Resident Evil Revelations
" Atmospheric action-adventure with immersive visuals and survival horror, but clunky controls "
Resident Evil Revelations Review
Resident Evil: Revelations is a survival horror game originally designed for the Nintendo 3DS and later ported to other platforms. The game takes place aboard a creepy, abandoned cruise ship and features classic Resident Evil elements like mansions, labs, and sewer-like areas, delivering an atmospheric setting that fans appreciate. Gameplay blends action and survival horror, with tank-style controls that some find janky but manageable. The story, set between RE4 and RE5, is considered serviceable but not the strongest in the series, with episodic chapters and frequent recaps. Raid mode is widely praised for its replayability and challenge. Players enjoy the mix of horror and action, character interactions, and the nostalgic feel. However, the game has some flaws such as stiff controls, a sometimes confusing story, and a few frustrating boss fights. Despite these, it remains a solid entry for RE fans, especially when picked up on sale.
Overall, Revelations offers a satisfying Resident Evil experience with strong atmosphere and enjoyable gameplay, though it falls short in story depth and control polish.
Highlights
Players particularly praise the game's atmospheric setting aboard the derelict cruise ship, which effectively captures classic Resident Evil vibes. The Raid Mode is highlighted as a superb addition, offering challenging and addictive gameplay. Graphics hold up well for a 2013 title, especially considering its 3DS origins. The variety of enemies and character interactions add to the engagement. Fans also appreciate the blend of survival horror and action elements, along with resource management mechanics and weapon upgrades. The episodic chapter structure with recap videos helps maintain pacing, and the game’s lore ties nicely into the broader Resident Evil universe.
Raid mode and the nostalgic feel are standout features that enhance replay value and player enjoyment.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the somewhat subpar and confusing storyline, which many players find less compelling compared to other Resident Evil titles. Controls are frequently described as janky or stiff, with the dodge mechanic being notably poorly implemented. The boss fights, especially the first and some later ones, are often labeled boring or frustrating. The scanning mechanic intended for resource gathering is seen as padding exploration time rather than enhancing gameplay. Some players also note technical issues such as save file corruption and poor mouse and keyboard optimization. Lastly, the game’s pacing can be slow early on, and asset reuse is noticeable, affecting overall immersion.
Pros
- • Atmospheric cruise ship setting captures classic Resident Evil vibes perfectly.
- • Raid mode provides addictive, challenging gameplay with great replay value.
- • Graphics remain impressive for a 2013 3DS port across platforms.
- • Good blend of survival horror and action elements keeps gameplay engaging.
- • Variety of enemies and character interactions enrich the player experience.
- • Episodic chapter structure with recaps aids pacing and story clarity.
- • Resource management and weapon upgrades add strategic depth.
Cons
- • Storyline is subpar, confusing, and less compelling than other RE games.
- • Controls feel janky; dodge mechanic is poorly implemented and frustrating.
- • Several boss fights are boring or overly difficult without fun mechanics.
- • Scanning mechanic pads exploration and disrupts pacing rather than improves it.
- • Technical issues include save file corruption and poor mouse/keyboard support.
- • Early game pacing is slow with noticeable asset and stage reuse.
- • AI partners are often ineffective and add little to gameplay.
Rating Criteria
Resident Evil® Revelations returns redefined for PC complete with high quality HD visuals, enhanced lighting effects and an immersive sound experience.
