Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 1
Callum Munro
(I try my hardest not to spoil any major parts of the plot)
My reviews are split into 4 sections that are rated out of 10, CONCEPT (The aim/idea/plot of the game), VISUALS (What the game looks like), GAMEPLAY (How the game plays and how fun it is).
Concept/Story
Resident Evil Revelations 2 sees the return of iconic Resident Evil characters Claire Redfield and Barry Burton, along with a couple of new characters.
The story, from what I got from the first episode, see's Claire get captured and imprisoned on a desolate island filled with creepy corridors, dark forests and of course zombies that have a tendency to jump through windows at unsuspecting moments.
She is also accompanied by a not so helpful companion, Moira Burton who has some pretty obvious Daddy issues - with the Daddy being Barry.
The story doesn't only follow Claire and Moira trying to escape the island, but also follows a slightly older Barry Burton and a slightly newer (and younger) Natalia.
Barry is playing the role of worried Dad when he discovers Moira is trapped on the island, so he arrives promptly on the island armed to the teeth, looking to save her.
Claire is no longer a STARS operative, and she isn't part of the BSAA. Nope, she is part of Terra Save now, a new and eerily cheesy organisation who are tasked with saving the world from bio terrorism.
Story wise Revelations 2, thus far is nothing special, but when is Resident Evil well known for its story lines as of late? It is however good fun, and the script actually makes the story much more enjoyable down to its surprisingly dark humour, with a surprise "Sandwich" reference, which I will not ruin, but did have me squealing like a little fan girl when I heard it.
Also I surprisingly enjoyed the fact that the game has taken on an episodic format, because it means that the story can at least get a little amount of excitement with the cliffhangers, and "Next Time" segments that come with the episodic style.Raid mode is a nice addition, especially as each episode will only be a couple of hours in length each, which means whilst waiting for the next episode you have something to grind through.
Revelations 2 has a typical mediocre storyline with so so new characters, but is good fun to play with a surprisingly good script and an episodic structure that paces the game nicely.
CONCEPT/STORY - 6.5
Visuals
Although Revelations 2 doesn't suffer from any graphical issues due to being a handheld port unlike its predecessor, it still suffers from extremely bland enemies, recycled environments and dated visuals.
Throughout the episode I found myself coming up against the exact same generic enemies in the same uninspiring environments.
Each corridor in the prison seems the same, and there is not much detail at all in any of the locations, which is a real shame, and affects the ambiance greatly.
The overall visuals to the game are not up to scratch to other games in its genre like Evil Within and even Resident Evil 6 which both surpass it visually. I wasn't expecting stand out graphics in the game, and it isn't a huge issue that a game like this doesn't have good visuals, however it could at least be as good as Resi 6.
Visually Revelations 2 is dull and nothing new. Its a shame that a franchise that normally draws its atmosphere from creepy environments and imaginative enemies, suffers in exactly those respects.
VISUALS - 4.5
Gameplay
Similarly to the other recent entries in the franchise, Revelations 2 definitely falls under the genre of Action, rather than survival horror. Puzzles are absent and backtracking is very scarce, adding an unwelcome level of linearity that Resident Evil 5 and 6 also suffered badly from.
Co op is great. Whether you are playing as the partnership of Claire and Moira or Barry and Natalia, there is a large degree of team work, cleverly designed around the different skills of the characters.
For example Claire is armed with a couple of guns which are found through the level, but very early on, whereas Moira is armed with a crowbar and a flashlight. The contrast is brilliant because whilst Moira cannot shoot enemies, she can stun them with her flashlight or crowbar, whilst Claire can shoot them.
Its a very similar story with Barry and Natalia, Natalia can sneak round enemies and point them out for Barry, whilst Barry is the one man army who's skills do not need explaining.
The only downside is that, unless you are playing on hard, the game is too easy in most parts, so the teamwork isn't really necessary in most places and can actually feel like you are doing it just because you can, which sort of makes the combat feel chore-ish at times.
Raid Mode is basically a clear the area of enemies and move on, and from what I have played each mission is played in areas from Resident Evil 6, which is random, but fine nonetheless.
Raid Mode has a surprisingly large and in depth customization system, which along with a perfectionistic medal system on each mission and an addicting leveling up grinding system makes for an excellent and welcome addition to the game which can be enjoyed solo or cooperatively.
Revelations 2 sticks to the action formula rather than the survival horror, just like it has over recent years. It has great coop play and some interesting team work ideas, but the game is very linear and along with the very bland visuals, levels feel uninteresting.
Luckily raid mode is there after you finish the episode, and it is full to the brim with great customization and some addicting grinding.
GAMEPLAY - 7
Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 1 is let down by a massive lack of imagination, however has great coop, raid mode is awesome and the episodic route allows the story to pick up some well needed tension.
"You were almost a Jill Sandwich!" - Baryy Burton (Resident Evil)
