Active XP: Resident Evil Village Review (+ Spoilers)

Joseph, Josh, and Chris dissect Resident Evil Village’s story, gameplay, and world in this spoiler-filled review.

Review code provided by Capcom

Spoilers start at 10:10

Direct Download Link

You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also subscribe through our RSS feed

Follow us on Twitter @ActiveQuestShow

Email us @ ActiveQuestPodcast@gmail.com

Rate us on Apple Podcasts, and Podcast Addict so we can continue to grow. Reviews are so helpful for discovery and opening doors in the industry for us!

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We are proud to be a part of the HP Video Game Podcast Network!: itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtistSeeAll?cc=us&dkId=4&section=0&ids=1482427275

Music

Theme Song made by Novila. soundcloud.com/novila-edm

Overview

Story

With this being a continuation of RE7, we’ll touch on how Village connects to it and how these two games fit into the overall series as a whole. We’ll also touch on how we feel about the game’s narrative, which story beats stood out to us and what we thought about the wacky ending.

Based on previous discussions, it seems like we have different views on how we enjoyed the game’s ending, so we’ll dive into this during the review. 

Gameplay

Let’s start off with discussing Resident Evil Village’s gameplay, which has mostly remained the same from RE7. Here is a great time to talk about The Duke merchant and upgrade system, the new weapons, and any standout sections of the game in terms of gameplay.

We’ll cover the boss battles, creature design, level design, and its scare factor. Does it feel like an action game? Does it feel more like survival horror? We discuss our favorite and least favorite sections of the game here.

The Village

With it being called Village, how do the Village sections actually pan out? Does the Village feel like a “character?” Does it warrant being the game’s subtitle? How are these sections handled gameplay-wise and narratively? 

Any other notable points

During this section, we discuss any other talking points such as gripe or criticisms we haven’t yet covered, or how we feel about the Mercenaries mode. We’ll use this time to mention anything that didn’t fit in the previous sections.

Main takeaways

Here, we’ll wrap up our overall thoughts on Resident Evil Village, and whether we’d recommend it. We’ll also mention who this game is for and who should skip it.

Active Quest Episode 120 Summer Game Fest TimeSplitters Sequel

Active Quest Episode 120: Summer Game Fest excitement, a new TimeSplitters is on the way, and Returnal impressions

Joseph is finally back as all three discuss Geoff Keighley’s plans for Summer Game Fest, the next TimeSplitters, and the tough-as-nails Returnal.

You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also subscribe through our RSS feed

Follow us on Twitter @ActiveQuestShow

Email us @ ActiveQuestPodcast@gmail.com

Rate us on Apple Podcasts, and Podcast Addict so we can continue to grow. Reviews are so helpful for discovery and opening doors in the industry for us!

Get our official shirt!

teespring.com/active-quest-shirt#pid=2&cid=566&sid=front

We are proud to be a part of the HP Video Game Podcast Network!: itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtistSeeAll?cc=us&dkId=4&section=0&ids=1482427275

Music

Theme Song made by Novila. soundcloud.com/novila-edm

Quick News

Overwatch 2 Drops Standard PVP Count To 5V5

Jason Guisao

https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/20/overwatch-2-drops-standard-pvp-count-to-5v5

Mass Effect’s Normandy Ship Comes To No Man’s Sky In Crossover Event

Eddie Makuch

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effects-normandy-ship-comes-to-no-mans-sky-in-crossover-event/1100-6491823/

Upcoming Releases/Announcements

Grand Theft Auto V is coming to the PS5 and Xbox Series X in November

Andrew Webster

https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/18/22441925/grand-theft-auto-5-gta-online-ps5-xbox-series-x-release-date

‘The Last Of Us Part II’ now runs at 60 fps on the PS5

K. Holt

https://www.engadget.com/the-last-of-us-part-ii-ps5-patch-60-fps-naughty-dog-160807112.html

News

New TimeSplitters to be developed by original creators

Vic Hood

https://www.techradar.com/news/new-timesplitters-to-be-developed-by-original-creators

New Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Amiibo Figure Revealed (it locks fast travel to the amiibo rather than the game)

Kevin Kneszevic

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-zelda-skyward-sword-hd-amiibo-figure-revealed/1100-6491678/

PlayStation, Xbox, Square Enix and more will be part of Summer Game Fest

Chris Penwell

Listener Questions

Andrew MacMahon (@McMahon_BearPig)

How long until we finally get Online for TLOU2 and will it be factions again?

What We’ve Been Playing

Joseph:

  • Resident Evil Village (review code provided)
  • Returnal
  • Hood: Outlaws & Legends (review code provided)

Chris:

  • Resident Evil Village (review code provided)
  • Returnal
  • Resident Evil Remake (the first one)
  • Hood: Outlaws & Legends (review code provided)

Josh

  • Resident Evil Village (review code provided) 
  • Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (Joseph code provided)  
  • Before I Forget (review code provided) link to Retroware review
  • Knockout City (review code provided) 
  • Aerial_Knight’s Never Yield (review code provided) 

Active Quest Episode 119: Resident Evil Village Is A Delight, Epic vs. Apple Drama, PlayStation Forms Partnership

Josh, Chris, and special guest game developer Eldar Basic discuss the wonderfully gruesome Resident Evil Village, the Epic vs. Apple drama in court, and PlayStation’s latest deal with Discord. 

You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also subscribe through our RSS feed

Follow us on Twitter @ActiveQuestShow

Email us @ ActiveQuestPodcast@gmail.com

Rate us on Apple Podcasts, and Podcast Addict so we can continue to grow. Reviews are so helpful for discovery and opening doors in the industry for us!

Get our official shirt!

teespring.com/active-quest-shirt#pid=2&cid=566&sid=front

We are proud to be a part of the HP Video Game Podcast Network!: itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtistSeeAll?cc=us&dkId=4&section=0&ids=1482427275

Music

Theme Song made by Novila. soundcloud.com/novila-edm

Quick News

Announcing PlayStation’s new Partnership with Discord

Jim Ryan

Nintendo’s next big Switch title is aimed at budding game designers

Andrew Webster

https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/5/22419556/game-builder-garage-nintendo-switch-trailer-release-date

Upcoming Releases/Announcements

News

Epic Games vs. Apple Court Hearing Day One: Screaming Fortnite Kids, Tim Sweeney Takes The Stand

Liana Ruppert

https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/03/epic-games-vs-apple-court-hearing-day-one-screaming-fortnite-kids-tim-sweeney-takes-the

Listener Questions

Andrew McMahon (@McMahon_Bearpig)

Do you think a Resident Evil game will ever come close to the Resident Evil 2 Remake?

Jake Free (@JakeFreeDieHard)

Can Chris just explain how to make tea? What’s the process? Why am I putting milk in it? Sugar? What aisle is it in? What kind am I getting? Does it have to be hot? Do I have to invest in a kettle? What’s its purpose!?!?

What We’ve Been Playing

Joseph:

Chris:

  • Crash Bandicoot 2
  • Resident Evil Village (review code provided) 

Josh:

  • New Pokemon Snap
  • Resident Evil Village (review code provided)

Eldar:

  • Resident Evil: Village
  • Final Fantasy VII (PSone)
  • Magic the Gathering: Arena

Active Quest Episode 116: The PS5 Is Fastest Selling Console In History, We’ll Buy Resident Evil 4 One More Time

Joseph, Josh, and Chris go over some surprising sales results from March 2021 and discuss many indie standouts like Oxenfree 2, Before Your Eyes, and Emily Is Away <3. 

Download

You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also subscribe through our RSS feed

Follow us on Twitter @ActiveQuestShow

Email us @ ActiveQuestPodcast@gmail.com

Rate us on Apple Podcasts, and Podcast Addict so we can continue to grow. Reviews are so helpful for discovery and opening doors in the industry for us!

Get our official shirt!

teespring.com/active-quest-shirt#pid=2&cid=566&sid=front

We are proud to be a part of the HP Video Game Podcast Network!: itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtistSeeAll?cc=us&dkId=4&section=0&ids=1482427275

Music

Theme Song made by Novila. soundcloud.com/novila-edm

Quick News

Nintendo is releasing a bright blue Switch Lite in May

 Taylor Lyles

https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/13/22381575/nintendo-switch-lite-new-color-blue-price-release-date

Amazon’s Lord Of The Rings MMO Canceled

Liana Ruppert

https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/04/17/amazons-lord-of-the-rings-mmo-canceled

Upcoming Releases/Announcements

Fortnite’s Aloy and Lara Croft team-up is delayed to next week

Andy Chalk

https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnites-aloy-and-lara-croft-team-

up-is-delayed-to-next-week/

Days Gone PC Release Date Announced

Adam Bankhurst

https://www.ign.com/articles/days-gone-pc-release-date-announced

Quick News

New Resident Evil Village demo comes to PS4 and PS5 April 17

Kellen Haney

Resident Evil 4 VR Announced for Oculus Quest 2

Matt T.M. Kim

https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-4-vr-announced-for-oculus-quest-2

News

Oxenfree 2 and more new games announced at Nintendo Indie World Showcase

Joseph Yaden

https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-indie-world-showcase-april-2021-recap/

The PS5 is the fastest-selling console in U.S. history, according to March game sales data

Joseph Yaden

https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/video-game-sales-report-match-2021/

Listener Questions

Jordan Aslett

@_JordanAslett_

Is the new Switch lite blue or purple?

Jeremy

@hostofhollows

It is not lost on me that if you combine those two games you get… olli olli oxenfree

Andrew McMahon

@McMahon_BearPig

Where the fuck is Hollow Knight Silksong? Also, shoutout to Oxenfree II and OlliOlli World. Both day one pick ups for me.

#1 Kingdom Hearts Fan

@No1KHFan

Hi there, long time no see! I thught I wasn’t wanted so I stupped ): 

Anyway, when do u think the next Kingdom of Hearts game will get announced? I’m running out of Hot cheetos and i need a pick me up.

What We’ve Been Playing

Joseph:

  • Dragon Quest XI
  • Warzone

Chris:

  • Before Your Eyes (review code for RetroWare)
  • Ashwalkers (review code provided for RetroWare)
  • Outriders (review code provided)

Josh:

  • Emily is Away ❤ (review code for Retroware) 
  • Pokemon Snap 
  • Pokémon Card GB2: Great Rocket-Dan Sanjō!
  • Silent Hill 2

Recommended Reading

Sony’s disregard for game preservation is bad for everybody, including developers | GamesRadar+

Active Quest Episode 104: Resident Evil Showcase, More on Hitman 3, Cyber Shadow + Atelier Ryza 2 Impressions

Joseph. Josh, Chris, and special guest, Sabrina Rei discuss Resident Evil Village’s release date, Hitman 3, and Cyber Shadow.

You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also subscribe through our RSS feed

Follow us on Twitter @ActiveQuestShow

Email us @ ActiveQuestPodcast@gmail.com

Rate us on Apple Podcasts, and Podcast Addict so we can continue to grow. Reviews are so helpful for discovery and opening doors in the industry for us!

Get our official shirt!

teespring.com/active-quest-shirt#pid=2&cid=566&sid=front

We are proud to be a part of the HP Video Game Podcast Network!: itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtistSeeAll?cc=us&dkId=4&section=0&ids=1482427275

Music

Theme Song made by Novila. soundcloud.com/novila-edm

Quick News

Microsoft Not Changing Xbox Live Gold Pricing, Free-to-Play Games Unlocked

Adam Bankhurst

ign.com/articles/microsoft-not-changing-xbox-live-gold-pricing-free-to-play-games-unlocked

Xbox Games With Gold gets Gears 5, Resident Evil, and more in February

Owen S. Good

polygon.com/2021/1/22/22244315/xbox-free-games-with-gold-february-2021-xbox-one-xbox-360

News

Resident Evil Village launches in May, also coming to PS4, Xbox One

Michael McWhertor

polygon.com/2021/1/21/22242532/resident-evil-village-release-date-xbox-one-ps4-capcom

Sources: Capcom has overhauled its plans for a Resident Evil 4 remake

Andy Robinson

videogameschronicle.com/news/resident-evil-4-remake-overhauled/

Listener Questions

Vaughn Hyde
Do you think you’ll play in first or third person in the new Indiana Jones game? While Machine Games showed they’re fantastic at making first-person shooters with Old Blood and New Colossus. I think the IJ license would be somewhat misused in first person.

#1 Kingdom Hearts Fan
Hey there, u shud talk more about Kingdom Hearts. Who cares aboot Xbox? Indiana Jones issss old.

Btw, Chris is not the #1 Kingdom Hearts fan. I am! Poser!

Hey there, THE #1 Kingdom Hearts fan here, important question coming up. How much Cheetos do you think you can put in Sora’s shoes? 

bonus: do you think Joseph can sign my keyblade? Thanks, bye.

also, idk who this 

@TurnerandDouche

 guy is, but he sounds lame. like, really lame. he seems like one of those guys that want to see The Mighty Ducks in Kingdom Hearts.

#1 Turner and Hooch Fan

If a train is traveling at 65 mph and it takes 1hr and 39 minutes to completely watch Turner and Hooch, how many times can I watch T&H on a train trip from Boston to Dallas?

Yeah, I got a question guys: is it bad to inflate my ass with helium?

Andrew McMahon

Is Game Pass still the best deal in gaming as of the recent Xbox live price increase?

Nvm, I see Josh talked to his people and laid the hammer down

Josh Broadwell

If Resident Evil 6 used the same gameplay/story formula but just focused on one narrative instead of several, do you think it would have been received better?

Hatsube

Do yall drink hot tea and if so what flavor?

Steve Vegvari

Is a Pop Tart a ravioli?

Zac LaRocque-Walker

Do you think the Capcom teasers mean we will see a resident evil 4 remake shown off this month? Releases in October? Also, how many times have you all bought it? I got it on GameCube, wii, xbox one and ps4 thus far.

Jake Free

What about the marketing for hitman suggests that it’s a wacky sandbox type. I’ve always thought that it was a straight up secret agent type game like 007 and never thought otherwise until I heard podcasts like yours talking about the Hitman 3.

Kevin except really fast

I salute the nod to Resident Evil 6! 

What We’ve Been Playing

Joseph

  • Cyber Shadow (review code)
  • Call of Duty: Warzone
  • Resident Evil Village demo 

Chris

  • Cyber Shadow (review code)
  • Atelier Ryza 2 (review code)
  • Hitman 3 (review code)

Josh

  • Resident Evil Revelations 2
  • Resident Evil 6

Sabrina

  • Hitman 3 on PSVR exclusively
  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla -just finished it
  • Resident Evil – Maiden Demo
  • Ghost of Tsushima: Legends multiplayer (pre-raid)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Recommended Reading

The State of The Representation: A Manifesto for Trans Games Criticism

uppercutcrit.com/the-state-of-the-representation-a-manifesto-for-trans-games-criticism/

Active Quest Episode 87: Microsoft Buys Bethesda, Amazon Luna Joins the Competition, and Marvel’s Spider-Man PS5 Confusion

Joseph, Josh, Chris, and special guest Kaitlyn Red Wing discuss Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda, Amazon’s new cloud-based gaming service, and the confusion of Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS5.

Joseph Yaden – twitter.com/josephyaden

Josh Nichols – twitter.com/Mrjoshnichols

Chris Penwell – twitter.com/PenwellWrites

Kaitlyn Red Wing – twitter.com/KaitlynRedWing

You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also subscribe through our RSS feed

Follow us on Twitter @ActiveQuestShow

Email us @ ActiveQuestPodcast@gmail.com

Rate us on iTunes so we can continue to reach people, go to E3, get more review codes to provide coverage to you all and more. Reviews are so helpful for discovery and opening doors in the industry for us!

Get our official shirt!

https://teespring.com/active-quest-shirt#pid=2&cid=566&sid=front

We are proud to be a part of the HP Video Game Podcast Network!: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtistSeeAll?cc=us&dkId=4&section=0&ids=1482427275

Music

Theme Song made by Novila. https://soundcloud.com/novila-edm

News transition music from Fallout 4 by Inon Zur. Added with fair use.

Quick Notes

Animal Crossing Halloween event announced, fall update coming Sept. 30

Nicole Carpenter 

polygon.com/2020/9/25/21455764/animal-crossing-new-horizons-halloween-event-fall-update

Resident Evil Village Could Come To PS4 And Xbox One, Capcom “Looking Into It”

Liana Ruppert

gameinformer.com/2020/09/25/resident-evil-village-could-come-to-ps4-and-xbox-one-capcom-looking-into-it

Xbox Game Pass Subscriptions Have Shot Up By 50% Over The Past 6 Months

Johann Hamilton

screenrant.com/xbox-game-pass-subscriptions-increase-50-percent/

Michel Ancel Accused of Toxic Management at Ubisoft

Robert N. Adams

https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/beyond-good-and-evil-2-delays-reportedly-caused-by-dysfunctional-management

Quick Releases

Metal Gear, Metal Gear Solid, and more Konami classics come to PC on GOG.com

Owen S. Good 

polygon.com/2020/9/25/21455745/metal-gear-pc-metal-gear-solid-konami-classics-gog-com-contra-castlevania-collection

Doom Eternal Is Rip And Tearing Onto Game Pass Next Month

Kyle Campbell

thegamer.com/doom-eternal-coming-to-game-pass/

Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory Demo Coming Next Month

https://twitter.com/KINGDOMHEARTS/status/1309466430174363648

News

Microsoft To Buy Bethesda In $7.5 Billion Deal, Acquiring Fallout, The Elder Scrolls

Reese Oxner 

npr.org/2020/09/21/915308028/microsoft-to-buy-bethesda-in-7-5-billion-deal-acquiring-fallout-the-elder-scroll

Amazon Announces Luna, Another Cloud-Based Streaming Game Service

Mike Fahey

kotaku.com/amazon-announces-luna-another-cloud-based-streaming-ga-1845170977

Sony clarifies that PS5 Spider-Man remaster is not a free upgrade for PS4 Spider-Man players

Chris Moyse

destructoid.com/stories/sony-clarifies-that-ps5-spider-man-remaster-is-not-a-free-upgrade-for-ps4-spider-man-players-604643.phtml

Xbox Series X’s expandable storage is very expensive, but Microsoft says an SSD is necessary for new games

Brett Makedonski

destructoid.com/stories/xbox-series-x-s-expandable-storage-is-very-expensive-but-microsoft-says-an-ssd-is-necessary-for-new-games-604681.phtml

Listener Questions

Bella, Associate Editor / The Gamer

If Konami really did offer up a next-gen MGS remake that looked cool and had a good team behind it, would you be on board or nah?

#1 Turner and Hooch fan / The world’s #1 fan of Turner and Hooch

Hey, #1 Turner and Hooch fan here. What are your thoughts on a pizza covered in fruity pebbles? Do you think it would make for a rockin’ good time? Would it concrete my popularity among the cool kids? Or do you think it would just be good for stoners?

Also, have you ever been to this site? http://Celebritiesbutbald.com

Ghostintheglass

excited for the possibility of New Vegas 2?

Efase

Other than Mass Effect, what are some trilogies that you’d LOVE to see remastered, on the Switch or otherwise?

What We’ve Been Playing

Joseph

  • Dark Souls II 
  • Dark Souls III

Chris 

  • Hades
  • Marvel’s Avengers (review code provided)

Josh

  • Minecraft

Kaitlyn 

  • Hades 
  • Replaying Batman Arkham series

Active Quest Episode 77: Ubisoft Forward Event, Resident Evil Survey from Capcom, and Xbox Rumored To Be Interested In WB Games

Joseph, Josh, and Chris discuss how disappointing Ubisoft Forward was despite the incredible IP’s that Ubisoft owns and could use more.

Joseph Yaden – twitter.com/josephyaden

Josh Nichols – twitter.com/Mrjoshnichols

Chris Penwell – twitter.com/PenwellWrites

You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also subscribe through our RSS feed.

Follow us on Twitter @ActiveQuestShow

Email us @ ActiveQuestPodcast@gmail.com

Rate us on iTunes so we can continue to reach people, go to E3, get more review codes to provide coverage to you all and more. Reviews are so helpful for discovery and opening doors in the industry for us!

Twitter: @ActiveQuestShow

Get our official shirt!

https://teespring.com/active-quest-shirt#pid=2&cid=566&sid=front

We are proud to be a part of the HP Video Game Podcast Network!: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtistSeeAll?cc=us&dkId=4&section=0&ids=1482427275

Music

Theme Song made by Novila. https://soundcloud.com/novila-edm

Quick Notes

Ninja Moves To YouTube Following Mixer Shutdown

Bella Blondeau

thegamer.com/ninja-youtube-move-stream-dr-lupo/

Xbox Reportedly Tells Developers That Next-Gen Upgrades Should Be Free

Jordan Oloman

ign.com/articles/xbox-series-x-upgrades-free-microsoft-smart-delivery

80% of Capcom’s Sold Games Are Now Digital

Chris Penwell

https://www.thegamer.com/capcom-sold-games-digital/

Quick Upcoming Releases

Donkey Kong Country Headlines Nintendo Switch Online’s July Update

Brian Shea

gameinformer.com/2020/07/07/donkey-kong-country-headlines-nintendo-switch-onlines-july-update

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning Arrives September 8

Daniel Tack

gameinformer.com/2020/07/07/kingdoms-of-amalur-re-reckoning-arrives-september-8

Crash Bandicoot on the Run – Mobile Game Gets A Title & Teaser

Jo Craig

thegamer.com/crash-bandicoot-mobile-game-title-teaser/

Halo 3 coming to PC on July 14

Petrana Radulovic

polygon.com/2020/7/7/21315912/halo-3-pc-release-steam-microsoft-store

Devolver’s Carrion Will Be On Xbox Game Pass, Switch, and PC On July 23rd

Kyle Viveiros

https://gamerant.com/carrion-release-date-xbox-game-pass/

News

Xbox Games Showcase Set For July 23

Jeff Cork

gameinformer.com/2020/07/06/xbox-games-showcase-set-for-july-23

Is Microsoft Buying WB Games?

Chris Penwell

thegamer.com/is-microsoft-buying-wb-games/

Capcom Releases Survey On Resident Evil Village, Asks Questions About Direction Of Game

Steven T. Wright

gamespot.com/articles/capcom-releases-survey-on-resident-evil-village-as/1100-6479475/

A Round-Up Of All Of The Big Announcements And Games Shown At Ubisoft Forward

Andrew Reiner

https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/07/01/all-of-the-games-announced-at-ubisoft-forward 

What We’ve Been Playing

Joseph:

  • Rocksmith
  • Ring Fit Adventure

Chris

  • League of Legends
  • The Division 2

Josh

  • The Last of Us: Part II (Replay)
  • God of War (2018)

                                                            

Recommended Reading

gameinformer.com/viWdeo-interview/2020/07/06/tony-hawk-on-the-past-and-future-of-pro-skater