Resident Evil Village is easily one of the biggest games in the entire franchise. Set in a titular village, the new release gives players the chance to explore vast environments and uncover secret pathways. But does that mean Resident Evil Village is open-world? Are you free to explore wherever you like, or are you eventually funneled down a set path?
Is Resident Evil Village an open-world game?
While Resident Evil Village isn’t a true open-world game, it does include locations you can roam freely. The central hub village is the game’s main open area, linking together major environments and optional side quests. However, with the exception of secrets and side paths, the game is mostly linear.
Resident Evil Village may be the closest we’ve gotten to an open-world Resident Evil game, but that’s not to say you’re free to wander wherever you like. It’s true that the central village is open to exploration, but it’s a far cry from the sprawling worlds you’d find in games like The Witcher 3 or Breath of the Wild. Instead, the village mainly serves to funnel players toward specific areas.
In other words, Village is more of a semi-open-world game. You can choose the locations you want to visit, and you will find various hidden nooks, crannies, and secrets. Still, the in-game progression is largely linear.
This is especially true when it comes to working through the story. Ethan returns the hub village several times throughout the campaign, but once certain bosses get taken down, their environments become inaccessible. Castle Dimitrescu, House Beneviento, Moreau’s Reservoir, and Heisenberg’s Factory all get locked off once their big baddies have been defeated.
In short, while you can explore parts of Resident Evil Village freely, it’s not a true open-world game. If anything it’s semi-open, since there are a few places to roam and secrets to uncover. Otherwise, it’s mostly linear, especially considering you’ll eventually be barred from accessing major locations.
