With the Resident Evil film being critically acclaimed, Resident Evil Requiem smashing sales records for the franchise, and the Resident Evil Code: Veronica remake announced for 2027, 2026 has been a tremendous year for the franchise. Not only is there Resident Evil Requiem DLC to look forward to, but fans also have another high-quality remake to theorize about. With everything going on through, fans may be looking for something to scratch a similar itch between now and RE Code: Veronica‘s launch. Fortunately, Steam has them covered with the upcoming game, The Crimson Hunt.
Steam’s Crimson Hunt is essentially a full game version of Resident Evil Village’s castle section, as instead of battling hordes of T- or G-virus-infected zombies, players will be gunning down groups of vampires. A Castlevania-like premise also sees players combating these creatures as a proper vampire-hunter, with protagonist Victoria being as experienced as a Belmont at dealing with this particular entity. However, she won’t be alone, as just like with Resident Evil Requiem and classic Castlevania titles, the game will offer a second protagonist in the form of the significantly less-experienced Eleanor. This balance should allow for a healthy balance of scares and action, a must-have element for a standout survival horror game.
Crimson Hunt Swaps Resident Evil’s Infected with Vampires
- SURVIVE against hordes of vampires solo or in two-player local co-op.
- FIGHT a variety of vampiric enemies using a range of guns and tools.
- SOLVE environmental and mechanical puzzles in a creepy old mansion.
- MANAGE resources at every turn, as healing items and ammo are extremely limited.
You play as Victoria, a vampire hunter haunted by her past, and Eleanor, a young woman trapped in a nightmare that has only just begun. Together, they must endure grotesque creatures, hidden traps, and a presence that seems to know them better than they realize.
Crimson Hunt’s Gameplay is Ideal for Resident Evil Fans Old and New
Mechanically, The Crimson Hunt has all the staples players have come to expect from a Resident Evil game, with third-person combat being at the top of the list. While players haven’t been shown all the tools that they’ll be able to use while shooting back at the vampires that roam the mansion hallways and sewer tunnels featured within the game, a few have been unveiled, like pistols and assault rifles. There’s also the crossbow, one of the game’s more unique weapons, specifically included because of the vampires. They fear stakes through the heart, after all, so it could be one of the most valuable tools in Victoria and Eleanor’s arsenals.
When players aren’t fighting (or hunting for ammunition and healing items to further their next round of combat), they’ll be solving puzzles within the game’s mansion setting. Both environmental and mechanical puzzles are confirmed to be present, which should give players constant tasks to work on while fighting or avoiding the monsters in their path. Whether these puzzles resemble anything seen in the Resident Evil franchise remains to be seen, but the presence of any puzzles at all combined with the manor setting will likely make players think back to RE1’s Spencer Mansion regardless.
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It’s also worth noting that split-screen co-op is present in The Crimson Hunt, which is another boon for Resident Evil fans missing that era of the series. This co-op mode is offline only, so players will have to play with a friend in person, but even that adds to the modern-retro vibe the game is going for. Players will apparently be able to enjoy every section of the game together, coming up with strategies that can’t be pulled off solo and swapping resources. It’s unknown if Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 ever get the remake treatments like RE2, RE3, and RE4, so Crimson Hunt could fill a void that may remain empty for quite a while.
Crimson Hunt’s Dual Protagonists Could Offer a Dynamic Like Leon and Grace in RE Requiem
While it’s unclear if Crimson Hunt will swap perspectives between Victoria and Grace in the same incredibly smooth fashion as Resident Evil Requiem’s Leon and Grace, the dynamic between the game’s leads is extremely similar. Victoria is a veteran vampire hunter determined to eradicate the last remnants of the bloodlines, who learns of an ancient vampire’s resurrection. Said vampire has kidnapped the young woman Eleanor, who has no familiarity with the creatures around her. After managing to escape from her cell, she runs into Victoria, and the vampire hunter has no choice but to take her under her wing.
With Victoria’s red leather jacket not being too dissimilar from Claire Redfield’s attire, the similarities between Crimson Hunt and its obvious inspiration are endless. Perhaps it can even be argued that it’s too much, but it’s a strong enough concept to stand on its own at least. With the Resident Evil boom in full effect, now is a perfect time for indie developers to attempt a horror game in the franchise’s signature style.
