Capcom’s Resident Evil Village celebrated its 4th anniversary yesterday, and what better time to reflect on how impressively the studio has transformed its survival horror formula, particularly by fully committing to a first-person perspective.
As the most modern Resident Evil title in chronological order, Village wasn’t a complete surprise to fans. It directly continues Ethan’s story from Resident Evil 7, the first in the series to shift toward a first-person horror experience.
Capcom’s decision to double down with that perspective caught many off guard, especially since it wasn’t universally popular among the fanbase.
For me, though, this direction was one of the best choices the series has made aside from remaking its older titles. The horror becomes up close and personal, a perfect mix of frontal scares and overwhelming tension, all delivered through a single camera view.
The claustrophobic hallways feel even more intense when you can’t quickly look behind you, and thanks to Capcom’s expertise with lighting and shadows, even what’s in front of you can be hard to make out until it’s already too late.
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The House Beneviento Experience
The first-person approach truly reaches its peak in the House Beneviento section, where the atmosphere is terrifying and the perspective is used to full effect. From the unsettling dolls to the malformed baby chasing Ethan, this part of the game is a masterclass in horror design.
It fully embraces the game’s commitment to an "in-your-face" style of fear.
The sheer dread I felt while searching the house for that one elusive doll was overwhelming. The sound design made everything worse in the best way, and with Ethan clearly not in his right mind, it felt like I wasn’t either.
I became obsessed with this sequence. I watched streamers play through House Beneviento just to relive that same panic. Their reactions matched mine, and nearly all of them agree this is one of the most horrifying moments in gaming.
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The Rest of the Game
While House Beneviento was a clear standout, the rest of Resident Evil Village didn’t always fully utilize the first-person perspective. Fans quickly recognized that the game took heavy inspiration from Resident Evil 4, a title known for its action-heavy design. That shift toward action was my one real complaint about Village when it was released. It sometimes felt too much like a shooter.
Chris’s sections were the most obvious example. While it was exciting for longtime fans to play as a series veteran, those moments felt thin, especially during repeat playthroughs.
Even Ethan’s final chapters leaned hard into action, creating a jarring contrast with the survival horror atmosphere at the beginning of the game. It’s a classic Resident Evil move to replace horror with explosions near the end, and while I didn’t hate it, I can’t say I loved it either.
After the castle and House Beneviento segments (yes, with the famous vampire mommies), the game shifted into a much more action-driven experience. Still, how the first-person view amplified the horror was incredibly effective, and I believe Capcom has truly refined this approach.
That’s why I’m excited to see what Resident Evil 9 has in store. Will they continue with the first-person perspective or return to the series’ third-person roots? Only Capcom knows for sure, but I personally hope they stick with first-person and lean even more into the survival horror side, rather than following Resident Evil 6’s over-the-top action path.