As the weather gradually turned cooler and the golden autumn season arrived, media ratings for Resident Evil 7 began pouring in.

However, perhaps because this Resident Evil wasn't Golden Wind's original IP, or maybe because the game didn't have the groundbreaking improvements seen in their previous titles, or possibly due to its strong commercial focus.

In any case, its ratings didn't achieve the uniformly high scores above 9.8 that Golden Wind's previous games had received.

The scores from various media outlets were remarkably inconsistent, even vastly different!

Media reviews that loved Resident Evil 7 gave it explosive praise, absolutely adoring it to the core—

SNG Review (9.9/10): An exhilarating Resident Evil reboot! Resident Evil 7, combining PT's horror atmosphere with Escape's sense of urgency, is arguably the best horror game of the motion-sensing pod era! Dog head keys, mechanical puzzles, exploration of humanity... These elements full of Shinji Mikami's signature style have been picked up again by Sam and enhanced with Golden Wind's horror flavor—this is an irresistible horror feast!

China Gaming Forum (9.9/10): Never before has there been such a wonderful horror gaming experience! Moderate fear follows you like a shadow, the endless stream of puzzles and deeply unsettling new settings ensure this Resident Evil's success! In our view, this is a masterpiece that rivals Resident Evil 1 and surpasses Resident Evil 4!

SLGamers (9.8/10): The most successful horror game of the motion-sensing pod era! Without doubt, Resident Evil 7 successfully reversed the decline of parts 5 and 6, revitalizing the Resident Evil series IP. Hearing the peaceful BGM at save points makes you sigh with relief because you're temporarily safe—this long-lost feeling has been absent for too long!

The support of a top-tier super IP, combined with Gu Sheng's personal style of horror atmosphere creation.

In the game, players can not only experience the terror and pressure that the old Resident Evil games brought them, but also witness Golden Wind's signature unique horror atmosphere creation techniques.

So, calling Resident Evil 7 a horror feast is absolutely appropriate.

This is also the fundamental reason why game review media led by SNG gave high scores.

They viewed Resident Evil 7 as a complete package, and the overall high quality satisfied them immensely, leading to high scores.

However!

Some review media focused their attention on the game's detailed settings and structural components, offering their perspectives—

Daily Gaming News (9.5/10): Without doubt, Resident Evil 7, taken over by Golden Wind and personally directed by Gu Sheng, is stunning. The familiar yet terrifying PT-style atmosphere creation, the tense and oppressive Escape-style same-space horror setting, and our old friend Miles—everything here feels novel and exciting. But perhaps precisely because there are too many familiar elements, the novelty of this work seems somewhat insufficient.

Player Extinction (9.6/10): Regardless, Golden Wind's challenge to return to horror commands respect, and indeed they have achieved great success. However, it's undeniable that the game has issues with somewhat high monster type repetition rates and slightly weak late-game content.

Hummingbird Gaming Forum (9.5/10): Clearly, this is an unfinished work. The combination of Golden Wind-style horror and Shinji Mikami-style Resident Evil has collided to create this groundbreaking new Resident Evil that can be called revolutionary. Both the suspense in the demo and the 'specialty moves' in the main game are memorable, but the repetitive issues presented by small areas in the late game are also unavoidable for this title.

Around 9.5 points.

Obviously, the main reasons these media reviewers believed Resident Evil 7 didn't deserve scores above 9.8 focused on aspects like repetitive late-game progression and monsters, plus not particularly high innovation level.

Not bad!

Although media review scores varied considerably, what's undeniable is that this game's commercial performance was absolutely maximized!

The support of a top-tier super IP helped Resident Evil 7 achieve the most explosive sales performance in motion-sensing pod history—

Global first-week sales: 4.28 million copies!

Ranking as Golden Wind's second highest first-week motion-sensing pod game sales!

Second only to the "definitive cooperative masterpiece" painstakingly created by Gu Sheng with dual-platform release—It Takes Two!

Looking at all of Golden Wind's single-week sales performance, this Resident Evil 7 with the most mixed reviews also entered the top three throne (first place is Plants vs. Zombies)!

4.28 million copies in one week! $257 million in revenue and $193 million in net profit!

Instantly establishing itself as the best-selling motion-sensing pod horror game in history!

Commercial games are like this—perhaps their reviews are mixed, but this doesn't affect their terrifying money-making ability.

Relying on the topic heat generated by powerful promotion and its passable quality, Resident Evil 7's achievement didn't surprise Gu Sheng.

Moreover, everyone knows.

In terms of Resident Evil 7's ratings, Golden Wind was at somewhat of a disadvantage.

Because clearly, these game media reviewers have higher expectations for Golden Wind and Gu Sheng.

From those minor point deductions it's clear, they were comparing "Golden Wind's previous works" with "Golden Wind's new work."

Rather than using the traditional method of comparing with same-genre contemporary games to score Resident Evil 7.

The previously seemingly only competitor that could challenge Resident Evil 7, Silent Hill 2: Reboot, now appears to have been forgotten by the gaming circle.

Top global game review media like China's Daily Gaming News and international SNG didn't even mention Silent Hill 2's name.

Naturally, no horizontal comparison could be made.

Such vertical comparison scoring methods might not be fair to Golden Wind.

But undoubtedly, this represents hope and expectation for Golden Wind, while also serving as motivation and supervision.

They eagerly anticipate seeing more interesting game types born from Golden Wind.

Looking forward to the refreshing new game forms and gameplay created by Gu Sheng.

However!

They didn't expect!

Golden Wind's game with innovative gameplay would surface so quickly!

And this undoubtedly another high-scoring work is again a small game—

Stardew Valley.

Yes.

As most players completed Resident Evil 7, related media reviews emerged, first-week results were announced, and Golden Wind declared they would release three follow-up DLCs in the year's last quarter!

Discussion heat about "Resident Evil" seemed to decline.

This is also a key characteristic of commercial games—they usually can't maintain lasting popularity.

It was precisely in this situation!

Stardew Valley, previously hidden due to "competing with itself," gradually became discovered by players experiencing game drought.

Many people were like Ayin before.

If they hadn't accidentally seen information about this work in forums or short video comment sections, they wouldn't even have known Golden Wind released such a small pixel-style game concurrently with Resident Evil 7!

It had no promotion—even Golden Wind's official blog game release announcement was buried in Resident Evil 7's promotion that was at its peak with explosive player discussion and market attention.

It can be said to be really unfortunate.

Now, as the "big brother" established its sales throne and finished showing off.

Stardew Valley "little brother" finally got its chance to shine, discovered by more and more players.

Originally, everyone tried playing with a "let's give it a try" mentality.

However!

You don't know until you try!

Once they started!

Players found they couldn't stop!

"...Hurry up hurry up Cousin, fish quickly, let's go after you finish fishing!"

Early morning of the thirteenth game day!

At 6 AM just as day broke, Ayin jumped out of bed.

From those minor point deductions you can tell, they were comparing "Golden Wind's previous works" with "Golden Wind's new work."

"We have important business today!"

Exactly!

Spring 13th!

Today's "important business" was festival!

Egg Festival!

This game actually has festivals!

And almost every month has a town-wide festival for players to participate in and enjoy.

The incredible richness of the game made viewers exclaim repeatedly—

This game is amazing

Naturally, no horizontal comparison could be made.

'627 can't handle it all!'

"Holy shit this game's playability is too high! You can farm, date, fish, mine, fight, it has main quests and side quests, and it actually has festivals too...

My evaluation is prepare for long-term combat, this game isn't something you finish in just a dozen hours"

Such vertical comparison scoring methods might not be fair to Golden Wind.

'Not sure, anyway we haven't even finished one year yet'

But undoubtedly, this represents hope and expectation for Golden Wind, while also serving as motivation and urging.

'Ah.... why doesn't this game have a motion-sensing pod version..... I want to experience this rural life personally....'

They eagerly await seeing more interesting game types born from Golden Wind.

......

Ayin and Cousin also finished handling their tasks.

10:30 in the morning!

The two gathered and headed toward town again!

Just after entering the city, they both exclaimed simultaneously:

"Holy—shit—"

They saw the town now bustling with activity!

Pierre's grocery stall at the entrance sold spring-limited strawberry seeds, while the north side of the town's central square had a row of buffet setups.

On colorful carpets, children chased and played—everyone in town seemed to have come to this festival gathering!

This excited Ayin and Cousin immensely.

Was this a festival?

This was the perfect opportunity to gain NPC favorability!

After all, all NPCs were here today!

Completely avoiding the awkward situation of looking for someone who isn't there!

Making viewers laugh heartily:

"Finally got your chance, huh?"

'Boss finally put those quartz and amethysts to good use'

"Abigail: No more bro, really no more..."

'Cousin is so stingy, usually doesn't help people with work, doesn't give gifts, pure talk therapy'

'Not spending a cent, focused on companionship'

'Hilarious...'

Stardew Valley, previously hidden due to "I compete with myself," gradually became discovered by players experiencing game drought.

After some conversation, they found Mayor Lewis and said they were ready!

As Mayor Lewis announced—

[I declare! This year's Egg Festival celebration climax—the annual Spring Egg Hunt! Officially begins!]

Ayin and Cousin shot off like arrows from bows, going separate ways!

The Egg Festival game rules were actually simple—

Find hidden eggs throughout town within 50 seconds, winner has the most.

Theoretically, even with two players participating, this minigame was individual competition with only one winner.

You could say it was really tragic.

Stardew Valley's villagers ultimately underestimated Ayin and Cousin's level of determination.

As the game started, Ayin first rushed to the village's east end, going straight west from east, collecting as many as possible along the way without forcing it.

Cousin, meanwhile, marked eggs at the village's west end—he didn't collect them, only located them.

This way, when Ayin came from the east, he could enjoy the results, following Cousin and mindlessly collecting eggs.

Fast and accurate!!!

Originally, everyone tried playing with a let's-try-it-out mentality.

"Do you two have any shame??"

"Treating it like fucking e-sports, huh?"

'You total bastards! Cheating against kids like Vincent and girls like Abigail?'

You don't know until you try!

"Holy shit...... thirteen...."

"Thirteen...."

"Damn fifteen..…"

"Just use the Fengling Yueying trainer, since you're cheating anyway"

'Too ruthless, you're really despicable...'

'Hahahahaha....'

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com