Resident Evil 7 will be first-person because ‘fans wanted return to horror’

A still from the E3 teaser trailer for Resident Evil 7
A still from the E3 teaser trailer for Resident Evil 7, which will be totally first-person

Resident Evil 7 will be totally first-person because fans wanted the franchise’s focus to return to survival-horror, producer Masachika Kawata says

However, the game will feature some combat and possible gunplay.

But because it will center on survival-horror, there may well be situations where running away from a dangerous situation rather than fighting is in your best interests.

Kawata revealed the return to a focus on horror rather than action, as in the previous two Resident Evil games, was driven by insight from gamers.

He told Gamespot: “Consumers have often told us very strongly, very passionately, that they want a return to horror.”

The E3 trailer for the game was made entirely from a first-person standpoint, but it later emerged that most of the teaser won’t actually be part of the game — although there are some bits that will.

However Kawata said that despite there not being any combat in the teaser, it will feature in the actual game. He confirmed: “In the final game, of course, there will be many types of game mechanics including combat, perhaps some gun-play.”

Kawata also said how despite makers Capcom being a triple-A developer, they really wanted to produce Resident Evil 7 more along the lines of a B-rank game — so that it’s driven by what it is rather than by a massive marketing campaign.

The move back to horror and away from action has divided fans, with some saying the franchise should stay the way it is, while others have welcomed the change.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is set to be released on January 24, 2017.