that begins to raise after the face is taken off it freezes again as I'm rising up.”
- “The game is really buggy and crashes all the time for no apparent reason.”
grinding
342 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
30%
68%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in certain levels like the factory and during boss fights. While some appreciate the opportunity for farming and completing challenges, others feel that the gameplay overstays its welcome, leading to a lack of engagement in repeat playthroughs. Overall, the experience can vary significantly depending on individual preferences for grinding and gameplay pacing.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Progression and objectives are clear; there are no tedious sections or puzzles, and I really value that.”
- “The exploration in RE8 is very rewarding and satisfying, and the backtracking is barely an issue as it isn't tedious at all and rewards you for it.”
- “The gameplay switched between tolerable and outright tedious.”
- “Everything is fine until Alcina dies and you exit the castle, then it quickly becomes a tedious and tensionless slog with the main antagonist nowhere to be seen.”
- “The factory level was tedious and annoying, and the water boss was just sad to fight; he was such a bummer.”
character development
301 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
47%
5%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising Ethan's significant growth from a civilian to a determined protector, while others feel that the supporting characters, particularly the antagonists, lack depth and backstory. The character designs are widely appreciated for their creativity and uniqueness, contributing to an immersive atmosphere, but some players express a desire for more substantial character arcs and development throughout the narrative. Overall, while the game excels in visual and artistic presentation, the depth of character development remains a point of contention among players.
- “Ethan had a major character development, from a civilian in the previous game, to a badass who would do anything to protect his daughter.”
- “The game has great character development and a superb storyline that allows you to become fully immersed in the atmosphere while playing.”
- “The character development and plot twists are thrilling while forcing you to connect on a different level with the same characters that maybe you didn't connect with if you played RE7.”
- “Character development is extremely and disappointingly minimal.”
- “It is very unfortunate most of these villains have little character development and are more like plot devices.”
- “They all die with zero character development 5 minutes after meeting them, so absolutely no weight to their deaths.”
monetization
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
12%
81%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, allowing for a more complete gaming experience. However, there are significant criticisms regarding the DLC, which some view as cash grabs that reuse content from the main game, and the misleading advertising that emphasizes certain characters and elements that are underrepresented in gameplay. Overall, while the game avoids intrusive monetization practices, concerns about its value and the integrity of its promotional strategies persist.
- “It also feels like a completed game since it doesn't have microtransactions and a season pass.”
- “I also love the points system for purchasing in-game content and the fact that there are no microtransactions, definitely a step in the right direction.”
- “I'm very happy that Capcom did not insert any microtransactions into the game and everything can be unlocked through playing; they're a beacon in the darkness right now.”
- “Shadows of Rose is just a cash grab DLC that reuses the main game; the enemies are very boring, and it only has two good parts.”
- “Sorry Capcom, I do like the Resident Evil franchise, but this game just feels like a rip-off cash grab at $100!”
- “The DLC added are also quite negative, so it doesn't give the base game more credit; instead, it breaks it even further down the line of a simple cash grab.”