Resident Evil: Revelations

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The Good:

+A highly engrossing story filled with twists, turns and intrigue

+A fantastic atmosphere

+A lengthy campaign mode

+Great Remastered Visuals

+Very good use of sound

+Raid Mode is incredibly addictive

The Bad:

-Your AI controlled partner is useless

-There's no splitscreen co-op on Raid Mode

-There isn't really enough new content to justify a purchase for those who already have it on 3DS

NOTE: The Following Review is Long

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In 2012 CAPCOM released three Resident Evil titles. There was the much panned Operation Raccoon City, then there was the mixed reaction to Resident Evil 6. Who'd have thought that the best of the Resident Evil titles released in 2012 was the 3DS game: Resident Evil Revelations? The experience was so good, evoking so much of what made Resident Evil so good in the first place that at the time I felt it was a shame that so few fans were going to be able to experience it. At the time of the original release, the 3DS didn't have a huge install base. Now that it has gotten a release on consoles, fans can finally experience one of the best Resident Evil games around. Resident Evil Revelations is a fantastic experience.

Set before the events of Resident Evil 5, Revelations focuses on the BSAA. A counter Bio-Terrorism group started by Chris and Jill. Our game begins when Jill and her partner Parker, sail out to the Mediterranean. They've lost contact with Chris and his partner Jessica and their last known coordinates were there. When they arrive they find a cruise ship, the Queen Zenobia, strangely abandoned. And soon it becomes apparent why. There are Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) running around all over the ship. One of the things that made some of the earliest Resident Evil games amusing was that there was a mystery at play. A sort of, "What's going on?" feeling to the game. Resident Evil Revelations has this in strides as the plot is actually extremely engrossing. There's a lot of mystery and suspense. And the stories are intertwined as we're introduced to new characters and situations that can, at times, take surprising turns. The story is just all around amazing. At first it feels a little jumpy by introducing so many different plot points, but it actually all weaves together fairly well and makes for a good story.

As you go exploring the various environments you find yourself in, you'll come face to face with several enemies that are usually dispensed with your trusty weapon. Aiming and shooting is similar to Resident Evil 4. You can take aim at various parts of the body, and when your enemies stagger you can go in for a quick melee attack. If you've kept up with the series since the fourth installment then this will be familiar to you. You can also strife while aiming, but chances are you'll find it much better to pop an enemy a couple of times, retreat and then pop them again. There are, however a few things added to the game itself that keep it interesting. You'll do a lot of running and gunning, but one of the most unique items your given is an item only known as Genesis, which you can use to scan several areas for hidden items or data on your enemies. It's hard not to go into a room and use it. The rewards are usually finding more ammo or precious herbs to heal your wounds. On the 3DS the controls were pretty precise and tight, but the use of a second analog stick makes the controls a lot better in the console version. You can play in the "classic" sense, which maps out the controls to be fairly similar to Resident Evil 4. I don't particularly recommend this. The "classic" controls feel more restrictive. You can't rotate the camera and in some moments in Revelations you're definitely going to want to.

There aren't many puzzles in Resident Evil Revelations at all. There are moments where you'll have to move a few circuits around, but they're hardly mind-bending moments. It's much more about the gunplay here and there's an emphasis put on that. You'll not only find weapons but also custom parts for those weapons that will make them more powerful, or fire faster or perhaps might help them do a better job of stunning your enemies. You can mix and match all you like and apply them to any type of weapon you want.

After running through so many Resident Evil games, it's a wonder if Resident Evil can actually be scary anymore. Well, not really. But Revelations has various ways of trying to be scary. The first and most obvious is the atmosphere. Especially on the Queen Zenobia. Hallways are suspiciously empty, music hits some really eerie notes, and sometimes you'll find dead bodies or see some enemies pop out as you run by. Resident Evil has been doing these things since the very first installment and it's hard to be creeped out by the billionth enemy popping out at you when you've been exposed to that for seventeen years now. In spite of the atmosphere and the mystery given by various documents you'll find through the game, Resident Evil Revelations isn't going to scare anyone. You have to give credit to the game for trying at least. It does this in other ways as well. You'll find various keys to unlock locked doors, find yourself backtracking through previous rooms only to find them repopulated with new horror, and sometimes you'll find yourself wondering if you'll survive. All this is compounded by some very well done set pieces. Early on, for instance, you'll find yourself unable to stand as a pack of mutated dogs set their sights on you. It's a very tense moment where you, the player, may actually begin to feel just a little frightened you won't survive. Moments like this make you feel as though Resident Evil is returning to its roots. So at the very least Revelations tries to be scary and give you a sense of fear. It basically tries to take the best of the two styles of Resident Evil and mesh them together. The atmosphere and mystery is inspired by the early installments while the gunplay is drawn from the latter ones. It's a well put together hybrid. Just don't expect it to scare the pants off you.

No matter who the game has you play as, you'll always have a partner, and this is perhaps the most glaring shortcoming that Revelations has. The rest of the game is great and it's other flaws forgivable, but when it comes to your partner, CAPCOM still hasn't made a competent one. They won't spend time wasting your resources like Sheva in Resident Evil 5, but a lot of the time they just stand there doing nothing. They rarely even shoot at your enemies, and most times they just follow you around like a confused puppy. If they did a little more such as point out objectives or even tried to battle a little more it wouldn't be so bad. The only use your AI partner really has is soaking up damage on your behalf. The good news is that they can't die. They can take as much damage as they need to. They may be useless, but you are not in a position where you must babysit them.

There are a few things about the 3DS version that I do miss to some degree. While it's always easy to switch between your weapons and subweapons using the D-Pad, I do miss that all my inventory management is no longer on a bottom screen. It doesn't clutter the heads up display, but on the 3DS it was easy to be immersed because the top screen where all the action took place was completely clean. It made for a more immersive experience.

There are other differences between the consoles and 3DS versions of the game aside from the hardware. For one, load times are more noticeable. While even the 3DS version had to load new areas causing severe dips in framerate (which isn't a big deal, you're in no real danger during these times) it's kind of strange that powerful consoles have to take a moment to load up some of the pre-rendered cutscenes where as the 3DS has little problem transitioning into them almost seamlessly. Likewise, while the console version has a lovely HD remaster you can definitely tell that it was made for the smaller screen. When blown up quite a bit of the game looks really good and detailed, but you can definitely see some blemishes that were not really noticeable on the 3DS version of the game. The game looks good, but sometimes it looks better on the 3DS (where those blemishes don't stand out as much) and runs better on the 3DS (where you aren't interrupted nearly as much by "Now Loading" screens).

The most noticeable difference between the versions, however, is that the console versions offer a new difficulty setting: Infernal Mode. This is a lot more than just increasing how powerful enemies are. This puts entirely new sets of enemies in some parts of the game. You'll encounter the strongest of enemies a lot sooner. For those really wanting to test their skills, this new difficulty setting is certainly worth a try.

The original 3DS version had another mode called Raid Mode. This mode returns. It's a co-op mode that sends you through about twenty different missions killing your way through enemies, trying to earn the highest score and upgrading your equipment along the way. Raid Mode is highly addictive if you're one who really loves the gunplay. You may even find yourself spending more time here than you do in the main campaign. Mostly because it also has difficulty settings and it changes up the enemies and how many you'll find on each difficulty setting. It's almost like getting an entirely separate game along with the main campaign. It's very fun and being able to really customize your weapons and level up makes Raid Mode worth playing. You can play solo or you can go online with a friend (or stranger). The only downside to Raid Mode, really, is that the co-op can only be done online. It's a shame that there is no split screen multiplayer. There isn't a lot added to Raid Mode, however. There are a couple more costumes and a new character to play as, but not a lot of additions. Don't think you can just jump in, however. In order to access everything Raid Mode has to offer you'll have to complete the main campaign.

With the console version of Raid Mode, it's important to note that the experience is completely different from the 3DS counterpart in several ways. The first is that there are far more upgrades that you can find and use throughout the Raid Mode experience. New custom parts means that there are very different ways to play. Yes the maps are the same, but all the new editions in this regard will make the experience wholly different for any player who experienced Raid Mode on the 3DS. Likewise, there are now weapons that come with inherint custom parts. You might find a weapon in a level that has a "Light Weight" characteristic. This means your character will run faster, reload faster... but the gun might have a reduced firing power in light of having greater speed overall. This makes Raid Mode a much different experience. The same can also be said for enemy layouts. If you had this game on the 3DS and you were a pro at Raid Mode the console version is going to be a different experience overall. Especially as you go into higher difficulty settings. Enemy layouts are also different in many levels. The addition to being able to use a microphone is also a welcome. But perhaps the biggest difference to the co-op play on multiplayer is that characters can now go into a "dying" state where you have a chance to revive them before an enemy does them in for good. This doesn't mean you won't die at all on Raid Mode, but it does mean that playing on co-op has more benefits than it did in the 3DS version. Lastly, there are no recommended levels to tackle a level on. And playing through a mission at these levels (or lower) rewards better experience. The experience of Raid Mode is going to feel fresh and new even to those who mastered the 3DS variation of it and that alone might make it worthwhile to pick up for those who already played through the game.

All this makes Resident Evil Revelations a near perfect package of content. The campaign is a good length and Raid Mode has such an enormous fun factor that you'll find yourself playing through the missions several times on end. As with every reissue of a game, however, the big question is whether or not you should buy it if you already have the original game. If you already have it on the 3DS the idea of a whole new difficulty setting and a couple of extra costumes in Raid Mode might not be enough to justify a fifty dollar price tag to those who already have the 3DS version. On the other hand, if you've never played it before (or lack a 3DS) then it's not such a bad idea to grab it. There is one reason to pick up the console version if you already have the 3DS version, however, and that's Raid Mode. As I said, the experience is actually quite different here. And if you found yourself addicted to Raid Mode on the 3DS then you should try the console version of Raid Mode because it's a completely different (sometimes better) experience.

If you've never taken the time to play Resident Evil: Revelations then now is probably a good time to do so. It's a good game that provides some of the aspects about Resident Evil we used to love so much, while keeping some of the new gameplay enhancements there to keep it from being dated. Resident Evil: Revelations is a good game that no Resident Evil fan should miss. If you've already got the 3DS version, however, there isn't much reason to rush out and buy it.

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I was right to hold out for the PS3 version when the original version came out last year. I have to say, it's a lot better than RE5 for sure and RE6, which I just couldn't grip onto. As a female gamer, I look for uniqueness in a game. This one surely has it. I'll list it in the pros and cons.

Pros

-->Story. The story is worth paying attention to. It's not boring at all.

-->Passable cut scenes on second second play through on New Game+. Cut scenes can be skipped on first playthrough as well.

-->Characters are a little more interactive. Meaning, they ask questions about each other and know of past events.

-->Enemies for sure. The enemies in this game are very unique and are a great alternative to zombies and plaga-infested people.

-->Scenery. Scenery is great. Sometimes in the grand hall, I just stand around to look at the detail, but wonder why the enemies aren't there.

-->Music. The music helped get me into this game. It's beautiful and haunting.

-->References to Dante's Inferno was good.

-->Creep factor is higher, but not by much. You get a few little flinches here and there.

-->Characters are a little more thought out. However, I don't know what's going on with Raymond's hair!

-->Jill is inoculated against something else now too.

-->AI partner isn't completely useless, which is a huge step from RE5 and a little of RE6.

-->The true villain wasn't presented at the first moment for once. We knew who was the villain in RE5 and RE6 immediately.

-->Raid Mode was awesome. You get points to spend from the main game transferred to Raid Mode to buy special equipment.

-->Rachael is playable in Raid Mode(I didn't care for her. Just adding this for others)

-->The rest of the characters are playable in Raid Mode also with HUNK.

-->Character power in Raid Mode is scaled by the costume you wear.

-->Equipment gets carried over with you on New Game+

-->Wesker isn't in this game for once.

Cons

-->Chris is utterly useless on the last boss fight, but I think it might be due to your weapon choice throughout his playthrough.

-->Enemies don't seem to want to go through doors when you're running away. Instead, they stay in the room you leave them in.

-->The bilge puzzle was irritating the first time. It wasn't after till you read the note you figure it out. Slight misstep by me.

-->Can't replay previous chapters unless in Raid Mode or New Game+

-->Jessica was annoying on her questions about Jill.

-->Can't find any survivors and save them. What should I expect from Resident Evil?

-->The bug at the ending of the Malacoda fight leaves you in dying mode and you have to start all over. This happened to me once.

-->Lady Hunk. Don't care for her honestly.

-->Surprised that Jessica survived with Chris noting his reputation with teams and such.

-->The loading time between grand hall doors. I know it's loading the map and area, but it could be a little faster.

-->Replay gets kind of boring after awhile.

Overall, I really enjoyed this game. I hope they make a sequel or a new game with the same atmosphere in the future. The layout of this game shouldn't go unused. Glad that they didn't decide to use zombies in this game. 10/10

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Okay, I already wrote a glowing review for the 3DS version (LOVED it!). So I'll spend most of this review pointing out the differences.

Number one, I noticed the noises are scarier on the bigger screen, bet it would be awesome with surround sound. Second, if you didn't have the extra attachment for the 3DS, you're going to have to get used to using both thumbs to walk properly. Takes some getting used to, but if you've played the later Resident Evil titles you'll be fine. Also there is no 'inventory', like what you see on the touch screen. The map is in the upper right corner along with a 'pill' that tells you how many herbs you have. Button wise, you use the R1 for shooting and every thing else on the PS controller buttons are the same. Oh, and to use the genesis you pull the L2 rather than switch it with the D-pad, I liked this, made it much more seamless to switch between scanning and shooting, which is handy with the underwater creatures.

Game wise, everything is pretty much the same with a few differences. Chris still barely moves his lips when talking (really wish they would have fixed that, especially with him being in two modern titles). There is a new enemy which you will first 'notice' in the solarium where the pool is. There are weird 'cocoon' things there, they don't come after you when you first turn on the filtration for the water. I played on normal mode the first time and only 1 of the cocoons hatched and came after me when I looted the pool. The 'wall blisters' are pretty creepy, like a sloppy goey hunter that wants to give you a big hug. 2 hits with the shot gun took care of them, I never let them get close. They're also in the tunnels leading to the bilge. Then there are some extra lasers outside the lab you need to maneuver through, Chris gets buzzed first to let you know they're there. And one last difference that is a bit annoying, in the sunken Queen Dido when Jill is using the welding torch to get through the doors.....you do nothing. On the 3DS you had to draw on the touch screen, I wish they would have had some button combos or something, because the animation of Jill cutting through the door was boring to say the least. Oh yeah, and the rifle is located in a different location. Good thing I decided to turn on the pool filter before taking on Scaghead.

Thats pretty much all thats different. Overall I think its a good port, and if its your first time playing this I think its a solid RE entry and prefer it over the last two numerical titles. Its very creepy in places, there is some high action and confusing story lines, but it 'feels' like Resident Evil, which is the important thing to me. I hope for the series that they follow this title with subsequent RE releases.

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Overall, I enjoyed playing RE: Revelations. It is nice to have a dose of viruses and random monster, in my opinion, and RE:R delivers on that at least.

Game controls are simple enough for anyone with RE experience to pick up, and even those new to the series won't have much difficulty grasping. The new "feature" to RE:Revelations is a scanning device, in which you use to scan enemies and the environment. Scanning enemies will reward you with healing items, while scanning the environment reveals ammo, healing items, speciality items, and of course the "collectable" items common to the franchise these days in the form of bloody handprint.

Enemies are different from prior REs, though I swear the common baddies look an awful close to a mini-boss enemy from an older RE. Boss encounters follow RE tradition: lots of bullets, a few built in mechanics to spice things up, and quick "instant-death" moments if you are not on your toes.

My main gripe with this particular Resident Evil is the pacing. It is all over the board. In the beginning, it starts slow. Tight corridors, creepy feel, a real sense of survivor horror. But, just as you are starting to remember what that feels like, it jumps to a more full-auto, fast pace, FPS game. The harsh transition is so abrupt, so unnecessary that it really takes you out of the game. If they simply stuck with one or the other; a creepy survivor horror or a fast pace FPS, it would have played out better. But this awkward attempt to blend both just ended up ruining the immersion and you can't get back to enjoying the story.

Worth a rent? Yep. A buy? Maybe, if you are an RE fan.

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For the record, I didn't much care for RE6 and so I kinda hoped that Revelations would go back to more RE5; i.e. a linear story where you play the same character(s) throughout, not to mention a local co-op option would've been very appropriate considering that in Rev. you typically have an NPC sidekick. This newest installment features a decent amount of puzzle-solving, excellent variety of foes (single and mobs), nice selection of weapons including upgrades as well as AOE sub-weps, In-game graphics are good for PS3 (50" screen FTW) however the cut-scenes leave something to be desired (if you care about those), and I thought how each chapter recapped like a weekly TV series was a cool innovation.

Unfortunately I thought the close-combat option was a fail (not as good as either RE5 or 6) where basically you shoot a foe enough to make them "falter" then close in as quickly as possible for like one swipe with your knife (practically useless) and IF the "X" button option pops up (right place, right time, tongue in the proper position) you get to go Jean-Claude Van Damme on `em which looks cool but again... damage-wise pretty pointless not to mention if you linger or fail to dodge... well, let's just say their ratio of damage to yours must be like 5:1. Also, maybe it's just my imagination but it seems like movement speed has slowed down a bit (felt like I was moving in quicksand) and there's no run option which comes in particularly handy when trying to evade a boss or on the occasional timed mission.

Overall good addition to the franchise as far as single-player campaign (online co-op not my bag), and may I just say to the designer(s) responsible for Jessica... WOW, she deserves a standing ovation for doing absolutely nothing! :o)