Welcome to The Attic, and welcome back to the family.

Recently we were treated to not only a new trailer for Capcom’s upcoming Resident Evil VII, but also news of an update to the demo that has been making waves in the gaming world. As for the trailer, I am now more excited than ever to see where this game will take us, and that dinner scene gives me even more Texas Chainsaw vibes than the demo had. Speaking of, the original version of the demo, first previewed at this year’s E3, was widely talked about for numerous reasons, one being the apparent return to the classic Resident Evil roots, focusing more on horror than action. But perhaps the most talked about aspect was the questions left unanswered. There were doors we couldn’t open, a dummy finger that some thought was a key, and the alternate endings led us all to believe we may have been missing something.

Eventually Capcom released a statement to settle everyone’s curiosity, but they basically just asked for patience. They confirmed that the dummy finger did indeed have a purpose, we just wouldn’t be able to know what that was…yet. I wondered if this meant that they would actually add to the demo later on, or if we would have to wait and get our answer in the full game next year. I don’t think I have ever seen any demo for a game get an update that added content, or expanded on the map. So I didn’t really know what to expect when I started playing it today, and I was left with mixed feelings after.

As I worked my way through the demo, I couldn’t help but wonder what had been changed. I had a few good jumps from some added banging and creaking, and what was once a simple locked door was now surrounded and apparently sealed by this eerie mold-like fungus. I heard what sounded like a creature from inside, and that sent chills down my spine. This, however, seemed like the only differences until the end, when I made my way up to the attic. The room that we enter which houses the ringing phone has now been extended out into another large room. There is a window that requires a key which I have not been able to find, and another locked door.

We finally get an answer as to what the use of the dummy finger is for, but all you can do is combine it with a dummy hand, and so far no one has found a use for this. You can find ammo, but no gun, and a key for the basement, which we can’t access. I have played this myself, and I have done some research online to see if I missed something, but it appears that so far Capcom has managed to leave behind more questions than answers with their update. As I said, I am left with mixed feelings. I was hoping for more scares, more answers, and maybe a new cutscene to watch. But while I am disappointed in the marginal addition, I am also excited at the doors this approach will open. I have never seen a demo get an update before, and I can only imagine what it would have been like if P.T. had gotten expanded on. This tactic is very smart, and Capcom definitely knows what they’re doing to keep the hype train rolling at top speed.

Will Beginning Hour get more updates? Since they have confirmed what we are playing isn’t straight out of the game, but more of a playable teaser, I have to think we will see more of this demo. They have left us with so many questions, and as the voice on the phone tells us in this demo update: “All doors can be opened. If they couldn’t, they wouldn’t be doors. But some doors must remain closed, for now.”

I’ll keep an eye out for any other updates, and will be happy to return to Beginning Hour yet again for more answers.

Stay scared,
Dark Princess