Resident Evil 6 - Review

"We're beyond sympathy at this point. We're beyond humanity." – A review of Resident Evil 6. 

I didn't love Resident Evil 5. It wasn't a terrible game – it was just, in my opinion – a bad Resident Evil game. Surely, then, Capcom would return to form for 6?

Released in 2012, Resident Evil 6 is possibly the most divisive instalments in the survival horror franchise. It was trying to blend cinematic action with the series' roots, and the game was promisingly an expansive experience; it featured multiple protagonists and interconnected storylines, so maybe I'd prefer this to 5, maybe, just maybe, I was returning to the franchise I loved again.

Alas…

The game centres on a global bio-terrorist threat, where you navigate through a series of dramatic events across diverse locations. Resident Evil 6 offers four distinct campaigns, each following a unique protagonist: Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Jake Muller, and Ada Wong. Obviously, it's always great to see characters return, and I absolutely ADORE Leon, but there was a lot going on here; the narratives intertwine as you confront creatures, conspiracies, and fight to survive amidst chaos. The plot is ambitious to say the least, as it weaves together personal motivations and large-scale threats. It had so much potential, but for me the complexity was just too much and really undermined any emotional impact there could have been.

A positive about this game is the variety of locations. You feel like such a globe trotter as you journey through the streets of Tall Oaks in the US to bustling cities in China. Each campaign comes with a new location to go with the protagonist's storyline, and you can find underground labs, abandoned villages and urban locations. There are claustrophobic moments, crumbling cities and secret facilities, and this is all genuinely pretty cool – but unfortunately, for me, the shifting regions messed with the pacing, and the sense of place I'd had in previous games just wasn't there for me. Sure, it's all visually impressive, but it just feels a bit too cinematic; I wanted Resident Evil and what I got instead was a Michael Bay movie.

On to the gameplay – would I find puzzles and exploration? Sadly not. Fast paced action and co-op mechanics are prevalent in Resident Evil 6, with hordes of enemies to face and genuinely fluid controls which allow for melee attacks, dodges and slides. Now this isn't bad, but it was repetitive, and I absolutely do not want quick-time events in a Resident Evil game.

I can't argue that Resident Evil 6 wasn't ambitious. Similarly to Resident Evil 5, I don't think it's a terrible game, just that it's not a good Resident Evil game. It tried to redefine survival horror, and it just didn't. If you like a cinematic experience with lots of action, you'll likely get a lot out of this – but if you're looking for a brilliant game in the Resident Evil franchise, this one likely won't be for you.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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