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[The Main Event]

gamestm have a review for it here

6/10? Ouch.

But already pre-ordered. And keeping it.

 

[areal]

One of the biggest flaws is the episodic nature of the experience. Broken down into chapters of about 15-30 minutes in length...

As for the plot recaps between each episode, they’re patronising at best, tedious at worst and ultimately unnecessary given the dearth of interesting narrative.

More damaging is the way in which the perspective cuts between the three groups of playable characters. It may make sense to offer a variety of play styles and plots, but constantly cutting away from the main quest ... shatters immersion and breaks the contiguous level design that made the original Resident Evil so compelling to explore.

I don't like the sound of this.

 

[EatChildren]

Sounds like the episodic nature didn't gell with the player. Personally I'm pretty interested in the formula.

 

[Truth101]

gamestm have a review for it here

VERDICT 6 /10

Haha, everything about their review is praise, except for the fact that the game can be played in bite sized segments, the recaps are patronizing, and why can't we just stick to one set of characters.

Basically the reviewer doesn't like segmented gameplay.

 

[RyougaSaotome]

Haha, everything about their review is praise, except for the fact that the game can be played in bite sized segments, the recaps are patronizing, and why can't we just stick to one set of characters.

And the last bit about having poor enemy variety and uninspired boss battles.

 

[Mafro]

Classic Games TM.

 

[thestopsign]

They had to make some adaptions to make it more portable friendly. Lending it some pick up and go style features sounds perfectly reasonable. Though I guess I can't comment on the exact implementation of this as of now.

 

[Hot Coldman]

That review has real issues. He praises it so much before turning on his heel at the end and damning it outright.

 

[watershed]

gamestm have a review for it here

VERDICT 6 /10

Almost the whole review reads like they really enjoyed the game....until the last paragraph and the score. But the gameplay stuff sounds good to me and they didn't mention the multiplayer mode: Raid Mode with local and wifi play. Once I beat the game I expect to pour a lot of time into Raid Mode.

 

[DR2K]

SO I'm not the only one that read the review and scratched their head at the last paragraph. Sounds like the game was designed so that it could be played in short bursts.

 

[waicol]

That last review sounds like the typical "this game is good but should be on consoles"

 

[Alrus]

Isn't bite sized segments ideal for handheld gaming? I would consider it a plus.

 

[Fantastical]

We never got details on the Nintendo Power review? My issue hasn't come in yet.

 

[Synless]

6/10? Ouch.

But already pre-ordered. And keeping it.

Me too, only be because I got it locked at $40. Well, that and because it's Resident Evil.

 

[Alexios]

I'm guessing this is a similar case to Peace Walker on PSP where some expected the developers to NOT tune the experience with portable play in mind and thus wanted longer missions or tons more story exposition, or whatever, essentially a home console game on a portable (or for many people not even that last part). At least I hope so, as I loved that game myself.

 

[Medalion]

6/10? Preorder cancelled.

I mean, er... let's see some more reviews

 

[The M.O.B]

SO I'm not the only one that read the review and scratched their head at the last paragraph. Sounds like the game was designed so that it could be played in short bursts.

It's a handheld game so that makes sense.

 

[bobbychalkers]

The episodic bits don't bother me at all. It is a handheld game after all.

 

[wsippel]

6/10? Preorder cancelled.

I mean, er... let's see some more reviews

M! Games (Germany): 9/ 10
GamePro (Germany): 8.7/ 10

 

[Zoramon089]

I don't like the sound of this.

If the only complaints are with the episodic nature of the game and not with the actual gameplay or anything like that, I don't see a problem

 

[Nirolak]

To me the complaints seem to be the same things that generated lower PSP reviews:

Resident Evil: Revelations review

More damaging is the way in which the perspective cuts between the three groups of playable characters. It may make sense to offer a variety of play styles and plots, but constantly cutting away from the main quest – Jill and Parker’s exploration of the Zenobia – shatters immersion and breaks the contiguous level design that made the original Resident Evil so compelling to explore. The episodic structure, quite frankly, feels cheap. And it’s a problem only exacerbated by the tiring repetition of the same few enemies used throughout the game, the general lack of strategy or skill needed to take them down and the generally uninspired boss battles that leave you assuming there must be more left to play, just as the credits prove otherwise.

Handheld editions of big console titles often feel like straight to video sequels – looking the part but lacking the polish – and Revelations is no different. It nails the atmosphere in its hybrid design, but those crucial sparks of brilliance that make the series so great, no matter which of its eras you prefer… they’re as rare as a single use rocket launcher.

Basically it comes down to four things:

1.) They don't like PSP mission structure in terms of scale, length, or content.
2.) They don't like frequently repeated content.
3.) They feel the game doesn't require as much strategy as a console title or requires strategy in a grating fashion.
4.) They feel it lacks "soul".

If we look at reviews for games like Valkyria Chronicles 2-3, Phantasy Star Portable 1-2, MGS Portable Ops, or Crisis Core, we'll notice very similar complaints.

 

[Luigiv]

I don't like the sound of this.

The only thing there that actually sounds bad are the plot recaps. The episodic nature doesn't sound bad at all.

 

[waicol]

M! Games (Germany): 9/ 10
GamePro (Germany): 8.7/ 10

 

[Davey Cakes]

I already have this game pre-ordered, for the $40 price point, and it's already paid down with Amazon credit. I don't think I'll be canceling based on a single score.

 

[Lonely1]

To me the complaints seem to be the same things that generated lower PSP reviews:


Basically it comes down to four things:

1.) They don't like PSP mission structure in terms of scale, length, or content.
2.) They don't like frequently repeated content.
3.) They feel the game doesn't require as much strategy as a console title or requires strategy in a grating fashion.
4.) They feel it lacks "soul".

If we look at reviews for games like Valkyria Chronicles 2-3, Phantasy Star Portable 1-2, MGS Portable Ops, or Crisis Core, we'll notice very similar complaints.

I can't get into MGS at all, but I enjoyed more the portable versions of GoW and Resistance. So I'm still on boat into this.

 

[Phife Dawg]

The episodic nature doesn't bother me one bit from the sound of it. Lack of enemy variety could be a bummer though depending on how he defines that bit. RE4 had you fighting Ganados for a good bit but they had different weapons, patterns etc. The pink thingies seem to be the main enemies in this one but from what I've seen it seems they too come in different shapes. I'd be OK with such variety.

 

[fernoca]

fernoca will buy it. That's for sure.

http://i.imgur.com/4IAqS.jpg

Although he'd look better with smaller lips.

http://i.imgur.com/ipJ9s.jpg

Spoiler

Am I doing hentai here?

Hahaha..The heck?! XD
I've been avoiding this thread (since I can't afford the game..or any game for that matter); and I decide to check the 6/10-review...and just noticed this.. hehehe...XD

*sighs*

Spoiler

And the original teaser had him shirtless too.. ..

 

[cw_sasuke]

10 very positive reviews - 1 mediocre review.

Preorder cancelled !!!

 

[Cartman86]

I would prefer nonsegmented but does the game at least keep continuity with items between areas? Is there any sort of exploration at all?

 

[herod]

10 very positive reviews - 1 mediocre review.

Preorder cancelled !!!

10 mediocre review sites, 1 site using the full 1-10 scale.

 

[Mit-]

Review got me pretty excited about the game. Didn't make it sound like a 6/10. Maybe I'll pick it up for a bit less than $50 though :\

Also the first post should be aggregating review scores. Especially if you're going to change the title to include them.

 

[kyo_daikun]

SO I'm not the only one that read the review and scratched their head at the last paragraph. Sounds like the game was designed so that it could be played in short bursts.

All they have to do is put in a save anywhere feature and its problem solved, you don't have to segment the game up to make it portable friendly.

 

[Nessus]

I dunno, it's a portable game, so smaller segments makes sense, and I like the trend of recaps in games. Can't count the number of times I've returned to a game a couple months later and completely forgotten what the hell I was doing.

Still hopeful.

 

[@MUWANdo]

I would prefer nonsegmented but does the game at least keep continuity with items between areas? Is there any sort of exploration at all?

IIRC the off-ship parts are fairly linear, the on-ship stuff is more exploration-based a la RE1.

 

[braves01]

That review is really positive for a 6/10.

I'm still hyped.

 

[badcrumble]

I don't get the GamesTM review's complaints. If it were a mainline Resident Evil game, sure, those things would be worth getting concerned about, but it's not, it's just a handheld spinoff meant to be casually accessible, and the episodic nature of it is a part of that.

'Uninspired' enemy design does worry me, though, I'll admit.

 

[Medalion]

Can't be 6/10

I think they forgot to type the 8. in front of the 6

 

[@MUWANdo]

I don't get the GamesTM review's complaints. If it were a mainline Resident Evil game, sure, those things would be worth getting concerned about, but it's not, it's just a handheld spinoff meant to be casually accessible, and the episodic nature of it is a part of that.

'Uninspired' enemy design does worry me, though, I'll admit.

It's not a numbered game but it absolutely isn't a spinoff - it's part of the main series, and the devs are treating it as if it's a main-line game.

 

[DECK'ARD]

Episodic gameplay seems right for a handheld version of RE.

I'll wait till I play it.

 

[badcrumble]

It's not a numbered game but it absolutely isn't a spinoff - it's part of the main series, and the devs are treating it as if it's a main-line game.

Eh, supposedly, but the last time that happened (Code: Veronica) it was a pretty jarring and unpleasant tonal shift for the series. I'd honestly rather it be a simple and fun and scary handheld title rather than trying to be some super-hardcore experience.

 

[News Bot]

I don't like the sound of this.

The reviewer doesn't like handheld games, essentially. The episodic nature is praised everywhere else.

 

[cvxfreak]

Even RE5 could be considered episodic, IMO.

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

That last review sounds like the typical "this game is good but should be on consoles"

That's exactly how it reads to me. Seems that the reviewer has an axe to grind with handheld games as a whole...

But the gameplay stuff sounds good to me and they didn't mention the multiplayer mode: Raid Mode with local and wifi play

He probably didn't actually finish the game and doesn't even know that it exists.

 

[Medalion]

Stealth "I wish this game was in HD" complaint

 

[jeremy1456]

Eh, supposedly, but the last time that happened (Code: Veronica) it was a pretty jarring and unpleasant tonal shift for the series.

Err... what?

I thought the tone fit the series perfectly well. It felt more like Resident Evil 3 than, well, Resident Evil 3 did. It was obvious which one began as a 'gaiden' and which one was actually intended to be the sequel.

I was under the impression it had long been accepted that the only reason Code Veronica wasn't called Resident Evil 3 was because of politics.

 

[News Bot]

Err... what?

I thought the tone fit the series perfectly well. It felt more like Resident Evil 3 than, well, Resident Evil 3 did. It was obvious which one began as a 'gaiden' and which one was actually intended to be the sequel.

I was under the impression it had long been accepted that the only reason Code Veronica wasn't called Resident Evil 3 was because of politics.

RE3 was originally "BIOHAZARD 1.9" while CODE:Veronica was "BIOHAZARD 3". The two reasons given for the change were that only titles on the PlayStation brand could be numbered, and that "1.9" would have been a sales disaster.

But none of them are side-stories. The only proper side-story game in the series so far is, conveniently, Gaiden. Every other game (yes, including the Gun Survivor and Outbreak games and CG movies, but excluding all of the cell phone games) is part of the "main series". There are additional supplemental side-stories which are featured in the series drama albums (Makoba Village Tragedy, Fate of Raccoon City, Sherry the Young Runaway, Ada The Female Spy Is Alive), novel (The Strange Beast of the North Sea), manga (Prelude to the Fall, Marhawa Desire) and some other shit (True Story Behind BIO HAZARD/BIO HAZARD The Beginning).

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

RE3 was originally "BIOHAZARD 1.9" while CODE:Veronica was "BIOHAZARD 3". The two reasons given for the change were that only titles on the PlayStation brand could be numbered, and that "1.9" would have been a sales disaster.

But none of them are side-stories. The only proper side-story game in the series so far is, conveniently, Gaiden. Every other game (yes, including the Gun Survivor and Outbreak games and CG movies, but excluding all of the cell phone games) is part of the "main series". There are additional supplemental side-stories which are featured in the series drama albums (Makoba Village Tragedy, Fate of Raccoon City, Sherry the Young Runaway, Ada The Female Spy Is Alive), novel (The Strange Beast of the North Sea), manga (Prelude to the Fall, Marhawa Desire) and some other shit (True Story Behind BIO HAZARD/BIO HAZARD The Beginning).

Let's not be pedantic now. The Gun Survivor, Outbreak and Chronicles games are clearly designed as spinoffs, even if their stories might fit into the main canon as they all feature experimental gameplay and were always positioned as spinoffs by Capcom themselves.

Revelations is a mainline game though, through and through. In terms of gameplay, production values and story. They've repeatedly stated this is the case, just like Code Veronica.

 

[Mr. Pointy]

So that GamesTM review's main complaint is that this game, designed for a handheld console, is designed to play on a handheld console.

 

[Medalion]

So that GamesTM review's main complaint is that this portable game is designed to be a portable game.

The game should feel like a console experience on a portable

 

[SmokyDave]

The game should feel like a console experience on a portable

Nooooo! That doesn't work!

I don't really understand the issue with the game being split up into chunks / episodic. That's exactly what is needed for portable play. For console games, use a console. Personally, I'm much more interested in the game now I know it's not just a console game shoe-horned onto a handheld.