1 • GameOn Magazine Edition • March 2013 Artwork by: Milena ‘Milish’ Korzeniewska 2 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 With the imminent release of for PC around the corner, we’re taking a stagger through the history of the series. Where it came from, where it’s been and whose brains are the tastiest. My bets are on Chris Wakefield.

There’s plenty of info on , to help you get up to speed for 6 and a peek into what the 3DS’s Mercenaries release was like so that you could get your fix on the road.

We’ve got the review of RE6 on consoles to whet your appetite for the PC version which is only one short zombie shuffle away now.

For now, sit back and relax. Pay no attention to the shuffling sound outside the door and always, always make sure you aim for the head. If you have to.

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3 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 About

Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including best-selling franchises Resident Evil®, ®, Mega Man ®, and ®. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Korea, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom and its products can be found at www.capcom.com or www.capcom-unity.com.

4 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 About GameOn

GameOn Networking Ltd was founded in 1997 with the aim of providing “lag free” gaming solutions for dedicated online gamers. Online connectivity in the late 90s was such that real- time gaming was beyond the reach of the average gamer, and so GameOn began hosting LAN parties throughout the UK. To date, GameOn has hosted almost 100 LAN parties.

In August 2008, GameOn began producing GameOn Magazine, an online PDF magazine covering all aspects of gaming including reviews, previews, news and articles. The dedicated magazine staff also provided coverage at high profile gaming events such as and .

In February 2012, GameOn Magazine launched in ebook form on the Amazon Kindle marketplace in both the UK and US and has since developed from strength to strength. With the same quality coverage as always and dedicated writing and research staff the magazine has gained a loyal following and secured its position as one of selling gaming magazines on the Kindle store.

Later in 2012 GameOn lauched the colour version of the magazine via Magzter store which is avilable on Android, iOS and Windows.

For more information, please visit www.gameonmag.com

5 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil 5 Review

Platforms Available: PC, , PS3 Resident Evil 5 (along with its predecessor Date: March 2009 RE4) has taken a drastic turn from the Genre: , Third person shooter series’ beginnings. Gone are the narrow Publisher: Capcom hallways of the Spencer Mansion and the confined alleyways of Raccoon City. In From its humble beginnings all those years ago their place are, for the most part, wide open in the Arklay mountains, through Raccoon City environments where you’ll be blasting and , and now Africa, Resident Evil is a hordes of the undead, or rather, the series’ franchise brought into the new generation with newest foes, the Las Plagas, whom fans of a literal bang. The series has gone through will immediately recognise. a lot of changes in story, from starting with the T-Virus, and the inclusion of the G and The Las Plagas are a more challenging enemy T-Veronica virus in-between, Resident Evil 4 than your standard undead. They aren’t slow gave us Las Plagas and now Resident Evil 5 and lumbering; instead, they will run, use presents us with a different strain of this. weapons and try and outsmart you. Playing on the Veteran and Professional modes, I

6 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 take down.

Taking control of , it is your mission to find and arrest a man named Irving. He has been distributing Bio-Organic Weapons, or B.O.W’s, and it is up to Chris to bring him to justice. However, unlike traditional Resident Evil constantly found myself being challenged as games, Chris won’t be I proceeded further through the game. The alone. He is helped throughout his adventure battles are nothing short of epic and these by Sheva Alomar, an African agent of the fights usually require more brain power than Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance ammunition, which is a refreshing change. (BSAA), the unit whom Chris now works for.

One of the major complaints about the demo Playing a Resident Evil game essentially that was released was the control system - the as a co-op game is a totally different major complaint being the inability to move experience from the older Resident Evil and shoot at the same time. Capcom stood games. There are no truly scary moments by the control method and I personally feel here, such as that moment we all know with it works beautifully after about ten minutes the dog and the window incident from the practice. The controls feel fluid and are original. The feeling of isolation is all but perfectly suited to this type of over the shoulder . The sudden stops also serve to build a bit of tension as a horde of Las Plagas come towards you and you have no choice but to aim for the head for the quickest

7 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 can’t open on his own is no longer an obstacle once Sheva helps you out. It’s all very teamwork based, and it works surprisingly well.

With the inclusion of a partner comes the inclusion of dual inventory decimated by the constant presence of your management. You’ll have to swap items in partner. While she is an able helper, even and out for Sheva as well as yourself and when controlled by AI, I can’t help but feel more often than not, as able a partner as an option of playing totally alone would she is, you’ll find yourself keeping weapons have been of benefit to long time fans. and ammo and using her as a packhorse for your items. This can be a chore as The game is designed for co-op though and you constantly have to keep an eye on the game takes every chance to remind you two sets of items instead of just your own; (just how many broken ladders can one small however this is where co-op comes in. village have?). Every time there’s a broken ladder, you’ll need to give Sheva a helping Any gamer of this generation (minus fighting hand to climb them, and every door that Chris games) knows online is the place to go for

8 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 multiplayer action and Resident Evil 5’s works emblems to collect them, allowing you to perfectly. You can either start a game and purchase “character figures” for viewing, allow another person to join, or search a list as well as new costumes, new weapons and of currently active games and jump in, it’s the ever present Mercenaries mode, where as simple as that. The only problem, as with you are dropped in a level with a set amount any online game, is that if you play with a of ammo and left to kill as many Las Plagas stranger there’s a high chance they will take as possible before the time limit runs out. all ammo and gold for themselves leaving you short. However, if you can find an able It would be a crime to review this game friend to play it with, it’s a joy to play online. without mentioning the visuals. They are some of the most gorgeous graphics The weapons on a console to date (and can give some in the game PC games a run for their money) and the are good frame rate never takes a hit, even when and varied, there is a lot of action on screen. from pistols to the RE The characters are well designed, however staple: the voice acting is typical Resi fare and you’ll the rocket most likely find yourself laughing whenever launcher. you hear Irving talking, as he releases such Most of these gems as “I’ve just had an extreme makeover” weapons are while he transforms into a hideous monster. upgradeable and once fully A fantastic game no doubt, but a questionable upgraded entry into the Resident Evil series. As good you are ablo as it is, it just doesn’t feel like a Resident to purchase Evil game. There’s lots of action, lots of infinite ammo explosions but no scary moments. This for use on doesn’t stop it being a great game though, your next and one that deserves to be played by any playthrough, third person action fans, as well as Resident which is useful Evil fans looking for the complete story. for the harder Kevin Malone difficulties. The game also has a good Resident Evil 5 amount of , giving Scored: 8 out 10 you the option to shoot BSAA

9 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil 5: The Bosses

With Resident Evil 6 on the horizon for the PC, Generally, I like most bosses in games, and RE5 it’s not surprising I found myself booting up is no exception. My favourite boss will have Resident Evil 5 to get myself in the mood. I’m a to be the Ndesu (Third Boss). It was more fun big PC gamer and I can’t handle shooters (or than the other bosses, being in the car and any games) with a controller, so Resident Evil 6 shooting him with a Minigun. He has a pretty finally coming to PC has hyped me up... And I’m difficult way to kill him. In some boss fights here to write about the bosses in Resident Evil 5. it’s ‘shoot it or wave a sword at it until it stops moving’ but this boss has a strategy. You have to dodge its attacks until you can damage his ‘shield’ and after you destroy that his weak spot will burst out for a short time. This makes a good boss fight that isn’t just your normal ‘tough enemy’.

The hardest boss would probably have to be Excella

10 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 (Uroboros Aheri). This boss made me actually are bad. Just big enemies with a lot quit the game for about half a year because I of health. Big Resident Evil 5 bosses couldn’t defeat it. It has The highest hit points, require strategy to kill, rather than bordering at around 30k, probably more. running in circles shooting it. When on first playthrough your weapons are They require strategy such probably doing maybe, as using 2000 per shot if you explosives to have the revolver/ daze it, then magnum, or 100 with get behind it SMG/assault rifles. and attack As a result, this boss is its weak a real nightmare the spot. first time around. Another one is is to But on the final boss, get a gas playing as Sheva was canister a nightmare. The QTE stuck in it, () when lure it in a Sheva fell and had to massive pull herself up, it was furnace, extremely hard to shoot the actually mash the canister so it’s dazed, button enough to then lock it and burn it pull up. I almost with the furnace. always played the last level Overall, Resident single-player Evil 5 bosses failed to because that disappoint me, and I part me or my sure hope the entirety of partner always Resident Evil 6 will blow fell, and if you me away. From what I’ve were playing seen of it, I’m sure it will. as Chris, the AI Duke Glen for Sheva would pull her up fairly quickly by itself.

Some bosses in games

11 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil 5: The Weapons

If there was something Resident Evil 5 lacked in, low damage weapons, and slowly picking up it sure wasn’t weapons: small SMG’s, loud, big better weapons or upgrading your peashooter assault rifles, small, deadly revolvers, massive into a weapon of death and destruction. And powerful RPG’s. So what do I think about them? after completely upgrading your weapon, you can unlock infinite ammo for it. This was The weapons in Resident Evil, I feel, were something which I have mixed feeling about. given at the right moments. Starting off with It’s fun, but when you’re trying to challenge yourself and you have a cooperative partner with infinite ammo 5k damage revolver, it really isn’t fun.

But, for the few, proud players like myself that managed

12 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 to complete the whole game in under five hours, we learned the secret of the infinite RPG ammo. This was fun, but seriously overpowered. Being able to one-shot almost every enemy in the game. Good for when you and/or your friend is bored, or to improve your time to something even more insane.

There are several different sets of weapons to choose from. Ranging from revolvers, handguns, assault rifles/SMG’s, sniper rifles, shotguns and explosives as well as some secret weapons such as a Minigun and a bow and arrow. Each weapon can be used effectively in different situations, such as one where you are in a big elevator and have to snipe enemies from afar, and the areas in a narrow corridor, in which I pull out my trusty shotgun.

After completing levels, you got points based on accuracy, kills, completion time and how many deaths you had. You could use these points to upgrade your weapons. But to stop you from farming levels for money and upgrading your gun to max by the 4th level, you can only upgrade your weapon several times before having to progress into the story further before upgrading it more. This really added a nice touch to the game, allowing you to pretty much keep your starting weapons because they just kept getting better. Something I’m very glad about is that this feature is coming in Resident Evil 6.

But, from the slow but powerful shotgun to the quick but deadly assault rifles, Resident Evil 5 has a good selection of weapons that always find a use in every situation. Duke Glen

13 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D Review

Platforms Available: 3DS our ammo slowly started to dwindle and Date: June/July 2011 the timer rapidly began to count down. Genre: Survival Horror Publisher: Capcom When introduced as a mini-game in Resident Evil 3: , Mercenaries quickly took hold The fear we felt whilst playing Resident and was one of the best aspects of the game. It Evil 4 is probably nothing compared to that was tense, action-packed, terrifying and, most now felt by Capcom as they work furiously of all, a hell of a lot of fun. The version found trying to prove that Resident Evil is the best in Resident Evil 5 wasn’t, in our opinion, as survival out there now that good as the one found in its predecessor but it it’s being attacked by games like the Dead was still fun and a blast to play with friends. Space series. But the fear felt in Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D is completely different Now the mini-game has sprinted, like a to both of the aforementioned terrors. modern-day zombie, onto the 3DS and it is The horror we encountered in Capcom’s brilliant. It is incredibly similar to the mode new handheld title is one of intensity as found in Resident Evil 5 with you choosing

14 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 a character and then battling against both a timer - that could The Mercenaries has be increased by destroying actually made us become glowing markers - and an infinite massive fans of the console. wave of that you must The 3D is, without a doubt, deal with. Whilst the game the games’ best aspect. never stretches beyond that of a mini-game, it’s still a load of fun and will keep you playing for best aspect. The character designs are a long time, just not in one go. brilliant and the fact that they are close to the screen makes them stands The Mercenaries is best out a great deal. The environments played in short bursts, 15 are very nice as well; all are either minutes here, 30 minutes from the Mercenaries aspect of there, rather than sitting down Resident Evil 4 or its successor and for a few hours. After a while, it they look just as good in this game becomes tedious and not much as they did in the one they came from. fun at all. We found ourselves becoming tired of the game after Just the overall detail in The about an hour but then returned to it Mercenaries had us smiling later and quickly became engrossed because of how good looking in its addictive gameplay once more. it all is. The fact that it is all in 3D makes it look that much better Chances are you want to know how but even in 2D the game looks the 3D is in The Mercenaries. To put phenomenal. Unfortunately, there it shortly; it’s actually pretty good. is one disappointing aspect to the When the 3DS was first released, we presentation of the title and that’s the weren’t a massive fan of it; the third- menus; they’re pretty badly designed dimension did impress me and the and a bit bland. The top screen is fluidity and aesthetics of it were mostly green and the bottom is very pleasing but a few annoying orange and grey and it just isn’t niggles, like the blurry screen impressive or pleasing at all, when slightly tilted, prevented us but that’s only a small niggle. from falling in love with it. Surprisingly, The Mercenaries The biggest problem in the has actually made us become graphics department is the massive fans of the console. frame-rate. Up close, the The 3D is, without a characters and enemies move doubt, the game’s fluently and the explosions look

15 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 is a good idea at all. And with the new Resident Evil title Revelations coming out this year it could have been included with that as a special feature like the Mercenaries was with Resident Evil 4. And nice. But far away and the zombies move the fact that you can’t delete your save data jaggedly and they stand around minding their means you either buy the game brand new own business. We can understand why the or buy the title pre-owned with the game game would have these types of problems as probably already completed for you. the title is pushing the 3DS to its limits but the frame-rate issues in the game annoyed us There are only 8 characters, all of them with and in an otherwise stunning looking title. some pretty good weapons, and some of the maps become recycled after a while which With games now reaching over £40, gamers could hinder the enjoyment of some players. want to know whether they are getting the The game is fun and, without a doubt, utterly full out of their money; that is The Mercenaries’ biggest problem. It just isn’t worth the asking price. If it was a downloadable from the 3DS Store then we couldn’t complain at all but the fact that it is a complete game on the shelves makes you wonder whether paying the full £40

16 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 addictive but it slowly becomes a bit tedious wasn’t shown and provided to play. once you’ve finished all the missions. Some may become obsessed with topping Overall, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries is a their high-scores or unlocking all fantastic title for the 3DS; it’s of the items but we couldn’t addictive, tense, fast-paced and see myself going back to this exciting. But it is asking a lot for in a few months’ time. the full retail price and never steps beyond that of an extended mini-game A lot of fuss has also been and even then it’s not that fully-featured made about the fact anyway. Played for a few hours and that the game contains it becomes tedious very quickly; but a demo of the new title played for a few minutes here and there coming to the 3DS very soon: and the game is an absolute blast, either Revelations. Whilst it is on your own or with a friend online. incredibly impressive (the Although it is a very good game, we can’t graphics are phenomenal help but feel that it’s just a filler for the and the atmosphere is next big Resident Evil game later this year. very tense), it’s all a bit Adam Woodward short; it took me under five minutes to complete. Although it is nothing more Resident Evil: The than a teaser as to what can be expected when the game is Mercenaries 3D shipping later this year, it was Scored: 8 out 10 just a bit disappointing that more

17 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil History

Resident Evil is a series that has evolved and survival horror game, it was undoubtedly changed in the same way as one of the Umbrella the first to draw everything together to Corporations bio-organic weapons. Beginning craft a template that became much imitated with a landmark title in 1996 that helped to but rarely bettered. It is a title that was create and popularise the survival horror utterly unique and captured the essence of genre, the franchise has never been afraid late-night horror B-movies: gory imagery, to try new approaches. With Resident Evil 4 atrocious (but lovable) voice acting and came a shift towards more intense, cinematic a dark, sinister plot centred on genetic action that brought the series an even wider experimentation gone terribly wrong. fanbase. With Resident Evil 6 due to launch on PC later this month, now seems the perfect From the opening scenes as you find yourself opportunity to revisit some of the greatest stranded in the foyer of a gigantic, sinister and most memorable moments the mansion you are well aware this is going zombie games have provided. Be warned: to be a scary experience. As there were no potential spoilers ahead for those new to real predecessors you were venturing into Resident Evil. All dates listed are for European the unknown both in terms of story but releases, when we originally played them. also gameplay. The moment you stumble on the sight of a man crouched over what Resident Evil (1996) seems to be a body, the reality hits just as the shambling creature turns to stare straight at Nothing could quite prepare you for Resident you. It was a monumental moment then and Evil. While it was by no means the first still retains a lot if its power even today.

18 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 healing items. This small but significant detail helped to present an underlying feeling of constant vulnerability, an essential factor that would remain a factor in the series for a number of years. Resident Evil remains Resident Evil was a game packed with an undisputed classic that is endearingly iconic, powerful moments. The door loading remembered and cherished as one of screen, now regarded as something more of gaming’s most important milestones. an annoyance, was genuinely unsettling as your sweaty hands gripped the controller (1998) waiting to see what horrors lurked on the other side. That corridor where you first After creating a landmark title that was meet your cuddly canine companions not only critically successful but a huge remains imprinted into many as one of bestseller Capcom had a tough act to follow. gaming’s most infamous jump scares. With a troubled development that involved

Another notable gameplay feature was the viability of feeling as opposed to fighting. In many ways it was much better to avoid and dodge the creatures roaming the mansion’s halls as it would preserve precious ammunition and

19 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 scrapping an almost 80% completed decapitated body of a police officer before build of the game, the signs didn’t look the terrifying introduction of the , good for designing another classic. Yet, the surprise encounter with an enormous against all odds Resident Evil 2 delivered alligator lurking beneath the streets of another quality survival horror that Raccoon City and the boarded up windows managed to be both bigger and bolder. filled with desperately grabbing zombie-

With two new characters Leon Resident Evil 2 achieved S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, exactly what its fans who would go on to become wanted: to provide iconic video game heroes, the another episode of story built on the framework fear and action. laid down in Resident Evil while simultaneously toning down the over-the-top aspects and introducing hands located throughout the police station. darker elements. There are some surprisingly mature themes and some emotionally In terms of gameplay, while there was no engaging character development even if enormous revolution in how the title played, the latter is marred by the now trademark small and subtle tweaks helped to refine and diabolical voice acting. By choosing to tighten the experience. The mixture of two develop the shadowy power of the enigmatic differing scenarios playable with two different and sinister Umbrella Corporation Capcom characters created a surprisingly replayable created a believable and enticing world game. The fact that which items you collected that was perfect for continued expansion. could potentially make later areas more difficult on a successive playthrough created However, Resident Evil 2 was still a tactical edge. The degree of interaction fundamentally a horror game and it would remiss not to mention the new terrors that were lying in wait. Reminiscing about the game brings to mind a roster of classic moments and scares that are difficult to forget. Stumbling across the

20 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 between both Leon and Claire was also that was initially somewhat disappointing involving as were the relationships between not to be covering fresh ground. However, their sub-characters: Sherry and Ada. despite the lack of innovation in the setting the developers brought new ideas in terms Resident Evil 2 achieved exactly what its of the titular antagonist: Nemesis. fans wanted: to provide another episode of fear and action. Yet, it was a much more The hulking variant of the doggedly significant achievement than that. For its pursued Jill (returning from the original) publisher, the game was successful enough to throughout the entire game, providing establish a franchise and the critical success Resident Evil 2: Nemesis with its main hook. meant people were eager for more. After This virtually undefeatable monstrosity could the tight corridors and research facilities generally only be halted or delayed for the of a mountainside mansion and the police vast majority of the game, creating a new station and environs of Raccoon City, where method of tension. Wearing a rather stylish could Capcom take Resident Evil next? overcoat (stylish for a hideous bio-organic weapon) with his stitched and battered face, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis Nemesis is an iconic and imposing figure that cast a long shadow over the game. The third main entry into the series saw much less of a leap than the transition In another intelligent idea, Capcom also between the first two games. Firstly, implemented a system stressing player choice Capcom chose not to move the action where Jill would often be presented with a outside of Raccoon City, instead opting to decision. The outcomes of these were variable, develop a story that would run more-or- ranging from choosing to fight or flee from less alongside the events of Resident Evil 2. Nemesis or how to react to other characters. It was a much more conservative decision It was sadly ultimately a rather meaningless element and rarely changed how events played out significantly. Other minor changes included mixing ammunition types to create more powerful rounds, a feature that would

21 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 later be carried over to subsequent titles.

Overall, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is a slightly strange entry and lacks the same stand- out moments from its predecessors. The real highlights of the game come from Jill’s interactions with her indestructible foe alongside some quirky puzzles and inspired boss enemies (notably the Grave Digger). This entry began to show some slight signs of fatigue but all was not lost as Capcom had expanded upon some additional game modes present in Resident Evil 2. The Mercenaries, usually unlocked after completing the main game, features three selectable characters that have to escape the city within a set period of time. throughout, including hidden areas and survivors to be rescued, created a well- It was a surprisingly robust and compelling thought out mode that complemented the extra that had addictive gameplay. Each of main game. It is this additional mode that the three characters came with different is likely responsible for the inclusion of load-outs requiring different tactics to similar in subsequent sequels, something succeed. The range of hidden extras littered now synonymous with Resident Evil titles.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis had one undeniably significant event that has earned it an important place in the series’ history: its ending. With a shockingly definite conclusion, that was oddly downbeat, it drew a line on Raccoon City by wiping it off the face of the earth with a now infamous tactical nuclear strike. From now on, Capcom would have no choice but to find somewhere new for its blend of genetic horror to take place. Fans would have to wait only a few months to find out, a markedly different development period than the more substantive amounts of time given to the first two instalments.

22 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil Code: Veronica (2000) bosses. A Tyrant fight in the back of a cargo plane, the Nosferatu creature and some Developed alongside Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, surprisingly emotional scenes with minor this initially Dreamcast exclusive was the characters helped to turn this into a game first time the series had not launched on perfectly suited to expanding the overarching the PlayStation. Moving away from the narrative. Puzzles too seemed more interesting American Midwest setting of the previous and challenging in this outing and at times

entries, Resident Evil Code: Veronica brought could be particularly testing. Resident Evil the Umbrella Corporations experiments to a Code: Veronica was an all-round more mysterious island and an Antarctic research complete package. The game routinely facility. Despite this fairly drastic location ranks highly in lists of the greatest entries shift, little had altered in terms of gameplay. into the series, not without good reason. Many hold Resident Evil Code: Veronica in extremely high regard and it is sometimes However, despite all the praise heaped onto difficult to understand precisely why. the game at times it was beginning to show While there is certainly a lack of innovation its age. The control scheme, largely unrevised in the game, it is a title that effectively since the first title, was undeniably clunky and draws together all the best elements of slow in comparison to many contemporary the previous games. It features a robust competitors. Equally there were some claims story, interesting returning (and new) that the games had become too formulaic and characters and plenty of nasty monsters. predictable, adhering too rigidly to a fixed The graphics were notably improved and template of puzzles, bosses and zombies. replacing pre-rendered backgrounds helped Even with strong critical feedback the sales of to shed the feeling the series was dating. the game had fallen from Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2. With a new era of consoles There were plenty of pulse pounding moments looming on the horizon some big changes thrown in for good measure, in particular for the series were about to take place. the game’s intimidating and challenging

23 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil (2002)

The 2002 reimagining of the original Resident Evil saw the beginning of a partnership between Capcom and that would see the main entries into the series heading to the GameCube first. Indeed, this remake can be seen as one of the first this is a game that can still stand the test of games to encourage the overhauling time. Chiefly, this Resident Evil somehow of classic titles to bring them to a new managed to be scarier, creepier and more market, a business practice now common horrifying than the original and no doubt amongst developers and publishers. caused countless sleepless nights.

Keeping much of the plot intact but Littered with dozens and dozens of sphincter- cleverly adding in certain characters and clenching moments it was a game never events retroactively made this into the afraid to put you on the spot and cause you to Resident Evil every fan wanted. With truly panic. The encounter with the Neptune shark, stunning graphics, character models and waking up next to Lisa Trevor in a cabin in the animations it is extremely impressive that woods and stumbling back into the mansion to find the Hunters were all genuinely terrifying. Even better were the inclusion of the Crimson Heads. Any zombie killed by your hand that wasn’t decapitated or burned (broadly speaking) could come back as a faster and deadlier variant that would pursue you relentlessly.

24 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 These horrible monstrosities remain one height of the series’ horror and it would of the best zombie enemies, not just in the be a very tough act to follow, which was Resident Evil series but any horror game. sadly proven with Capcom’s next entry.

Thankfully some improved controls and Resident Evil Zero (2003) new “defensive weapons” help to make your chances against the hordes of creatures After a run of direct sequels it was almost much better. Resident Evil feels like a an inevitability that a prequel would appear much more brutal game with some truly at some stage, although what was quite visceral violence especially when you raise surprising was how long the idea had been a shotgun at the last second and redecorate considered at Capcom. With origins dating the mansion’s wallpaper with zombie brain back to the genesis of the original Resident matter. It certainly is not for the faint of heart. Evil it took some time before production Equally the defensive weapons feel like they began, initially as a Nintendo 64 title. However belong and it was a shame they never really it was not until late 2000 that the game reappeared and became a series’ mainstay. took shape as Resident Evil Zero focusing Grappling with a zombie and plunging a on Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen. dagger into its head or grenade in its mouth in order to escape was the kind of desperate At its core, Resident Evil Zero followed the action that perfectly suited the darker tone. tried-and-tested formula, rarely deviating from Indeed it was the darker, more mature feel the now-rigid parameters expected from the to this remake that has helped it to endure franchise. The only major addition was the as arguably the scariest Resident Evil. new “player zapping” system that allowed With a sinister and unsettling atmosphere you to control both protagonists, swapping throughout this was a true survival horror between them at the tap of a button. Sticking title, largely free of the B-movie aesthetics to the tradition of having two characters of its forbearers. Undoubtedly this is the but adding a twist which was a solid idea

25 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 in principal. Sadly this turned out to be Evil and its remake felt largely complete more frustrating than exciting in practice. and by fleshing it out even further took away some of the mystery and horror of the While some of puzzles utilising this system unknown. At the same time, many of the were quite original and took some lateral overall gameplay elements had begun to feel thinking to solve, combat was much more of a tad stale, continuing a trend that started a chore. Especially when some of the enemies could constrict Thankfully the new or temporarily immobilise one shooting mechanics of your characters, swapping were ideally suited for back and forth to save their dispatching the hordes lives could be a real irritation. of monstrosities As the game drew on towards its final chapter, there were definitely moments when “player zapping” back to Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Resident felt more of slightly desperate attempt to Evil Zero was by no means a bad game, it try and breathe fresh life into the series. still remains both enjoyable and playable but the series really needed something to Returning to the forests and mountains change. So, in 2005 Capcom provided it. outside of Raccoon City also felt like a step backwards after the changes implemented in Resident Evil 4 (2005) Resident Evil Code: Veronica and lacked the nostalgia that the remake amply provided. Following a turbulent development history While some of the monster design was quite that moved through three different builds unique (the Leech Queen in particular) many of the game, Resident Evil 4 exploded of the creatures were tried and tested variants onto the scene radically reinventing the on series’ classics.

Capcom’s attempts to add further backstory to the events predating Alpha Team’s entrance into the infamous Spencer Mansion also felt misguided. The backstory hinted at and teased by both Resident

26 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 series and blowing any lingering cobwebs away. Eschewing the ageing, clunky controls and predictable formulae this was a juggernaut of titanic proportions: slick, violent and satisfying. While it was true that much of the survival and horror had been replaced with cinematic action much of the core themes and atmosphere remained unchanged. While many still mourn this shift in direction, Resident Evil 4 could never be accused of stagnation.

Gone were the fixed cameras and slow moving zombies, replaced with a fluid third-person perspective and fast-moving, weapon-wielding Ganados. Capcom also took the action abroad, delivering a new form of horror in the rural backwater of Spain’s countryside. The now iconic Las Plagas parasite-ridden enemies were a different breed of foe, attacking en masse at speed. The first true encounter in the centre of a decrepit village is both intense and scary, as you’re assaulted in a boarded up house by a sack-wearing chainsaw psychopath.

Thankfully the new shooting mechanics were ideally suited for dispatching the hordes of monstrosities with tight aiming and brutally effective weapons. Indeed, the expansion of the weapon system including the range of guns and ability to upgrade them in a variety of ways was a particularly intelligent and meaningful addition. Besides, it introduced us to one of the best supporting characters around, the humble Merchant. “Ah, I’ll buy it at a high price!” has long been a mainstay of any visit to the local supermarket to a plethora of blank expressions.

27 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil 5 (2009)

Four years after redefining the genre Capcom had another difficult act to follow, where could they go now and what could they do? Shifting the action to another continent, Africa, was another bold move which It is difficult to fault the gameplay of Resident initially caused allegations of racism to be Evil 4. It is varied, challenging and satisfying levelled at the title. It certainly provided in the way only true classics can be. It endures radically different environments with as one of the benchmarks third-person sun-bleached towns and tribal villages action games are compared to and helped offering something not yet seen before. to revolutionise an entire genre. It is a game packed full of unforgettable encounters Bringing back a number of characters with castellan midgets, sea monsters, sexy to reach something of a dénouement for secret agents and more chainsaws than a several plot arcs gave the game an epic logging convention. Similarly, Leon’s fringe feel. Equally the continuation of weapon has rightly earned a place on the wig stand upgrades was welcome developing the of gaming’s’ most recognisable hairdos. tactical management further. The new Majini enemies, like the Ganados, were a daunting Capcom’s bold design choice paid dividends foe especially when swarming from multiple leading to impressive sales and universal directions. Resident Evil 5 certainly felt like critical acclaim. The legacy of Resident a continuation of its direct predecessor. Evil 4 has been massive and should not be underestimated with its dark, shuffling Sadly, there were problems that marred the shadow looming over a wide variety of experience. The reuse of many enemy types genres. Showered with awards it began was particularly sad and felt lazy especially a new direction that laid the foundations given the extensive development period. for each subsequent entry into the series Stumbling across Majini who were effectively choosing to focus on cinematic action and identical, aside from models, to their Spanish precise gunplay. This reinvention has counterparts was disappointing. Similarly, tended to divide opinion, an issue that flared the stripped down primitive inventory system when the next iteration was unveiled. felt like a definite step backwards and created

28 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 many illogical issues (an egg occupying Conclusion the same space as a rocket launcher?). There are a plethora of games from the Perhaps most divisive was the new addition series we sadly did not have the time to to the series: co-operative gameplay. Many discuss including the Survivor, Outbreak and felt it diluted the horror further and was Chronicles titles alongside the more recent overwhelmingly inspired by a slew of other Mercenaries 3D and Operation Raccoon popular contemporary games employing City. While these often experimented with the same feature. It was certainly a major different formats and genres their reception part of the title and much better when and release were much more variable. played with a fellow human rather than The franchise has been represented in the AI controlled partner. As the game a huge variety of other media including neared its conclusion the story became ever the popular film series, a trading card more ludicrous and the final confrontation game and even a selection of novels. with series’ antagonist is so overblown it could pass as satire. With the upcoming release of both Resident Evil 6 on PC and Resident Evil: Revelations Yet despite these flaws Resident Evil 5 across a number of platforms, now is performed exceptionally well in terms of certainly a good time to get into the series. sales and reviews, shifting almost six million With such a rich and diverse history behind copies since its release. Capcom had brought it the Resident Evil games are some of the the franchise to a new audience and found best horror experiences available to players. a new format that means nothing is now With no sign of the popularity waning, quite like a Resident Evil game in its mix of Resident Evil 6 has already shipped just story and gameplay. Following up with a shy of five million copies, there is clearly range of post-release plenty still in store for the franchise. With a Capcom ensured the legacy of Resident Evil 5 new generation of consoles just around the would live on and truly establish the games corner it will be hugely exciting to see what on the current generation of consoles. fresh terrors are waiting in store for us. Chris Wakefield

29 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil 6 Review

Platforms Available: PC, Xbox 360, PS3 completely succeeds for it as the latest instalment Date: October 2012 / March 2013 is one of the best entries into the series. Genre: Survival Horror, Third person shooter Publisher: Capcom Ever since its announcement early this year, a great deal of attention has been put on Resident Evil 6 is a brave game, one that is not one of Resident Evil 6’s strongest points: the afraid to try new ideas that could, potentially, inclusion of not one lengthy campaign, but ensure that this entry is the franchises’ instead four shorter ones, each with a different downfall. To some, it will be a disappointment, protagonist and a unique way to explore the confirmation that a once-great series is, horror. Just this alone allows the writers like the zombies that inhabit it, dead and gone to experiment and explore, giving them whilst to others it is the start of an exciting new the chance to tell a much more interesting, chapter in an ever-evolving saga. But wherever deeper story that not only spans different one stands, there’s no denying that despite countries but also alternate time frames. its faults, the game gets a lot right and, for a Because of this, Resident Evil 6 is easily the title that could have gone very wrong, almost series’ most cinematic game so far and is

30 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 on a scale that not many titles this year can character’s journey to prove their innocence stand up against: across the four campaigns, and discover the truth about one of the game’s players will explore a war-torn Edonia, an biggest questions whilst another tells the underground cave system, an outbreak- story of a pair making their way across the ravaged China and not all of them are set in country to safety. It’s genuinely exciting to play present day, with some taking place months through a scene with one character and not before others and even sometimes at the same have a clue what’s going on but then later on time, with the effects each event has on the playing through it again and due to events that other being blatantly obvious at some points. have already happened, it all makes sense.

With four well-sized campaigns, it was very However, the presentation is by far not the easy for Resident Evil 6’s plot to become so only brave move Capcom makes with Resident confusing and convoluted that players would Evil 6: what was created in 4, improved in

rapidly stop caring. However, this isn’t the 5 has undoubtedly been perfected here. case for instead of having one large plot, the Gameplay in previous title has been cited as writers have instead chosen to structure each restrictive, with movements being restricted campaign with its own plot that is resolved beyond not being able to move and shoot at come the finale but still with enough questions the same time: in the latest instalment this unanswered that make the other three is not the case. Alongside having the ability campaigns worth completing. For example, to move around whilst killing the undead, one campaign focuses around the two main players can now leap about, perform melee

31 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 have made it so that players never have an unlimited amount of melee attacks at their disposal, it seems that there’s always just enough left to flee far enough away to reload or to get to safety. And the inclusion of attacks, slide along the ground and dodge “move-and-shoot” whilst on the floor, making Resident Evil 6 a means that it’s also very easy to back away considerably more fast-paced title even when whilst still taking out zombies: this isn’t so not in the more action-orientated campaigns. much of a problem as it is a disappointment as some of 4 and 5’s best moments were As great as the new gameplay additions being backed into a corner by enemies are, it’s not perfect. For those who see the and having to blast players way out. game as a disappointment, one of the biggest complaints they will have is the fact that just Despite these problems, never once did these new features alone make the title feel Resident Evil 6 stop being fun. All four less survival-horror and more like a third- campaigns are an endless barrage of scripted person shooter. As intense as some moments moments, endless shootouts with the undead can be, it’s never quite so terrifying knowing that a quick way out is only a button press away whereas in previous titles, players would have to hope that a strategic place of a gunshot was enough to get out unscathed. Whilst Capcom

32 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 and some genuinely exciting scenes that will As good as the latest title in the series is, its have players on the edge of their seats; and biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. even when it begins to feel a bit dry with Like previously mentioned, Resident Evil 6 the constant corridor shooting, Capcom makes a lot of changes, some of which do throw another massive scene in, whether come off pretty well but others are just slightly it be a huge boss battle or an exciting story strange. Capcom have chosen to almost sequence. Sure, not all of the game is great completely rid gamers of the ability to buy and there are certainly some parts that are new weapons and upgrade old ones, instead better than others but the game never, ever choosing a much more dumbed-down version felt boring and that is a great achievement. of it for their latest title. Finding skill points around the levels allows players to upgrade Graphically, Resident Evil 6 is certainly overall abilities like firepower and melee good-looking but it’s nothing special. strength as opposed to upgrading What may have looked great three individual guns. Also, instead years ago doesn’t now and whilst of buying new weapons character models and enemy from a merchant, designs look great, there’s a players now find general sense of blandness them scattered about across everything, the world; whilst almost as if it’s on paper this may a bit simple. sound like a good idea as it encourages exploration, the fact Sometimes, the game the game actually signposts does look gorgeous with where they are with an some genuinely breathtaking emblem on the screen (almost explosions and scenes of zombie as if it’s the next objective) madness and the whole title almost makes it feel as if runs pretty well with very few players are being handed glitches throughout the whole them without actually game. However, it just doesn’t working for them, like have the same high-level finish they had to in previous that Resident Evil 5 had: some Resident Evil titles. textures are incredibly low in detail and facial animations look This alone makes the a bit bland. Nothing in the game latest instalment feel less looks bad but it’s just shy of some like a survival horror of the better titles of the year. game and more like a third-person shooter: to

33 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Whilst none of these make Resident Evil 6 a bad game, it’s hard to ignore the possibilities of what the game could be and this, quite often, masks the title it is: players will find themselves wondering about what Resident Evil 6 isn’t rather than what it is. And what is it? It’s a lot of fun, an enjoyable romp some this could be a massive disappointment through endless zombies, foreign countries whereas others may be able to accept the and exciting story moments. It’s these that fact that the Resident Evil they know and make the game such a great one but not what love is gone. This isn’t a huge complaint as it could have been. Because of this, the best the game is a lot of fun but it’s easy to see way to enjoy Resident Evil 6 is to just play that the original charm of the franchise is it for what it is, regardless of whether one gone: it’s not the same type of scary anymore. agrees with the alterations or not. Behind the Gone is the constant fear of running out of absence of a merchant and the move-and- ammo as the game constantly seems to throw shoot mechanic is an undeniably great game, it at the player and the title seems to have with an exciting, if over-the-top story, told gone for a more over-the-top set-up instead through a unique and interesting manner that of a favour of quieter, creepier moments. will give players a great time for over thirty hours. The Resident Evil players know and All of this adds to make Resident Evil 6 the love may be dead, but the franchise certainly bizarre game it is: strange choices make isn’t and Resident Evil 6 is an interesting, if for an undeniably fun experience but one strange, entry into a series that’s more than that is full of moments where the player happy to do what most are not: try new things. questions Capcom’s decisions. Why dispose Adam Woodward of the merchant? Why make characters more manoeuvrable? Why go for four shorter campaigns instead of one long one? None of these ever make sense: the developer’s reasoning behind their choices is never answered. Most strange of all, the aspects Capcom have decided to alter Resident Evil 6 were never part of the series’ problems. Scored: 8 out 10

34 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Artwork by: Milena ‘Milish’ Korzeniewska 35 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Character Bios

Leon S Kennedy and saving a small town, Tall Oaks, from being overrun by zombies. Once a naïve With his leather jacket and handgun, rookie police officer, Leon has become a Leon S Kennedy has travelled the respectable and trustworthy soldier world with the mission of taking in the fight against bioterrorism. out everyone and everything involved with Umbrella and Chris Redfield the new threat of bioterrorism. Once a member of the Raccoon Before becoming a member of the City Police Department (RPD), Leon BSAA, Chris Redfield found himself found himself at the middle of the in the S.T.A.R.S. police force zombie outbreak in the city on created to squash the ever- his very first day. From there, he increasing threat of terrorism. was recruited by the US Federal It was this that took Chris to the Government as an agent fighting Arklay Mountains to discover the truth against any threat that reared its behind the disappearance of the Bravo ugly head. Almost fifteen years Team of S.T.A.R.S. there. What he after the incident in Raccoon discovered was shocking, a discovery City, Leon has carried out many that thrust him into the centre of missions including the rescue the war between Umbrella and of the President’s daughter the army. Eventually, Chris Ashley from a cult in Europe became an incredibly respected

36 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 member of the BSAA, an organisation trustworthy, and is a vital asset in the war that took him to Africa, alongside Sheva against bioterrorism. Jake is seemingly very Alomar, and eventually into Edonia and defensive of his father, insisting then China, where a mass outbreak needed multiple times that he is not his attention. Useful with many weapons like Wesker and never will and incredibly agile and strong, Chris never be, instead using his inherited finds himself on the losing side of any powers to fight the battles conflict. He also has a very strong instead of starting them. relationship with his sister Claire Thanks to his father, and former partner Jake has a plethora of and is incredibly determined, advanced abilities, like like Leon, to destroy the threat of experience with hand- bioterrorism once and for all. to-hand combat, and the antidote to the C-Virus Jake Muller coursing through his veins.

Unlike Leon and Chris, Jake found Sherry Birkin himself thrust unwillingly into the world of Umbrella and bio-terrorism As the daughter of all because of his father: the late Umbrella employee Albert Wesker. To support his William Birkin, Sherry mother, Jake found work as unwillingly found herself a mercenary after Albert at the centre of the Raccoon abandoned them both. In late City outbreak and soon 2012, after his entire team were met Claire Redfield as she turned into the J’Avo, Jake was searches for her brother, found by Sherry Birkin in Edonia, Chris. Before this, William Eastern Europe, where he was injected himself with the fighting in the civil war with the C-Virus as he dies and therefore Edonian Liberation Army, and continually stalks the pair the two were quickly on the through the city and it isn’t run from the Ustanak, a huge long before Sherry feels beast send by Neo-Umbrella pains in her stomach: Claire to track Jake down. Jake trusts recognises these symptoms only in money, asking for as that of the G-Virus and sets payment the moment Sherry off to find a cure. After a few Birkin asks for his help but, hours, she returned and at the same time, he is saved Sherry, before very protective and leaving Raccoon City with

37 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Leon S Kennedy, who the pair had met up she met Leon again and the two paired up on with during their escape. From here, Sherry numerous occasions to help each other was immediately an object of supervision: out before she abandoned him as her survival of the virus meant that her he got Ashley Graham off the island. body had altered and she had acquired In Japan, the pair encountered enhanced regenerative capabilities. each other once more and the Over a decade later, Sherry headed to “relationship” sweetened. Edonia as a member of the DSO Unlike Leon or Chris, on the hunt for Jake Muller, Ada has no real the son of Albert Wesker, agenda: she just unbeknownst to the trouble does whatever she was getting into. she’s told to, but only if there’s a sweet sum of money at the end of it. Will her secrets be revealed Not a great deal is known one day? Only time will tell. about Ada Wong, mainly who she works for, Piers Nivans what her real motives are or even what her As one of the youngest real name is. Sent to members of the BSAA, Raccoon City to acquire Piers Nivans has been a sample of the G-Virus endlessly compared to from William Birkin, she elder Chris Redfield, soon encountered Leon S due to his extreme Kennedy as the outbreak marksman skills and occurred, a “friendship” strength. With a strong that has brought the sense of responsibility, two of them together on Piers has had the ability multiple occasions: one to influence many people of which being the Los in his team to keep Illuminados incident focussed on the mission in Europe. Sent by to get it complete. After Albert Wesker to assisting Chris in Edonia, steal a sample of the Piers went in search of Plaga virus that cult his former partner leader Osmund Saddler for assistance in had used to infect his China and it entire village: here isn’t long before

38 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 events get out of hand, but will the outbreak be Ingrid Hunnigan too much for Piers to handle? Chris and Piers have always had a good relationship, working Whenever an event occurs and Leon is called together strongly when things get tough, at upon, Ingrid Hunnigan is his eyes and ears at times taking control away from Redfield and the office, communicating with him through commanding the group. With traits like his radio and armed with not a pistol this, it’s clear Piers may well be a suitable but with an internet connection and replacement should Chris drop out. a desire to find the truth. Initially joining forces with the agent when the President’s daughter Ashley Graham Helena Harper was kidnapped, the two soon became “partners” and have Helena Harper is an agent of the worked together on multiple United States Secret Service who occasions, including the finds herself at the centre of the Harvardville Airport conspiracy surrounding the outbreak attack and the Tall at Tall Oaks University alongside Oaks University the President’s bodyguard, Leon outbreak. Before making S Kennedy. However, there is “friends” with Leon, she more to her than meets the eye, was undoubtedly professional, as Leon soon finds out when focussing on nothing but the he discovers the truth behind object at hand (a fact that slowly her connection to the terrorist altered as the missions progressed). attacks: mainly with National Due to her fantastic track record, Security Advisor, Derek C. Hunnigan has more than once Simmons. Helena has a secret overstepped her boundaries but has agenda, a desire burning always produced results, allowing away inside of her that her to become less like a government pushes her forward, closer operative and more like a warrior who and closer to getting revenge leaves the shooting down to Leon. on those who harmed both her Adam Woodward and her sister, Deborah. Helena is a woman with strong morals: she stands by what is right and fights for it until the end, a belief that will be tested on numerous occasions as secrets are revealed regarding those that she works for and the world around her.

39 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Resident Evil 6: The Good, The Bad and The Zombie

Resident Evil 6 has, to say the least, split that the vocal minority are claiming it to be. opinions: there are those that love it, claiming that it puts the fun back into the franchise, yet As stated in the opening line of my review, there are others who felt it was not among the Resident Evil 6 is a brave game and attempts highlights in the series and that it wasn’t all they to alter the formula just enough for it to feel hoped it would be. As the reviewer for Resident “new”, rather than treating the game as a Evil 6 here at GameOn, I found myself being rehashed cash-cow title like many franchises pleasantly surprised by the title, enjoying it are morphing into these days. The idea of immensely and giving it a recommended overall score of 8/10. For this reason, I’d be greatly appreciative if I could take a few minutes out of your undoubtedly busy schedule to sit you down and explain why there is great fun to be had in Resident Evil 6 and why it isn’t the failure

40 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 tweaking a famous formula is not only initially daunting for the developers but also for the fans too: get it right and an exciting opportunity present itself for a new direction whereas if it of people love this series and if some new goes wrong then millions will go mad. Resident additions break the established formula then Evil 6, however, did fell straight down the there are always a few people who don’t like middle, making alterations to the formula that the changes. It’s the way the word always were interesting and refreshing to many, but has and always will be: some people don’t also pushed the gameplay in a very different like change. The moment something new direction. Move and shoot? What? Action appears on the horizon, there will be a few orientated? No! Quick time events? Eh? whose initial reaction is to hate it because it’s ‘different’. This was the problem with Does this make Resident Evil 6 a bad game? Resident Evil 6: some people just refused to To a few it may: there is a reason millions give it a chance. They immediately hailed it as the “death of the series” before they even played it.

Yes, the changes that Resident Evil 6 introduces are potentially dangerous but that in no way means it’s a bad game. When it was announced that players can move and shoot

41 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 at the same time, did everyone think experience. Sure, there are still some great that this may lead to exciting jump-out moments but they are few and far gameplay? Not all: many claimed between. For someone who’s always thought it was against the spirit of the “Things-Popping-Out” is a bit of a cheap series. However, the ability to fire scare, it was pleasant to see my nerves whilst walking gives Resident Evil being tested by something else: the sheer 6 a fluidity that past titles just number of enemies on screen matched haven’t had: the tension came by the ever decreasing number of from strategy, not from the bullets in my gun. Be strategic and slow pace of the shooting. the game becomes (slightly) easier As a survival horror game, but still tense as it’s difficult bullet conservation is still to determine when the next very important so players batch of ammo will appear. can’t simply aim and spray like they can in most third- Resident Evil 6 is an person shooters. Moving enjoyable instalment simply adds another in an already brilliant layer to the formula: a franchise. It’s not speed that past titles afraid to make in the series simply changes and fans haven’t had. Sure, this may not agree may detract from the ‘fear’ with them all, but there level of the game but what is so much to love in the it loses in scares, it makes game that these this can up for in excitement. easily be overlooked. It’s a game where the Another alteration in the reviews and word of game is that of the more others cannot be trusted, action packed focus. and whether you’ve been Resident Evil games have a fan of the franchise up to typically been slower, now or not then it’s worth more intense experiences giving it a go. Those who are where the scares particularly protective of the come through quiet series may not be impressed by moments followed by everything, but those with an open sudden appearances mind are likely to find themselves by the undead. Resident enjoying a new, different, title. Evil 6 almost ditches this, And that’s always a good thing. instead going for a considerably louder Adam Woodward

42 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Artwork by: Milena ‘Milish’ Korzeniewska 43 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 Where Could Capcom Go Now?

Back in early October, the console version of can’t wait to see what Capcom does next Resident Evil 6 hit shelves. The road leading with the series, those that have lost faith and up to this point had been rocky to say the interest, and those that never really gave a least with mixed receptions to trailers and damn in the first place. With this comes the gameplay footage, some even citing the latest question many people do want an answer instalment would bring about the franchises’ to: where could the developers go next? downfall, and a handful of copies being stolen They’ve experimented, tried new things, some and illegally sold before the games release. Yet, of which came off well and some of which the trouble was far from over: once review didn’t. Could they expand on some of these scores came flying in, it was undoubtedly new ideas and make an overall better game mixed: some praised the series’ new direction, or is it time for the series to “start again” just calling it a great experience that does feature like it did back in 2005 with Resident Evil 4? a few flaws, whereas a few did nothing but criticise everything the title did, with scores Officially, Resident Evil is in the genre of ranging from 3/10 from to 39/40 survival horror: whether the series still retains from (as it currently stands, the this with its sixth main instalment remains game has a score of 67/100 for the undecided. It’s definite that at least one of Xbox 360 and 76/100 for the PlayStation 3). the titles four campaigns in the game still has this horror element whereas the remainders With the release of Resident Evil 6 being clearly go for a more action-orientated feel. such an uneven one, the gaming world has Many has rather openly expressed their been split into three sections: those that disinterest with this new direction: they want

44 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 in the series.

Resident Evil 4 is the perfect example of how horror and action can work together, with one never overtaking the other and satisfying both parties. Throughout the old Resident Evil back, where turning the games campaign, there are a great a corner was just as terrifying as facing a number of moments where the action takes horde of angry zombies; they no longer centre stage, one of these being the tense want to feel like an unstoppable human tank onslaught of enemies on the farmhouse. But, that Resident Evil 6, at times, made you. this is a different type of horror: there are no quiet moments and the terror focuses Should a Resident Evil 7 hit stores, this would on the endless amount of “zombies” and certainly be a great way for Capcom to the ever-decreasing amount of bullets in restore faith in the eyes of fans. However, if the inventory. It’s a sequence that satisfies the developers did do this, would those that both those that enjoy horror and those that enjoy the franchise for its action side feel prefer action, so why can’t Capcom make disappointed? It’s clear that this was a large more moments like this in Resident Evil 7? part of the production of Resident Evil 6: those who enjoy a great deal of scares are given one campaign to cherish whereas the rest, who would much rather blow up endless amounts of zombies, have three stories the plough through, giving the impression that Capcom are done and dusted with providing horror

45 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 46 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 It could be argued that they did in instalment six, but they were never scary. What made Resident Evil 4 terrifying is that the player, no matter how many they had, never seemed to have enough bullets to deal with the situation, forcing them to aim carefully and shoot only when necessary, preserving remains to be seen but with one simple idea, a ammo like the passengers of Oceanic Flight brand new genre could flourish. I mean, look 815 do with food. Resident Evil 6, however, how just changing the position of the camera gave players enough bullets to deal with the in Resident Evil 4 practically altered gaming present situation and the next one without forever: simple yet unimaginably effective. ever breaking a sweat. This isn’t horror: this is an action game with a one-man army at Resident Evil 6 has split opinions: some love the centre. By this point, Resident Evil 6 is it, some hate it. From this, it’s clear that the less like a survival horror title and more like, series is on a ledge: do it right and it will soar, no matter how much one shudders when go wrong and it will fall to a horrible death. thinking about it, a third person shooter. Is this This is something Capcom seriously need to a bad thing or can it be quickly corrected? realise. Whatever they do with Resident Evil 7, it needs to be the right choice, not some When Resident Evil 4 was released back in half-hearted decision just to ensure the game 2005, it effectively created what we perceive gets on the shelves fast. The fans will wait: if as the third-person shooter nowadays. Not they know that the developers are planning only did Capcom reinvent the franchise but something big or taking their time with the it changed gaming forever. To ask them to do next instalment then, if they are good fans, this a second time may seem like a big request, they will hold up their hands and say “Just but is it? Does Capcom have the genius give it us when you’re ready”. It’s been three within them to alter the genre once more? It’s main titles where the same formula has been possible that, actually, they do. The developers used: if there was a great time to take the have done some pretty stunning titles over the series into new and territory, then years, so why can’t they apply this same level now would be it. From everyone who still of brilliance to the Resident Evil series and has faith in the series: good luck, Capcom. create something genuinely brilliant? What Adam Woodward exactly they would do regarding gameplay

47 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013 48 • GameOn Magazine Resident Evil Edition • March 2013