Resident Evil 7: Everything We Know So Far
By Dalton Cooper 16 October 2016
Updated 11/08/2016
With its renewed focus on horror, Resident Evil 7 is one of the most anticipated games of 2017, and here is everything you need to know about the upcoming game.
One of the biggest surprises of Sony’s E3 2016 press conference was the announcement of Resident Evil VII. Not only did the announcement of the game shock the gaming world, but so did the many changes Capcom is bringing to the franchise with this latest installment, like its switch to a first-person viewpoint, and its renewed focus on horror.
For some, it may be difficult to keep track of all the changes in Resident Evil VII. So for those looking to find all of the changes and other relevant information on Resident Evil VII, we’ve compiled everything you need to know in one convenient location.
Story and Characters
Set an unspecified time after the apocalyptic events of Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil VII features an all-new cast of characters. Instead of playing as one of the heroes from the previous games, players instead take control of Ethan, a man searching for his missing wife. Ethan’s investigation leads him to the Baker family’s dilapidated plantation, and that is when the horror truly begins.
Lacking the combat prowess of a Leon S. Kennedy or a Chris Redfield, Ethan is helpless against the seemingly supernatural abilities of Jack, Marguerite, and Lucas Baker. Ethan will have to do his best to avoid encounters with these intimidating foes while scouring the area for information on his wife’s mysterious disappearance.
Someone that may have more information on Ethan’s wife and the secrets of the Baker family is the person, or people, that call him throughout the course of the game. We’re not sure who is behind these mysterious phone calls, but fans have surmised that it could be Sheva Alomar from Resident Evil 5 or even series antihero Ada Wong.
So far, this is all the information Capcom has shared in regards to Resident Evil VII‘s story. However, a photograph that can be found in the game’s Beginning Hour demo features a helicopter owned by the Umbrella Corporation, teasing that the plot will somehow tie into the franchise’s overarching lore at some point during the game.
Gameplay
Resident Evil VII is a departure from other main series Resident Evil games in that it is played entirely from a first-person perspective. Seemingly inspired by recent horror games like P.T. and Outlast, Resident Evil VII also tones down the guns-blazing approach of Resident Evil 5 and 6, replacing it with a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving.
That’s not to say that players will be completely defenseless in Resident Evil VII. On the contrary, weapons like pistols, shotguns, and axes have all been confirmed for the game. Besides the Baker clan, we know that players will also be using these weapons against zombie-like creatures and a horrific monster with a head made mostly of fangs.
Other classic Resident Evil items are returning for Resident Evil VII as well. Players will be able to heal themselves using green herbs and first-aid sprays, for example, which should help it feel more like a Resident Evil game, despite the first-person viewpoint. Ink ribbons aren’t making a comeback, but players will have to save their progress at specified tape recorders scattered throughout the game.
Beginning Hour
Anyone interested in trying out Resident Evil VII‘s gameplay ahead of the game’s scheduled January 24th release is in luck, assuming they own a PlayStation 4. Capcom has released a demo for Resident Evil VII on PS4 called Beginning Hour, which features an area that won’t be in the final version of the game, and has recently been updated to include even more content.
The Beginning Hour demo features an unnamed protagonist as they explore the Bakers’ mansion. They stumble on a VHS tape that shows a television film crew that was unlucky enough to run into the vicious Baker family, which, along with the Lantern demo from Gamescom, could be an indication that “found footage” will be a central theme for the final game.
At any rate, the Beginning Hour demo is full of clues as to what Resident Evil VII is really about, a number of head-scratching unsolved mysteries, and key items with apparently no purpose. PlayStation 4 gamers are free to check out the Beginning Hour demo and attempt to solve its conundrums to their heart’s content, as well as get a taste of what to expect once Resident Evil VII hits store shelves early next year.
Availability
Resident Evil VII is scheduled to release on January 24th, 2017 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Even though it’s multiplatform, the definitive Resident Evil VII experience definitely appears to be on PlayStation 4.
Not only do PlayStation 4 owners have exclusive access to the Beginning Hour demo, but they also have timed-exclusivity for the game’s virtual reality feature. For 12 months after Resident Evil VII is available, PlayStation VR will be the only way to play the game in virtual reality, with the possibility of it expanding to Oculus Rift and HTC Vive in the future. Resident Evil VII will also have enhanced graphics on PlayStation 4 Pro, so that’s something else potential consumers should keep in mind.
As for special or limited editions, nothing on that front is known just yet. However, Capcom has revealed Resident Evil VII‘s pre-order bonuses, which include some healing items, handgun ammo, and incendiary weapons. These items should make playing through Resident Evil VII a bit easier for anyone that decides to pre-order the game.
With a few months to go until the game’s release, Capcom is likely to reveal plenty more when it comes to Resident Evil VII. There are still many story details that have yet to be revealed, as well as numerous unanswered questions in regards to the Beginning Hour demo and its purpose. Fans can expect Capcom to pull the curtain back a little more over the next few months, but we suspect most answers will have to wait until gamers actually get their hands on the game early next year.
Resident Evil VII will be available on January 24, 2017 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
