I'm talking about the first Resident Evil. All the backtracking, getting specific items to continue. Would this be considered a metroidvania style game, or is it something else
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Is resident evil a metroidvania?
- Thread starter Grizzel Greedigut
- Start date
Imo you need to unlock gameplay mechanics like double jumping to backtrack and access previously inacessible areas to be called a metroidvania. Keys dont count
You aren't getting lot of new traversal abilities which I see as a hallmark of Metroidvanias. You are getting access to new areas via key not a double jump, so I say no.
Metroidvania doesn't describe keys unlocking doors. It describes abilities and mechanics unlocking new pathways in familiar areas.
It's in the middle. It has some of the ideas but doesn't go overboard with the implementation that can sometimes bog down actual metroidvanis.
yall are really stretching. it has to be abilities, not key items.
The genre name caught on because of the unique elements of sm/sotn, not the elements that many other games shared.
The genre name caught on because of the unique elements of sm/sotn, not the elements that many other games shared.
It terms of world layout, yes, but I think Metroidvania requires a platforming/action element. Resident Evil's shooting is basically automated, so it doesn't count.
Metroidvival Horrorvania...
I've always thought that this was a hallmark of Nintendo design that they just did really well... better than most, actually. That layered approach of new skills/items allowing you to access more parts of the world; those areas you see throughout your journey, leave an imprint on your brain, which you recall later when you get said item/skill. I've always associated it the most with the Zelda games.
Like others are saying, it's more akin to an adventure style game as opposed to a metroidvania. Metroidvanias usually lock off areas by some power you need to gain to get to it, Resident Evil locks them behind items required to solve a puzzle that usually aren't used after that puzzle.
I think you need ability based exploration, like if you could use guns to change the route and upgrade them, not just shoot things.
A lot of similarities, for sure - but also not quite, because its complicated!
This is a lot like asking if Madden is a tactical RPG or strategy game... and the answer is sorta yeah, kinda, but also maybe not! (lol)
So to answer your question:
Resident Evil is survival horror with heavy overlap with metroidvania game design; backtracking, powerups, overlapping level design. However the core hooks are in the survival horror aspects; resource management, route optimization, and alternating periods of player empowerment and disempowerment. Its also notably 3rd person and built around inventory upgrades instead of character upgrades (though this gets complicated too). These notable features overshadow the metroidvania influence and warrant its own genre.
This is a lot like asking if Madden is a tactical RPG or strategy game... and the answer is sorta yeah, kinda, but also maybe not! (lol)
So to answer your question:
Resident Evil is survival horror with heavy overlap with metroidvania game design; backtracking, powerups, overlapping level design. However the core hooks are in the survival horror aspects; resource management, route optimization, and alternating periods of player empowerment and disempowerment. Its also notably 3rd person and built around inventory upgrades instead of character upgrades (though this gets complicated too). These notable features overshadow the metroidvania influence and warrant its own genre.
This isn't helping me decide
This is my take. Literal locked doors do not a Metroidvania make.
I think the keys (or like, the plant poison or whatever) need to have a function beyond just opening a gate for it to be a metroidvania. Missiles opening doors can be used to kill enemies. Ice beam can freeze enemies as well as turn them into platforms to reach higher areas. Etc.
Nope, it's a puzzle/horror game. You don't unlock new abilities that boost your mobility and enhance your combat prowess, while also organically allowing you access to new areas. Instead you gain specialized items/one-off keys/etc. through solving puzzles that unlock new areas.
I don't think so. Resident Evil was a reimagining of the 1989 game Sweet Home for the NES, which used adventure game mechanics in alignment with RPG mechanics for progression with an increased focus on survival. Metroidvania's did not create exploration in games, nor did it create adventure game mechanics of getting new items to progress through.
Most notably, in Resident Evil the items you get to progress are just that, items to progress. Puzzles block solutions often, and the puzzles are not tied to new abilities your character get. Often times even the restraint of how many "abilities" you can have at one time (how many weapons, ammo, healing items, puzzle items, etc., you can carry) is more the focus rather than making a character who gains new abilities to travel to new places.
This said, this did get me thinking more about what a Metroidvania horror game would be like, which though many Metroidvania's have horror elements, I don't think they're that common to go for a pure horror focus.
Most notably, in Resident Evil the items you get to progress are just that, items to progress. Puzzles block solutions often, and the puzzles are not tied to new abilities your character get. Often times even the restraint of how many "abilities" you can have at one time (how many weapons, ammo, healing items, puzzle items, etc., you can carry) is more the focus rather than making a character who gains new abilities to travel to new places.
This said, this did get me thinking more about what a Metroidvania horror game would be like, which though many Metroidvania's have horror elements, I don't think they're that common to go for a pure horror focus.
