The recent Capcom resurgence has continued into 2021 with the Resident Evil Showcase premiering last night. Not only were we treated to a release date for the upcoming Resident Evil Village, but a showcase demo and an online component were also announced.
The former comes as a similar technical show-off to its predecessor’s Kitchen demo, which terrified us all with its PSVR cinematic taster. We also got the Beginning Hour demo, which is perhaps more comparable to the recent offering, not requiring PSVR to play. Maiden, the new demo, is exclusively available on PS5 and allows this ravenous fanbase to better experience this eerie new setting.
Horribly Gorgeous
In the 20 minutes that you will spend with Maiden, you will instantly be drawn in by the incredible visual fidelity that we know RE Engine is capable of. Acting as our first 9th gen. RE experience, you receive a delightful mix of the dark and dreary, with the elegance of a beautiful stately mansion.
The detail, lighting, and general ambience that the 3D audio provides, is clearly the main angle of this showcase. Complex lighting from grand chandeliers and the disgustingly intricate details inside the dark cells of the mansion’s dungeon, will rightly impress even the biggest of graphic snobs.
Cards Close
Capcom have been vague about the game’s narrative but Resident Evil games are known for their convoluted, bizarre stories. Maiden keeps the wraps on just what we are to expect, putting you in the role of one of the mansion’s imprisoned maidens.
Of course, there is so much you can learn and get engrossed in just from the environmental storytelling, but scattered notes help sell a particular feel. Scribbles about wine made by blood fit nicely with details such as blood-stained china cups, sat neatly by a relaxing log fire. You can really feel that Capcom want you to find these nuances. Each subtlety builds an uneasy fear without the need of physical confrontation.
A Healthy Staple
Backtracking and exploring is the core mechanic of this short experience, allowing RE fans to taste that staple game design seen from the series. You will be forced to slowly explore each room you enter, otherwise risking having to come back on yourself to obtain a key item.
Along with this is the detailed examining of items to reveal new clues about what to do next. This works well and similarly to the games that came before it. Sometimes discovering these items will force you back the way you came, prompting new audio cues from the eerie inhabitants of this mansion. The game wants you to feel watched and it works to great effect.
The Final Stretch
With under four months until the full release, Maiden will give you a small taste of what to expect. Players will get their introductory brush with the imposing new villains of the game. All while whetting your appetite for Resident Evil Village’s stunning next gen visuals and sound design.
Resident Evil Village will be releasing on May 7th 2021 for Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
