Resident Evil: Revelations

"A tremendous display."

 

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: January 27, 2012
Platform(s): 3DS
Genre: Horror

 

Resident Evil: Revelations is a week away from coming down with motion sickness on the Nintendo 3DS. The story will once more involve Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they fight their way through some true abominations of nature. We’re beyond just calling them zombies now; in the short time with Revelations, several atrocities have already emerged with bloated heads, spikes and giant maws. If anything, this survival horror game sets a high standard for upcoming 3DS titles, because it makes a tremendous display.

 

Click for Resident Evil: Revelations screenshots

 

The slick and defined textures will make sure to depict mansions and other creepy locales in a way never before seen on the handheld. Together with a differentiating shade of muted colors and eerie background score; Revelations is a pocket title with the creepy, immersive vibe of a high level horror flick. At this time, it was impossible for yours truly to detect the use of 3D (explained why here), but there don’t seem to be any outstanding issues with bad implementations. If anything, the level design and use of space will once more create claustrophobic hallways and cluttered rooms a tense environment to huddle through.

This immersion gets amplified by the well-balanced and intuitive control scheme that makes good use of both traditional controls and the 3DS features. The touch screen serves as an overview with a map and basic inventory and can also be quickly accessed to reload and switch equipment. Puzzles make good use of the touch screen; adding some tactile depth to them. It’s noticeable that a lot of care went into creating this title.

 

 

As aiming is a big part of the game’s survival, it’s adamant that it’s done properly, but again Capcom comes through with a ton of options. Traditionally, the shoulder buttons are pressed to enter the aiming, available in first or third person, then used with the slide pad. But it’s also possible to use the gyro sensor, which isn’t even as horrible as usually. But in the end, it’s still not advised to use it, lest playing portably also comes hand in hand with a spacy environment. In any case, the options allow for large tweaks to make the controls feel as natural as possible and that pays off.

Naturally, the camera is the same as most Resident Evil titles and can be troublesome to manage, but that should be expected by now. It doesn’t excuse the awkward swooping to get a bearing, but it’s doubtful that the series will ever change in that aspect. Additionally, it’s obvious that the game would benefit from the Circle Pad Pro, but at least the tweaking makes this optional, rather than coercing consumers to get it.

 

 

Resident Evil: Revelations looks like it may be a tour de force and a strong 3^rd party title; perhaps that which players have been waiting for. A visually appealing title that is also immersive and well-built with only limited issues; it really shouldn’t be a lot more than that. Fans of the genre should keep their eye peeled for this pocket scare.

Personal note: Does it look like I’m overly impressed? That’s because I am. I’m not a fan of the genre, but Resident Evil: Revelations has shown me that it’s possible for 3DS developers to already get a lot out of the system in an early cycle. What Resistance: Retribution proved to me on PSP is done even better here and that by some distance. Capcom can impress even someone, such as me, skeptical to the idea and that’s a noteworthy trait. The only thing I can’t predict is what purists will want in accordance to action versus story. I feel like Revelations will be a mix of the two, not one way or the other. Take from that what you will.

 

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed. (@Daavpuke)