Resident Evil is a staple in horror gaming, and few franchises have seen the highs and the lows of the series. Everyone has their favorite, and of course, the new remakes of a few of the earlier entries certainly make the beginning chapters of this saga frontrunners for the most thrilling experiences in this scary, screwed-up universe. For my money, Resident Evil Village is such a unique take on the game’s newer style, and one that I’m thrilled to have on Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to the launch of Resident Evil Village Gold Edition. Here’s my review for the latest port.

In Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition, the player gets a reset for what to expect in a Resident Evil game. Leaning more heavily into the horror and less the action, the first-person camera view places you in the heart of terrifying setpieces, jumpscares a-plenty, and pulse-pounding moments of fear and fight that I find favorable to the earlier entries. Resident Evil Village is less twisted horror and more of a gothic fairytale from hell. That is why I find it to be so unique and inspired in its setup.

We’re back as Ethan Winters from Biohazard, and instead of fighting bayou barbarians, we’re up against vampires, witches, and a cult the likes of which could only catch on in a Grimm fairytale or the United States in 2026. With our wife Mia killed in front of us and our new child stolen from us, Ethan departs on a journey in a village that worships the mysterious Mother Miranda. As we move through creepy mansions, demented caves, and the likes of other unsettling environments, I’m still such a fan of this creative decision to this day.

On Switch 2, the game looks wonderful, outpacing the visual fidelity and detail of Biohazard Gold Edition only because it was made 4 years later. The villains, enemies, and even caverns you move through are gorgeous in docked mode, but I found handheld to be even more impressive. The fact that we have a Nintendo console handling these games, however middle-of-the-pack they might be in graphical demand, is a treat. It is also well worth playing again with the new console.

If there was a way to push players toward a horror experience, I’d argue Village is a little less terrifying than Biohazard. Having just beaten Resident Evil 9, I’d say it’s the most approachable of the three available on the Nintendo Switch 2. There are plenty of add-ons in the Gold Edition as well, including the Winters’ Expansion additional content, costumes, items, and more. There are few franchises quite like Resident Evil, and with great performance on Switch 2 and a fun, gothic horror setting, I can’t recommend Resident Evil Village Gold Edition enough. Resident Evil Village Gold Edition is available for Nintendo Switch 2 for $49.99 USD, as well as bundled with RE: 7  and the newest entry, Resident Evil Requiem, for $89.99 USD. Let us know in the comments where Village ranks in your all-time Resident Evil experiences!

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Resident Evil Village Gold Edition

49.99

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• A great gothic horror story
• Superb performance on Switch 2
• A memorable blend of scary scenes and fun puzzles

Cons

• Ethan Winters is still a bit of a bore, but nobody's perfect