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[Fancy Clown]

I've come around the ship mostly. There are still some things I don't like about it (mostly that it really, really could have used some new enemies or a stalker type, and I wish they made the environment--as atmospheric as it was--feel more personal and diverse like the Baker house, with lots of little objects and clutter that tell stories on their own. Although I realize that's hardet to do in a ship than a home). But the level design is fantastic. RE7 really had two of those more open, very classic RE hub areas: the mansion, and the ship. They both give you some freedom over the order of objectives you tackle, and routes you tack.

Your map is at its most vital here, and enemy presence is far more important as instead of a careful trickle of enemies down a linear path that the game supplies you well for, you have to do a bit more management, evasion, and planning when considering the halls full of roaming monsters (way more I'm sure on madhouse mode).

I also really like vertical layout of the ship's level design, making the shortcuts feel that much more satisfying to unlock, and the feeling of progress that much greater as you ascend or descend through the rusty interiors.

And even if the location isn't as memorable, the atmosphere is still quite thick. I love the blasted out hallways that give you the immense view of the ghost ship, with nothing but the wind and and some pale moonlight to offer you solace from an otherwise oppressive level.

what other location could they have done though? the farm was supposed to be in the middle of nowhere

I think it would have been sweet to explore an abandoned mining town in the woods instead of going down into the salt mine itself.

 

[bratpack]

resident evil has never done justice to a hospital location there was one in RE3 but it was tiny with like 3 rooms IIRC

 

[Fancy Clown]

resident evil has never done justice to a hospital location there was one in RE3 but it was tiny with like 3 rooms IIRC

Loved the hospital in 3. It wasn't too big but it had a couple floors. I would certainly be down to revisit a larger one in a future RE title.

 

[bleaker]

resident evil has never done justice to a hospital location there was one in RE3 but it was tiny with like 3 rooms IIRC

Idk man, Silent Hill kinda owns that. They are honestly kinda overused in horror games, but if RE8 manages to make one worthwhile, I'll be down

 

[Curufinwe]

I was able to get the Mr Nowhere trophy by reloading old saves. Luckily I had one before the boat house.

 

[WrenchNinja]

i must be the only person who liked the ship section .....

I would like the ship section more if I didn't have to play the tape section

 

[bratpack]

its hard to know were they could take RE8 I would prefer it to be in a main single location again its what RE works best at IMO wonder what they will conjure up but I want isolation again not characters every 2 mins

 

[brandonh83]

The tape in the ship is one of my favorite parts, the ALIENS vibe I got from it was tremendous especially playing as badass Mia. Very much enjoyed that and even still on a replay.

I think I actually liked Mia more than Ethan. Give me a Mia game.

 

[Javin98]

what other location could they have done though? the farm was supposed to be in the middle of nowhere

I did like the boat section but yeah no more boats there was one in 5,6,rev and now 7

Exploring the abandoned industrial area would have been great, but it's possible that it's being reserved for the Not A Hero DLC. Also, I recall there were rumors of a dilapidated hospital before the game released. Or even exploring the full lab in the salt mines would have been great.

As a side note, on my second playthrough of the game, I had less issues with the ship and mines than I did on the first and even then, it was just a minor gripe and one that could be attributed to my own stupidity. I couldn't find where to go next in the VHS flashback in that part where you have to climb out a window to get around the emergency door. In the last stretch of the mines, I didn't bring my machine gun and grenade launcher because I was unsure of what would come next. So, I ended up dying in the rush at least 5 times and 5 more times to the fat molded. Just rushed through both parts on my second playthrough because I was prepared, though. My minor gripe mostly came from having to restart several times, that's all. The lack of enemy variety and average level design in the mines are certainly valid criticisms, though.

 

[bratpack]

I would like the ship section more if I didn't have to play the tape section

and skip Evelyn scenes her voice acting is so cringe and the cutscenes go into overtime in this section

 

[brandonh83]

and skip Evelyn scenes her voice acting is so cringe and the cutscenes go into overtime in this section

Maybe it's just where I play Metal Gear but I didn't get major overtime from any cutscene in the game

A lot of "AAA" titles have cutscenes that absolutely go over, but I didn't feel that with this.

But yeah Eveline's VA is pretty lame, though I think everyone else did a great job especially for an RE game.

 

[100%TrophyMaster]

The problem with the ship was that it was EXACTLY like the Queen Zenobia from Revelations 1. Had the same type of layout and feel---not that it was bad...but I would have rather had the setting go into the swampland and expand on the Louisiana setting.

 

[bratpack]

Exploring the abandoned industrial area would have been great, but it's possible that it's being reserved for the Not A Hero DLC. Also, I recall there were rumors of a dilapidated hospital before the game released. Or even exploring the full lab in the salt mines would have been great.

I doubt they would create brand new areas for free DLC most likely it will just be chris running through the bakers farm map mowing down enemies wasn't it Chris on the radio at the end saying he done a sweep of the mansion and no Ethan found or something.

 

[ScherzoPrime]

Yeah from a level design and progression standpoint the ship is honestly pretty great. The problem is narrative and pacing wise; Either we should have finished the game as Mia and had something happen that recontextualizes her relationship with Ethan (I was beginning to believe he was an adult male version of the E-Series Bioweapon and frankly that could still be the case), or it should've stuck with Ethan and had it revealed to him that Mia was lying about what she was away doing. The Mia stuff being a diversion (including a diversion within a diversion given the Tape segment) along with a lot of info dump in the Salt Mine makes me understand why some people were sour on the ending bits. But I still think I had fun playing through the ship, and the Salt Mine honestly wasn't any worse than say Revelations 2. It's not a great ending obviously, but it's nowhere near Bioshock levels of completely falling to pieces.

 

[bratpack]

Maybe it's just where I play Metal Gear but I didn't get major overtime from any cutscene in the game

A lot of "AAA" titles have cutscenes that absolutely go over, but I didn't feel that with this.

But yeah Eveline's VA is pretty lame, though I think everyone else did a great job especially for an RE game.

yeah maybe its just cause I have played the game like 4 times now in a week lol

her acting is awful IMO that line at the end with mia "now its mommys turn to killlll" or something is so bad its a shame because everyone else is excellent

 

[Javin98]

I doubt they would create brand new areas for free DLC most likely it will just be chris running through the bakers farm map mowing down enemies wasn't it Chris on the radio at the end saying he done a sweep of the mansion and no Ethan found or something.

Yeah, good point. That's too bad, though. Even from outside, the industrial area seemed brimming with creepy atmosphere. Would have also been nice to have one last, albeit smaller hub area for an additional 2 hours of gameplay. Then again, it could ruin the pacing and urgency of eliminating Eveline. Regardless, wish the game was 2-3 hours longer with one more hub area or even just a larger Baker mansion.

 

[Manu]

Ha. Not this time, asshole.

 

[brandonh83]

I think for me by the time I got to the ship that I was cool with the change-up. It did feel like Revelations but I was actually into what was going on with the story; really not a big fan of Revelations 1 (2 though, hot damn). To me RE7 was like this huge love letter to the horror genre, not just one or two references but different inspirations connected to various entries of pop culture. The first half and a bit more is obviously Texas Chainsaw/Evil Dead inspired with a pinch of Silent Hill. The ship is closer to the action horror genre like Aliens or the vibe you get from the traditional endpoints of the older RE games with countdowns and alarms and shit. And I felt it did all of this seamlessly without feeling like it was trying to be too many things.

I get some probably do feel that way, but as a huge fan of the genre I was non-stop appreciative when it would shift gears and show me new things. The ship was as good as any other part of the game for me. The salt mines? I'll be the first to agree with the criticisms there; fortunately it's not long at all, but it could've probably been at least another relatively large, fleshed out final location like a big lab or something. It almost got there as there was an installation of the lab variety, but it was extremely brief. While I don't have a massive problem there, it's definitely the game's weakest link.

 

[Fancy Clown]

Despite my initial repulsion...Ethan Must Die is actually pretty sweet

 

[Alcotholic]

Well it happens that it's not Chris.

How do we know that?
Is it because the Helicopter said Umbrella on it?
I guess that would make sense.

 

[WrenchNinja]

and skip Evelyn scenes her voice acting is so cringe and the cutscenes go into overtime in this section

I wish I could skip through every forced dialogue section. Making it all real time was a mistake.

It makes speedrunning this game such a chore compared to REmake

 

[Archtreyz]

How do we know that?
Is it because the Helicopter said Umbrella on it?
I guess that would make sense.

And 'Not a hero' would make sense too

 

[WrenchNinja]

yeah maybe its just cause I have played the game like 4 times now in a week lol

her acting is awful IMO that line at the end with mia "now its mommys turn to killlll" or something is so bad its a shame because everyone else is excellent

They should have hired a kid. It's pretty clear it's a grown woman trying to pretend she's one, it's so bad

 

[brandonh83]

her acting is awful IMO that line at the end with mia "now its mommys turn to killlll" or something is so bad its a shame because everyone else is excellent

I think it's a bit of this and that with Eveline, her dialogue and mannerisms were a bit too trope-ish (even for me, who just heaped praises on the game for divulging in them) but I still liked the story revolving around her enough to where I can mostly overlook that. She was practically Alessa Gillespie and Ringu girl thrown into a blender but with a decent story.

All the other character actors did a fantastic job; unfortunately Ethan didn't work for me nearly as well as most other characters. I think it's because of the "avatar" route they went with him, but the problem was that he still had some obvious backstory, but they don't tell us much about it and keep it pretty cryptic-- which clashes with the "avatar" idea. He either should have been a total outsider, like the Bakers' neighbor or something that gets caught up in the Umbrella stuff, with Mia being the central character, or they should have fleshed him out a lot more.

I went to talk about the performances and talked about the characters, but I think they go hand in hand; I really liked Mia, Jack, Marguerite, and Lucas. I think it's large in part to do with the voice performances. Ethan had some funny quips, but again you don't know hardly anything about him and his relationship with Mia (and Umbrella?) felt very confusing; at times some awful shit happens to his wife and he just sorta brushes it off, and heavy moments are not delivered very well by the actor.

But Mia and the others I mentioned were absolutely incredible. Like some of the best voice work I've heard in a game like this. Whoever played Jack especially turned in what was very much a three dimensional performance. Character wise I just wish I knew more about Ethan. I don't dislike him, but there's not much I can say about him either except that maybe he was an Umbrella operative? Maybe? And what of the other organizations mentioned in the files that were supposedly after Eveline? I thought the story here was pretty awesome but I'm still trying to connect dots.

 

[bratpack]

Despite my initial repulsion...Ethan Must Die is actually pretty sweet

is there anyway to make it easier ? its too tough for me no ways to bypass areas or something lol

 

[Hecatonchires Custom]

Any explanation as to why Zoe is the sanest member of the family?

At first I thought that she was the one that kept the email log in the salt mines but if it's indeed Lucas (the traps and the disposal of kidnapped people hint towards that), why isn't she as insane as her parents since she didn't receive medication to counteract the mold?

 

[kirblar]

Any explanation as to why Zoe is the sanest member of the family?

At first I thought that she was the one that kept the email log in the salt mines but if it's indeed Lucas (the traps and the disposal of kidnapped people hint towards that), why isn't she as insane as her parents since she didn't receive medication to counteract the mold?

She wasn't living in the house.

 

[brandonh83]

She wasn't living in the house.

She was still infected so surely Eveline had control over her too? Or did Eveline just not give a shit about her and only infected her but didn't bother with the whole, you know, making her crazy aspect lol.

Man that scene with the Jack sit-down was unexpected and insanely fantastic. Like I actually felt for them which is just nuts after what you experience with them earlier on.

 

[bratpack]

one thing I dont understand is why did the bakers have an arklay mountains picture in the house when they had no connection to anything regarding what was happening in the RE universe ?

and there was traps,secret passages all over the house this was explained in the first as a design choice by the builders of the mansion to hide umbrella or some thing like that so why would the bakers need all these secret routes and rooms??

 

[Curufinwe]

Ugh, I got 30/32 files but missed the 2nd one at the very start of the game.

 

[Hecatonchires Custom]

She wasn't living in the house.

She didn't but Evelyne could still remotely kill her from a distance if you gave her the serum. She's clearly infected given that she spent years around Evie but shows none of the symptoms.

 

[Jombie]

Made my way through Marguerite on madhouse. Haven't had to use any grenade rounds and doing well with ammo and health. With that said, it's either sink or swim with some of the encounters. The old house can eat a fucking dick, never thought I'd have that much trouble there.

 

[Fancy Clown]

is there anyway to make it easier ? its too tough for me no ways to bypass areas or something lol

Naw. You can get lucky with items though, and it tends to give you some pretty good stuff if you can make it past the basement. It's like a more trial and error version of Dark Souls, where its not too tough once you figure out where you gotta go. I really like how repurposes the level design and makes resource management even more crucial, but allows you to use the same traps that may have killed you as a way to kill enemies.

I kinda wish there was at least one save point, because some of the OHKO traps can feel too bullshit, but once you get past that initial mad frenzy in the front hall that put me off the mode, it's really puts RE7's gameplay and level design at the forefront. I like it a lot.

 

[bratpack]

Made my way through Marguerite on madhouse. Haven't had to use any grenade rounds and doing well with ammo and health. With that said, it's either sink or swim with some of the encounters. The old house can eat a fucking dick, never thought I'd have that much trouble there.

wait till you get to the fat moulded ugggghh I still have nightmares

 

[goonie]

Ugh, I got 30/32 files but missed the 2nd one at the very start of the game.

I feel like that file may be bugged or something. Is it the one that's two-sided? With all the names and if they're dead or turned? I know for a fact I examined that one my first time through, but when going through all my files and comparing them with a guide, that was the only one missing. I think others have said that was one they missed, too.

 

[ChoklitCow]

one thing I dont understand is why did the bakers have an arklay mountains picture in the house when they had no connection to anything regarding what was happening in the RE universe ?

and there was traps,secret passages all over the house this was explained in the first as a design choice by the builders of the mansion to hide umbrella or some thing like that so why would the bakers need all these secret routes and rooms??

There is a few things with this, but in the end there is a lot we don't know:

Upstairs in Lucas' room I believe there is a file mentioning the construction of the Baker estate was done by Trevor and Chamberlain Architecture. George Trevor is the architect that did the Spencer Mansion, Antarctica base, some of the ships, etc. Same company? Maybe? Fan service? Maybe? Art like that would make sense in my eyes for a company that has built facilities in past locations. However, you also have a couple other Raccoon City references (Newspaper and Magazine) around that lead you to question their involvement.

Given the family had all this build prior to infection, we know they aren't the sweet an innocent Jack wants you to believe. Beyond that, it's pretty conjecture I believe.

 

[sjay1994]

Did the speedrun + under 3 health items + 3 item boxes run. Platinumed the game. Infinite ammo with grenade launcher makes the salt mines trivial.

Man, I wonder if its even possible to guess the code for the Birthday room without doing the barn fight.

Also considering Lucas got away in the end, I want him to be the new "Wesker" of the series. Character trait wise he is the least interesting of the Baker Family, but plot wise the fact he was basically a spy for the company who made Eveline is super interesting.

... I will lose it if in later games he turns up in a black leather trenchcoat and shades.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Did the speedrun + under 3 health items + 3 item boxes run. Platinumed the game. Infinite ammo with grenade launcher makes the salt mines trivial.

Man, I wonder if its even possible to guess the code for the Birthday room without doing the barn fight.

Also considering Lucas got away in the end, I want him to be the new "Wesker" of the series. Character trait wise he is the least interesting of the Baker Family, but plot wise the fact he was basically a spy for the company who made Eveline is super interesting.

... I will lose it if in later games he turns up in a black leather trenchcoat and shades.

The code is randomized. You will never get it right.

 

[zyxwvu4321]

Getting ready to go for the 4 hour clear. Are there any benchmarks out there, like "Be finished with [event] by [time]?" so I can start over if getting too far behind?[/time]

 

[brandonh83]

So what's recommended first, speedrun or Madhouse, in regards to unlockables?

 

[goonie]

So what's recommended first, speedrun or Madhouse, in regards to unlockables?

I say do Madhouse first. It's not as fun if you're overpowered!

 

[brandonh83]

I say do Madhouse first. It's not as fun if you're overpowered!

I want it to be as easy as possible... I'm no hero. Never was.

 

[Atrarock]

Getting ready to go for the 4 hour clear. Are there any benchmarks out there, like "Be finished with [event] by [time]?" so I can start over if getting too far behind?[/QUOTE] I usually get to the ship at around 2 hours. The ship takes around 15-25 minutes depending on how fast you are with grabbing what you need and just getting to Ethan. My slowest speed run is around 3:35 (normal) and my best is around 3:08 (easy mode). Grab every remote bomb you can, it'll help with clearing the last section of the ship and the mines.[/time]

 

[goonie]

I want it to be as easy as possible... I'm no hero. Never was.

Lol, do the speedrun for the circular saw in that case.

 

[Perineum]

I really wish Madhouse had been an option without pre order to try right away.

Madhouse, no guide, VR, PS4 Pro, first run through must be THE way to experience this game. My experience isn't that and I still think this is a 9/10 experience game for my tastes, yet it could've been slightly better I imagine if I had madhouse right to start with and no knowing of what to come. Jack the intensity up even more that way.

The ship was great---especially on mad house. Refreshing the player with no guns and ammo with a ton of enemies in later parts is great. Takes away the beef bus effect you start to get as Ethan once you amass ammo and weapons to feel unstoppable.

The throwaway part of the game is mines. Short, uninteresting, and pointless. Similar to FF15's chapter 13 where a ton of plot points are scattered throughout the notes you find, but here they are all in one room.

I feel like the mines stuff in general in RE needs to go away. Didn't work in any single RE game and is never scary.

 

[brandonh83]

Lol, do the speedrun for the circular saw in that case.

That sounds more like it! I'm all about having fun but I can get frustrated easily. I'm just trying to get the Platinum ASAP so I can move through some of my backlog before the March assault. Doing Madhouse with the saw still sounds fun to me.

 

[sjay1994]

The code is randomized. You will never get it right.

On my speedrun attempt the code was 1146 which was the same code used in my madhouse run. I dunno how it works, but I guess them not wanting you to sequence break makes sense.

 

[SuperStiltzkin]

resident evil has never done justice to a hospital location there was one in RE3 but it was tiny with like 3 rooms IIRC

The one in outbreak was a pretty good hospital level. You even get stalked by an unkillable Baker-esque stalker throughout it until you microwave it to death.

 

[brandonh83]

I feel like the mines stuff in general in RE needs to go away. Didn't work in any single RE game and is never scary.

It would've worked so much better if the mines were a precursor to a bigger lab setting, and if Umbrella was responsible for implementing all the weird shit in the Baker's estate (for no other reason than because Umbrella). But you'd go through some dark mines, making it a bit scarier by having less lighting and more reliant on weird sound effects and atmosphere in general-- leading to the entrance of the man-made lab with an Umbrella logo on the outside. Like imagine if your flashlight died while making your way through these dark mines, then it kicks back on revealing a door and the Umbrella logo. That would have been a fucking amazing moment. And the lab could've had more remnants of past Umbrella, like maybe pictures of Wesker, Spencer, Birkin, etc. Or memos about them.

Have the lab be molded over and put a couple new enemy types in there, like what we got with the chimera in the original, a big boss fight with something Eveline creates, then have the same finale back in the house just without the shitty endboss. Or a better variant.

 

[Durock]

So here's one thing that's confusing me. On the 'Mia' tape, it says "Ethan, You Must Watch This" and it's dated at July 19th, 2017. Why is it dated into the future? Unless I missed something and the game is taking place in the later half of 2017?

EDIT: They also tell you of Umbrella's involvement in the beginning too. There's a broken mirror in the main house that happened to be broken in the shape of the Umbrella logo!