Resident Evil 6 aims to be the biggest and best entry in the series. Yet its ambition proves to be its undoing. Check out our full review. Subscribe to IGN's channel for reviews, news, and all.
Resident Evil 6 is a brave game, one that is not afraid to try new ideas that could, potentially, ensure that this entry is the franchises' downfall. To some, it will be a disappointment, the confirmation that a once-great series is, like the zombies that inhabit it, dead and gone whilst to others it is the start of an exciting new chapter in an ever-evolving saga. But wherever one stands, there's no denying that despite its faults, the game gets a lot right and, for a title that could have gone very wrong, almost completely succeeds for it as the latest instalment is one of the best entries into the series.
Ever since its announcement early this year, a great deal of attention has been put on one of Resident Evil 6's strongest points: the inclusion of not one lengthy campaign, but instead four shorter ones, each with a different protagonist and a unique way to explore horror. Just this alone allows the writers to experiment and explore, giving them the chance to tell a much more interesting, deeper story that not only spans different countries but also alternate time frames. Because of this, Resident Evil 6 is easily the series' most cinematic game so far and is on a scale that not many titles this year can stand up against: across the four campaigns, players will explore a war-torn Edonia, an underground cave system, an outbreak-ravaged China and not all of them are set in present day, with some taking place months before others and even sometimes at the same time, with the effects each event has on the other being blatantly obvious at some points.
With four well-sized campaigns, it was very easy for Resident Evil 6's plot to become so confusing and convoluted that players would rapidly stop caring. However, this isn't the case for instead of having one large plot, the writers have instead chosen to structure each campaign with its own plot that is resolved come the finale but still with enough questions unanswered that make the other three campaigns worth completing. For example, one campaign focuses around the two main character's journey to prove their innocence and discover the truth about one of the game's biggest questions whilst another tells the story of a pair making their way across the country to safety. It's genuinely exciting to play through a scene with one character and not have a clue what's going on but then later on playing through it again and due to events that have already happened, it all makes sense.
However, the presentation is by far not the only brave move Capcom makes with Resident Evil 6: what was created in RE4, improved in RE5 has undoubtedly been perfected here. Gameplay in previous title has been cited as restrictive, with movements being restricted beyond not being able to move and shoot at the same time: in the latest instalment this is not the case. Alongside having the ability to move around whilst killing the undead, players can now leap about, perform melee attacks, slide along the ground and dodge whilst on the floor, making Resident Evil 6 a considerably more fast-paced title even when not in the more action-orientated campaigns.
As great as the new gameplay additions are, it's not perfect. For those who see the game as a disappointment, one of the biggest complaints they will have is the fact that just these new features alone make the title feel less survival-horror and more like a third-person shooter. As intense as some moments 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 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 'move-and-shoot' means that it's also very easy to back away whilst still taking out zombies: this isn't so much of a problem as it is a disappointment as some of 4 and 5's best moments were being backed into a corner by enemies and having to blast players way out.
Despite these problems, never once did Resident Evil 6 stop being fun. All four campaigns are an endless barrage of scripted moments, endless shootouts with the undead and some genuinely exciting scenes that will have players on the edge of their seats; and even when it begins to feel a bit dry with the constant corridor shooting, Capcom throw another massive scene in, whether it be a huge boss battle or an exciting story sequence. Sure, not all of the game is great and there are certainly some parts that are better than others but the game never, ever felt boring and that is a great achievement.
Graphically, Resident Evil 6 is certainly good-looking but it's nothing special. What may have looked great three years ago doesn't now and whilst character models and enemy designs look great, there's a general sense of blandness across everything, almost as if it's a bit simple. Sometimes, the game does look gorgeous with some genuinely breathtaking explosions and scenes of zombie madness and the whole title runs pretty well with very few glitches throughout the whole game. However, it just doesn't have the same high-level finish that Resident Evil 5 had: some textures are incredibly low in detail and facial animations look a bit bland. Dear esther gameplay. Nothing in the game looks bad but it's just shy of some of the better titles of the year.
As good as the latest title in the series is, its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. Like previously mentioned, Resident Evil 6 makes a lot of changes, some of which do come off pretty well but others are just slightly strange. Capcom have chosen to almost completely rid gamers of the ability to buy new weapons and upgrade old ones, instead choosing a much more dumbed-down version of it for their latest title. Finding skill points around the levels allows players to upgrade overall abilities like firepower and melee strength as opposed to upgrading individual guns. Also, instead of buying new weapons from a merchant, players now find them scattered about the world; whilst on paper this may sound like a good idea as it encourages exploration, the fact the game actually signposts where they are with an emblem on the screen (almost as if it's the next objective) almost makes it feel as if players are being handed them without actually working for them, like they had to in previous Resident Evil titles.
This alone makes the latest instalment feel less like a survival horror game and more like a third-person shooter: to some this could be a massive disappointment whereas others may be able to accept the fact that the Resident Evil they know and love is gone. This isn't a huge complaint as the game is a lot of fun but it's easy to see that the original charm of the franchise is gone: it's not the same type of scary anymore. Gone is the constant fear of running out of ammo as the game constantly seems to throw it at the player and the title seems to have gone for a more over-the-top set-up instead of a favour of quieter, creepier moments.
All of this adds to make Resident Evil 6 the bizarre game it is: strange choices make for an undeniably fun experience but one that is full of moments where the player questions Capcom's decisions. Why dispose 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 were never part of the series' problems.
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 through endless zombies, foreign countries and exciting story moments. It's these that make the game such a great one but not what it could have been. Because of this, the best way to enjoy Resident Evil 6 is to just play it for what it is, regardless of whether one agrees with the alterations or not. Behind the absence of a merchant and the move-and-shoot mechanic is an undeniably great game, with an exciting, if over-the-top story, told through a unique and interesting manner that will give players a great time for over thirty hours. The Resident Evil players know and love may be dead, but the franchise certainly isn't and Resident Evil 6 is an interesting, if strange, entry into a series that's more than happy to do what most are not: try new things.
Resident Evil 6 (Reviewed on Xbox 360)
This game is great, with minimal or no negatives.
It's a lot of fun, an enjoyable romp through endless zombies, foreign countries and exciting story moments. It's these that make the game such a great one but not what it could have been. Because of this, the best way to enjoy Resident Evil 6 is to just play it for what it is, regardless of whether one agrees with the alterations or not.
This game was supplied by the publisher or relevant PR company for the purposes of review
Resident Evil 6 (PS4) – just as you remember it, unfortunatelyThe game that almost killed Resident Evil has been remastered for Xbox One and PS4, but how does it look four years on?It’s obvious from Capcom’s actions since its release, that they realise just what a mistake Resident Evil 6 was. It’s the best-selling game in the series, but the price of that success was to alienate both fans and critics with a game that swapped survival horror for generic action. Four years later and there’s still been no clue as to how the mainline series will continue; although we may find out after Capcom’s to re-release Resident Evil 4 through 6 on the current generation consoles are completed. But by releasing them in reverse order it’s very much a case of leaving the best till last.On the face of it Resident Evil 6 does not represent any great departure for the series. It’s still following the template laid down by Resident Evil 4, which means very little puzzle-solving or exploration and a focus instead on action set pieces.
Since Resident Evil 4 is still widely hailed as one of the best games ever made, not sticking to the template of the early era Resident Evils is clearly not the issue. AdvertisementWhat was a problem though, was that the exit of series creator Shinji Mikami left Resident Evil 5 in the hands of less talented developers. Resident Evil 6 was headed by a different team again, and showed that Capcom’s previously desire to attract more Call Of Duty fans was meant very literally.Resident Evil 6 features four separate story campaigns, each with a different pair of heroes and a slightly different style of gameplay. The final one, featuring Ada Wong, was originally single-player only and had to be unlocked, but since this re-release includes all the updates and DLC (the PS1 style costumes are particularly neat) all four campaigns now feature two-player co-op. Resident Evil 6 (PS4) – will there ever be a Resident Evil 7?Leon S. Kennedy is the game’s nominal lead, starring in a brief introductory sequence in zombie-filled China – before you’re given the option to play whichever campaign you please.
Paired up with Secret Service agent Helena Harper, Leon’s story is the closest the game gets to survival horror, although all this really means is that most of his levels are very dark and it’s harder to see monsters before they leap out at you.It’s also hard to be scared when ammo is plentiful and you always have the back-up of a partner to hand. Even the famously cheesy dialogue has regressed to the point where it’s no longer funny. Everyone speaks in one-liners that make Leon and co. Sound like your dad trying to make a joke while watching a bad action movie. AdvertisementPartnered with new character Piers, Chris Redfield’s sections are heavily reminiscent of Gears Of War (which is ironic, given Epic Games cite Resident Evil 4 as a key inspiration) and regularly feature armed opponents and boss type characters that need to be taken down with a quick time event – which predictably are far less imaginatively staged than earlier games.There’s a mindless pleasure in seeing what new grotesque opponent Capcom can throw at you next, but the combat lacks any kind of grace or nuance.
The second your progress is impeded the frustration and tedium quickly sets in: the urge to see what’s round the next corner is strong, but the interest in what you’re currently doing is almost non-existent.Some of the game’s lowest points come during the campaign with newcomer Jake, son of Albert Wesker, and the now grown-up Sherry Birkin from Resident Evil 2. With no prior template to follow for the characters Jake’s campaign becomes a bizarre grab bag of unconnected set pieces, some laughably amateurish and others, such as numerous escapes from a pursuing Nemesis-type monster, pleasingly effective.Ada Wong’s campaign is the absolute worst of the four, with the attempts to add ridiculously contrived puzzles and remedial level stealth sections made almost unendurable by the higher difficulty level. Resident Evil 6 (PS4) – the PS1 costumes are legitimately greatThe one complaint you cannot level against Resident Evil 6 is a lack of content, as even beyond the four story campaigns there’s also the return of The Mercenaries time attack mode, four-player co-op sequences, and more. But the game would’ve been vastly more successful if it’d had cut the number of features and campaigns by three-quarters and concentrated on getting the basics right first; rather than trying to add in every stray feature that passed through the developers’ mind. AdvertisementBut although Capcom must’ve known the game would be pilloried on its return a reasonable amount of effort has gone into this remaster.
It now runs at 1080p and 60 frames per second, and many of the character models have been updated. Some of the environmental textures have as well, but there seems no rhyme or reason to which have been improved and the mismatch in quality is more distracting than if they’d just left everything as it was.Resident Evil 6 was always the perfect example of a junk food video game.
It has all the depth and profundity of a Big Brother contestant and like any good reality TV it can be surprisingly entertaining for those that are happy to switch off their brain and be carried along by the stream of nonsense.It’s obvious from the opening minutes that Resident Evil 6’s real ambition is to be the video game equivalent of a Michael Bay film, removing any hint of intelligence or artistry in favour of empty spectacle. The game’s greatest failure has always been that it succeeds in that goal all too well. In Short: The same linear, patronisingly simplistic time waster it always was, but if you really must have a remaster of Resident Evil 6 this isn’t a bad job.Pros: Mountains of content, with four separate story campaigns and a huge supply of other modes and extras – including all previously released DLC.Cons: The core combat and controls are awkward, shallow, and outdated. Linear, unimaginative level design, and not at all frightening.
Terrible script. Inconsistently updated graphics.Score: 4/10Formats: PlayStation 4 (reviewed) and Xbox OnePrice: £15.99Publisher: CapcomDeveloper: CapcomRelease Date: 29th March 2016Age Rating: 18.