Summary
TheResident Evilfranchise has been around for some time, and it’s changed quite dramatically over the years. When looking atthe originalResident Evilside-by-side withResident Evil 4 Remake, there’s really no comparison. The series' gameplay, art direction, enemy designs, and much more have all evolved a great deal since 1996, and they’ll likely keep evolving for years to come.
Currently, theResident Evilfranchise is experiencing something of a renewed golden age. Sales of the last fewResident Evilentries have all seemingly branded the games as successes — at least in Capcom’s eyes — and the current cycle of remakes and sequels seems to be keeping fans happy. It’s even been leaked that remakes ofResident Evil 0andCode: Veronicaare in the works, two projects that fans have wanted to see for a while now. It’s clear that theResident Evilfranchise won’t be going away anytime soon, and the proof can be found inResident Evil 7’s formula.
Resident Evil 7’s Formula Proves The Franchise Can Stay Alive
The Early 2010s Were a Dark Time for Resident Evil
WhenResident Evil 4debuted in 2005, it was heralded as a groundbreaking new step for not just theREfranchise, but the entire video game landscape.Resident Evil 4went a long way in popularizing the now common third-person over-the-shoulder camera perspective and pushed the boundaries of cinematic qualities in video games.Resident Evil 4also moved the series into more action-focused territory, a decision that was praised heavily at the time but was also one that would end up having some grave consequences.
When it came time to make a sequel, Capcom decided to pushtheResident Evilserieseven further into this realm of action-focused horror. Resources became a bit more abundant, puzzles became a lot less frequent, and lengthy combat encounters became the main focus of most ofResident Evil 5’s runtime. Though this departure from the series' survival horror roots garnered some criticism from fans at the time, it unfortunately wasn’t enough to stop Capcom from taking things even further withResident Evil 6. By most accounts,Resident Evil 6marks the lowest point of the franchise, delivering an action-horror experience that barely resembles the original games at all.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
WHERE TO PLAY
Resident Evil 7 biohazard is the next major entry in the renowned Resident Evil series and sets a new course for the franchise as it leverages its roots and opens the door to a truly terrifying horror experience. A dramatic new shift for the series to first person view in a photorealistic style powered by Capcom’s new RE Engine, Resident Evil 7 delivers an unprecedented level of immersion that brings the thrilling horror up close and personal.Set in modern day rural America and taking place after the dramatic events of Resident Evil® 6, players experience the terror directly from the first person perspective. Resident Evil 7 embodies the series’ signature gameplay elements of exploration and tense atmosphere that first coined “survival horror” some twenty years ago; meanwhile, a complete refresh of gameplay systems simultaneously propels the survival horror experience to the next level.
Resident Evil 7 Righted the Ship
For a while afterResident Evil 6’s release in 2012, the franchise went quiet, only releasing the middlingResident Evil Revelations 2in 2015. But in 2017, the franchise was ready for a triumphant comeback, andResident Evil 7was just that. Taking the series back to its survival horror roots,Resident Evil 7earned a lot of praise for its greater focus on scares, puzzles, and intense gameplay sequences. It was the return to form that fans had been waiting for, but it also wasn’t afraid to forge its own identity.
Resident Evil 7didn’t rest on the series' laurels. While it hearkened back to the series' earlier entries,Resident Evil 7still put a fresh spin on key elements of the franchise.Resident Evil 7featured a new setting, a new cast of characters, an all-new type of Bioweapon threat, and a new gameplay perspective, all of which helped to make the game feel fresh but familiar.
Resident Evil 7’s Formula Can Be Used Time and Time Again
Resident Evil 7came at a time when the franchise was arguably at its lowest point, and if the series ever finds itself in a similar spot again, it simply needs to look toRE7’s formula to understand what the best course of action is.Resident Evilwill always be able to return to its survival horror roots, but putting a fresh new spin on things like the setting, characters, andBioweapon threat, could, in theory, keep the franchise alive for decades to come.
