This is my third favorite game in the series (well for now anyway till the next good volume), once again the franchise has taken a new road once more which I always felt was the strength of the franchise because as time goes on one gameplay approach they've used for so long starts to get really old and loses something along the way. This was a great choice because it brought something crucial to the series back actually being scary.
The gameplay is great this time it's more first-person perspective however this isn't the typical gun in front approach. There is action but this game is one where your more focused not just on fighting but on surviving and investigating at the same time. You do collect the usual weapons and medicine along the way but remember most of the time the supplies are a distance from each other and depending on the area you in can be a little scarce sometimes, so you need to pick your fights and shots carefully. I do like the boss and mini boss battles as each are always different like fighting each of the nasty family members from the mom that looks like Henrietta form "Evil Dead 2" and the husband whom becomes a nasty eye monster, the battle have a moderate difficulty to them and I like that there each different which keeps the action interesting but also causes you to adjust your tactics in defeating them.
However, to me what really powers the game is in the developing story/mystery along with just the horror element itself.
I really love the graphical presentation which is just dark grotesque beauty all around. I like the fact that it takes place in some swampy area which is a perfect arena for horror, I always felt the swamp land at night was always spooky because you never really know what else is in that swamp but also it very dangerous to venture at that time. Really like the looks from the swamp land down to the run-down house that looks like Leatherface's pad. From how detailed everything is it's just palpable you just feel the grit, dirt, grim, cold, and dampness, it almost make them game at time feel a bit similar to a Giallo horror film because the house and even the swampland you go out to just emits a oppressive, disorienting, evil atmosphere that you feel is completely against you. The music is great it is just memorable as it just sings intensity and evil throughout the game, I even like that there is a little strangeness to it including the theme song this just once again adds to the game as the game is disorienting, everything were familiar with has gone out the window and nothing is ever what it seems.
Even like the designs of the monsters, these are different this time as their not zombies but mutants. Which that's cool and it's true to the title as it's called "Resident Evil" which doesn't just mean zombies. These mutants I thought were a great change of pace and were good opponents as you have some nasty black mold monsters that emerge, that look almost like the Rot monsters from the "Swamp Thing" comics or the tar zombie from "Return of the Living Dead". But of course, the most memorable are the Mutant Family themselves who are the ones to watch out for the most, they are just so upright looking from how grey and white their skin as if they have some sort of skin pigmentation disease down to their eyes which just are yellow and convey cruelty and evil.
The suspense is great as you are constantly on high alert even in the quiet bits because you feel that danger can come at any moment and it usual does, which is why you can't afford to let up for one moment. I remember constantly hoping my weapons are loaded but also in some of the places I've never ventured to walk carefully as something could either be hidden in the next room or even pop out. I'm even also trying to thoroughly map out the room and environment in my head so that if there are certain situation were, I can't fight or can avoid it, I would remember where the next door and hiding spots are, which is crucial to surviving.
I really love the mystery throughout the whole game, throughout the game I'm constantly wondering who the heck the main character and his wife really are, what the hell is going on, is she or is she not connected with this mutant family, is what's happening connected with Umbrella or not, the answers slowly but surely reveal themselves making everything fall into place and the story much clearer.
The characterization is also supposing really good from our opponents the mutant family the Bakers whom are just a detestable bunch you just plain hate, from their nasty behavior, sick mockery toward the main character you play and your wife, just the more we learn about them the more you just want to put them in their place which is Hell. It's gratifying doing it, one I defeat one of them I'm thinking "One Down." Just a moment of bad assness. But also, this family is the one with a few of the keys to the mystery which once again adds to the intrigue and story.
But I most of all like the characterization of the main character and the wife, the more you see what they go though but also uncover certain bits of depth between the two the more I actually sympathized with them and wanted both to survive and win; also their depth also are keys to the mystery so that also motived me to win as I wanted to solve it.
"Resident Evil 7" is a welcome return to form and worth entering if you dare.
Rating: 4 stars
