It's hard to believe, but Resident Evil 7 turns five years old today. When it launched, RE7 performed something of a soft reset of the franchise by introducing a new protagonist, perspective, and threat. With the subsequent games in the series – be they remakes or entirely new entries – being more highly regarded than Resident Evil 5 and 6, it's easy to see that RE7's change of course is to thank for where the franchise is today, five years later.
Horror, in general, was in an interesting place before Resident Evil 7 back in 2017. It was a transitionary period for the genre, as longstanding franchises leaned into action elements, while new triple-a IP like The Evil Within and indie games like Outlast went back to the basics, emphasizing resource management and survival over fighting enemies. In Outlast's case, fighting enemies wasn't even an option.
Resident Evil 7 Sets New Standards for the Series
At E3 2016, Resident Evil 7 was revealed during PlayStation's showcase, giving glimpses at the first-person perspective, dilapidated house, and enemies that players would face off against along the way. This time around, players would be looking through the eyes of protagonist Ethan instead of being locked in a third-person perspective. The Baker family was still mysterious, with Jack Baker taking center-stage as the primary antagonist in marketing material.
The response to the trailer was positive, as disenchanted fans mulled over the possibilities of what a return to the franchise's horror roots would look like on the PS4. There was a split over the shift to first-person, as fans debated whether it could still qualify as a proper Resident Evil game. In retrospect, the argument was a bit silly, as time has shown that the franchise's DNA is still clearly present with the change.
Still, gamers will dig their heels in over changes no matter their significance, and so it isn't surprising that the shift got a mixed reception before RE7 launched. However, the first-person perspective also brought in a bevy of new opportunities. Perhaps the biggest was VR support on the PS4, which made RE7 far more immersive for those that picked up a PSVR headset. It's one of the earliest examples of seeing virtual reality on approachable hardware with a triple-a game, though the feature never came to the PC version.
Beyond those gimmicks and changes, though, what Resident Evil 7 really brought to the table was compelling, atmospheric horror. The story and characters were interesting, the map was perfectly suited for scares, and returning characters kept the story feeling familiar. It was a grand departure from the norm, it was a return to the roots that made the franchise popular in the first place. For many, it was the most compelling entry in the series, or perhaps second only to Resident Evil 4.
Resident Evil 7 Stands the Test of Time 5 Years Later
In the past 5 years, the Resident Evil series has seen remakes, new games, and accessory projects that expand the offerings in new ways. Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes brought the classic games forward into a new generation, while Resident Evil Village grow in RE7's foundation. Of all these games, though, it's difficult to not hand the crown to Resident Evil 7 for what it did for the franchise.
Resident Evil 7 is still a riveting horror game, creating tension in every corridor that players are forced to slowly trudge their way down. The Baker family provides a compelling roster of adversaries to tangle with, and the Molded – zombie-esque enemies that are the most common enemies in Resident Evil 7 – are a great blend of terrifying and threatening. All of these elements combine to make one of the best horror games out there, and Resident Evil 7 may hold onto that title for a while yet.
Eventually, another game will come along and snatch away the throne. In fact, there have already been some contenders. But the PS4 and Xbox One era saw horror games become more popular than ever, and Resident Evil 7 was an important part of the genre's growth. Its contributions can be undervalued, as it's rare to see such a return to form for long-established franchises. For evidence, just look to Battlefield, Call of Duty, and Mass Effect.
Resident Evil 7 is a Classic Among Classics
Perhaps the most glowing endorsement of Resident Evil 7 is how it shines among the other entries in the franchise. Resident Evil 7 was an instant classic, a feat that not many games are able to accomplish. It's not going to be as notable as famous horror movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but its scares are evergreen, even worth returning to each year to play during Halloween. Truly, it's a masterclass of horror, even though it has some faults.
Resident Evil Village walked back some changes that Resident Evil 7 made to the franchise, leaning more heavily into the action side of things at the cost of horror. It still has its terrifying moments, but few players completed Resident Evil 7 because it was too scary, which is simultaneously a problem and a glowing endorsement. There's the accessibility argument, and then there's argument that horror should be terrifying. No matter which way fans lean, though, it's clear that Resident Evil 7 has pushed the boundaries.
The next 5 years will be equally interesting for Resident Evil and the horror genre at large. Horror has grown rapidly, and fans will likely see even darker experiences make their way to consoles. Luckily, Resident Evil 7 is now a constant; a place for fans to go back for whenever they so desire. With any luck, Capcom will remember just how great the changes to the formula were for future entries.
Resident Evil 7 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.