For both 3DS owners and fans of the “Resident Evil” series, “Resident Evil: Revelations” is a reason to celebrate. It’s by far the best action game to date for Nintendo’s hand-held system, and it’s a step in the right direction for the zombie-fighting franchise after the missteps of “Resident Evil 5” and “Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D.”
“Revelations” takes place between “Resident Evil 4” and “Resident Evil 5” chronologically, and it’s about halfway between them stylistically as well.
The game commits many of the same sins as “5.” For one, the enemies aren’t terribly scary. Instead of lumbering zombies that seemed well, evil, we get formless humanoid blobs, some of which, incredibly, have cloaking devices. For another, “Revelations” carries over “5’s” idiotic buddy system. This means bad guys rarely surprise you, as your partner will often see them first and start shooting, and, what’s more, you have to put up with their awful “banter.” Take Quint and Keith, one of three duos you control over the course of the game. Their reaction to being attacked by half-naked frog-men? It “blows,” as they tell us over and over.
That a game this flawed remains good is a testament to the fact that it has the DNA of two masterpieces flowing through its veins. The most apparent is “Resident Evil 4,” which gives “Revelations” its brilliant over-the-shoulder camera system that makes the action so intimate and panic-inducing. The second masterpiece is none other than the original “Resident Evil,” from which “Revelations” gets its ambiance. The ocean liner on which most of the game takes place is an obvious homage to the first “RE.” Squint your eyes while roaming its halls, decked out in Victorian splendor, and you could swear you were in a certain mansion.
| ‘Resident Evil Revelations’ |
| » System: 3DS |
| » Price: $39.99 |
| » Rating: 4 out of 5 stars |
Indeed, “Revelations” is the first hand-held game to deliver genuine scares. It’s difficult to create a frightening experience on a hand-held system. But with its classically creepy setting and lumbering piano music, “Revelations” gets it right.
For newcomers, “Revelations” is a great place to start. For longtime “RE” fans, welcome back to the world of survival horror.
