I wrote this post for Resident Evil: Revelations for the Nintendo 3DS more than 7 years ago. So it’s not in the same style as my current posts. Nowadays, I would only write about a game after I beat it. Back then, I would write about a game while in the middle of playing it. Still, it’s neat to revisit my thoughts on this game so let me republish it. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it!

 

I was walking around checking game stores at a nearby mall when I came across this game. It was being sold at a very affordable price, so I picked it up despite not knowing anything about it. I ended up playing Resident Evil: Revelations more than I thought I would.  Being a Resident Evil game, it caught my attention. And when I saw the price it was being sold at, I knew I had to get it. I’m glad that I did because this game exceeded my expectations.

 

 

Let’s talk about my experience with the game!

 

Game Basics

Resident Evil Revelations is a survival horror third person shooter that’s set right between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5. This perfect for me because I was able to play the former on the Gamecube several years back. Unlike the previous main games of the Resident Evil franchise, you get to control different characters throughout the game. The main protagonist though is Jill Valentine, who was last seen as a main character in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.

The game has two modes of play, the first of which is the single player Campaign mode. This mode takes you through the game’s storyline. Campaign mode is divided into Episodes, which in turn are divided into different chapters. In some chapters, you get to play as other characters, including Jill’s partner from the first Resident Evil game, Chris Redfield.

 

 

Rather than being faced with zombies (formerly a staple of the Resident Evil franchise), the game introduces a new type of opponents. This time around, you get to fight against the Ooze, which are deceased humans mutated by a new virus strain called the T-Abyss. In typical Resident Evil fashion, you also get to confront different kinds of monstrous bosses.

The game’s storyline features the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA), an organization tasked with fighting against biological warfare. Throughout the game, you get to follow Jill and the other BSAA characters as they deal with the aftermath of a major biological virus outbreak called the Terragrigia panic.

 

The Genesis Scanner

A new type of gadget called the Genesis is also introduced in this game and is usable in Campaign mode. It’s basically a scanner that allows you to find helpful items that are otherwise hidden from view. You can also utilize this to scan enemies. It’s a little weird but, whenever you scan an enemy, a meter goes up. And every time it reaches 100% you automatically gain a Green Herb (the staple healing item of the Resident Evil franchise) in your inventory.

 

 

You can also find hand prints scattered throughout the Campaign mode stages. There are missions that involve scanning a certain number of these hand prints, so it gives you something else to hunt for outside of following the objectives of each Episode.

 

Raid Mode

After completing Episodes 1 to 3, the second mode of play becomes available. Called Raid mode, this mode of play is similar to Resident Evil 4’s The Mercenaries minigame. Raid mode is mainly a skirmish mode, where players can choose amongst a selection of characters as they go through 20 different stages. Each of these stages have different objectives to complete. Raid mode can be played alone via Solo Play, or with a partner locally or online.

 

 

Throughout both modes, you’ll get to use a wide arsenal of weapons, ranging from different hand guns to automatic and sniper rifles. You’ll also have access to the rocket launcher. Aside from the weapon variety, Resident Evil Revelations has a weapon upgrade system that will allow you to customize your favorite weaponry via different customization parts.

You’ll collect these throughout the game. Some of these parts can improve a weapon’s damage output, critical hit rate, or rate of fire. Others can have other beneficial effects, like being able to stop or daze opponents, or spreading/focusing the spread of your shotgun shots.

 

Use of the Dual Screens

Resident Evil Revelations utilizes the dual screens of the 3DS quite nicely. You see most of the action on the main screen, with minimal alerts popping up. On the touch screen, you’ll get to see the map of the location that you’re exploring, as well as the weapons that you have.

Switching weapons involves simply touching icons on the touch screen, unlike previous Resident Evil games where you’d have to go into an Inventory menu screen. Also, in some parts of the game, you’ll encounter quick puzzles representing your character either re-wiring panels or cutting down sealed doors that impede your progress.

 

 

The game also makes good use of the Street Pass feature (will talk about this in more detail in the future) of the 3DS. Basically, any time you encounter a person who owns a 3DS and a copy of Resident Evil Revelations, you can earn items for use in the Campaign mode. You also earn Raid mode missions that will reward you with items or with BP, a type of in-game currency that will allow you to purchase weapons and upgrades for use in Raid mode.

 

Final Thoughts

Love is a strong word, but I’m really loving this game right now. It’s a combination of the horror elements of the pre-Resident Evil 4 games and the action-oriented gameplay of Resident Evil 4, 5 and 6. The Campaign mode’s plot is compelling, with plenty of cutscenes and voice acting all throughout. Raid mode increases the replay value as there are plenty of unlockable characters and costumes, and there are three difficulty levels for each of the 20 stages. You can team up with friends or random strangers via Co-Op play or go alone via Solo Play as you try to unlock all of the hidden content.

Don’t believe me? Well, let’s put it this way. How many handheld games do you know received so much critical acclaim that they decided to make versions for consoles? That’s right, Capcom eventually made HD versions of Resident Evil Revelations for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii U.

 

 

I’ve already completed Campaign mode once and I’ve already accumulated 20 hours of game time (not counting all those times that I’ve started from scratch due to retries). And this game still manages to get plenty of play time. Again, I bought this as my first game because it was cheap. I had no idea that it was one of the best games on the system, and one that I’d enjoy so much, but it is. I definitely recommend this game, especially since its still being sold at its affordable price.

 

Want to read about other Resident Evil games that I’ve played? Click here! Or click here instead to read about other Nintendo 3DS games that I’ve played!