*Note: some spoilers below*
The newest installment of the Resident Evil series is a combination of a possible/potental reboot/sequel of the franchise while also staying true to the roots which heralds many nods to the original Resident Evil games [i.e. Resident Evil 0,1 and 2]. The most notable difference is that everything is played in 1st person. While this is a complete change in course from the first 6 games, which are played in 3rd person view, this methodology provides some advantages as well as further immersion into the Resident Evil universe whether using the newest VR technology or through playing it via PC/console. Such nods which will bring nostalgia to long time fans of the franchise include: in-game puzzles, scenes in-game which are eerily similar to scenes that have come from Resident Evil 0-2, somewhat limited combative game-play and multi-staged bosses.
While not done to the fullest extent, in-game puzzles range from three dimensional manipulation of a quirky object to mirror a shadow painting to a complete escape the room type situation. I'd have to say that the escape the room situation with the cake was especially impressive, creepy but also entertaining to watch [twice in fact]. A nod to Resident evil 4 was one of the first puzzles you encounter to open a door by finding 3 heads of a Cerebrus [like the chimera back in the Castle level of RE4]. Overall, the puzzles in this game are not especially grueling or difficult, however, they do require a little intuition in the matter of connecting the dots.
The protagonist of the game is mainly Ethan, however, there are several points in the game which revolve around playing a different character in 1st person view through the use of VHS tapes viewed by Ethan. To say the least, this transition of perspective while maintaining the 1st person perspective denies loss of immersion to the player while also expanding the different branches of the storyline for both Ethan as well as the player.
My only major complaint for this game would be that outside of the Baker family and the main antagonist, the "molded" monsters are the only enemies encountered in the game; they seem lack luster in their presentation and lack in variety. There are really only two enemy types outside of boss encounters that take the form of the molded- one that stands and is slow [very reminiscent of the Iron Maidens in RE4], and one that crawls on all fours which is faster and more difficult to deal with. This is somewhat addressed in the storyline but more variety in enemy types would have been appreciated.
The ending of the game, unlike other games like Mass Effect or Bioshock Infinite, does have a definitive good ending and a bad ending which was greatly appreciated upon completion of the game. That is not to say there were many choices or branching paths to make, however, as there are essentially 1 or 2 choices which effects the fate of the main characters and which ending you will receive. Some reviewers have issued complaint regarding the lack of tie in to the RE universe as a whole, however, you will find that there are items strewn across the different locations throughtout the game which allude to the past incidences of Raccoon city while also tying in the city of Dulvey, Louisiana. It is with hope that the free-DLC provided will further elucidate how the Umbrella Corps [tied in from the picture in the demo] and one particular character met at the end of the game tie into the story.
Overall very enjoyable experience and kittens are fluffy.