I think it’s about time I’ve introduced myself to you. I am a long time gamer known on Xbox Live and the Playstation Network as The Gamer’s Ghost – a monicker derived from my love for gaming and all things horror. When I write my articles, I aim to drive conversation, hence my creation of the Conversation Corner. Though I start the topic with a hefty look at my own views and opinions, my main goal is to bring others in. On this edition of the Conversation Corner, I turn my attention to Capcom’s upcoming Resident Evil 6.
For a survival horror series, Resident Evil has had a rather extensive lifespan. From its debut in 1996 to the current generation titles – Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, and Resident Evil Retribution – the series has transformed from a basic survival horror title with awful camera angles and clunky controls to a faster paced third person horror shooter. While the series has undergone improvements time and time again, after the fifth installment, I found myself checking off all of the things I’d like to see in the inevitable Resident Evil 6. As the release date shuffles closer, I feel now’s the time to bring to light what I feel Capcom’s newest entry should include… or omit.
First, the biggest pet peeve I had with Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar’s romp through Kijuju is how it ended (spoiler alert for those that haven’t finished the game, of course). The final battle between the two soldiers and series longtime antagonist, Albert Wesker, was beyond ridiculous. There was a certain “staged” nature to the fight that caused it to feel distant from the rest of the game. Random invisible walls, an instant kill scenario, and an uninspired design for the final boss left a bad taste in my mouth. While the lackluster final stage may not have been the fault of the character, I feel that if Wesker is to return, so will the memories – and a possible rehash – of this miserable close. It’s also time for a new antagonist to take the reigns and bring this series to a potential close. Which brings me to my second desire.
The story behind the Resident Evil may have had its moments of ridiculousness, but for the most part has been somewhat entertaining to watch unfold. There’s still time for it to go completely awry, though, and if the sixth installment doesn’t go down the dark road of ludicrousness, a seventh most definitely will. With such a large cast of returning characters, one of which holding a potential end to the virus itself, it’s only poetic that the series end with this jam packed title. If I could get anything out of Resident Evil 6, it would be a closing to a series I’ve followed for its decade-long run.
Finally, I look at the gameplay. Resident Evil 4 had a healthy dosage of that survival horror feel while Resident Evil 5 focused more on fast-paced action and actually included gun-toting enemies. Resident Evil 6 promises to mix the best of both games, but will it be able to do so effectively? There seems to be a trend recently with horror games taking on a more active “action” role, and I’ve yet to play one that made me feel the terror that a good horror title should. From what’s been seen of Leon S. Kennedy’s stroll through the sleepy town of Twin Oaks, the horror seems to be there; but than we are treated to scenes of Leon performing Jason Statham-esque slides and dives. Can these maneuvers be integrated into a survival horror setting? I’m surely hoping so.
Though we’ll find out what about Resident Evil 6 we like and dislike in a little under two months, I’m curious – what do you want to see in this new installment of the long running series?
I definitely understand both camps’ desire for RE.
old-school fans say the horror is gone. the slow-paced nature of the original game(s) has been ditched in favor of the “Hollywood action-movie route”. The focus on puzzles and actual SURVIVAL is a distant second to having over-the-top action set-pieces and intense gunplay.
Newer fans buy the game for the very reasons mentioned above (the ones that clash with the old-school fans desires) and perhaps reasons I can’t think of this very moment.
In my opinion, today’s gaming landscape is DOMINATED by sequels and AAA games. There are games that are AAA that have placed this generation in the right direction in terms of narrative developments and game-play revolutions ( I’m looking at you, Uncharted series). There are games that remain stagnant with each release offering very little in the way of development.
Re5 was one of those games. It was basically an HD rehash of what worked for RE4, in a different setting with co-op play.
From what I see, RE6 is largely NOT a rehash of what made RE4 OR RE5 successful. Yes, it keeps the (arguably atmosphere killing) co-op reliance and the action is upped beyond anything we’ve seen in the series. But at the same time, they are (capcom) trying to make money and trying to please fans. RE6 is going to be the game that either defines the series for the next few installments or it’s the entry that’ll make capcom really take a step back and reconfigure the infrastructure of what RE IS.
Co-Op really is a mood killer when it comes to survival horror titles, and if it wasn’t already blazingly obvious and previously announced that RE6 has Co-Op, the removal of it would have been on this list.
I understand that things need to evolve, but there’s a point to where it needs to evolve to. The beginning of RE4 had that staple tension of the Resident Evil trilogy, RE5 didn’t even come close (save for the crocodile segment. But that’s a personal fear of water).
And while I don’t feel like the current mix of RE games is completely lacking in narrative and story, I think it’s time to stop beating this story to death. I almost miss the Umbrella logo being plastered all over the place….
I completely agree with you about co-op. I can’t claim that I DONT like playing one of my favorite series with my buds, but i certainly feel it doesn’t service the RE routes. Not how they have it implemented.
I do think there are ways for co-op to be engaged in a “frightening” way. a way that can keep both players on their toes and scared, but RE’S focus on action-horror rather then survival-horror doesn’t warrant it to be worked that way.
I do not agree completely about the narrative design though. I personally feel umbrella has ALWAYS been at the background or foreground of every RE game. Sure, it can be argued RE isn’t RE without the iconic company somehow being involved in some way, but I personally think 5 had this played right. It was more about Excella’s company, Tricell then Umbrella. Now in 6, the trailers have mentioned Neo-Umbrella. 4 was good until the end when Krauser mentioned it was, “all for Umbrella’s sake”.
I think RE6 will please and disappoint. i also think capcom is going to look hard at which campaign receives the most accolades and use that to base further titles in the numbered series off of. I think this is as much an experiment for them as it is for us.