The Resident Evil series finally makes its proper debut on the Switch 2 with a lineup of new games. It started with Resident Evil Requiem, but also includes Resident Evil 7 Biohazard and Resident Evil Village. While Resident Evil Requiem is already well documented, I was curious to see how well the earlier Resident Evil games have transitioned to the Switch 2. I am pleased to say that Capcom has handled it quite well.
One impressive thing about the Resident Evil Requiem Switch 2 port is that the game holds up well next to the PC and console versions, especially when you consider the portable aspect of the system. There are no compromises to the gameplay either. I expected the same from Resident Evil 7 Biohazard and was not disappointed.
Compared to the latest game, Resident Evil 7 is a more laid back and linear experience, which means it has the potential to deliver something closer to a current generation release like the PS5. It manages to do that easily. The game appears to run using an upscaling solution and still looks clear even on a 4K screen. More impressively, its visual features are close to the PS5 version, aside from the lack of anti-aliasing and hair dithering. The performance also complements this with a smooth 60 FPS experience.
I had already played Resident Evil 7 Biohazard on the PS4, but checking it out on a portable device was a nice bonus. The game also scales really well, whether you play it in handheld mode or docked mode. The 60 FPS performance target holds up for the most part, aside from a few minor issues in the later stages of the game. Overall, the experience is great, with gorgeous visuals that still hold up well despite the game launching nearly a decade ago. The Switch 2 release also comes with all the post launch DLC bundled i,n, including the Not A Hero DLC that stars Chris Redfield.
After nearly a decade of disappointing Resident Evil games, Capcom decided to return to the survival horror roots of the series with Resident Evil 7, and it shows. The game is terrifying in its opening moments, and the tense atmosphere carries through most of the experience. It is only in the latter half that it leans a bit more into action, which the series is also known for. The story centers on Ethan Winters, who is searching for his missing wife, Mia. One day he receives a message from her that leads him to a place in Louisiana. There he encounters the mysterious Baker family, who seem to be hiding some dark secrets.
It is also interesting to see how Capcom drew inspiration from the horror genre, especially classic Hollywood films, when designing this game. You can clearly see influences from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Evil Dead, and other cult classic horror films. That is not a bad thing at all, as it works well for the game. Resident Evil 7 also moves away from the usual threats like the T-Virus, Umbrella, and other large corporations. Instead, it focuses on a more localized threat in the form of the Baker family. At the same time, the events of the game set a new storyline in motion involving Ethan Winters and his wife, Mia, both of whom play a central role in the narrative.
One of the major shifts in this game was the move from a third-person perspective to a fully first-person view. This was controversial when the game first launched, but I have grown to like it over time. The dimly lit hallways of the Baker mansion work well with the first-person perspective, and the horror of the game world and its creatures feels more intense because of it. In my opinion, it ends up being the ideal way to experience the game.
While Ethan Winters is unfortunately a somewhat lackluster new character and does not create a strong connection with the player, the suffering he goes through during the game still leaves an impact. His character was expanded a lot more in the sequel, Resident Evil Village, but the lack of a strong protagonist in Resident Evil 7 makes it feel slightly weaker compared to other entries in the franchise. That said, the villains are genuinely great and memorable. They deliver plenty of memorable lines and moments, including the famous quote Welcome to the family, which people still reference today.
Overall, this is an excellent port of Resident Evil 7 for the Nintendo Switch 2. It is hard to find major issues with it. The game runs at a stable performance and offers visual quality that feels closer to the PS5 version rather than older generation consoles like the PS4. It also shows how scalable Capcom RE Engine is, since it can run older Resident Evil games smoothly while also powering newer titles like Resident Evil Requiem.
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard – Gold Edition Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Capcom
- Developer: Capcom
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
