One thing about the current video game zeitgeist is that sometimes modern graphics do not always equal a better game. This is where "demakes" come into the mix, in which modders and developers aim to take an already popular game and turn the clock back several years, making it look like a much older title. Take the Bloodborne demake which makes the game look like it came from the PS1 era. Now, a fan-made Resident Evil Village game does a similar thing, only it makes no bones about how this demake was inspired by a gaming classic.
Uploading the fast-paced game to Itch.io, developer OcO has effectively turned Resident Evil Village into a title very reminiscent of the early Castlevania games. The fact that they've named theirs "Residentvania" clearly shows what inspired this fan-made iteration. The game is a side scrolling, platformer with tons of action and a spooky castle backdrop that is both reminiscent of the setting of the eighth RE game, and a splendid nod to the classic gothic franchise. The Itch.io page says the development time for it was two months, and that every aspect of the game was "custom made."
There is also a five-minute video showing the game in action, in which players take on the role of Ethan Winters, just like in RE8, fighting their way though this demade version of Castle Dimitrescu. The game is shown to feature enemies from the latest Resident Evil game, which also includes a mini boss battle with Bela D. The video then ends with everyone's favorite statuesque matriarch Lady Dimitrescu. Residentvania seems to excellently blend together the familiar assets and setting of the world-famous horror game with the fun antics of the old Castlevania titles from a bygone time.
It's perhaps not surprising that Lady D features in the Residentvania's clip. It would, after all, be difficult to have a Resident Evil Village fan creation without her being included, and given that someone added Lady Dimitrescu into Skyrim recently, it shows that her popularity with the fan base has yet to wane.
Resident Evil Village broke sales records recently, being one of the most hotly anticipated horror games of the year, as well as being considered one of the scariest across the whole franchise. Given the success of this installment, it's hardly surprising that OcO has taken it upon themselves to pay a fitting homage to it, one that will please RE fans, but also recalls perhaps a simpler time in gaming.
Resident Evil Village is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Residentvania is available to download on Itch.io.
Source: Itch.io