Skip to main content

'Resident Evil 7: Biohazard' may see the return of a classic villain

resident evil 7 data mining villain door
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a radical departure for the horror series, eschewing its most recent action-heavy gameplay as well as the protagonists fans have expected to see since the series first began in 1996. But it appears that at least one familiar face will be returning for the scare-fest, and it’s a character we didn’t expect to ever see again.

Warning: Spoilers for Resident Evil 5 to follow!

Related Videos

In a recent interview with Game Informer, Resident Evil 7 producer Masachika Kawata was adamant that the game isn’t a reboot for the series, though its first-person perspective and renewed emphasis on terror could leave one to think that.

“If you look at just the gameplay that’s been shown so far, you may think of it as a reboot at first, but the story and narrative have shaped up to fit the series as a numbered title,” Kawata said.

Just how will it connect to the previous games? If a recent datamine of the Resident Evil 7 demo is to be believed, it will see the return of antagonist Albert Wesker. His last name is never mentioned directly in the code, but his first name is mentioned repeatedly and one of the files contains the line “LastBossGetAlbert.”

This would seem unlikely from a narrative perspective, as Wesker turned into a giant monster and was then blown to bits with a rocket launcher at the end of Resident Evil 5, but in a world filled with mutating pseudo-zombies, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, and Jill sandwiches, anything could be possible.

Wesker could be joined by another returning character, as well. Back in October, the Resident Evil Twitter account released a short video containing a female voice — though it’s not immediately clear if it belongs to a previously seen character or someone created specifically for the new game.

For more on Resident Evil 7, check out our own interview with Kawata at PlayStation Experience 2016. The game is out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on January 24, 2017.

Editors' Recommendations

Resident Evil 4: How long to beat and how many chapters
Leon holding a gun in Resident Evil 4.

Capcom's Resident Evil 4 remake isn't your typical video game double dip. Rather than taking a Dead Space approach and delivering a fairly faithful 1:1 remake, the new version of Resident Evil 4 is a radically reinvented version of the 2005 horror classic. Not only has the gameplay seen a major overhaul, but its story has too. Familiar beats have been entirely reimagined in some cases, which changes a few key things about the original's structure.

You might be wondering how that impacts the remake's length. Yes, there are some changes, especially to its chapter structure. Here's how long it'll take you to complete the remake and how many chapters you can expect.
How long is Resident Evil 4?

Read more
Aliens: Dark Descent: release date, trailers, gameplay, and more
Alien screaming close-up.

In space, no one can hear you scream. While the Alien franchise has been hit-and-miss when it comes to video games, the good ones have been great. Alien: Isolation is the most recent example of a game absolutely nailing the tone, atmosphere, and sense of dread of what it would be like to be trapped on a ship with the most dangerous hunter in the universe. Just like the jump from the first film to the second, though, our next Alien game to look forward to appears to be less about the horror and intends to mix in a healthy dose of action.

Aliens: Dark Descent is the newest game to drop us into the nests of the Xenomorphs. However, unlike most other games that used this license, it isn't a straight-up horror game, nor is it a first-person shooter.  This is one of the most beloved franchises in film history, so if you're at all curious about diving into Aliens: Dark Descent, we'll use our motion tracker to guide you along safely.
Release date

Read more
Miasma Chronicles’ critical hits might be the deadliest of any video game
miasma chronicles preview gdc

Just when I think there are no new ways to make a tactics game, something like Miasma Chronicles completely blows that notion apart. Developed by The Bearded Ladies, the upcoming tactical RPG is something of a continuation of the studio’s previous project, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden. It’s another post-apocalyptic adventure that has players freely exploring large worlds and stopping to battle monsters in traditional turn-based tactical battles. Don’t expect the exact same experience, though; the old dog has learned plenty of new tricks.

Miasma Chronicles | Pre-Release Alpha Gameplay: Video 01 [ESRB]

Read more