How Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Succeeds by Reinventing Earlier Releases
Over the last 23 years, the Resident Evil franchise has become one of the most popular and highly anticipated in the entertainment sector. Following the development of the first video game within the series – which began in 1993, the survival horror releases have enjoyed numerous expansions into various markets.
As a result of the franchise’s 2017 title, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, being widely labeled as one of the best contemporary video games on the Xbox One, we’re going to look at the series’ wider evolution.
Resident Evil 7 is Modern, Yet True to Itself
Developed by Capcom back in 1996, the Resident Evil franchise has come a long way since its very first release. Due to Biohazard’s 2017 release date, the graphics are far more developed and refined than those that came before it in previous years. Staying true to its roots, however, the game still features the ever-popular behind-the-shoulder camera angle that was introduced back in Resident Evil 4, an effect that is also prominently utilised in other popular contemporary video games such as Batman: Return to Arkham.
Concerning the main features of the game, the developer’s desire to have the title played out in one single, predominantly dark setting enhances the adventure aspect of the survival-horror release. While it has been argued within the gaming community that Resident Evil 7 is perhaps not as inventive as it could have been, the fact that it has retained many aspects of what initially made the franchise great is what contributes to making it a compelling release, nonetheless.
Although there is some level of disagreement surrounding the approach taken to the game’s boss battles and ending, there is a general feeling that the series returns to form in Resident Evil 7. The game itself finds a healthy balance of including and disregarding background sound at appropriate times in its attempt to build tension, while the need to scavenge for essential items adds an element of panic to this third-person development. Crucially, the free-roaming component doesn’t give exploration a repetitive or outdated feel, plus, with the inclusion of puzzles scattered throughout the map, there is plenty to keep you on your toes during gameplay.
Pop Culture Expansion
As highlighted throughout the series’ 23-year existence, adapting and developing their titles across different platforms has proved pivotal to their continued success. Their latest video game, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, was initially produced for PC, PlayStation and Xbox devices in January 2017, but was later adapted in May 2018 following the release of the Nintendo Switch.
Aside from mainstream console adaptations, the online casino sector has moved to the forefront of popular culture within the 21st century and has done so through focusing many of their most recent games around traditional titles. Resident Evil 6 is one such example, with the franchise being adapted into an online slot game that offers gamers the chance to rid the world of zombies while on a quest for mighty rewards all within a five-reel format. Ultimately, this style of expansion demonstrates the immense versatility that the series has been able to form across years of well-thought-out developments.
Away from gaming, the franchise has also found success within other forms of entertainment such as comic books and movies. After the release of their first video game back in 1996, Marvel Comics designed a prologue based on the title’s storyline, while further written works were created and published up until the conclusion of the final book in 2011. Furthermore, six live-action films along with several animated movies, including Resident Evil: Vendetta, which was released in 2017, also became available, highlighting the sectoral evolution of the popular series.
Plenty of Future Possibilities
Although many of the Resident Evil titles enjoyed immense success on mainstream consoles, it’s clear to see that the franchise possesses the audience and versatility to continue expanding. With comics, films and online casino adaptations already highlighting the series’ ability to evolve, there are plenty of possible markets left for future expansion.
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