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Capcom released a new Resident Evil 7 trailer that reveals the game’s shotgun as well as confirms that the classic item boxes will make a comeback for the new game.
The new Resident Evil VII trailer shows off the game’s shotgun for the first time. Earlier gameplay footage and trailers showed protagonist Ethan using a handgun, and although it was known that shotguns would be in the game, this is the first time we’ve seen it in actual gameplay footage. Unfortunately, players don’t get to see the shotgun used against the seemingly invincible Baker family, but Ethan’s possession of the weapon reveals that a classic gameplay mechanic is making a comeback for the game.
As it stands, Resident Evil VII is bringing back item boxes. Resident Evil 4 threw away the item boxes, which were a key feature in previous games in the series. For those new to the franchise, boxes in Resident Evil are used by players to store ammunition, green herbs, and key items when their own inventory is too full. Handling one’s inventory was a challenge in the past, and it seems that inventory management is coming back for the new game.
Back when Resident Evil VII was first revealed during Sony’s E3 2016 press conference, lots of fans were wondering how it would connect to previous games in the series. This new trailer made it clear that one way it will accomplish that is with item boxes and the return of inventory management, alongside other returning items like shotguns and green herbs, but it remains a mystery as to where the game’s story fits in the franchise’s overarching story.
If theories of Ada Wong and Sheva Alomar calling Ethan are correct, then it will be clearer how Resident Evil VII connects to previous games in the series. There’s also the matter of the Umbrella helicopter photograph that can be found in the game’s Beginning Hour demo, but it remains unknown if there’s any point to that, or if it’s just an Easter Egg for series veterans to enjoy.
Resident Evil VII will be released on January 24th, 2017 for PC, PS4, PlayStation VR, and Xbox One.
