resident-evil.jpgThe most recognizable series in the survival horror genre, Resident Evil has been scaring us with tension and waves of mutated horrors for a long time. Gathering previously released episodes of a co-op adventure in four parts into one retail release, the newest Resident Evil title pits two teams of two against a creepy facility on an evil island (of course it’s an evil island). Available for both the last gen and next gen consoles, grab a gun and a flashlight, it’s Resident Evil Revelations 2.

Resident Evil Revelations 2 was developed and Published by Capcom

Release date: March 18th, 2015

Consoles: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS Vita

Genre: Survival Horror

Rating: M

Episodic Horror

A follow up to 2012’s 3DS title Resident Evil Revelations (which received a console HD release), Revelations 2 is an interesting take on the video game format. Part downloadable content (DLC) and part interactive drama released in weekly episodic segments, Resident Evil Revelations 2 is a survival horror in four episodes. Something like the TV miniseries events of old, where each episode was a self contained portion of a larger story, filled with tension and ending with a cliffhanger, it’s a novel approach. I enjoy the concept. Now that all of the chapters have been released, it’s time to gather them up, add some extra content, inlcuding two extra bonus missions featuring the games two new support characters, and roll them out as a full title.

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Since 1996 Resident Evil, or Biohazard in Japan, has been pitting a cast of characters against nefarious villains whose love of biological weaponry is equaled only by their love of creating plagues of horrors. Seriously, how much must the RE characters hate getting called into work? It’s a ‘nightmare’ every time. The game that defined survival horror, Resident Evil is at its best moving at a restricted pace through a tense maze of narrow spaces with limited resources and a world of monsters to fight. In many opinions, mine included, this culminated in the masterpiece of Resident Evil 4. Personally, I’ve been waiting for a Resident Evil title to garner my interest since then. With a TV series style format aimed right at the nostalgic heart of my age bracket, Revelations 2 might be the one that does it.

As mentioned, each of the main story’s 4 sections takes place like an episode in a mini-series. A co-op affair, each section is helmed by a pair of asymmetrical characters with different skill sets. One character fills the roll of offensive damage dealer, while the second character plays a support roll, using both characters in tandem is crucial aspect to surviving the waves of baddies coming to get you.  Set between the events of Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6, Revelations 2 finds long time series favorite and major franchise protagonist Claire Redfield taking the stage. Aided by Moira Burton, daughter of returning character Barry Burton, someone is turning people into monsters again, and they’re caught in the middle of it. When Barry arrives to search for his daughter, he encounters a strange little girl that joins him. The drama unfolds as both groups navigate an island filled with mutated freaks, trying to unravel the islands mysteries and get out alive.

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Raid Mode

The mutation filled fun doesn’t end at episode 4 either,  RE Revelations 2 has a few reasons to keep playing, just in case you needed to shoot some more zombie mutants in the face. Invisibility mode will take all those mutated enemies that were already creepy and turn them invisible. Just in case you like putting yourself through that sort of thing. Also, Raid Mode, like the Mercenaries mode before it, pits players against waves of enemies. Unlike Mercenaries mode, Raid is focused on progression through unlocking weapons, weapon parts, leveling, unlocking characters. It’s sweet, sweet candy for those of us who like to level up and unlock stuff, instant gratification on a constant feed. If that’s your thing (and whose isn’t it?) expect to lose some time here.

A fresh and interesting angle on the Resident Evil brand of survival horror, Resident Evil Revelations 2 with its episodic releases and TV series presentation brought a bit of nostalgia to the gaming space. Packaged together as a single release with a Co-op style of gameplay focused on teamwork, combined with a highly addicting Raid mode, it seems like Capcom may have ‘injected’ some life into this Survival Horror mainstay. It’s certainly brought my interest in the series ‘back to life’ (zombie humor folks!).

Resident Evil Revelations 2 is available at Best Buy and Bestbuy.ca March 18th for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbox One

Kurtis Diston
A firm believer in "you have to get old, but you don't have to grow up," I've been an unabashed lover of nerdy things for a good long while and don't plan to stop anytime soon. With experience on both sides of the video game, both as a consumer and a producer, and a love of the written word, I've managed to combine all three right here with the Plug-in blog

2 COMMENTS

  1. Hey this may be a bit off topic, but i was unable to find a platform with which to ask my question.

    Has anyone who ordered RE2 via Bestbuy.ca received a SteelBook Case as a pre-order bonus?
    I had read that BB was offering it as a preorder bonus alongside the digital bonus of weapons, of which most retailers were also offering.

    I received my copy a bit early, but I didn’t receive a SteelBook case. So I’m curious if anyone who ordered through BestBuy.ca had gotten one with their pre orders. I know its a small thing but I really like collecting the cases, so i wanted to confirm if they were only BestBuy.com exclusives.

    Thanks.

    • Hi Sunny,

      Canada did not get the Steelbook unfortunately, it was only available in other countries like the US. The weapons DLC codes will be sent out soon (likely this weekend).

      best regards,
      Martin

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