REVIEW: Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is an episodic series that takes place within the main storyline of Resident Evil between Resident Evil 5 and 6. The story features series favorites Claire Redfield and Barry Burton as they embark on a terrifying journey on a mysterious island. Each episode is broken into 2 chapters with dramatic cliffhangers ending each one.

Gameplay

Unmistakably, Revelations 2 feels exactly like a Resident Evil game. That could either be a positive or a negative depending on who you ask. I have always felt like Resident Evil handled slightly clunky and Revelations 2 is no different. Climbing up objects can be hit or miss, sprinting is awkward and cumbersome and aiming can be troublesome at times when charging enemies arise.

The aiming deserves some praise though, in my opinion. Aiming is rather precise and headshots are generally easy to hit and offer a certain level of satisfaction. Certain enemy types require precision aiming to remove limbs and expose weak points and that works well most of the time.

The partner system is my biggest complaint. The actual action of switching happens smoothly and quickly but it leaves the other character completely vulnerable. Skills can be unlocked later that help the non-player controlled character defend themselves but in the beginning its open season on the weak link. Some areas require you to split up from your partner for a short time to accomplish various tasks and switching back and forth to defend the other character is immediately annoying.

Puzzle solving is a staple of the Resident Evil series and Revelations 2 does a decent job of upholding that tradition. Whether it’s finding cogs, turning on electricity or finding the controls for a crane, Revelations 2 provides that traditional form of gameplay and it feels great even if the tasks are just glorified fetch quests.

Hiccups occur on occasion and enemy movement can become stuttered and choppy at times. Most intimidating enemies can be easily outsmarted. The environments offer some cheap ways of outmaneuvering enemies as well, even though this was helpful, it felt like a shame the terrifying AI was so easily outsmarted by cheap tactics.

Stealth sections of Revelations 2 handle well enough. I usually don’t enjoy stealth games unless they are done well but Revelations 2 offers an enjoyable stealth experience occasionally. The tough enemies can be put down quickly if you are able to sneak up on them successfully.These stealth sections offer satisfying one-hit kills on otherwise difficult enemies.

Visuals

Revelations 2 isn’t a particularly stunning game. It’s not bad looking by any means but it definitely didn’t “wow” me. The various forms of afflicted enemies are definitely gruesome and intimidating though and this adds to the experience tremendously.

Most environments are basic and lackluster. Even though the penal colony is gritty, grungy and dark, the level design continued to bore me. Resident Evil has never been known for incredibly intricate level design and Revelations 2 is no different. Other than a couple open areas, the environments were smaller than I would have liked.

Raid Mode

Raid Mode offers a refreshing change of pace from the survival horror style that the campaign offers. Raid Mode is a Horde style mode that sends waves upon waves of enemies at you. There are mission objectives that need to be completed for experience points that unlock new skills and weapons to be used in Raid Mode. These experience points and unlocks do not contribute to the single player campaign, unfortunately.

The maps seem much more vibrant in Raid Mode compared to the dreary environments the campaign offers. This mode had me wishing for matchmaking. I think the whole game would benefit from matchmaking but not including matchmaking in Raid Mode seems like a missed opportunity to me.

Episode 1 – Penal Colony

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 starts with the kidnapping of Claire Redfield and Barry Burton’s daughter Moira. The two wake up to find themselves in a horrific penal colony inhabited by the “afflicted.” The first chapter is nerve-racking and incredibly terrifying, as you discover what horrific experimentation has occurred to the afflicted. The afflicted are horribly disfigured inmates who were tortured relentlessly and experimented on. The atmosphere of the penal colony is tense and insanely creepy.

The afflicted can be found in cells throughout the the beginning chapter. They pound at their doors, scream and pace the cells. The dread is real as it becomes obvious that you will be releasing them from their cells once you gain access to the control room.

A female voice begins to communicate with you and she calls herself the “Overseer.” The story slowly unravels the level of atrocity she is capable of. Without spoiling anything, the first chapter of episode 1 does a great job of getting the player invested in the story and engulfed by the atmosphere. The story is intriguing, interesting and ends on a great cliffhanger.

The second chapter of episode 1 puts you in the shoes of Barry Burton and Natalia, a scared girl you find and bring along with you, who can use a sixth sense to locate enemies and hidden objects. This chapter felt cheap because you have to enter the same penal colony Claire and Moira work so hard to try and escape in the first chapter. This felt very repetitive to me and I didn’t enjoy my second experience in the penal colony as much as my first time.

The entirety of chapter 2 has Barry and Natalia backtracking through the penal colony to track Claire and Moira. This eventually ends and the story takes an unexpected turn as you learn new details regarding Claire and Moira’s whereabouts.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Episode 1 starts slowly but builds suspense as you discover what kind of heinous experiment you’re part of. The beginning may have a slow pace but the episode does a solid job of building a foundation of suspense. This episode took me under 2 hours to complete.

Episode 2 – Contemplation’s

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Episode 2 is a much more difficult and uneasy experience compared to Episode 1. The boss battles are tough, supplies are lacking and enemies are relentless. Pair the difficulty with the incredibly nerve-racking setting and you have a game that embodies survival horror to the core.

The events from the first episode bring Claire and Moira to a whole new area that offers a bit more freedom for exploration. This was a welcome inclusion into the game, as I thought the first episode was severely hindered by the lack of room to roam especially since the game encourages attacking enemies from all angles through teamwork and stealth tactics.

You are tasked with a lengthy fetch quest right off the bat and that takes up the entirety of time you are in the first open area. That fetch quest ends with a heart-pounding standoff that requires some quick shooting. Following the standoff, a boss battle occurs that offers up the most challenging fight I had experienced up to that point.

I was much more prepared for the boss battle that occurs towards the end of the chapter. I utilized some supplies I had horded for the next inevitable boss battle and that was a smart move. After that fight you discover more about the Overseer and her diabolical agenda. You make your way deeper into the island and the chapter ends with another great cliffhanger that left me wanting more.

The Barry and Natalia chapter is the same principle as chapter 2 from Episode 1. You are tracking Claire and Moira down throughout the same environments. This chapter opens up a unique gameplay element that requires a mix of stealth and the use of Natalia’s sixth sense to locate enemies. This new mechanic grows tiresome after a while since you are constantly berated by the new enemy type.

The story unravels slightly more as you progress through roughly the same areas you already visited with Claire and Moira. Barry is more prepared for the challenges that await him. He is armed to the teeth and when it was time for the only boss battle of the chapter, I defeated it with ease, especially since the boss got hung up on a door the entire fight.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 – Episode 2 ends in a very disturbing cliffhanger that felt anticlimactic, but it did leave me interested to see what happens next. Not spoiling anything, but a Resident Evil alumni returns in Episode 2 as a massive surprise and the twist will leave you with more questions than answers. With barely over 2 hours of gameplay, episode 2 barely seems worth the money.

Episode 3 and Episode 4

These two episodes of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 continue the story in an excellent way but it never seems to elevate the experience beyond was it initially comes across as. After analyzing the entire game, we feel confident to give it 6.5 out of 10 stars as a final score.

Overall

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 offers a moderately low value for your money. Each episode can be downloaded for $5.99 or you can purchase the season pass for $24.99. The first episode felt a little short to me since I went through it in less than 2 hours and I finished episode 2 in just over 2 hours. So far I have 4 hours of gameplay in the campaign. The Raid Mode does make up for some of this lack of value but how much is yet to be seen.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 does a fantastic job of replicating the classic Resident Evil experience, even if most of the puzzles are mediocre fetch quests. Revelations 2 is disturbing and eerily atmospheric. If you are a diehard Resident Evil fan than Revelations 2 offers some insight into the constantly expanding universe and it does entertain. Each chapter ends with an immensely intriguing cliffhanger that left me wanting more. The environments are dull and leave a lot to be desired though. If you like Resident Evil, enjoy survival horror and want a challenge than you should pick this up!

Pros
+ Intriguing story.
+ Gruesomely intimidating enemies.
+ Unforgiving survival horror experience.

Cons
– Uninspired and boring level design.
– Repetitive backtracking.
– Partner system can be troublesome.