Resident Evil Village (v2023.06.26 & ALL DLC)

Ethan Winters’ attempt at a quiet family life collapses into a snowbound nightmare of werewolves, cult rituals, and grotesque aristocrats. Resident Evil Village continues the story after Resident Evil 7, shifting its hero from a decaying Louisiana estate to an isolated European settlement ruled by four memorable lords. The tone constantly moves between dread, action, and outright gothic excess, with Lady Dimitrescu’s castle, House Beneviento’s unnerving dolls, and the industrial horrors of Heisenberg’s factory each supplying a distinct flavor of terror. Chris Redfield’s shocking role adds a layer of mystery that keeps the plot moving even when the monsters are at their loudest.

First-person shooting remains the foundation, but the pace is more aggressive than its predecessor. Ethan scavenges ammunition, herbs, treasure, and crafting materials, then balances scarce supplies against lycans, armored enemies, and elaborate boss encounters. The village functions as a small interconnected hub, gradually opening new routes and secrets as players acquire key items, while puzzles and locked doors preserve the series’ survival-horror rhythm. Merchant Duke offers weapon upgrades, recipes, inventory expansion, and a reason to search every room, helping the campaign accommodate both cautious newcomers and players who want to push higher difficulty levels.

What separates Village from many modern horror games is its willingness to change style from area to area without losing its central atmosphere. One section plays like a tense haunted-house ordeal with almost no combat, while another leans into explosive firefights and set-piece battles closer to Resident Evil 4. Its enemies and villains are theatrical, but the visual detail, oppressive sound design, and occasional vulnerability of Ethan keep the experience grounded in fear. Fans of Resident Evil 4’s action-survival balance and Resident Evil 7’s first-person intimacy find plenty to enjoy, while series veterans get a major chapter packed with lore, replayable challenges, and satisfying weapon progression.