Introduction

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard distills everything we love (and fear) about horror games into a wonderfully tense experience that’ll make you question your life choices and possibly the dinner menu you’ve planned for the week. Oh boy, is it challenging! I mean, who knew avoiding feral in-laws could be this taxing? But fear not, dear reader; whether you’re a chicken or a bloodthirsty hunter, there's something lurking for every kind of player. Spoilers? Possible spoilers. Okay, plenty of spoilers are ahead.

Gameplay

At the heart of Resident Evil 7 is Ethan Winters, a guy who's had better weeks. He's on a rescue mission to find his wife Mia in a creepy old Louisiana mansion, which turns out to be a fungus-infested mess filled with the Baker family – a lovely bunch who take a national holiday to torture uninvited guests. Here, your best strategy is a mix of clever running, clever hiding, and hoping against hope that you find enough ammo and health items to survive the madness. Say 'goodbye' to the shotguns and grenade launchers of games past; this time around, loot is scarce. You need skills and wits like a contestant on Survivor, stressing over every inch of the map like a GPS that lost its signal. The game brims with a mix of environmental puzzles - think of them as the ‘escape room’ experience gone wrong, alongside uniquely challenging enemies. The Baker family is not the only threat; those moldy monsters have an affinity for sneaking up on you faster than your college buddy after a bad break-up. Combat can feel like you’re armed with a pea shooter, with enemies packing some serious punch. Mastering stealth and planning your moves is essential, as a ‘run and gun’ strategy usually ends with you getting gored. Yes, you can run, but you won’t always succeed. And if you’re feeling super brave, spinning the difficulty dial up to ‘Madhouse’ unlocks a whole new layer of sadistic gameplay – moving save systems and even more unforgiving enemies will have you screaming (or crying).

Graphics

Graphically, RE7 plays on the Xbox Series X/S like a Broadway show. Hazy, atmospheric visuals immerse you in the rancid world of the Baker estate, while careful attention to details means every corner is ripe for tension. The lighting is remarkable, with shadows that seem to dance in anticipation of your fear. Playing this game ensures you’ll never look at mold the same way again. The visual poetry here is matched only by a soundtrack that feels like it’s scraping at the back of your mind while you try to escape dinner with the in-laws (A dinner that can only end in chaos, clearly).

Conclusion

In summary, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is not for the faint of heart. But if you’re a fan of brain-bending puzzles, nightmarish horror, and frantically trying to avoid being chopped up like last week’s leftovers, then this is your party. Just remember: the true horror lies within your inventory management skills and whether or not you brought enough healing items. Strike a balance between exploration and evasion, and you just might come out covered in fewer guts than you expected. Grab your controller, dive into the depths of despair, and let your journey through the Baker family's backyard BBQ become a terrifying reality! Would I recommend it? Absolutely, just with a side of caution and a full inventory of first aid kits!

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