The gameplay trailer for Resident Evil Village has revealed that a fan-favorite character is returning to the series, as the Merchant from Resident Evil 4 has returned as the portly Duke. The Duke might struggle to get around, but he's still all about buying and selling.
Capcom has held Ethan Winters from Resident Evil 7 returns as the protagonist. Ethan must travel to a mysterious village in order to save his kidnapped daughter. The Resident Evil Showcase included a gameplay trailer for Resident Evil Village, which offered a closer look at the foes Ethan will face throughout the game. Ethan now has an easier time blocking and countering enemy attacks, reflecting how he has become more skilled in the years since Resident Evil 7.
The trailer revealed that the Merchant from Resident Evil 4 is making a return. This time, he's known as the Duke, and he's become so fat that he can't move around without assistance. He now travels around in a cart, rather than just appearing in places, as he did in Resident Evil 4. Ethan can purchase supplies from the Duke, including ammo, first aid kits, grenades, and weapons. The Duke can upgrade Ethan's weapons for him, for a price. There is also another option, called "The Duke's Purse," but it's unclear what it offers at this time. The Resident Evil Showcase can be seen on the official PlayStation YouTube channel.
There is a much bigger focus on weapon management and upgrading in Resident Evil Village, which hails back to the inventory system in Resident Evil 4. The Duke is a big part of this system. According to a press release sent out by Capcom, the Duke can sell crafting recipes for the player to use. There was a limited amount of crafting in Resident Evil 7, as the player could make different types of ammo from Gunpowder (a system retained in the Resident Evil 2/3 remakes). It seems that Capcom is expanding on this system for Resident Evil Village.
The gameplay trailer suggests that there is going to be a bigger focus on combat in Resident Evil Village. Resident Evil 7 returned to the survival horror roots of the series, which meant that Ethan had to choose his battles carefully. It seems that he's picked up a few tricks over the years, and he's ready to start carving through hordes of the undead. The Duke might not be as agile as he once was, but he could be the key to Ethan's survival in Resident Evil Village, as he was for Leon in the past.
Resident Evil Village will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on May 7, 2021.
Source: PlayStation/YouTube
