Resident Evil: Revelations
About the Game
Resident Evil: Revelations marks a return to the survival horror roots of the franchise from the action-centric gameplay of the previous title, Resident Evil 5 . The game takes place before part five in 2005, and after the total destruction of the ultra-modern sea-based city of Terragrigia by terrorists using old Umbrella-style B.O.W.s, or Bio-Organic Weapons.
Story & Setting
The primary focus of the story is on Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they hunt for answers on a mysterious luxury cruise ship known as the Queen Zenobia. The narrative is broken into chapters fitting for a portable title; story-wise, chapters alternate timelines. Alternate story segments may focus on Chris Redfield and his new partner Jessica Sherawat, or new BSAA members Keith and Quint. Each chapter is intended to gradually wrap together the full narrative.
Gameplay & Core Systems
Exploration in the game is done in third-person 3D, like in Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5 , but with the action-heavy gameplay of those titles replaced by more traditional survival horror of the earlier games in the series. Players are once again exploring an ornate and luxurious environment similar to the mansion of the original game, carefully monitoring ammunition, approaching puzzles, and choosing when to fight and when to flee from an attack. While exploration of the Queen Zenobia is deeply rooted in the survival horror style, many alternating chapters are much more action-oriented and generally resemble the "shooting gallery" segments of Resident Evil 5 . Ammunition is much more plentiful, and exploration is downplayed. New to the series is the Genesis device which allows players to scan their environments for hidden items, such as ammunition or hand-prints, or to scan enemies for "data." Each enemy scanned increases a few percentage points, and scanning to 100% grants players a new herb.
Standout Features
- Jill Valentine works with her new partner Parker Luciani for the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance).
- The new mutations also appear in smaller numbers, and in claustrophobic areas.
- The inventory slot system of previous games is largely removed, and players are given general limitations instead--up to three weapons and five herbs may be carried at once, and weapon lockers allow players to store extra weapons and upgrades.
- Mercenaries: A weapon upgrade system similar to that found in Mercenaries 3D is also present in the game.
- Any weapon upgrade may be applied to any weapon, or replaced with any other upgrade.
- Each weapon has a limit to the total number of upgrades, usually three or four.
- Upgrades run the gamut of increased firepower, increased fire rate, larger clip size, and special features such as allowing a weapon to fire two bullets with a single trigger pull.
- Raid: The biggest difference between the new Raid mode and the old Mercenaries mode is the removal of the intense emphasis on strict time limits.
Modes & Ways to Play
Raid Mode is action-focused, having players face off against and kill waves of enemies. Essentially, it takes the place of the Mercenaries mode found in Resident Evil 4 and , and in the previously released 3DS Mercenaries 3D game. This mode may be played solo, or cooperatively either in local wireless play or online. Players earn BP which works like experience or money to buy a variety of upgrades for use in Raid mode.
Player support includes Internet and Co-Op.
Presentation & Atmosphere
Display support includes HDTV 720p and HD Video Output. Audio support includes Dolby Digital.
