There is a definite love-hate relationship with the “Resident Evil” series in the gaming community. While the first couple games are revered, the series has really lost its footing since the release of “Resident Evil 4,” which many consider to be the last good game in series. “Resident Evil 7,” however, is truly the turn around the series needed.  

In “Resident Evil 7,” players take the role of Ethan Winters, a mostly unknown and frankly dull protagonist, as he searches for his missing wife Mia on an abandoned estate in the bayous of Dulvey, La. Right off the bat, things get creepy. Personally, the game wasn’t as scary as some have said, but there definitely some scenes where I jumped from fright or felt really scared about what might be happen. Fortunately, “Resident Evil 7” relies more on psychologically terror for the player rather than cheap jump scares.

Players are subjected to many psychological stressors, but the Baker family who inhabits the area where you search is especially unnerving, and the wonderful voice acting and motion capture really seal the deal. Every word each character says is so entirely insane and disturbing that I found myself fearing the heavy footsteps of Jack Baker and the high-pitched crazy ranting of Marguerite Baker more than the main enemies, called “molded.” Molded are large, black blobs that essentially look like walking masses of black mold, hence the name. Here, “Resident Evil” gets another couple of things really correct. Sound is a huge element of this game, and the sticky, dripping sound of a Molded detaching itself from the walls of the Baker house can really become a blood-chilling event, especially when out of ammo.  

As for the survival aspects of the game, Capcom nailed this part as well. While the easy difficulty, is well, extremely easy, players must still search every nook and cranny for ammunition and crafting supplies. The game rewards players for being dedicated scavengers, and provides many pieces of lore and helpful items for those who look closely.   

That being said, “Resident Evil 7” waited too long to truly feel like a “Resident Evil” game. The first hour or so of gameplay feels pretty generic at its core, though still extremely enjoyable. It wasn’t until puzzles and item conservation became a huge problem that it felt like the “Resident Evil” game that it is. However, this is a small complaint in the grand scheme of things, and understandable that Capcom put the essential elements of the game on hold until the story had been firmly established.

“Resident Evil 7” is a shining example of what can be accomplished when a development team puts their heart and soul into a game. Bravo to Capcom for fixing the “Resident Evil” series the right way, instead of continuing on the path of sub-par action games. For all players, fans of the “Resident Evil” series or not, “Resident Evil 7 is a must play when the price goes down, as its short single player (roughly 10 hours) isn’t enough to justify $60.

Price: $59.99

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4