Resident Evil has never been better than it is right now

As a lifelong gamer who’s seen more ghostly apparitions than Casper himself, let me tell you, we’re living in the golden age of horror gaming – and I wouldn’t trade it for all the poltergeists in the haunted mansion!


As a dedicated horror gaming enthusiast, let me tell you that we’re living in a golden era for Resident Evil! Never have I felt this level of excitement as a diehard fan of this iconic series.

As Halloween draws near, my thoughts often drift to my all-time favorite scary video games and their current status in 2024. What strikes me most is how exceptional the situation has become. Not only have timeless classics like Dead Space and Silent Hill 2 undergone impressive remakes, garnering widespread acclaim, but Resident Evil seems to be spearheading this horror resurgence.

In this present time, not only has the initial Resident Evil trilogy been reimagined for modern gaming platforms (with RE1 being a remastered version originally released on GameCube), but Capcom astonished many by successfully updating Resident Evil 4 – a game that was widely regarded as flawless.

Resident Evil has never been better than it is right now

A new golden age of survival horror

Absolutely, there’s no ideal game, but reimagining a classic like Resident Evil 4 was a significant risk for Capcom, yet they pulled it off brilliantly. Not only does the series pay homage to its past, but it’s also evolving. The latest mainline RE game, Resident Evil Village (the 8th in the series), outperformed its predecessor, RE7, and served as a tribute to RE4. Moreover, where RE6 missed the mark, RE Village succeeded in satisfying every fan of the series in some fashion.

Fans who appreciate the thrilling aspects of Resident Evil found satisfaction in Village, as it effectively combined this with a traditional survival horror vibe – something that Resident Evil has often found challenging throughout its history. Yet, the remakes of games 2, 3, and 4 deserve recognition for striking a good balance, at least generally speaking.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, my recent victory has sent ripples throughout the gaming world. Back in 2005, Resident Evil 4 redefined the third-person shooter genre like no other game before it. Now, it seems that the current format of Resident Evil is stirring up a storm in the horror gaming scene, with upcoming titles like Alan Wake 2, the Alone in the Dark remake, and Cronos: The New Dawn taking notice. Even games like Dead Space, The Calisto Protocol, and Silent Hill 2 are following suit, each putting their unique spin on this formula.

Presently, we’re solidly into an era where third-person survival horror games are popular again. Interestingly enough, the previous decade was dominated by first-person fright-fests such as Outlast, Amnesia, and Soma. Even Resident Evil experimented with the first-person viewpoint in RE7 and Village, but later reverted back to third-person in Village’s DLC, which could suggest a shift in the direction of the series.

Regarding the future, there’s been a hint of something brewing about Resident Evil 9, and it won’t be long before Capcom reveals their latest creations. The talk of an open world setup has me apprehensive, as many sandbox games struggle to capture horror effectively. Despite my affection for Dead Island 2, Dying Light, and Days Gone, they fail to instill fear in me.

However, it’s worth noting that Resident Evil games frequently employ a central hub area for gameplay, which players repeatedly explore and uncover more of as they advance. In this case, the titular Village functioned as such, along with the Spencer Estate, Raccoon City, and the Baker Family Compound. Therefore, we’re willing to see what Capcom has planned; considering the positive response to RE Village and the RE4 remake, they’ve certainly earned our trust.

Resident Evil has never been better than it is right now

The Resident Evil camera angles debate

2024, and here I am, eagerly anticipating the latest Resident Evil game. Yet, it seems that with each new release comes the resurgence of an age-old discussion – the camera angle debate in horror games. Some purists still hold onto the belief that a game can only truly embody survival horror if it sticks to the fixed camera angles reminiscent of the PS1 era Resident Evil titles.

Twenty years ago, I was as fond of fixed camera angles in my horror video games as anyone else, and they indeed suited the genre perfectly. However, this debate has already been decided in favor of the other side. Titles like Outlast and Amnesia: The Dark Descent demonstrated that first-person perspective can deliver horror exceptionally well. Similarly, Dead Space, Alan Wake, and the Resident Evil 2 Remake showed that third-person viewpoint is equally effective for creating a scary atmosphere as well.

It’s time for these purists, as well as all horror enthusiasts, to let go of the past and shed their nostalgia lenses. They need to embrace the wide array of thrilling and chilling experiences that contemporary gaming offers them today. We’re not merely experiencing a golden era for Resident Evil; we’re living in an era of outstanding horror games.

One could contend that the peak era for survival horror games was during the late 90s up to the early 2000s. However, I’d counter that this golden age is happening now, and I plan on indulging in them throughout Halloween, with no plans to stop until next Halloween. Truth be told, the “spooky season” extends beyond the traditional holiday period for many of us.

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2024-10-29 17:51