A Return to Form in Resident Evil: Revelations 2 - Preview
by VGChartz Staff , posted on 24 October 2014 / 6,262 Views
Resident Evil: Revelations 2 hopes to repair the damage that Resident Evil 6 has done to the series, while also building upon the success of the first Revelations, and if my recent hands-on experience with the game is any indication then Revelations 2 will do just that.
The demo in question features a section in what looks to be a condemned insane asylum where Claire Redfield and her best friend Moira have woken up after being unconscious for an undisclosed period of time, wearing some strange gadgets around their wrists. The level gives off a mysterious and creepy vibe, intensified by a maniacal voice quoting Franz Kafka and explaining that the two women are a part of some experiment.
Even with just a 15 minute demo, the setting established a great survival horror tone that builds off of the boat environment's desolate and enjoyably tense nature from the first Revelations. Shadows bounce off the corridors and cells of the asylum, giving the game an eerie glow as you explore the ruined institution. Revelations 2 feeling like a true Resident Evil game.
The gameplay also builds off of the first Revelations, this time including couch co-op, although there is no online functionality. Players can choose either Claire, who is more combat efficient, or Moira, who is more of a support character who wields a crowbar. Playing alone will require you to switch between the two, as Claire can take down the zombies with her arsenal, while Moira can finish off downed baddies and open up locked doors. Combat focuses more on the tense situation in the asylum, using the tight corridors as a means of increasing the survival horror vibe. It definitely feels more like a traditional Resident Evil game than some of the previous action-based games and it feels like a fitting follow-up to the first Revelations.
Moira can also search for hidden items, which replaces the item finder that Jill had use of in Revelations. There's an improved dodge as well, allowing Claire to dodge in any direction at anytime, instead of having to wait for a button prompt like before. It's a much-needed change that gives more control to the player and does away with the pigeonholing button prompt that didn't always work as it should. Exploration of the asylum consistently feels tense, with enough jumps and scares waiting around the tight corridors that keep players on edge.
Regardless of whether or not Resident Evil 6 sullied the mainline series' name for you, Revelations was a great return to form for the series, and Revelations 2 is following right in its footsteps. There's much to be excited for in this sequel, although given its episodic form I am a little worried in terms of how much content will be provided for each episode before the entire package is released. Still, be sure to look for Resident Evil: Revelations 2 sometime in early 2015.
