‘Resident Evil’s’ iconic ‘stalkers’ return sharper and scarier on next-generation consoles

After teasing fans with multiple demos, Capcom’s “Resident Evil” franchise is cementing its 25th anniversary with its newest first-person survival horror game releasing Friday. A flowery yet haunting bedtime tale narrated by a mother to her infant daughter is the cutscene that begins “Resident Evil Village,” set years after the events of “Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.” From the steam hovering over a pot of freshly cooked ciorbă de legume to the lifelike blending of light and shadows in a calm residence’s corridors, the series’ eighth game looks and feels uncomfortably realistic from the start. As is the case with its previous installments, “Resident Evil Village” is eager to show familiar faces, and it’s structured in traditional fashion: There are clues to be found. With “Resident Evil Village,” you can’t just farm and grind until you’re leveled enough to hack and slash through every obstacle in your path.