Players have long debated the merits of third-person as opposed to first-person perspective in games and the topic has recently resurfaced on Reddit, this time concerning the long running Resident Evil series. The discussion so far has generated somewhat heated opinions from users on both sides of the argument.
Resident Evil has a long history of using both perspectives, with some entries in the series like Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 offering players a third-person view, while others like Resident Evil 7 provided players with a first-person perspective. Some fans believe third-person allows for better visibility and control over the character, while others believe that first-person immerses you more deeply into the game's atmosphere.
The user on Reddit going by the name of Ivysonset7 began this great debate, asking “do you prefer third or first-person?" The responses were of course diverse. Many players commented about how they prefer third-person because they can see their character's actions more clearly and have better control over their movement, others however arguing that a first-person view is more immersive, allowing them to experience the horror and suspense of the series in a more intimate way.
“First-person and it’s not even close,” one user explained. “I prefer being able to see textures and take in the scenery and just be more immersed in the world. Sure, it’s subjective, but I personally don’t find it as immersive or even scary when my camera is just zoomed out and I’m hiding behind the character.”
“Third just feels more fun to play and honestly, when I think of Resident Evil, I think third person,” another user on the platform added. “I’m glad they made Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 Remakes all third-person instead of first, too. I prefer seeing the character I’m playing as and just prefer that kind of gameplay, plus it gives suit to bonus costumes and such which are always fun.”
The debate over third-person versus first-person perspective is, on the other hand, by no means limited to the Resident Evil series. Plenty of games including Skyrim and GTA5 allow players to switch between the two perspectives, offering a fairly substantial amount of customization. This impacts gameplay and storytelling in various ways from the feeling of control to the depth of immersion.
The conversation is unlikely to be settled anytime soon, largely coming down to a matter of personal preference. While some players clearly value the increased control and visibility of third-person, others prefer the immersive experience offered by the first-person view. Resident Evil has long been experimenting with perspective, something which has made it so dynamic and interesting as a series.