'Resident Evil' Showcase: Major announcements, new trailer, gameplay and more

Capcom just wrapped up their Resident Evil Showcase, revealing new details about the latest major game in its horror franchise, as well as other Resident Evil franchise projects, in a livestream on Thursday (Jan. 21). 

For those who missed it, here's a quick recap on the major announcements, what was shown, the release date for the game, latest updates on the PlayStation 5 demo called Maiden, and more. 

Resident Evil Village gets additional platforms and May 7 worldwide release 

Resident Evil Village will be coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, as well as PlayStation 4 with a free digital upgrade to PS5 in North America and Xbox One with Smart Delivery. The upcoming survival horror video game developed and published by Capcom is the tenth major installment in the Resident Evil series and the sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. 

The launch date for the game on all platforms worldwide has been confirmed for May 7, 2021.

A deluxe version of the game is available that includes multiple bonus items, including a Samurai Edge weapon, an option to replace the save room music and the typewriters you save on with the music and tape recorder from Resident Evil 7, and other bonuses. 

The Resident Evil Village collector’s edition, which will be available from select retailers, offers everything in the deluxe edition plus a Chris Redfield statue, poster, art book, and steelbook case in a special collector’s edition box. 

New trailer, faces and gameplay

With a new trailer kicking off the stream, the event put the spotlight on a mysterious castle and its residents. A new breakout character has been introduced in the form of Lady Dimitrescu, a creepy-looking tall woman who appears alongside her three daughters.

The trailer begins with Lady Dimitrescu on the phone with Mother Miranda. Dimitrescu reports that Ethan Winters got away from someone called Heisenberg. Resident Evil Village’s tall woman later referred to him as her “brother.” She also said the women who appear alongside her in the castle are her “daughters.” She’s working on a ceremony for her “mother.”

The showcase also shed some light on the man shrouded in darkness from a previous trailer. The rather large merchant is known as “the Duke,” who players will be able to purchase weapons, items, and perhaps even customize their arsenal from at a price. 

The stream also showcased world premiere gameplay and a first look at combat. Players will be facing a wide variety of foes, which will require different approaches if you want to fight back effectively. The game creators teased that players will have new ways to engage with enemies by kicking them away to create some space to escape. Fighting back while blocking makes a return from Resident Evil 7. 

PlayStation 5 demo for "Maiden"

The major news for PlayStation 5 owners is the live demo called Maiden. Rather than offer a slice of the full game, Maiden functions as a short side story that takes place in the same world as Resident Evil Village. 

Delve into the mysterious Resident Evil Village demo, Maiden, available on PS5 later today. More RE Showcase details: https://t.co/Q2Gj0AdvS9 pic.twitter.com/0jUdMS22SY

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) January 21, 2021

Instead of playing as Ethan Winters, gamers will be playing a woman known only as the “maiden” as she attempts to find her way out of the castle. The demo is unique from the full game as there’s no combat or even blocking. Instead, it gives an opportunity for players to explore a small piece of the detailed world that Resident Evil Village offers.

Resident Evil Re:Verse! 25th Anniversary Special

As part of Resident Evil’s 25th anniversary, Capcom also unveiled a brand-new online multiplayer game, called Resident Evil Re:Verse!

The game features fan-favorite characters clashing in six-person deathmatches across familiar locales in the Resident Evil universe. Buying Resident Evil Village will grant gamers free access to this celebration of the franchise’s anniversary. Check out the trailer below for a sneak peek of what to expect.

For those who missed the live stream, you can re-watch it on YouTube here:

Resident Evil Village comes to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Steam on May 5, 2021. 

(Images via Capcom)