You’d think that when I think of classic monster movies, it’d be as terrified flashbacks to watching them late at night as a child. Instead, I tend to immediately remember an old Universal Studios revue that featured all the spooks – the Wolfman, Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein – in a goofy romp through 50s rockabilly classics. It was fun, a smidge spooky, and shares the same level of silly adventure as Resident Evil Village (though only the latter also has gory, pulse-pounding moments).
Maybe I keep making this comparison because Village is simply the most fun I’ve had with the series since Resident Evil 4. It’s the type of game that has you surging on adrenaline whether you’re running from a giant baby monster, battling a vampiric dragon atop a gothic castle, chatting with a psychopathic witch, or uncovering a new bit of information from The Duke; there’s not a single dull moment in this game because it’s designed to be a wild ride through classic European horror.
I’ve honestly never played a game with better pacing, and I think that’s what makes its later acts work, because the story builds to the next ridiculous moment with emotion and lore rather than bogging itself down too much with purely logical progression. And while there’s plenty of lycanthropes, exploding heads, and bug people, it’s this zany roller coaster pacing that keeps you wanting to reach the next typewriter, and more excited than scared to venture out from the safe rooms.
The environments are stunning while equally nerve wracking and detailed. From a regal castle parlor, to an eerie waterfall-side haunted house, to a steampunk zombie factory, it’s impressive how much effort went into each location, as well as how different each one feels, all while maintaining spectacular level design. Similarly the hub world of the Village offers so much to discover that it’s genuinely worth going back and exploring every farmhouse and crumbling cottage to upgrade your skillset, making small moments between big story beats just as intriguing and rewarding as a boss fight.
Controls are terrific, and while some fans might suggest it’s a bit too easy for the series from both a combat and puzzle standpoint, I felt fairly challenged on Standard, where I rarely died but was often on the verge it. And, outside of the reservoir level, I always felt very in control of my own fate based on both direct controls and item management.
I was honestly surprised at some of the heartfelt moments in such a zany game. Sure, some of the science or monster logic is as dopey as ever, but these moments work because of how plugged in the player is to Ethan’s efforts and sacrifices to save his daughter.
If you’re a fan of the series, you’ve probably already played this, but if you haven’t, it’s easily in contention for game of the year, the best Resident Evil entry, and one of the best horror games to date. At the end of the day, Resident Evil Village delivers heart-pounding joy and embodies how good an over-the-top goofy horror game can be if the focus stays on fun.