Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski reckons big-budget survival horror games are dead in the water; that there's no money in the genre unless you sex it up with guns and explosions. Disagree? Well, here's your chance to prove him wrong.
Unlike recent action-heavy entries in the Resident Evil series, Revelations is pure old-school horror; an eerie, methodical trawl into the depths of a creaking cruise liner, where a faint SOS beacon lures Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield and friends into a compelling spiral of deceit and dismay.
Don't let the fact that this is a HD port of a 3DS game throw you off; Revelations is an expansive and progressive action-thriller, which expertly weaves the atmosphere and pacing of the earlier Resis with the fraught over-the-shoulder gunplay that defines the series in the modern era.
Since the original was designed with the Circle Pad Pro attachment in mind, the controls translate well to the Xbox pad. If anything, we'd say they translate a little too well. Part of Resi's charm has always been in rubbing up against the limitations of the controls. The 'tank style' movement of the characters remains the same, making those narrow corridors that much narrower, but swapping between weapons is now as simple as tapping the d-pad, so there's no longer any frantic mid-fight fumbles.
This means Revelations loses some of its challenge in its move to the big screen, something Capcom has attempted to fix with the new 'Infernal' remix mode. Unfortunately it's cement-mixer hard, and almost impossible with the basic weapons. We'd have preferred a halfway house between the two.
Another downer is that the main campaign doesn't support co-op - realistically, the levels would have to be re-designed from scratch for that to work - but Raid, an arcade-stylised score attack mode, does. These deficits notwithstanding, this is a superb port of what may be the best survival-horror game on Xbox since Dead Space first lurched onto the scene.
56 comments so far...
FishyGinger on 13 May '13 said:
Are there any differences between the 3ds and xbox version? New modes etc?
I'm trying to work out which one to get it for.
Tug on 13 May '13 said:
That's a good question. I have the 3DS version so I don't know if I should get the 360 one too.
Metalrodent on 13 May '13 said:
how long is it? Being a 3DS port I wouldn't have thought it's too long (and the inferno difficulty doesn't sound like fun replay value)
Johnbhoy69 on 13 May '13 said:
For a review this is pretty light on any actual reviewing of the game. Barely any gameplay details, no story details or how it differentiates from RE6.
Weak
CunningSmile on 13 May '13 said:
It's probably a port across from the magazine, so had a pretty strict word count limit to fit. The fact no reviewer is listed backs this up.
Metalrodent on 13 May '13 said:
while I admit it is pretty short and a little light, it is still the same game as before - so all the reviews for the orginal release will still be there. Also this game came out before Resi 6 - so a comparrison isn't really needed
Tug on 13 May '13 said:
The game plays exactly like Resi 4 on the 3DS counterpart, I think you can assume it's about the same on the 360.
It's surprisingly long. The best game since the fourth one. Loved it. It has replay value because the boat is massive, so there's quite a bit to explore. Seeing as you might miss some things on your first play through.
Also, it doesn't support co-op because the protagonists split up on multiple occasions.
FishyGinger on 13 May '13 said:
Seeings as you're now my official reviewer for the game Tug, did you try it with or without the circle pad? I've not got it yet and the demo, while a little awkward, was ok but whether that would be the case 10 hours in I'm not sure.
OXM ETboy on 13 May '13 said:
Sorry it's not a longer piece, chaps. It was originally for the mag, as Cunning suggests, and it's not always possible to squeeze a site version out of the reviewer.
Tug on 13 May '13 said:
Yeah, I've played it with both, I play it with the circle pad as it's unbearable after an hour without it. Especially if you have large hands, like me, then the awkward controls without the add on become very annoying on a long play session. The circle pad pro basically replaces the whole right section of the ds. Also aiming is so much easier with it. It almost feels like playing resi 5 in some way. Also, raid mode is quite fun! You basically clear a level of all the evil fellas.
Baryonyx on 13 May '13 said:
This sounds like fun. Indeed, it couldn't be worse than RE6!
OXM ETboy on 13 May '13 said:
Everybody hates Resident Evil 6, don't they.
Well, almost everybody.
http://www.oxm.co.uk/45851/reviews/resi ... -6-review/
xPearse on 13 May '13 said:
What did you get paid to write this article, 9/10 seriously. I looks just like resident evil 6 and it isn't the real resident evil games you called it so. Are you an idiot, people tried to act like leons campaign was the same as the originals but it wasn't and it was all a lie, it plays just the same as 4,5 and the other campaigns in 6. This game is the same thing.
Johnbhoy69 on 13 May '13 said:
My hatred of that game knows no limits
FishyGinger on 13 May '13 said:
Too right, you tell them.
Reviewers shouldn't get paid to write articles, they should beg for the money, beg like a yorkshire terrier I say.
FishyGinger on 13 May '13 said:
Too right, you tell them.
Reviewers shouldn't get paid to write articles, they should beg for the money, beg like a yorkshire terrier I say.
SilentDark on 13 May '13 said:
I actually quite like it, take out Chris and Jake's campaigns extend Leon's campaign into a full game and I think it would be ok. It's not 4 but I think 4 got so much right it can't really be topped.
I just picked up 5 and good god it makes 6 look like a masterpiece.
sonicmark on 13 May '13 said:
Those little yorkie terriers are evil.
On topic, I honestly thought this would get a terrible review, not because I think it's a bad game (I've never even f**kin' played it) but because it's a port from the 3DS version.
schwepterbrowser on 13 May '13 said:
5 is quite possibly my favourite of the series...
I won a £15 Simply Games voucher last month and Revelations is only £30 on the site, think I may pick it up for half price. That or use it to get Gears Judgement for £10 - anyone played both and would recommend one over the other?
OXM ETboy on 13 May '13 said:
It appears we've broken an embargo with this one - the review and score have been taken down till 20th May, 8am GMT. Sorry for the confusion all.
schwepterbrowser on 13 May '13 said:
I did think it was a bit early, at least it was a positive review or you'd have been in real trouble.
OXM ETboy on 13 May '13 said:
Who knows - maybe we'll reconsider and revise our verdict.
/knives out
SilentDark on 13 May '13 said:
Well each to his own I suppose. Chris isn't my favourite character anyway so that didn't do it any favours in my eyes.
FishyGinger on 13 May '13 said:
And to think I was contemplating giving you a dunce hat for that Resi 6 comment!
Why have an embargo though, it's not as if the game wasn't released on 3ds some time ago. It's not exactly a groundbreaking new game.
Johnbhoy69 on 13 May '13 said:
So you dislike over half of the game then
Leon's campaign was actually enjoyable up until the swimming bit, its all downhill from there onwards.
OXM ETboy on 13 May '13 said:
It's in a different box, ergo a different umbongo.
Apparently 13th May was for print reviews only.
NinthGeorgesw on 13 May '13 said:
Jake's campaign was the only one I fully enjoyed in Resi 6, to be honest. Leon's started off well, but it was all downhill from the start of the China section.
fracturedrich on 13 May '13 said:
Light is the review yes,the force, the force ....sorry were is the review again.
SilentDark on 13 May '13 said:
Leon is like the Bruce Campbell of Resident Evil, the more he's in it, the more awesome it becomes
Well I really don't like Chris, that campaign I could really have done without. Jake...well I have no really opinion on him except his retarded reaction to being told Chris killed his father, the man he never met and only recently found out about. I loved that Sherry was in the game since disappearing off the face of the earth after RE2 so if they had extended Leon's campaign and made Sherry his partner then you have a great call back to RE2. I also felt they missed a trick by not having Laura Bailey play Sherry and playing Helena instead.
Mercenaries is very addictive though and that tune stays in your head for ages.
Decent_Jam on 14 May '13 said:
With this re-embargoing you are teasing us sir, I knew I should have read this yesterday.
I don't even know what this game is, but I think I'll try to forget about it rather than googling it now and peaking my curiosity over what the review said (although the score is already revealed courtesy the comments).
lawsond28 on 14 May '13 said:
The score's unavailable is it Ed? I take it that you're referring to the 9/10 which OXM presumably gave it judging by the comments in this forum? There's some more redacting to be done here to keep Capcom happy methinks.
OXM ETboy on 14 May '13 said:
Nope, I think we've done enough
I wasn't told that the print and online embargoes were separate entities, so I'm being nicer than I need to be, frankly.
Metalrodent on 14 May '13 said:
I'm not sure why people are getting so worked up about this game getting highly rated - it was praised when it first came out, why would it not now?
SilentDark on 14 May '13 said:
I'm sure some old school fans are still calling the franchise "ruined forever" after 4 moved away from survival horror towards action horror, granted the series has gone through a bad time with below par or average entries but this seemed a return to form on the 3DS, or maybe people expected masses of new content for the HD version.
Metalrodent on 15 May '13 said:
Played the demo for this today, it seemed decent enough - decent atmosphere and graphics. My main concern is that the combat seemed very light, there was no weight to the shooting nor to the impact of bullets, and I know the enemies are meant to be tough but their toughness combined with the limp shooting meant that I found no satisfaction in taking enemies down, it just felt like an annoying grind.
I'll probably pick the game up at some point anyway when it gets cheap, and play it through on easy for the story and atmosphere
schwepterbrowser on 16 May '13 said:
Kind of agree with Rodent. I also couldn't figure out how to melee or get the timing right for the evades (anyone?) There was also way too much ammo, I couldn't pick half of it up because I was already fully stocked.
Despite that, I've pre-ordered it as I think just under £15 is a good price. I enjoyed the atmosphere and exploration, plus I just replayed RE4 on Pro for my last achievement and it's left me wanting more.
Dave101 on 16 May '13 said:
It definitely feels more like the older ones, modern games need walking and aiming, as for excess ammo, just play it on veteran when u but the full game. Graphics are good, not fantastic, and just proves u don't need the glitz and glamour of resi6 which seriously lacked in atmosphere. Might buy this reminds me most of code cryonics as that was one that began to update the game style yet kept the classic fell. How can Calvin go from positive extreme to negative, then back? Suppose a lot of people bought 5 for the co-op. Not me, the level of online features on zombie u is enough without spoiling the survival horror.
Maverick_McCool on 17 May '13 said:
What's a binnacle?
FishyGinger on 17 May '13 said:
A barnacle that lives in a bin.
CunningSmile on 17 May '13 said:
Cunning "Fount of all knowledge" Smile to the rescue.
A Binacle is a waist high stand or chest normally situated near a boats helms man upon which are placed the important navigational instruments so they are within line of sight and easy reach. It's main function is to hold the compass. Via the Spanish word 'bitacula' the word comes from the original Latin 'habitaculum' meaning little dwelling.
SilentDark on 17 May '13 said:
So now we know and knowing is half the battle
Maverick_McCool on 18 May '13 said:
Fair dues for the attempt oh cunningest of smiles , but I didn't ask what a "binacle" was , I asked whar a "BINNACLE" was.
As it goes , mavripedia had the precice definition , well two actually , and they are as follows........
1) Binnicle - a spelling mistake so blatant it manages to pass by all but those who have a ginger child.
2) Binnacle - a word used by a man who is too cowardly to let his fellow compadres take me Golli , Fractured and the rest on in an Injustice throwdown......
I won't let it go ET , you have a new writer who claims to love a fight , and a bunch of space on Youtube just begging for some action! I'll even play as Shazam.................
GHOSTY05 on 18 May '13 said:
Well i have already played the game on the xbox 360 at the Gadget show live, last month
I can safely say it was brilliant, reminded me of resident evil 4, felt like a proper resident evil game.
Great graphics, controls feel solid, yes its a port of the 3DS game, but with extras added in and i have already read a few reviews previously which said it was actually the best resident evil game to come out on the Xbox 360.
As a result i pre-ordered this the day after playing it in april, for the bargain price of £25 at tesco!!
fracturedrich on 20 May '13 said:
POW a nine,that's a left hook,right hook and a uppercut to all the makers of resi 6 how a mini machine game rose up and put the hurt on your triple a waffle,sold to the kid at the back waving 30 pounds around like a paulo di canio celebration
OXM ETboy on 20 May '13 said:
It's back. Sorry for the wait, all.
OXM ETboy on 20 May '13 said:
Man, I'm glad we left the thread running. I'd never have found out what a binnacle was, otherwise.
CunningSmile on 20 May '13 said:
And as Fish points out, knowing is half the battle
FishyGinger on 20 May '13 said:
He's silentdark, sir. I'm Fish.
OXM ETboy on 20 May '13 said:
Nice Hudson channelling there, Fishy.
SilentDark on 20 May '13 said:
CunningSmile on 20 May '13 said:
I'm sorry Dark, I didn't check my sources and it's the sort of thing Fish normally says. Chalk it up to me being a bit Gorman.
fracturedrich on 20 May '13 said:
The best survival horror on 360 since dead space,i gotta play this,i just gotta.
Crisco on 20 May '13 said:
I enjoyed the demo although it's a bit short and it seems like it could have a decent story to it. It's not something I would buy though, for me Resident Evil lost it's charm when they got rid of the dodgy camera angles and awkward controls.
schwepterbrowser on 22 May '13 said:
My copy came early, installing as I type.
Dave101 on 25 May '13 said:
capcom take note, more like this please! i started on the saturn with resi 1, bought almost everyone since, except 5 and 6 and mercenaries. even a new update for all the old ones, a la gamecube remakes, would be fantastic, resi 0 was only ever on gc, and amazing, lots of people missed that gem, i still play them on my old wii, which btw is backward compatable! rip xbox one, you died before your time.
fracturedrich on 25 May '13 said:
Hey iv'e played for 3 hours and its a good game,even the raid mode is good,the graphics take a slight hit but i love the way this game is,the evade is tricky to time right,but i love it and glad i bought it.