A home that once felt safe becomes a labyrinth of uncertainty, each room a trap, each sound a threat, forcing you to navigate horror that hits uncomfortably close to reality.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was my first encounter with the franchise — and honestly, I couldn’t have chosen a more intense doorway into this universe. No prior context, no nostalgia, no comparisons to the classics. Just me, an isolated house in Louisiana, and an ever-present sense that something was deeply, terrifyingly wrong. From the very first moments, the game makes it clear: power is not your ally here; vulnerability is your constant companion.
The story puts you in the shoes of Ethan Winters, a regular man searching for his missing wife. But it quickly becomes apparent that this is not a simple rescue mission. The Baker family becomes the epicenter of a disturbingly real nightmare. Jack Baker, in particular, is a suffocating presence — unpredictable, aggressive, and nearly unstoppable. As a first-time player, it was shocking to realize that Resident Evil 7 doesn’t want you to feel invincible. It wants you to feel powerless.
Perspective and immersion: the horror of every corridor
The first-person perspective is key to this immersion. Every dark hallway felt narrower, every door opening came with palpable hesitation. Resource management forces you to think strategically. Ammo is precious, healing items are scarce, and sometimes running away is the smartest choice. For someone new to the series, this approach makes the experience far more tense, deliberate, and utterly terrifying.
The design of the house is a masterclass in environmental horror. It’s not enormous, but it’s densely packed, interconnected, and filled with shortcuts and hidden secrets. There’s a claustrophobic weight to how the environment surrounds you — every grime-streaked surface, every decayed detail adds to the oppressive atmosphere. It’s a space that breathes dread.
Sound as the maestro of fear
The audio is perhaps the most frightening element of the game. Footsteps above, objects crashing in the distance, sudden silence before something happens — often, the fear comes more from your imagination than what you actually see. This attention to detail turns every moment into pure tension. Capcom demonstrates here that horror isn’t just about what you see, but what you feel.
Not perfect, but unforgettable
The final act loses a bit of the initial tension, leaning more toward action sequences that dilute some of the psychological terror that defines the early hours. Yet, the overall experience remains striking and memorable.
As a first Resident Evil, Biohazard isn’t just a horror game — it’s a meticulous, intense introduction to a legendary franchise. It proves that fear can be strategic, psychological, and, above all, deeply immersive.
If this was my entry point into the series, I stepped through the darkest possible door. And honestly, it was worth every second.
FINAL SCORE: 9/10
REVIEW PLATFORM: PS5