• Graphics
  • Gameplay
  • Story
  • Longevity
  • Sound 

 Platform: 3DS
 Publisher: Nintendo
 Developer: Capcom
 Genre: Survival Horror

 

Demonic Duo 

Universally, Nintendo has often been regarded as a ‘family friendly’ company; a reputation which they would proudly accept. Nintendo has admirably veered away from the cheap gratification that some violent, gore-riddled games can provide, instead, continually focusing on creating unique experiences and appealing characters that everyone can enjoy; young and old. They are the company who house a chubby, pink round ball known as Kirby; a fat Italian plumber called Mario; a frilly Princess named Peach, and they even managed to transform a past villain in Donkey Kong, into a firm, fan favourite. Consequently, a small minority of gamers are steadfast in their belief that Nintendo refuse to offer mature content. The notion that Nintendo’s software library will offer games that contain graphic violence, and are aimed squarely at attracting adult audiences, isn’t the typical train of thought for the majority of gamers. However, there is one publisher who refuses to dismiss Nintendo under these common pretences. And they are, the Japanese giants, Capcom.

Capcom has valiantly provided a consistent, colourful splash of crimson for Nintendo’s hardware, regularly deeming Nintendo worthy guardians to promote their blockbuster survival horror franchise, Resident Evil. The Resident Evil franchise has continued to provide a gluttony of blood, freaks and bullets: epitomising the very definition of a mature rated title throughout its celebrated history. From the timed exclusivity of Resident Evil 4, to the remakes of the original Resident Evil and the equally impressive spin-off, Resident Evil Zero – all for the Nintendo GameCube – Capcom have set their sights on making the Nintendo 3DS the handheld of choice for horror fans. With Resident Evil: Revelations joining the already released, though less impressive, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries, Capcom have successfully refined the  more action-oriented formula with a satisfying dose of terror for the handheld screen. Resident Evil: Revelations marks a welcome return to the classic, claustrophobic survival horror style the series was previously famed for; delivering a genuine sense of dread with astonishing presentation values throughout; though it still isn’t scary enough.

Sail Away With Me

Resident Evil: Revelations’ story is compelling, though slightly predictable. A bio terrorist group named ‘Veltro’ decide to release a wave of bio organic weapons to overthrow the government: the end result is utter mayhem. Naturally, betrayal and conspiracy shroud the game’s events.

Whilst pursuing the whereabouts of her missing trusty companion Chris, Jill and her new partner Parker (a strangely fat-faced individual) board an abandoned ship called the Queen Zenobia. The plot unravels through the perspective of several playable characters, most notably: series veterans Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield. Stunning cutscenes enrich the episodic format of the game, producing some spectacular moments owing to the extra visual fidelity. Unfortunately, the effects of heavy video compression can be seen during the cinematic cutscenes, with noticeable artefacts distracting the eyes in darker scenes.

Why does it always rain on Jill? Was it because she killed a zombie when she was 17?

Once aboard the Zenobia, Jill and Parker encounter a typically gruesome foe. Lurking in the depths of the Zenobia’s hull lie mutated nasties which replace the once popular enemy of choice, the zombies. Quell those cries of frustration zombie fans, as the bio organic weapons, dubbed the Ooze, are as equally disturbing as the traditional, decomposing counterparts; perhaps even surpassing the stumbling undead in the fear factor stakes. This is partly due to their unpredictable point of entry, be it a ceiling grate or a previously safe corridor. Trepidation awaits at every turn with set pieces and boss battles providing enough variety to stave off the pitfalls of repetition.

Home Sweet Home 

Cleverly, the Queen Zenobia is decoratively adorned as if it was a stately home, or if we’re being brutally honest, an infamous mansion located on the outskirts of Racoon City. The campaign’s highlights take place during the Zenobia’s setting, whilst the other areas suffer from a lack of identity when controlling other characters.

The tight, dimly lit, haunting corridors of the Zenobia provide the perfect environment for Revelations to shine. In contrast to the large open areas of Resident Evil 5, the Zenobia’s confined spaces result in desperate battles, quick reflexes and a sense of entrapment. This time there is no room to manoeuvre – unload your shots as quickly as you can – as the enemy will slowly edge forward to your position with a purpose. Light relief comes in the form of evasive action, as players can perform a dodge if they correctly time an incoming Ooze’s attack.

Added suspense comes through the need for careful ammunition and item management. Each bullet is a precious commodity due to the scarcity of ammo supplies and the amount of firepower required to take each enemy down. Players will have to use the Genesis scanner to detect hidden items, ammunition and amass a percentage of data to obtain extra health vaccines; a mechanic which although seems rather gimmicky at first, works surprisingly well, instilling the survivalist gameplay. Upgrades can be found to increase the efficiency of your arsenal such as larger magazines, rapid fire, or more inventive perks such as a charge shot or increased damage at close range.

Combat takes place through either a first or, the traditional, third person perspective viewpoint. The added accuracy offered through the first person viewpoint makes combat all the more satisfying than the previous over the shoulder viewpoint, allowing for more precise shots with rapid fire weapons. Unfortunately, the new enemy type of the Ooze, aren’t particularly responsive to each shot, making each bullet impact feel disappointingly lacklustre; a fact which is condemned by the amount of times you’ll waste an extra bullet when the enemy is already slumping to its knees.

Jill gets knocked down. But will she get up again?

Harking back to the Resident Evil’s of old, players will be tasked with backtracking through levels requiring specific keys to open previously locked doors. The bottom screen of the 3DS displays an interactive map which provides enough reference for you to ascertain your bearings, though it won’t help you remember where every specific room is.

Puzzles also return to the series via the touch screen and simple interactions. Override a circuit board using the touch screen or find an object required to circumvent a previously locked door, there’s nothing that will require much thought which is slightly disappointing considering.

Sadly, Capcom is determined to scupper the once single player experience with the rude inclusion of an AI partner. After the miserable relationship that many had with Resident Evil 5’s Sheva (‘stop using our damn herbs!’) gamers will rightly be terrified of the dreaded return of an AI partner, perhaps more so than the enemies themselves. Mercifully, the AI partners in Resident Evil: Revelations don’t require constant babysitting this time around, nor will they bogart your items for themselves. Instead, they are merely a companion, following you around, progressing the story and firing at incoming enemies; though it’s difficult to determine the amount of sustainable damage they actually cause to enemies, if at all any. In fact, the question could be asked, why are they even there? Why not just let Jill go at it alone? It’s a minor annoyance but one which this time, doesn’t disrupt the overall enjoyment of the game.

All Guts, All Glory 

Resident Evil: Revelations’ graphics are a joy to behold. The technical trickery found in Revelations is a marvellous achievement. Though it may lack the high definition crispness of Resident Evil 5, sport slightly duller textures, and is prone to a few frame rate issues, nothing can take away the plaudits Capcom deserves for producing such a visual beauty. The 3DS’ graphical capabilities, and future expectations, have been completely overhauled by the standards Capcom have set.

The beautiful cinematics, rich textures, anti-aliasing, 3D effect, menus and HUD display have all been lavished with a firm attention to detail. It’s a coo for the Nintendo 3DS and a showcase title which will certainly make Sony PlayStation Vita fans think twice before they completely dismiss the 3DS as a last-gen, graphically inferior device. Seeing is believing people.

How good is the 3D effect? Offering increased levels of 3D depth should you desire it, Capcom’s 3D effect is prominent and pleasing. The first person gunplay comes alive with the 3D slider up, with the atmospheric setting of the game’s moody environment benefiting from the added perception of depth. The game loses some of its 2D detail in 3D but the pay off is worth it for 3D enthusiasts. The 3D depth can be increased through the options menu, though increased ghosting is prominent during darker scenes. Obviously, the game looks stunning with the 3D slider off, so both parties will be extremely satisfied whether they reside in the 3D or 2D camp. Verdict? The choice is yours.

You have to feel sorry for whoever has to scrub the decks.

Walking With The Dead 

The controls for Resident Evil games have always been unfairly criticised (none more so than this generation) with many refusing to accept the fact that you can’t move and shoot as archaic. The last thing we need is for Capcom to create even less suspense by transforming the player into a dynamic, untouchable killing machine, running round enemies with ease. Graciously, Capcom has attempted to appease some of the ‘tank control’ naysayers, as for the first time in the series, players can strafe and shoot through the first person viewpoint, though you’ll need the circle pad pro attachment to do so. And it isn’t as great as many will hope. But at least they tried right?

Capcom has offered a variety of controller layouts in an attempt to please everybody and the aforementioned circle pad pro attachment for those who desire ever greater control. Each scheme works admirably and with three to choose from, there should be at least one option bound to satisfy. The circle pad pro attachment, as ungainly as it might be, works perfectly well and is a great option for those who demand it, mimicking the more traditional modern day control schemes. It should be noted that the standard control set-up is absolutely fine and doesn’t hinder the experience at all. Some may argue it’s the control scheme of choice, as the more rigid movement structure provides an added element of panic during confrontations, not frustration due to broken controls. Those who demand the best will undoubtedly pick up the circle pad pro attachment, which admittedly takes a while to get used to. Once attached however, you may wonder how you survived without it, especially if you’re of the ‘hands like catcher’s mitts’ variety.

Something Evil’s Lurking In The Dark

Rivalling the graphics in terms of sheer brilliance, Resident Evil: Revelations offers a wonderful score and audio throughout when headphones are donned. The Nintendo 3DS’ speakers, though satisfactory, fail to fully exploit the game’s chilling audio. The pinpoint noise detection offered by the headphones greatly enhance the sombre groans of the Ooze, the gentle rubbing of Jill’s tight body suit and eery shrill of the stringed quartet which accompany each tentative step.

Parker wisely keeps his gun locked onto Raymond's suspiciously evil hair do.

The voice acting is neither brilliant nor terrible. At times it’s incredibly cheesy, though strangely amusing in its unexpected delivery. One liners such as “I guess you owe me that lobster dinner” or “You should have worn your thermal underwear” are odd, yet surprisingly welcomed. Thankfully, the voice acting is solid for the majority of the game and delivered with conviction when required. Chris is as stern as ever, whilst Jill’s cold delivery and thoughtful reflections are unchanged from previous outings. Whether that’s a good thing or not is down to your personal discretion.

Raiders Of The Lost Art 

The single player campaign surpasses many dedicated console games taking at least 8 hours to complete depending on the difficulty setting. Extra longevity is provided through Resident Evil: Revelations’ superb multiplayer component, called Raid Mode. Raid Mode allows two players to link up either locally or online to tackle a number of single player campaign scenarios, re-imagined in a score attack format (a solo mode is also available). The player must get from point A to point B, disposing of various enemies which differ in strength and may contain different perks such as increased resistance or speed. Each enemy has a health bar above their head, with damage awarded in a hit point RPG format. It’s damn fun blasting away at the hoards of enemies with reckless abandon.

Points are rewarded for clearing the stage which can be used to purchase weapon upgrades and various items. Points are also earned from playing through the single player campaign, or can be bought by exchanging play coins: a reward for taking your 3DS out for a walk thanks to the built in pedometer.

Raid is a meaty addition to an already sizeable offering and is a great multiplayer mode which many may prefer compared to the usual mercenaries mode offering; a mode that is available as a standalone title no less. The fast, frantic, action complements the differing style of the single player campaign and the RPG elements will entice any completionist to tackle every stage and achieve the best possible rankings.

A Rare Scare 

VERDICT: Resident Evil: Revelations lives up to the aptly chosen title with a number of prominent highlights. From the gorgeous graphics, to the fantastic audio, Revelations truly sets a new standard in a number of departments on the Nintendo 3DS. Great strides have been made at reuniting Resident Evil with scares and suspense, with the classic style paying dividends for the fan of old. Still, a lack of tangible terror and odd design choices prevent Revelations from a true return to form. The addition of Raid Mode is brilliant and further strengthens the fact that Revelations is as fleshed out as a dedicated console release, dwarfing the previous content expectations for portable games. There’s definitely a few niggling flaws which prevent Resident Evil: Revelations from reaching greatness, and the controls may still exasperate some, but there’s no denying that Revelations is a great game and an absolute must-buy for any Resident Evil fan.