When the developers mentioned that the eighth installment will feature more experimentation, they didn't disappoint. First was the introduction of werewolves and witches which one can never imagine in a Resident Evil game. Some fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with the series veering away from its traditional zombie mutagen.
However history has shown that Capcom's experiments can actually work wonders as seen when the fourth installment amazed audiences for the over the top boss battles mixed with the creepy vibe of cultists chanting a bunch of Spanish terms expressing their intent of eating your brains once you discover its English translation.
But history has also shown that too much experimentations can backfire as seen when the sixth installment was released where the action and quick time events engulfed the entire game, eradicating the horror and the claustrophobic vibe of the previous entries.
But Capcom's latest installment looks extremely promising, where the games claustrophobic appeal is mixed with Resident Evil 4's creepy religious scenery, combining two defining moments in the franchise in one game.
This makes the eighth installment one of the games that's heavily anticipated in 2021 for the PC, Playstation 5, and Xbox Series.
Below are the five things that you need to know prior to its release.
FEATURES
Like the previous entries, Capcom's latest installment will use the RE Engine, a groundbreaking game engine that enhanced the attention to detail of the environment and character designs which was evident from the remakes of Resident Evils 2 and 3, Resident Evil 7, and even Devil May Cry 5.
Besides the RE Engine, the developers revealed that the game will showcase the adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller, where the player will feel the other movements of Ethan other than the static vibrating effects of the traditional controller as shown when tennis star Naomi Osaka's first attempt in playing the game. This can be disabled in the game's settings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpbQ0bXB8Q
The developers even mentioned a crafting mechanic which has yet to be disclosed as well as the use of surroundings such as tables and chairs as a weapon.
SETTING
The trailers reveal a huge castle on a snowy mountain, covered with fog and snow. Given the gothic architectural design of the castle as well as the Victorian-era aesthetic it offers, it can be noted that the game will happen in some uncharted territory in Europe. Below the castle is a small dilapidated village.
Given the game's overall setting, many pointed out that the latest entry shares a lot of similarities with Resident Evil 4.
However the game's snowy atmosphere setting which contrasts the Mediterranean vibe of the fourth installment could allow the developers to add another flavor into the series. The idea of climbing a snowy mountain where the thin air would suffocate your internal organs or weaken your aim due to a frostbite mechanic could be introduced in order to make the player's life miserable. Imagine the dread of feeling Ethan's hand wither together with the game's adaptive triggers.
STORY
Ethan Winters and his wife Mia are confirmed to make a return, living peacefully after their bizarre encounters in the Baker Ranch. Things however took a downward turn with the arrival of Chris Redfield who was seen shooting Mia with a silenced pistol in the trailers. It remains a mystery if Mia has a hidden bioweapon in her which could allow her to survive those gunshots.
The October issue of Famitsu revealed the other aspects of the narrative where Chris was responsible in bringing Ethan to a mysterious village. This could either mean that Chris has a mission for Ethan or worse Chris becomes possessed by some unknown being. As Ethan ventures into the village he discovers a cultist behavior where the townsfolk would chant their prayers to a mysterious character known as Mother Miranda.
(1) Famitsu confirms that it was Chris who took Ethan to the mysterious mountain village. Ethan awakens to find himself there after being unconscious for an undetermined period of time.
(2) When Ethan awakens, he walks along a path and arrives in a village in decline.
— Alex Aniel (@cvxfreak) October 14, 2020
There are also signs of the previous installments being featured in the game with the logo of the Umbrella Corporation depicted in the trailers together with a mutated embryo similar to those experiments conducted by them in the past. The developers admitted that the game will be the longest to use the RE Engine, which could provide more depth to the story.
CHARACTERS
It's still unsure if there will be other characters that will be featured other than the ones mentioned above. Some have speculated that the merchant from Resident Evil 4 will make a comeback especially after witnessing the tailend of the latest gameplay trailer. His appearance will definitely address the plotholes from the fourth installment.
Resident Evil has their fair share of memorable characters that have yet to be fully fleshed out which includes Billy Coen (REZero), Carlos Oliveira (RE3), Moira Burton (Revelations 2), and Sheva Alomar (RE5). Capcom may experiment on integrating them into the lore or re-introduce them as DLC or as part of the mercenaries mode.
CREATURES AND VILLAINS
The European horror elements of witches and werewolves will be featured as antagonists in the game. It's possible that the werewolves could serve as the game's version of the Tyrant who will constantly prey around to halt your progress. The witches on the other hand could end up as boss battles given their ability to shapeshift and manipulate swarm like creatures to do their bidding similar to Marguerite Baker in Resident Evil 7. The official release of the trailer depicted a man wearing a thick coat, donning a vintage set of sunglasses who could serve as the game's primary antagonist.
It has yet to be unraveled if zombies will have a different terminology as seen in the previous games where they were branded as “ganados” in Resident Evil 4 or “the mold” in Resident Evil 7. They are shown to carry weapons similar to the ganados in the fourth installment.
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