Is Ebola Village the Resident Evil Clone You Should Play?

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If you’ve spent any time browsing the “New Games” section of the Xbox Store recently, you’ve likely scrolled past a title that stops you in your tracks: Ebola Village. Developed by the aptly named Indie Games Studio, this title is the fourth entry in a series that has slowly built a reputation for being the “Resident Evil at home” of the indie horror scene.

But is it a hidden gem for survival horror purists, or just another case of “indie jank”? I spent a few hours in the titular village to find out.

The Setup: A Classic Horror Hook

You play as Maria, a woman who receives a cryptic news report about a biological outbreak and immediately heads to her remote Russian hometown to check on her mother and ex-husband, Ruslan.

From the moment you set foot in the village, the influences are unmistakable. If you grew up playing Resident Evil, Silent Hill, or Alone in the Dark, you’ll feel an immediate sense of deja vu. We’re talking suit-symbol keycards, green herbs for healing, limited inventory slots, and even the classic “creaking door” loading animations.

The Good: Earnest Heart and Gory Details

What surprised us most about Ebola Village is its sheer earnestness. It doesn’t try to be a groundbreaking AAA cinematic experience; it wants to be a 90s survival horror game, and in some ways, it succeeds:

  • Atmospheric Environments: Despite a clearly limited budget, the game manages some genuinely creepy interiors. The contrast between the “asset-heavy” outdoors and the cluttered, detailed houses creates a claustrophobic vibe that works well in first-person.
  • The Dismemberment System: Surprisingly, the combat features a satisfying gore system. Shooting off limbs or watching enemies react to localized damage feels better than it has any right to in a game at this price point.
  • Puzzles that Respect the Genre: The puzzles are classic “find the fuse” or “code-breaking” fare. They aren’t overly difficult, but they provide that nostalgic satisfaction of unlocking a shortcut or finally opening a locked gate.
  • The Price Point: On Xbox, the game sits in the “budget” tier (often on sale for under $20). For a 3-5 hour experience, it’s a low-risk entry for horror fans.

The Bad: The “Jank” Factor

“Balanced” means looking at the rough edges, and Ebola Village has plenty of them.

  • Localization Woes: The game is originally in Russian, and the English translation is… rough. From grammar issues to bizarre dialogue choices (like a crime file about cucumbers), the story often loses its tension because the writing is unintentionally hilarious.
  • Stiff Mechanics: Movement feels “floaty,” and aiming on a controller can be frustrating. The game lacks a quick 180-degree turn—a staple for first-person horror—which makes close-quarters combat with “bullet sponge” enemies feel more tedious than scary.
  • Technical Glitches: We encountered several clipping issues and a UI that feels designed for a mouse rather than an Xbox controller. Navigating the storage box is a chore, and the map screen is functional but clunky.
  • Bizarre Pacing: The game’s opening is notoriously strange, involving a series of chores in Maria’s apartment (including a mandatory outfit change) that might turn off players looking for immediate action.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Ebola Village is the definition of “Euro-jank.” It is a rough, unpolished, and often confusing tribute to the giants of the survival horror genre. If you are looking for a polished experience like Resident Evil Village, you will be disappointed.

However, if you have a soft spot for solo-developed indie projects that “reach for the stars” despite their limitations, there is a certain charm here. It’s a fun, short weekend play for those who enjoy “so bad it’s good” cinema or want to scratch that very specific 90s itch.

Pros: Strong 90s survival horror atmosphere.

  • Satisfying dismemberment and gore mechanics.
  • Short and focused (3–5 hours).

Cons: Significant localization and translation errors.

  • Clunky movement and UI.
  • Visual inconsistencies and “asset flip” feel in some areas.

Final Score: 5.5/10

A sincere, if messy, love letter to classic horror that is best enjoyed with low expectations and a sense of humor.

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