Some of Resident Evil Village’s nods to past games in the series are cute little easter eggs or throwaway lines, but others have huge ramifications for the franchise as a whole. Please note that in order to discuss Resident Evil Village’s connections to other Resident Evil games, it’s necessary to delve deep into SPOILER territory. So anyone that doesn’t want Resident Evil Village spoilers should turn back now.
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Here are all the ways that Resident Evil Village connects to previous Resident Evil games that we’ve discovered so far.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil Village connects to the original Resident Evil game in a number of ways. Besides including Chris Redfield, one of the protagonists of the original Resident Evil games, Village also makes direct reference to Oswell E. Spencer, the founder of Umbrella who built the mansion from that game. Spencer later appeared in Resident Evil 5 DLC, where he was murdered by Albert Wesker. Despite playing such an important role in the franchise’s story, fans don’t really spend much time with Spencer in the games, but they learn more about him through a file in Resident Evil Village.
Near the end of Resident Evil Village, players take on the role of Chris Redfield. Chris finds files detailing the origins of all of Mother Miranda’s Lords, along with a note from none other than Oswell E. Spencer. As it turns out, Spencer learned under Mother Miranda, and even modeled the Umbrella logo and name from a symbol that the two of them found in a cave. Spencer talks to Mother Miranda in the note about finding a virus in Africa, which is what would eventually lead to the creation of the T-Virus and kickoff the events of the Resident Evil series.
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil Village doesn’t make many nods to Resident Evil 2, unless one wants to count Lady Dimitrescu behaving like Mr. X as one. However, the beginning of the game does make a direct reference to a character from Resident Evil 2, the gun shop owner Robert Kendo. While walking around Ethan’s house at the beginning of the game, players can check out his bookshelf, where they can find a book written by Kendo. It seems that this was part of Ethan’s training between the events of Resident Evil 7 and Village, and helps to explain how he is now much more proficient with firearms in the new game.
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil Village is inspired by Resident Evil 4, and so as one might imagine, there are a ton of references to the game. The general aesthetic of Resident Evil Village is similar to Resident Evil 4, as both games are set in gloomy, rural European areas. The games both have giant fish monsters that players have to fight, and they both feature castles. They also both let players kill animals for meat. The list goes on. But a more direct reference comes from Resident Evil Village’s The Duke character, who plays the role of the merchant in the new game.
The Duke in Resident Evil Village quotes the Merchant from Resident Evil 4 at certain points in the game, and even goes as far as to refer to him as an old friend. Their relationship isn’t explored beyond that line, but perhaps that is something that Resident Evil fans will learn more about in future games in the series.
Resident Evil 5
Spencer’s trip to Africa is a big focus of Resident Evil 5, as that game takes place entirely in Africa and is about exploring the origins of the various viruses that have plagued humanity since the first Resident Evil game. However, there is another reference to Resident Evil 5 in Resident Evil Village beyond the Spencer note, and it comes in the form of a joke said by one of Mother Miranda’s Lords.
While Resident Evil Village players are fighting Heisenberg, he talks about Chris Redfield, referencing Redfield’s infamous “boulder punching” moment. As some may recall, the end of Resident Evil 5 saw Redfield literally punching boulders during the boss fight with Albert Wesker, which is one of the moments that have been mocked endlessly by fans of the franchise.
Resident Evil 7
With Resident Evil Village being a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7, it’s no surprise that the game is full of references to its immediate predecessor. The events of Resident Evil 7 are referenced numerous times in Resident Evil Village, and they play a direct role in the game’s story. This includes everything from Ethan’s encounters with Jack Baker to the black mold.
It’s possible that there are even more references to past Resident Evil games hidden in Resident Evil Village, but this is what’s been discovered so far.
Resident Evil Village is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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