Nods to past games are dotted throughout to delight longtime fans, but they're subtle enough that they don't interrupt the flow and won't alienate newcomers to the series. Only one area leans hard into psychological horror - it'll scare the living daylights out of you (I had to stop playing with headphones, turn on all the lights and take a little break to calm down) but you'll wish there were a few more like it to take advantage of the immediacy and intensity of the first-person perspective. Unfortunately, the final major territory is the least interesting to look at, but is challenging enough that you'll stay engaged until the end.ĭespite the atmosphere, it isn't a particularly scary game. Subsequent regions take different turns aesthetically, but each oozes atmosphere and begs you to explore. Wandering its halls, figuring out safe routes and solving fun puzzles elicits the same sense of satisfaction as getting to know the original game's Spencer Mansion or the police station of Resident Evil 2 - it captures so many of the series' finest elements. The first territory is the gothic castle of internet phenom Lady Dimitrescu. The village itself acts as a hub, and you gather items to enter each of the lords' territories.Įach of the game's locations is intriguingly presented, and you'll want to explore every inch.Įach area is visually distinctive and infused with its master's personality, with fascinating imagery and iconography providing every environment with character. Once you've survived the opening salvo, the mystery of the village starts to unfold and you're tasked with defeating the four lords who rule over its inhabitants with apparent supernatural powers. Fans will notice that it feels whole lot like the iconic opening of 2005's Resident Evil 4, in the first of many tributes to the Capcom series' 25-year history.

Upon arrival at this snowy hamlet, all hell quickly breaks loose as you're attacked by a horde of werewolves, and that video game fight-or-flight response sets in.

Resident evil 4 village