Wow, long time no blog, right? I've been focusing on...other projects, so my writing is improving, tremendously, if I do say so myself, but you probably won't see a great difference with this specific blog. I think it would be hard to ignore the backlash that perennial instigator Kevin VanOrd has received for his lacklustre review of the latest instalment in the Resident Evil series.
In his review, KVO cites various issues that he has with the game, most notably for me were the proliferation of quick-time-events (instances where you have to press a specific button, think the scene in RE4 with the knife fight or lasers) and the wonky camera and controls. Unlike the predecessor, RE Racoon City, which seemed just plain broken. KVO looks to things that he, as a gamer, dislike to see, not the game malfunctioning, exactly. At times, I think that it is fair for a reviewer to bring this up, as I did with my review of Dante's Inferno. And in the same manner, people filleted me for voicing my honest reception of an infantile game. So too does KVO get slammed for just not liking something.
One could argue that maybe Gamepot should pick someone else to review some of these games, but honestly, I like KVO's candour. It is rare to see someone fly in the face of die-hard fans and tell them the truth, not what they want to hear, but the truth. I was thankful to hear it and still picked the game up on release.
I played the Prologue and the beginning of Jake's campaign last night. There are four distinct storylines that intersect, but the game can choose to play them in any order. The other three campaigns are all characters we are more familiar with: Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield and Ada Wong. The game play, to me, mirrored what I'd remembered from RE5, which I played only last year. The game is hardly scary, not like the first few RE games, but the action and shooting mechanics are quite well done. Im not a gamer who only plays shooters, like Halo or CoD or something along those lines, but for me, an over-the-shoulder third-person shooter is easy to transition to.
At normal difficulty, the game is a challenge, mostly due to a somewhat clunky inventory system and cheap deaths, both brought up by KVO. I didn't understand how to switch weapons until I hit the first boss battle and realised I had more than one weapon. Call me crazy, but I liked the system in RE4. The concept was easy to understand and easy to see. I have combined herbs right now I can't find, and am hoping I didn't lose, but we shall see. As KVO pointed out, at least twice so far, in about an hour and a half of play, I've had to run like mad towards or away from the camera or something will get me. The camera angles are less than helpful and at the pace of action, it isnt the time to adjust them while you're running for your life.
Despite all these flaws that KVO had already told me, I am still finding the game moderately enjoyable. I do feel somewhat jilted that the game doesnt seem to have a great deal of mystery, in the sense that I haven't found any secret passages or hidden goodies. One thing I'd always loved about RE, and Silent Hill, is the reward for being inquisitive. I can't say Im impressed with the game, but I am glad I got it. I have to add a caveat though, I bought the anthology. This means I also received the following with my game:
Resident Evilï 6: The newest chapter in the Resident Evil franchise brings three separate yet interwoven storylines together as they fight to survive the global C-virus outbreak. Blending both action and survival horror, Resident Evil 6 promises to be the dramatic horror experience of 2012.
Resident Evilï Director's Cut* - Return to the mansion that started it all! The S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team has been sent to the outskirts of a remote Midwestern city to investigate a number of grisly murders. Little do they know the worst is yet to come...
Resident Evilï 2* - The T-virus has consumed Raccoon City leaving rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield stranded in a city overtaken by zombies and powerful B.O.W.s (bio-organic weapons).
Resident Evilï 3: Nemesis* - With Raccoon City crumbling, Jill Valentine's last escape is stopped dead by a monstrous B.O.W. known as the Nemesis, who's programmed to eliminate the last remaining members of S.T.A.R.S.
Resident Evilï 4 HD* - The President's daughter has been kidnapped and Leon S. Kennedy is on assignment and back in action in Europe to track her down and investigate a mysterious cult coming to power. Remastered in high definition, this Resident Evil classic has never looked better!
Resident Evilï 5 Gold Edition* - Working together with his partner Sheva Alomar, Chris Redfield is sent to Africa in response to a report of parasitic B.O.W.s terrorizing the area. Also included are the 2 extra downloadable episodes "Lost in Nightmares" and "Desperate Escape", 2 bonus costume packs, the online multiplayer "Versus Mode", and PlayStationï Move functionality.
For $90, this is more why I have no complaints than anything. For all the RE fans out there, this is a no contest. If you're not a fan, then you might want to wait for the price drop and call it a day. A long first impression, I know, but I haven't blogged in a while, so there you have it.
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