Resident Evil 7 took me by surprise. Not just because it was actually good, but because it managed to evoke that traditional feeling of survival horror like the first three Biohazard titles did. At first, I was pretty sceptical about the change in perspective. However, longtime fans of Resident Evil shouldn't be dissuaded by this. Make no mistake, this is classic survival horror, just in a new perspective.

What does that mean? Well, Resident Evil 7 follows a somewhat similar structure as the older games, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in particular. Items are hand-placed and scarce in quality. Unlike the newer games since Resident Evil 4, no enemies will drop items for you. That means that almost every fight (save for bosses) can be avoided. The flip side to this is, if you clear out an area, it will only repopulate after a story trigger. Unlike older games where combat was often expected, here it's discouraged. You'll have to decide for yourself when to fight or flight.

Don't expect a lot of combat or different enemy types, however. Zombies are gone, having been replaced by the molded enemy types we saw in the teaser. In total, there are about 4 generic enemy types that can be killed or avoided. In addition, there are very powerful sub-bosses that will pursue you relentlessly a la Nemesis. This is also where RE7 incorporates elements of newer horror games such as Amnesia. Stealth isn't just possible here, it's a necessity in many cases.

Resident Evil 7 takes elements of survival horror both old and new to create something that feels at once new and nostalgic. Fans who enjoyed the old PSX games will definitely appreciate this return to form, but overall there's a lot to enjoy here. The story isn't fantastic, but it's serviceable and inoffensive. There's plenty to come back to, and like the Biohazard games of old, it can be played and replayed many times whilst still offering different challenges and spooks each time.

Whether you're looking for a decent horror game to scare you ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ or just pining for some good old-fashioned survival horror, Resident Evil 7 is for you.

Resident Evil 7 took me by surprise. Not just because it was actually good, but because it managed to evoke that traditional feeling of survival horror like the first three Biohazard titles did. At first, I was pretty sceptical about the change in perspective. However, longtime fans of Resident Evil shouldn't be dissuaded by this. Make no mistake, this is classic survival horror, just in a new perspective. What does that mean? Well, Resident Evil 7 follows a somewhat similar structure as the older games, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in particular. Items are hand-placed and scarce in quality. Unlike the newer games since Resident Evil 4, no enemies will drop items for you. That means that almost every fight (save for bosses) can be avoided. The flip side to this is, if you clear out an area, it will only repopulate after a story trigger. Unlike older games where combat was often expected, here it's discouraged. You'll have to decide for yourself when to fight or flight. Don't expect a lot of combat or different enemy types, however. Zombies are gone, having been replaced by the molded enemy types we saw in the teaser. In total, there are about 4 generic enemy types that can be killed or avoided. In addition, there are very powerful sub-bosses that will pursue you relentlessly a la Nemesis. This is also where RE7 incorporates elements of newer horror games such as Amnesia. Stealth isn't just possible here, it's a necessity in many cases. Resident Evil 7 takes elements of survival horror both old and new to create something that feels at once new and nostalgic. Fans who enjoyed the old PSX games will definitely appreciate this return to form, but overall there's a lot to enjoy here. The story isn't fantastic, but it's serviceable and inoffensive. There's plenty to come back to, and like the Biohazard games of old, it can be played and replayed many times whilst still offering different challenges and spooks each time. Whether you're looking for a decent horror game to scare you shitless or just pining for some good old-fashioned survival horror, Resident Evil 7 is for you.