Resident Evil 6: Evilution
Company: Capcom
There's no denying that Resident Evil 4 was a game changer. Not just for Capcom's storied survival horror franchise, but for third person gaming as a whole. With the notable exception of Resident Evil: Revelations, Capcom has not looked back since. This is now an action series with horror elements. Whether you're pleased with the franchise's evolution or not, the fact remains: Resident Evil 6 is almost upon us. I recently got my hands on a sizable demo of the game, and I've got some impressions to share.
The Resident Evil 6 demo gives you three scenarios (each concerning three different two-person teams) to choose from. Each of these scenarios feels fundamentally different, and it's here that Resident Evil 6 looks poised to surpass its predecessors. For example, the Leon/Helena scenario is all about tension and creepiness, something that the last two Resident Evil games lacked. The Chris/Piers scenario is made up of a single breakneck action sequence. And the Jake/Sherry scenario has a kind of Bourne-esque feeling to it; you are being hunted by a giant abomination, but you can escape in style. In terms of the co-op elements, most of what you'd expect from a two-player survival horror action experience return in fashion. However, there's a rudimentary tactical interface at play this time around: you can give simple orders or signal your appreciation or approval to your partner. Perhaps an Army of Two inspired smack upside the head is thematically out of line with Resident Evil, but it would have been funny.
So what's different about the action? The first thing you'll notice is that the camera has been detached. By that I mean you can pan the camera all the way around your character. You can literally have your character walking towards the screen now. I've always appreciated this, as it lets the player feel like an impromptu film director. Framing the action is fun, and always has been. One of the most important changes in Resident Evil 6 is one I have been clamoring for since I was introduced to the series. You can now move while aiming and firing. Dead Space proved that it could be done without compromising the tension, so better late than never.
Finally, there's one more thing to address: the infected in Resident Evil 6 are capable of using firearms. I'm particularly interested to see where Capcom goes with this. Resident Evil 6 is nothing if not ambitious; it's a nice change from the relatively safe Resident Evil 5, despite the fact that it is still a great game. It's due out October 2, so check back for a full review then.
-FenixDown, GameVortex Communications AKA Jon Carlos
Related Links: Official Website of Resident Evil 6 Pre-Order Resident Evil 6 on Amazon
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