No matter where you stand on Resident Evil VII, there's one thing we can all agree on - it was brown pants scary. Despite us engaging in multiple playthroughs, we still found ourselves screaming at the sight of the Baker family chasing us through their decrepit mansion. For those that found the horror a bit too much, it sounds like Resident Evil Village is going to be a bit easier on the heart.
As discovered by Video Games Chronicle, a recent interview in an Axios Gaming newsletter with the game's producer, Tsuyoshi Kanda, revealed that the tension has been dissipated slightly from its predecessor. After receiving feedback that Resident Evil VII was found to be too scary, the new goal was to create a sequel "that anybody can feel comfortable jumping in and playing".
“When we develop a new Resident Evil game, our goal is not always to make it scarier than the previous title, but find a balance to deliver a scary but fun experience for players. Some of the feedback we received regarding [Resident Evil VII was] that it was too scary to play. In one regard, that’s exactly what we were striving for, so it’s a huge compliment for us, but at the same time, it’s always our goal to create something that anybody can feel comfortable jumping in and playing, so we eased up on the tension curve [in Resident Evil Village] relative to Resident Evil VII, so that players aren’t in constant fear.”
One of the ways this has been implemented is through the level design. Whereas Resident Evil VII focused on pushing players through tight, and often claustrophobic environments, the latest entry is moving to more open settings to deliver a different type of tension.
"For Resident Evil Village, we took an entirely different approach with the openness of the village and players not knowing what might be lurking beyond the trees. Something we also always have to pay attention to is the tension curve. We also find that people grow immune to fear if they’re consistently pitted up against a tense situation or environment. Those moments of solace act as a buffer to make sure that people aren’t completely desensitized to the horror. The save rooms that you often see in many ‘Resident Evil’ games is a great example of that, where players can take a deep breath and know that they are safe."
This news may either be a blessing or a disappointment to you. While feedback suggested many found the previous entry too scary, many others relished in that fear, and it was often one element the game was praised for. Both critics and fans appreciated the game's return to its roots after Resident Evil 5 and 6 stepped away from the traditional horror experience found in other entries.
It sounds like Village is taking the root of Resident Evil 4, which pushed fear into players through the sheer overwhelming hordes of zombies they would have to face. Whether this change in direction works remains to be seen, but there are only a few days left until we find out.
Are you happy the horror has been dialled back in Resident Evil Village? Let us know in the comments below.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 15
The REVII demo was the scariest thing I had play until then, well, not exactly scary but oppressive because of the first-person view and darkness. The game itself is a more complete and satisfying package. I still prefer the older Resident Evil games that mix puzzles, safe areas and dangerous paths. I will always remember my strategies to reach the save rooms and save ammunition in the hard difficulty mode. Resident Evil Remake is the perfect balance. One thing I love about Resident Evil is the lore and graphics design. I don't mind the modernisation of the gameplay of recent games but I don't like so much gore, darkness and limited view (any game can do that and that's not Resident Evil). Resident Evil 2 Remake made the right call. Nevertheless, I'll keep playing old and new games, REVIII included.
Whether a game is considered scary or not is entirely subjective. Roaming around the Baker Mansion while Jack calls out to Ethan in a high-pitched tone of voice was honestly quite funny to me, not scary.
On the flip side, I played the RE: Village demo (after telling myself not to), and having those Lycans stalk you through the long grass was nerve-wracking!
I did not finish RE7 because it was a bit too scary, normally I don't get scared easily but something about that game that really scared me. But I'm looking forward to give Village a pass!
I wouldn't class resident evil games as scary though, for me if I have a gun and don't have to hide and sneak then it's not scary same with the evil within. I find games where you can't fight the enemies more nerve racking such as outlast 1 and 2
RE VII was too much of the hide and seek mechanic for my liking. Stopped playing after a few hours.
Wouldn't really class RE 7 as scary. Tense maybe, but not scary.
I will admit I did have some jump scares playing the PSVR version, but obviously that's a completely different experience.
Did not like the Alien Isolation hide and seek mechanism in 7. While I will play VIII for sure, but I think the best formula for RE (art style, gameplay, etc) is RE2 Remake.
@IndoorHero There's definitely a point after the Baker family where it loses its way quite dramatically. I do hope Village doesn't fall into that same trap!
@IndoorHero I've seen one review which mentioned a heavily PT inspired section in Village, and I won't lie - it's got me a bit excited!
I definitely don't do horror, and am amazed at all the comments about how "not scary" 7 was. I couldn't even make it through the E3 trailer! I just look away when I know it's a horror game coming up.
@SegataSanshiro I'm pretty sure the game includes some heads glued to the ceiling, so you may not have to make an either-or decision.
But seriously, yeah, I both "get" and "don't get" the desire for some people to like horror and be scared by it, but I reaaaally don't get how some people can find it not particularly frightening at all. It's like that scene in Temple of Doom where there's definitely something "wrong" with the people at the table eating out of a monkey head and you're just trying to blend in...
@SegataSanshiro I've just come to assume that everyone that can watch hyper violent, high tension, high stress, frightening things calmly without feeling any distress, even laughing it off are either sociopaths or New Yorkers.
@NEStalgia It's a genre that affects me but makes me forget about real life problems.
@BlueOcean most games make be forget about real problems, which is nice. Horror reminds me about real world problems, such as needing to buy new pants, and the cost of replacement hearts...
@NEStalgia Oh well .
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