Box Art
Game: Resident Evil: Revelations
First Released: February 7, 2012, 3DS
Developers: Capcom, Tose Co., Ltd
Platforms: 3DS, PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Rated: M, for Blood, Gore, Intense Violence, and Language
First Released: February 7, 2012, 3DS
Developers: Capcom, Tose Co., Ltd
Platforms: 3DS, PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Rated: M, for Blood, Gore, Intense Violence, and Language
How I Came To Play This Game
Two Oozes
I didn't play Revelations until long after it was released. I was originally planning to get the 3DS version, but I played the demo didn't like the controls. In order for the controls to be reliable, I would have to buy a Circle Pad Pro for my 3DS, which at the time I had no way to get. Later I heard about the HD version that was releasing on modern consoles, and since I was planning to get an Xbox 360 soon, I decided to wait to get that version to play it. I'm glad I did, since handheld games are usually harder than console games.
Story
Jack Norman, the final boss
Resident Evil: Revelations is set between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5 and depicts the events shortly after the establishment of the counter-terrorism group Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA). One year prior to the game's events, the Federal Bioterrorism Commission (FBC) sent agents Parker Luciani and Jessica Sherawat to keep the "floating city" of Terragrigia under control after the bioterrorist organization Il Veltro launched an attack on the city using genetically modified living creatures known as Bio Organic Weapons (BOW) in opposition to Terragrigia's solar energy development. In the present, BSAA head Clive R. O'Brian sends out BSAA agent Jill Valentine and Parker to search for BSAA agent Chris Redfield and Jessica at their last known location, the cruise ship Queen Zenobia in the Mediterranean Sea. They have reportedly gone missing during their mission to investigate Veltro's possible reappearance. Aboard the ship, Jill and Parker encounter several BOWs infected with the T-Abyss virus and enter a room where they believe Chris is being held, realizing too late that it was a trap apparently set by a Veltro operative. Meanwhile, Chris and Jessica find a base of operations for Veltro; the Valkoinen Mökki airstrip in the mountains. Being informed by O'Brian that Jill and Parker are missing in the Mediterranean, they are redeployed to investigate their whereabouts. O'Brian also sends BSAA agents Quint Cetcham and Keith Lumley to Valkoinen Mökki to gather information. Awakening in separate locked rooms, Jill and Parker manage to regroup and witness a video transmission of a Veltro member threatening to infect one fifth of the Earth's oceans with the T-Abyss, which was created in retaliation to the FBC for their involvement in the destruction of Veltro's forces on Terragrigia. Jill and Parker reach the ship's antenna to request evacuation, but learn that a satellite attack on the Queen Zenobia has been activated by FBC director Morgan Lansdale. Despite their attempts to confuse the satellite's system and cause a misfire on the ship, the attack floods the ship with water. Chris and Jessica arrive to the Queen Zenobia and eventually meet with Jill and Parker. The team is them confronted by the Veltro operative, who poses various questions hinting at a larger conspiracy. However, Jessica shoots him before he can reveal anymore. Parker unmasks him to discover that he was his FBC partner Raymond Vester. He seemingly dies after whispering something to him. Afterwards, Chris and Jill make their way to the ship's laboratory to stop the virus from contaminating the sea, while Parker and Jessica search for a way to stop the ship from sinking. During the search, Parker turns his gun on Jessica, suspecting her of being an FBC mole, as told by Vester. At the same time, Raymond reveals himself to be alive, having worn a kevlar vest, and working with O'Brian. Jessica wounds Parker and initiates a self-destruct sequence before escaping. Having found the laboratory, Chris and Jill are confronted by Lansdale via a video uplink, revealing that he worked with Veltro in the Terragrigia Panic in an effort to increase the FBC's funding and international influence. The pair neutralize the virus and proceed to an extraction point. Along the way, they meet with an injured Parker. Despite the pair's attempt at saving him, Parker falls into the fire below a broken catwalk. O'Brian informs Chris and Jill that he had orchestrated the events in an effort to gather evidence of Lansdale's involvement in Terragrigia. He also informs them of the results from Keith and Quint's data analysis: the existence of a sister ship below the ruins of Terragrigia, which was destroyed by Lansdale to eliminate incriminating evidence of his involvement. However, Lansdale then proceeds to arrest O'Brian, cutting off communications. Jill and Chris search for Veltro leader Jack Norman, knowing that he holds evidence against Lansdale. However, he has gone delusional and survived a year by injecting himself with T-Abyss. He then injects himself with an overdose of the virus, which transforms him into a new type of Tyrant. After a long battle, Chris and Jill defeat him and broadcast the video, exposing Lansdale. As a result, O'Brian is released and the FBC is dissolved. In the end, it is revealed that Parker was saved by Raymond from the explosion. In a post-credits scene, Raymond approaches Jessica at a café and gives her a sample of the T-Abyss. She asks him why he saved Parker, with him replying that he "had his reasons".
Pros And Cons
Story
Rachael Ooze
This is a side series, so the story is unrelated to the main Resident Evil games. However, it still happens in the same world and all previous events from other games are taken into context. I don't usually like side stories, but this one does a very good job. However, having a city out in the ocean that is completely self sufficient borders on the futuristic side of things, and doesn't really fit in the Resident Evil universe. Everything else about the ship and the t-abyss virus.
Characters
Characters
I'm glad that they chose to follow Chris and Jill. They added some new characters, but if they made a completely new set of main characters, the series would be oversaturated with them. The true player character though is Jill since she is the only one who can access the weapons crates. It's nice to have the others along for the ride though.
Gameplay
Raid Mode
This game uses a modified version of the Resident Evil 5 style gameplay. Moving, aiming, shooting, reloading, solving puzzles, action commands, are all pretty much the same. However, there are some minor details that have been changed. Now there is no real inventory, just a list of what items you have on you. You can only carry three weapons with you at once, so all other weapons you have must be stored in the weapons crate. Herbs are also downgraded to just a counter on the inventory screen, and in order to use them you need to press a reserved button there specifically for using herbs to heal. There's no real health bar either. The more you take damage from enemies, the redder the screen will get. Using a herb will cause the redness to get dimmer. Though it is really the same thing, it is a little stiffer when it comes to moving around if you compare it to Resident Evil 4 or Resident Evil 5. The enemies surround you and take cheap shots. They are water based mutants, so they can just dissolve out of the cracks of the floor or slide out of vents to corner you. Many also have specific weak spots that you need to shoot or your shots won't count for much damage. The enemy patterns are also not as easy to figure out. For some reason, I find that handheld versions of console games tend to be more difficult. I don't really hate it, but I just don't care for it. One thing I was happy about was the inclusion of Hunters as enemies. They are my most favorite Resident Evil enemy of all time, and they look amazing in this game. This game also introduced a new kind of Hunter called a Farfarello, which can camouflage into its surrounding enviornment to make it appear invisible. This was a unique twist to an already formidable opponent. One new thing you can do is swim underwater, which does well for the horror factor. However, you can't really defend yourself while swimming, only able to use stun grenades. So if there's enemies underwater, you have to climb out of the water and hope they go close enough to the surface to kill them. In addition to the campaign mode, there is also a Raid Mode where you go through different segments of the game with the goal of reaching the end alive. You can play by yourself or with a second player. By progressing through the levels you gain experience points to level up and find better gear. Gear and upgrades can also be bought from a store that you spend the money you earn from the levels. It's a pretty fun game mode, but it's nowhere near as fun as The Mercenaries.
Graphics
Graphics too warm and bright
I am not happy with the graphic style choice of this game. Everything looks like it was made out of clay, and the colors are too bright in many areas. There are areas that still capture the horror elements of previous games in the series, but there are very few. The underwater segments do this mostly since water weakens light naturally. The Hunters look amazing though.
Releases
3DS Box Art
Resident Evil: Revelations was originally released for the Nintendo 3DS on February 7, 2012. An HD version of the game was released on March 21, 2013, for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and PC. The graphics of this version were slightly updated, and some new content like costumes was included. Also, the HD versions could receive bonus items from Resident Evil NET if you link your console to your account.
My Rating
I give this game a 7/10. It was a fairly decent game, but it just doesn't compare to all the others that came before it. The difficulty didn't help it either.