Resident Evil: Revelations Preview (by Carl B.)

June 29, 2011, by Carl B. - Capcom has strayed away from the traditional Resident Evil formula with Resident Evil 5, and even the upcoming Resident Evil: Operation Racoon City is a major departure from what made Resident Evil such a storied franchise. The publisher has promised that with 2012's 3DS exclusive Resident Evil: Revelations, the series will return to its horror roots. Judging from the game's demo, Capcom might be sticking to their word.

Resident Evil: Revelations may be the best looking game on Nintendo 3DS. Character models and textures are incredibly detailed – Revelations looks better than most Wii games due to its smaller screen. The 3D effect is really deep, too. It isn't as deep as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, but the narrow corridors of the demo go far into the screen, succeeding in adding that extra layer of immersion.

2D image of Nintendo 3DS game.
That immersion is essential for a game like Revelations, which is so focused on creating a world for the player that they can't keep their attention off of, and ultimately frightens them. This short demo of Revelations does just that, from the creepy setting to the bats that fly out of the screen at the player with 3D turned on.

Resident Evil 5 was more of an action game than a horror game, and even though Revelations has ties to RE5 chronologically, it takes more of its gameplay mechanics and atmosphere from Resident Evil 4. This alone gives Revelations loads of potential: RE4 is often considered the best Resident Evil game in the series.

If the enemies in the demo are anything to go by, Revelations is looking to be a pretty creepy Resident Evil title. They aren't the possessed villagers seen in Resident Evil 4 or 5, they're grotesque, pale humanoid creatures that look completely out of this world.

The only issues I can see with Revelations are the controls, which is something that has plagued the series ever since its inception. Players move the protagonist – Jill Valentine for this demo – with the 3DS circle pad. Movement feels really nice, but I found myself wishing for a strafe button whenever I came to a 90 degree turn. The game lets players move the camera to look past sharp turns with the touch screen, although if there was an enemy just right around the corner, players would have to turn the corner and set up their shot , a process that isn't very fluent. With a strafe button, players could simply strafe around the corner and have their shot already set up.

2D image of Nintendo 3DS game.
Speaking of shooting enemies, Revelations is rather clunky. With only one circle pad, players have to hold down the R button to enter first person mode, thus negating the ability to move while shooting. Pressing the Y button with R held down will shoot, and moving the circle pad will aim the weapon.

Resident Evil: Revelations is certainly looking promising. It hits retail exclusively for Nintendo 3DS in early 2012.