June is already shaping up to be a big month for gaming, with new game releases across the next few weeks and showcases that promise to deliver some exciting new announcements and intriguing insights into games already in development. PlayStations' State of Play was one of the most prominent showcases that the month had to offer, and it certainly lived up to fan expectations. Alongside Capcom's confirmation that a Resident Evil 4 remake is in the works, the publisher announced that a VR port was on the way for 2021's hit Resident Evil Village. The game, alternately referred to as Resident Evil 8, was a hugely popular addition to the franchise, and the VR port was a welcome revelation.
While Resident Evil Village's action-focused gameplay, folklore-inspired setting, and classic franchise elements of puzzles and scares were all praised, it was some of the game's characters that really stood out. Resident Evil Village had its share of memorable monsters and grotesque enemy designs, but from the first glimpse of the game, it was Lady Dimitrescu and her statuesque physique that made the most impact. With the official confirmation that Resident Evil Village VR is in development for the PS5, players will be able to get much more up close and personal with the vampiric matriarch.
Lady Dimitrescu's Memeable Design
Occasionally, characters will capture the imaginations of players and create their own life outside their games. Before Resident Evil Village had even been released, Lady Dimitrescu (and to a lesser extent, her daughters) had reached a level of fame on the internet that not a lot of video game characters can achieve, even when their games have been out for a while. Her chilling smile, her stunning appearance, and the mystery of her character all intrigued players, but it was really her towering height that catapulted her from the realm of the game to the heady heights of meme fame.
Lady Dimitrescu's 9'6" frame is certainly eye-catching, but there was something about the monstrous vampire and her commanding presence that made players truly enjoy her character. Lady Dimitrescu is only one of a handful of villains that plague the player throughout the game, and she isn't even Resident Evil Village's main Big Bad. But despite the short length of her stay in the game, Lady Dimitrescu makes an impression that is larger even than she is.
Lady Dimitrescu in Resident Evil Village VR
PlayStation's recent State of Play featured a short trailer that showed off the first-person virtual reality gameplay, giving gamers a glimpse of Resident Evil Village in its PSVR 2 iteration. Given the popularity of the towering vampire, it was no surprise that the section of gameplay shown focused on Castle Dimitrescu and its residents. Capcom clearly knows the power that Lady Dimitrescu already has over players and highlighting that they will soon be able to experience her full height from such an immediate perspective will no doubt pique the interest of many gamers.
Fans of Resident Evil Village will be excited to experience the thrills and chills of the game once more, but adding a VR perspective to the proceedings will help increase the terror and chaotic nature of the survival horror. Feeling the immediacy of the enemies as they lunge at the player, or creeping around the shadowy environments and turning their heads at every odd sound and ominous creak will add a whole new level of dread to Resident Evil Village. But the ability to actually gaze up at Lady Dimitrescu's frightfully pale visage as she cackles down at them will inevitably lead to another fresh wave of memes.
Resident Evil Village VR is in development for the PS5.