Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

"Resident Evil 7" has been such a refreshing and intense experience so far. Even with just 4–5 hours in, it’s already pulled me in completely. What makes it even more surprising for me is that this is actually my first Resident Evil game - and it was gifted to me by a friend, which made the experience feel even more special from the start. I usually just watch playthroughs on YouTube because I don’t really enjoy horror games myself, but this one made me want to try it firsthand - and I’m really glad I did. I actually watched a full playthrough of this game a long time ago, but I’m honestly glad I don’t remember much of it now, because it makes everything feel fresh and unpredictable. The first-person perspective makes everything feel so much more personal and immersive—you’re not just watching the horror, you’re right there inside it. The atmosphere is easily one of the strongest parts of the game. From the creaking floors to the unsettling silence, it constantly keeps you on edge. What I really appreciate is how it balances horror and exploration. It’s not just about cheap jump scares (though there are a few well-placed ones), but more about that slow, creeping tension that builds as you explore the house and uncover what’s going on. Every room feels like it has a story, and you’re always a little nervous about what’s waiting around the corner. There’s this constant feeling of vulnerability that makes every small victory feel earned. It’s the kind of game that’s hard to play for long stretches - not because it’s bad, but because it’s that intense. Overall, it’s been an amazing experience so far, and I’m really excited (and slightly scared) to keep going.

Another great game to add to my finished list this year. FInally I made it and got through RE7. First playthrough and as always in VR with motion controls. The credit movie at the end and music is absolutely prestine and one of the best I have ever seen. Wow. The game itself is a bit short overall, but way more scary than Requiem. It has so many memorable scenes and even the mold enemies are fun in the end. I guess we all would have liked to see a bit more diversity in this regards. Great boss fights as well and yes, the scare factor is high, especially when you return to the house. 10/10. One of the best games ever made and definitely within the top 5 of all RE games and there are quite some impressive ones. Please play it and if possible in VR!

[h1]This game is a masterpiece.[/h1] After binging an unhealthy amount of hours into nearly every game with the title Resident Evil, across nearly every console they've come out on, this was something I was looking forward to with high hopes and honeyed memories from when I first got it in january 2017 on console. And I will say it now; this may still be the best resident evil to have been released, even when compared to how fantastic Requiem is. The story is fantastic and in my first time playthrough left me guessing on so many things, leaning forward to what twists were coming, and jolting back when the scares came up as they do great to not overdo how often they happen, letting the tension build between story beats and letting the atmosphere build in a way most other games in the genre don't do well enough of. I will say a severe pain point for a few people will most likely be the replay value of the narrative tanks a bit due to how much this game relies on twist information, or big reveals/shocking moments, coupled with a short completion time even if you're aiming for finding collectables/all of the goodies to make your life easier. Gameplay is tight for almost the entire way through the game, with only one or two 10 minute points I would say "Changes things up" in a way a good few people would hate in their own right; combat feels smooth and rewarding, but also not brainless and overly predictable, smaller molded enemies are able to be blocked and taken down pretty smoothly but as you fight more and more there either is more enemies, or more variety to everything you need to deal with in a way that feels like the PS1 titles and how they handled their combat - but obviously more polished and modernized to keep from restricting the player unnecessarily. Characters and their personalities, how they talk, how they behave is honestly I'd say arguably the weakest point of the game; but there's also hardly any slacking here either, the game starts off with cliche horror tropes left, right, and center, right down to stupid people getting themselves killed/caught for fame and fortune trying to ghost hunt. But the further the game goes, the tropes melt away and soon you see something more genuine as the story progresses, and by the end of it some of these characters are nearly as enjoyable as the characters you've seen through several RE games by now. OST and Soundscape, whoever worked on this did such a great job that I hope they got bonuses; providing probably one of my favorite videogame credit songs/intro songs that I can think of, a saferoom song that I think easily hits into the top-best ranges for the energy it gives and how comforting it is despite the distortion in certain notes that remind you that despite it being a safe room, everywhere around it is an immediate danger you have to walk into to get out alive. And away from the OST, you have very real sounds of what you'd expect walking through dilapidated Southern-USA buildings, from the constant creaking of every wood plank, the eerie silence when you get to rooms with more concrete/foundation level work, and so much more that kept me immersed almost every step of the way. To add a lengthy sidenote to shill it further, Gold Edition/All DLC is what I'd recommend over just getting the base game. On the surface some of the content comes off as memes, but nearly everything except for two clearly labeled "pure distraction" modes adds something to the story, to several important characters that in some way come up during Ethan's struggle. The DLC is for the most part fun, I would say some of them are difficult without knowing the game well enough, and others are just puzzles waiting to be cracked with storytelling as the reward. [h2]In short[/h2] I cannot recommend this game enough, to anybody who enjoys horror games, survival horrors, or just good first person games with a goal for immersion with solid gameplay. Even at full price the first time experience is worth it.