Thursday 13 May 2021

Resident Evil Village

Warning.

Major spoilers.

Summary

Three years after the events of Resi 7, Ethan and Mia have started a new life in Romania and since had baby Rose.

For shits and giggles, adorable bundle of fun was born 8 February 2020.

One night, Chris's team infiltrate their home, murder Mia and kidnap Rose and Ethan.

Rude.

Ethan passes out and later awakes to the welcoming committee of vicious humanoid wolf creatures known as Lycans.

The search for infant begins.

Hail to the snow

Like predecessor, opening brims with menace.

Titular section branches off in many directions.
Playing area is generous enough (between 8-10 hours) and while outside is far from open plan, it's nice that we're not forced to follow a strict path.

Yes Resi 3, I'm talking to you.

In other words, exploration reaps non-essential rewards.

Voice acting is strong, script largely doesn't slice cheese and characters possess charisma.

It goes without saying that we gawp at relentless beauty.

The Duke

Corpulent toad is first encountered before Castle Dimitrescu.

(I love this guy by the way).

What're ya buying? (Chuckles).
Just something an old friend of mine used to say.
Emporium initially consists of three parts:

Supplies, Gunsmithy and The Duke's Purse.

Self-explanatory.

Later, The Duke's Kitchen becomes available and meaty result of killing whichever animal upgrades Ethan's abilities.

Bestiary

Lycan, Uriaş, Moroaicã, Vârcolac, Samca (straight from Silent Hill), Hauler and numerous Soldats complete an impressive line-up.

Oh yeah.

Lady D's equally bloodthirsty daughters serve as mid bosses and can only be killed when exposed to frosty wind.

Bela, Cassandra and Daniela.
As mother's first name is Alcina, it's as easy as ABCD.

House Beneviento

Prior to boss fight, gaff hosts an incredibly creepy section.

As we poke around inside Mia's mannequin, things soon escalate.
Complete with demented laughter, giant baby gives chase, hellbent on devouring Ethan whole.

Awesome.

Bosses

There's literally only one place to start.

Lady Dimitrescu

Towering presence stalks like Mr. X and turns up during scripted moments.
But is she (and offspring) vampires?

File excerpt begs to differ.

Due to a hereditary blood disease the subject must ingest human flesh and blood on a regular basis to maintain regeneration properties.

So insatiable appetite is forced.

Also, since when did vampires eat people?

I was under the impression that cannibalistic burden was associated more with zombies.

Oh the irony.

Anyway, internet sensation inevitably mutates.

Flying dragon is a sight to behold.
The rest.

Donna's puppet Angie plays a game of chase me, chase me.
Moreau
Karl Heisenberg
And finally.

Miranda
Moldy

Using Resi 4 as template is fine, but Jesus Christ, don't take it to extremes.

Although ass will get handed to you, ride on Standard difficulty won't be very bumpy.

Gore is sporadically visceral, but death sequences pussy out.

Ignoring House Beneviento, puzzles diminish after castle and not having to work for key items rapidly becomes boring.

There's too many bang bang sections and apart from 'that' sequence, quest is neither unsettling or scary.

New gameplay element of 'pushing' enemies away is fucking pointless.

Story twists and turns but outcome is predictable.

We know that Ethan died near the beginning of Resi 7 and the Mold gave him regenerative abilities.

Despite this, dialogue hammers fact home on multiple occasions.  For example, when Lady D tastes blood, she remarks 'Hm. Starting to go a little stale.'

Did we really think that Chris would be end boss or antagonist?

No.

Once we reach Heisenberg's Factory (which is confusing as fuck to navigate), quality goes downhill faster than a stoned slalom skier.

Final act with Chris sucks Megamycete.

As for Miranda - what a load of Saddler.

Post credits

Years later, Rosemary visits father's grave and departs for mission unknown.
With Ethan's story now complete, the future rests very much on female shoulders.

In the meantime, Code: Veronica must be remade.

Pretty please Capcom, with Alexia on top.

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