System: Nintendo 3DS (Exclusive)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Horror/Adventure
Let me preface this by saying that I love Resident Evil. I have Resident Evil tattoos, have read three different Resident Evil books (and reviewed each one), and have tracked down and played every game the series has released on a dedicated console here in America. Hell, I even forgave Capcom for the direction they decided to head with Resident Evil 5, provided it never happens again. The only thing I haven’t done is watched any of the films besides the shitty first one.
Revelations has been on my radar for a very long time and, after much anticipation, it’s finally here. After all the hype that’s surrounded it, is it enough to quench 3DS owners’ thirsts? Yeah. It totally is.
Review:
Resident Evil: Revelations takes place between RE 4 and 5, telling the story of an evil and corrupt terrorist organization with bioterror weapons that turn human beings into awful monsters and blah blah blah. As far as the story is concerned, this game is just as overly confusing and poorly-constructed as that of every other game in the series, and does nothing to reveal or answer any of the questions in the abstract mess that is Resident Evil’s overarching plot. And it doesn’t help matters any that Revelations takes place in episodes that don’t always occur in chronological order and follow several different characters.
Still, I don’t really care about all of the intricacies or inconsistencies that may occur from game to game, nor do I particularly care about the finer details of whichever specific RE game I may be playing at the time. So long as whatever is happening doesn’t interfere with me killing monsters and being scared, I’m perfectly fine with it.
In terms of controls, Revelations struggles a bit on its own. The control scheme is very comparable to that of RE5, but adds the ability to strafe while aiming by holding the L button and moving via the circle pad. However, while strafing you aren’t able to adjust your aim, making for a clumsy experience. These issues can be remedied, of course, by using an attachment called the Circle Pad Pro, which adds a second circle pad to the system (which should have been there in the first place) and making dual-analog controls possible.
Given everything Revelations does right, the game still can’t be forgiven for everything it does wrong. For starters, Capcom insists on keeping the awful mechanic of forcing players to have a partner, despite the fact that it completely detracts from the feeling of isolation and neuters a lot of the potential fear. In addition to that, Revelations adds two characters who are, I shit you not, the absolute worst and most obnoxious individuals I’ve ever encountered in any video game. Keith and Quint have absolutely no redeeming values, no charm, no likeable quirks — nothing about them is appealing. Their dialogue is horribly written and voiced, and they are absolutely fucking stupid. You will hate them.
Resident Evil: Revelations’ campaign length is going to take most people around 6-7 hours to complete, and with the new and enjoyable Raid Mode, which utilizes Play Coins or in-game points as currency in its upgrade shop, the average gamer is going to be able to squeeze about 10 hours out of the game.
Final Words:
Revelations, while far from the best RE game you’re ever going to play, is far better than Resident Evil 5 and takes the series back in the right direction, detaching itself from poorly executed, action-heavy gameplay and focusing, instead, on the survival-horror roots that made the franchise famous in the first place. If you’re a fan of Resident Evil, this game is for you.
Score: 8.5/10 (Great)