Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Switch 2 Review – Peak Tension

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It doesn’t seem long ago that the developer successfully rebooted the Resident Evil series with Resident Evil 7, which has since led to several excellent sequels and remakes. However, it’s been nearly ten years since the critically acclaimed survival horror game first came out. Now, alongside the release of Resident Evil Requiem, the developer is also bringing Resident Evil 7 and Village to the Nintendo Switch 2. This is the first time these popular horror games will be natively playable on a Nintendo console – the previous Switch version was a limited cloud-based experience that didn’t quite live up to expectations.

It’s no surprise that Resident Evil 7 remains a fantastic game nine years after its release. It’s often considered one of the best in the series, and playing it on the Switch 2 confirms why. RE7 still provides the same incredibly scary and well-crafted horror experience that captivated players in 2017. The Switch 2 version largely maintains the game’s original visual quality and performance, despite a few minor imperfections.

“Combat is, as is usually the case with Resident Evil, another one of the game’s strengths.”

Unlike previous games in the series, Resident Evil 7 starts a fresh story. Players take on the role of Ethan Winters, an ordinary man who journeys to a rundown mansion in Louisiana after receiving a mysterious message about his wife, who was presumed dead three years prior.

Okay, so I arrive at this mansion, and immediately things feel wrong. Like, seriously wrong. It quickly becomes clear this is going to be a terrible night. I’m Ethan Winters, and I’m stuck exploring this creepy Baker house, dealing with the absolutely insane family who lives there, and constantly fighting these horrifying creatures called the Molded. It’s a nightmare, honestly.

Following the over-the-top action and international scope of Resident Evil 6, which many felt nearly ruined the series, Resident Evil 7 was designed as a return to the franchise’s roots – a focus on classic survival horror. And it succeeds brilliantly, delivering a nearly flawless experience that horror fans will love. The Baker family’s mansion is a standout location in horror gaming, and discovering its secrets and overcoming its challenges remains incredibly rewarding.

Much of this success comes from the game’s complex and intricately connected environments. These levels skillfully capture the atmosphere of classic Resident Evil games, especially the original’s Spencer Mansion, and build upon what made them so great.

While the encounters with the Bakers and the boss battles offer a welcome change of pace, the game mostly features Ethan fighting the same limited types of enemies, which can become repetitive.

The puzzles are cleverly crafted, making exploration more captivating, and like other Resident Evil games, they offer a great deal of variety. Crucially, the game’s strong atmosphere – from whistling winds and creaking floors to oppressive darkness – expertly draws players into its world, making the Baker residence a truly compelling setting. Resident Evil 7 excels at immersive storytelling in multiple ways.

Like most Resident Evil games, the combat in this installment is a major highlight. It features memorable boss battles, satisfying weapon handling, and rewarding upgrades. Every fight Ethan faces feels genuinely tense, largely due to the constant scarcity of ammunition and supplies.

Okay, so Resident Evil 7 isn’t perfect when it comes to enemies. When the game first came out, a lot of players (myself included!) pointed out there weren’t a ton of different enemy types, and honestly, that’s still true. The Bakers and the boss fights definitely shake things up, but for most of the game, you’re fighting pretty much the same Molded creatures over and over, and it can get a little repetitive. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable.

Technically, Resident Evil 7 on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a well-done port. It looks and plays similarly to the original PlayStation 4 version, with comparable graphics, textures, lighting, and shadows. A major plus is that the game consistently runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, making it a much more enjoyable experience.

The Switch 2 version of Resident Evil 7 will include extra content, which is typical for a ‘Gold Edition’ release from the game’s creators.

The game isn’t perfect – you’ll notice some minor issues like simple textures and occasionally awkward animations, similar to the first release. However, it generally looks good, even if it doesn’t reach the visual fidelity of a game like Resident Evil 7 on high-end hardware like a PS5 or a powerful PC.

The Switch 2 version of Resident Evil 7 is a complete package, as you’d expect from a Gold Edition release. Along with the 10-hour main story, it includes all downloadable content released after the game’s initial launch. This includes notable additions like End of Zoe, Not a Hero, and Banned Footage, which add another 6 to 8 hours of gameplay – or even more if you explore all the optional content.

While the DLC doesn’t consistently reach the same amazing level as the original game – though it has some standout moments – the RE7 Gold Edition on Switch still provides a lot of value for the price.

Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting Resident Evil 7 or a new player, the game’s recent release on Nintendo Switch is a great reason to experience it.

This game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2.

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2026-02-27 21:47