**Note: This is a spoiler-free review of the retail version of Resident Evil Revelations 2, not just the fourth episode.**
After careful obervation, I've devised a new formula for the timeline of every Resident Evil game after RE 4:
1. Capcom regurgitates the "return to the series' horror roots" hype.
2. Capcom brings back fan favorite characters amid a bunch of crappy new ones.
3. Reviews come out relatively high.
4. Fans buy the game, and mass disappointment ensues.
The only anomaly to this tried and true formula is the original Resident Evil: Revelations. The game was far from perfect, but sitting next to the punchline that was RE 6, it served as a faint glimmer of hope for longtime fans missing the memorable characters and creepy locales teeming with puzzles and keys. After the favorable fan reception to the spin-off, Capcom opted for a Revelations 2.
The story takes place on a secluded, deserted island controlled by an enigmatic "Overseer", who communicates through bracelets attached to people held prisoner. This sets up a creepy, dilapidated setting that feels right at home alongside Raccoon City or the Ashford Mansion. The game is structured in an episodic format, which gives it both suspenseful pacing and a cheesy TV show vibe that definitely adds to the experience.
The game stars Claire Redfield in her first appearance since Code Veronica in 2000, Barry Burton in his first appearance since the first game's remake in 2002, as well as new characters Moira Burton and Natalia Korda. It was awesome to see Barry and Claire return, but I think anyone who played Code Veronica will agree that Claire is woefully out of character. Not only is her likeness and voice different, but they gave her this objective, by-the-book personality that is nothing like the old Claire. It almost feels like they wrote the character as Jill Valentine, and then switched her out with Claire to appease fans. Barry is great though, and playing as him for the first time is as awesome as it sounds.
Moira's a character that grows on you. Her main shtick is constantly swearing, and it gets a little grating as the game progresses. After a traumatic experience with guns, she only opts to use melee weapons and to blind enemies with a flashlight. I hated her at first, but over time she becomes the character most players will side with since Claire was written so poorly. Natalia basically just serves as a plot point, though she assists Barry throughout his segments. She can find hidden items and see invisible enemies. She makes a good contrast as a vunerable, non-offensive character to Barry who is a seasoned, magnum-toting badass.
Although the gameplay is just the same old over-the-shoulder shooting employed by every entry since RE 4, the addition of character switching, crafting, and upgrading certain attributes adds some depth. The character upgrading system feels very token, and I'd still prefer the classic gameplay of the series any day. Nevertheless, this is the most refined and satisfying combat in the RE 4 style that we've seen yet. For the first time in what feels like forever, there were actually times where I was anxious about running out of ammo in a Resident Evil game, and for that Revelations 2 deserves praise.
For online, the fan favorite "Raid Mode" from the original Revelations is back. I don't buy a game like Resident Evil to experience any online stuff, but this mode is just plain addicting. It's a ton of fun to play, and greatly extends the longevity of the game. A warning though, Raid Mode can spoil some of the first encounters with enemies found in the story mode, so you may want to beat that first.
As a big literature buff, the constant references to Franz Kafka were also a nice touch. They weren't just there for show either, Kafka's themes of labyrinthine situations and unknown captors are all a big part of the game's story. Each episode is aptly named after a Kafka work, and quotes from him can be found in files throughout the game.
I have to warn those curious about Revelations 2, if you aren't acquainted with the classic games, this game loses a lot of its appeal. This game is armed to the teeth with fan service. Gameplay mechanics and references are taken from almost every classic game in the series, and not knowing the origin lessens the impact. Seeing the glorious return of Barry Burton and lines like "Jill sandwich" will truly warm an old fan's heart. Everyone else will wonder what the joke is.
Overrall, I am very pleased with this entry in the series. Capcom did a good job of injecting some of the classic games' magic into the stale Resident Evil formula. I was on the verge of leaving the series after RE 5 and 6, but the Revelations series has definitely recaptured my interest. Here's to hoping Capcom make Resident Evil 7 a modern horror classic worthy of the name.
GR-UK writes: "You realise that while Claire Redfield might be the headline name when the game was first announced, Revelations 2's star is the Burton family. Though whether you get the pay-off that underscores that is again really dependent on that last episode choice."
PushSquare:"Pin back your decaying lugholes and listen for a second: there are two endings to Resident Evil: Revelations 2, and one will leave you feeling significantly more satisfied than the other. In what's perhaps a nod to survival horror games of old, there's a throwaway choice in an earlier episode that completely changes the complexion of the conclusion – it's just a shame that a large proportion of people are going to miss out on the better one."
Noobfeed :
After another cliffhanger, Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 4: Metamorphosis is finally here to cut any dangling threads left by the other three episodes. You’ve survived the prison, escaped the village of monsters, and successfully enter the tower that houses the Overseer. While Capcom has taken an excellent shot at the finale, the final sprint toward the end is filled with bumps and gaps along the road.
