Revamping Resident Evil's Village Feature: A Gamechanger for the Next Remake

Highlights

The Resident Evil franchise has always innovated and adapted, including changes in gameplay mechanics and camera angles.

Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil: Village utilized a first-person camera perspective, while Village notably introduced a highly sought-after third-person mode.

For future installments of Resident Evil, it would be beneficial to incorporate a combination of first-person, third-person, and even the nostalgic fixed camera angle, in order to provide players with greater flexibility and an enriched gameplay experience.

The Resident Evil franchise has always been known for its innovative and adaptive nature. Each entry has made changes to gameplay mechanics, combat, and overall tone. One of the most significant changes throughout the series has been the use of different camera angles. Initially, the iconic fixed camera angle style was introduced in the original Resident Evil games and remained consistent for several games. Then, Resident Evil 4 introduced a modern over-the-shoulder view, which became the standard for subsequent games. However, Resident Evil 7 brought a new perspective by switching to a first-person view, a decision that received mixed reviews from fans but was carried over into the sequel, Resident Evil: Village.

Both Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil: Village were designed with the first-person camera angle in mind. These games feature immersive set-piece moments that are best experienced up close and personal. However, it should be noted that a more zoomed-out, third-person approach could also work well for these games. This was demonstrated when Resident Evil: Village added a highly requested third-person mode, giving players the option to choose between the two camera angles. With the addition of this choice, future games in the franchise should consider the possibilities and potential of this feature.

Future Resident Evil Games Should Have A First-Person Mode

Resident Evil: Village successfully integrated a third-person mode into its primarily first-person gameplay. Therefore, it would be beneficial for future Resident Evil games to include a first-person mode for their third-person installments. This option could be available as a default setting or unlocked after completing the game once. Additionally, this feature could be incorporated into previous Resident Evil remakes such as Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3. Modding by the community has already showcased the potential of this addition, providing fans with a glimpse of its official implementation. Offering a first-person mode alongside the traditional third-person perspective would give players the opportunity to choose their preferred camera angle.

Having the option to choose between different camera angles can enhance the gameplay experience by allowing players to customize their perspective. While some fans may have a preference for a specific angle, as long as the game is designed to accommodate multiple options, offering this choice would be advantageous. Capcom has already successfully implemented a fixed camera angle in Resident Evil 5's Lost in Nightmares DLC, demonstrating the potential for incorporating this feature in future Resident Evil titles. This would provide an intriguing opportunity for fans to revisit the classic survival horror feel and introduce a refreshing new way to play the game.