This Resident Evil Village Review – this is one of those games that sticks with you long after you’ve put the controller down, and not always in the way you expect. Going into it, I thought I knew what I was getting. More horror, more tension, more of that claustrophobic panic from the last game. What I actually got was something a bit different, and honestly, I’m still deciding if that’s a good thing or not.
Resident Evil Village Review – First Impressions – This Isn’t What I Expected
The opening of Resident Evil Village throws you straight back into Ethan Winters’ story, and for a moment, it feels familiar. Then very quickly, it doesn’t.
The setting is completely different. Instead of tight, modern horror like Resident Evil 7, you’re dropped into this bleak, snowy village that feels almost gothic. It’s eerie, but also a bit more… theatrical. That’s the best way I can describe it.
And that shift pretty much defines the whole experience.
If you’re looking to play the game on PC instead, check out our guide on whether Resident Evil 8 is on Steam for platform details and availability.
Resident Evil Village Review – The Atmosphere – Incredible, But Less Pure Horror
Let’s get this out the way first, because it’s what most people care about.
Yes, it’s scary… but not in the same way as Resident Evil 7.
Village leans more into atmosphere and variety than constant dread. There are moments that genuinely get under your skin, especially in certain sections that I won’t spoil, but it’s not relentless horror. It dips in and out.
Sometimes you’re tense, sometimes you’re exploring, and sometimes it feels closer to an action game than a horror one.
Personally, I didn’t hate that. But if you’re expecting non-stop fear, you might come away slightly disappointed.
Resident Evil Village Review – The Castle Section – Easily the Highlight
Everyone talks about Lady Dimitrescu, and yeah, she’s exactly what you expect. But the whole castle section is where the game really shines.
It feels like classic Resident Evil. Tight corridors, puzzles, enemies that you don’t quite want to deal with, and that constant feeling that something is around the corner.
This is the part where I was fully locked in. Properly engaged, slightly on edge, actually thinking about what I was doing instead of just pushing forward.
If the entire game kept this level, it would be near perfect.
Gameplay – Smooth, But Leans More Action
On PS5, the gameplay feels really good. Movement is smooth, gunplay is satisfying, and everything just feels polished.
But there’s a clear shift here.
You get more weapons, more upgrades, more combat scenarios. There are moments where you’re not surviving… you’re fighting back properly. And while that’s fun, it changes the tone.
It’s less “I need to get out of here” and more “alright, let’s deal with this.”
Not a bad thing, just different.
The PS5 Experience – Actually Worth Talking About
Playing on PlayStation 5 does make a difference here.
The load times are basically non-existent, which keeps everything flowing nicely. But the standout is the DualSense controller.
The adaptive triggers add resistance when shooting, and it sounds small, but it genuinely adds weight to the weapons. You feel it. Combined with the haptics, it just makes everything a bit more immersive.
It’s one of those games where the PS5 features don’t feel like a gimmick.
Resident Evil Village Review – Story – Interesting, But a Bit All Over the Place
The story is… decent.
It keeps you going, and there are definitely moments where things click and you think “okay, that’s actually quite good.” But it’s not always consistent.
It jumps around in tone quite a bit, especially with the different areas and characters. Some parts feel grounded, others feel almost over-the-top.
By the end, I was satisfied, but not blown away.
Enemy Variety and Bosses
This is one area where Village does really well.
Each section introduces something different, and it stops the game from ever feeling stale. Boss fights, in particular, are memorable. Not all of them are perfect, but they’re distinct, and that matters.
You’re not just fighting the same thing over and over, which keeps it fresh right through to the end.
Where It Falls Short – Resident Evil Village Review
As much as I enjoyed it, there are a few things that didn’t quite land for me.
The pacing can feel uneven. You’ll go from a really strong, focused section into something that feels a bit stretched or less interesting.
The horror dips too much at times. When it’s scary, it’s brilliant. But there are long stretches where that tension just isn’t there.
And while the variety is good, it also makes the game feel slightly disconnected in places.
Is Resident Evil Village Worth Playing on PS5?
Yes, without hesitation.
Even with its flaws, Resident Evil Village is a really enjoyable experience. It’s polished, it looks great, it plays well, and it does enough differently to feel fresh.
Just don’t go in expecting Resident Evil 7 again, because this isn’t that game.
It’s bigger, more varied, more action-heavy… and whether that’s better or worse will depend on what you personally want from it.
Resident Evil Village Review Final Thoughts (Without Calling It That)
I came away from Resident Evil Village feeling like I’d played something genuinely memorable, even if it wasn’t perfect, so much so I felt the need to write this Resident Evil Village Review…
The highs are really high. The castle, certain horror sections, the overall atmosphere… that’s where it shines.
The weaker moments don’t ruin it, but they do stop it from being one of the absolute best in the series.
Still, if you’ve got a PS5 and even a slight interest in horror games, this is one you shouldn’t skip.
Read More: Best Resident Evil Games Ranked (Before Resident Evil Requiem Launch)
