WithResident Evil 8: Villagegetting a dedicated showcase earlier today, fans finally found out tons of new information about the latest iteration of Capcom’s iconic survival horror series. From a firm release date this May to a multiplayer spin-off titledResident Evil Re:Verse,which pits iconicResident Evilcharacters against one another, the showcase didn’t disappoint. However, its greatest reveal was arguably the title’s gameplay showcase.
From beginning to end, the footage highlighted just how much has changed since players clashed with the Baker family back in 2017, asResident Evil 8sports a haunting new setting, a batch of terrifying foes, and some fresh mechanics. As many assumed, the game will return toResident Evil 7’sfirst-person perspective, with players experiencing the campaign through the eyes of Ethan Winters once again.
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It seems Winters' goal this time around will be to save his daughter, with gameplay opening on theResident Evil 8protagonist venturing into a suitably gothic castle. The footage is a clear indicator that the sequel will follow in the footsteps ofResident Evil 4,boasting a creepy village setting and a focus on nightmarish medieval environments. Before long, Ethan comes face-to-face withVillage’score antagonists: a group of witches that torment and violently attack the game’s hero as he searches for his missing child.
The trailer then shifts to the combat, which appears to have been made more complex this time around. A solid slice of the gameplay is dedicated to conveying this change, as Ethan is rushed by severalzombified monsters lugging around medieval weaponry.The narrator makes it clear that the player has some powerful new tools this time around, with well-timed shots disarming foes and blocking becoming an essential method of keeping enemies at bay. Ethan can even counter opponents with the block mechanic, launching them back to create some distance between himself and his target.
The overall impression is thatResident Evil 8will rely more on combat than its predecessor, with enemies grouping into larger packs, guns seeming more prevalent, and red barrels being added to environments. The trailer even sees Ethan go head-to-head with a giant, hammer-wielding enemy, which isa more action-packed set piece than any seen inResident Evil 7.
Other fun additions are a new inventory system, a reimagining of theResident Evil 4merchant known as The Duke, and witches that will follow Ethan through the environment in a similar vein to Jack Baker, Mr. X, and Nemesis. It seems to be a comprehensive and entertainingResident Evilexperience that builds exponentially on its predecessor.
Resident Evil 8: Villagewill release on Jul 08, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
