Resident Evil Revaltion

Amidst the action-heavy trajectory of the main Resident Evil series in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Capcom delivered a spin-off title that aimed to recapture the suspense and survival horror roots of the franchise: Resident Evil: Revelations. Originally released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012, its success led to high-definition ports for consoles and PC, bringing its chilling atmosphere to a wider audience.

Setting the Stage: Mystery on the High Seas

Resident Evil: Revelations primarily takes place between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5. The story is set largely aboard the Queen Zenobia, a derelict and eerily luxurious cruise ship adrift in the Mediterranean Sea. The game adopts an episodic structure, unfolding like a television series, complete with “previously on” recaps.

The plot kicks off with Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA) agent Jill Valentine and her new partner, Parker Luciani, searching for fellow agent Chris Redfield, whose last known coordinates point to the Queen Zenobia. Upon boarding the deserted vessel, they quickly realize it’s infested with grotesque bio-organic weapons (BOWs) mutated by a new virus – the T-Abyss virus.

Gameplay: Blending Old and New

Revelations successfully blends the classic survival horror elements of earlier Resident Evil games with the over-the-shoulder perspective popularized by Resident Evil 4.

Survival Horror Focus: Unlike the more action-oriented Resident Evil 5, Revelations emphasizes atmosphere, exploration, and resource management. Ammunition and healing items are scarcer, encouraging careful planning and evasion. The tight corridors and dark environments of the Queen Zenobia create a constant sense of dread.
The Genesis Scanner: A key new mechanic is the “Genesis” bio-scanner. Players can use this device to scan environments for hidden items (ammo, herbs) and analyze enemies. Scanning enemies fills a percentage meter; reaching 100% rewards the player with a valuable green herb. This encourages thorough exploration and adds a layer of risk-reward when confronting BOWs.
Alternating Perspectives: The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, primarily focusing on Jill and Parker aboard the Queen Zenobia, but also switching to Chris Redfield and his partner Jessica Sherawat in snowy mountains, and occasionally flashing back to Parker and Jessica during the “Terragrigia Panic” – a devastating bioterrorist attack on a technologically advanced city orchestrated by the terrorist group Veltro.
Raid Mode: Beyond the main campaign, Revelations introduced Raid Mode, a popular arcade-style co-op mode. Players choose characters, customize weapons, and tackle missions based on campaign locations, defeating waves of enemies, leveling up, and earning better gear. This mode added significant replayability.

Characters and Conspiracy

The game features familiar faces and introduces new key players:

Jill Valentine: The resilient protagonist, searching for her long-time partner Chris.
Chris Redfield: The BSAA powerhouse, initially missing, later playable in different scenarios.
Parker Luciani: Jill’s grounded BSAA partner with ties to past events.
Jessica Sherawat: Chris’s partner, whose motives become increasingly questionable.
Clive R. O’Brian: The director of the BSAA, coordinating the mission.
Raymond Vester: A mysterious operative encountered on the ship.
Morgan Lansdale: Head of the Federal Bioterrorism Commission (FBC), a rival organization to the BSAA, deeply involved in the game’s central conspiracy.

The plot delves into corporate espionage, betrayal, and the origins of the T-Abyss virus, weaving a complex narrative involving the BSAA, the FBC, and the shadowy Veltro terrorist group.

Reception and Legacy

Resident Evil: Revelations was widely praised upon its release, particularly the original 3DS version, which was lauded for its impressive graphics on the handheld, effective use of 3D, and successful return to the series’ horror origins. Critics and players enjoyed the suspenseful atmosphere, the engaging (if sometimes convoluted) plot, and the addictive Raid Mode. The HD ports were also well-received, making the experience accessible to more players, though some minor criticisms were aimed at the slightly dated visuals when scaled up.

The game proved successful enough to warrant a sequel, Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015), which continued the episodic format and survival horror focus, featuring Claire Redfield and Barry Burton. Revelations stands as a significant entry in the Resident Evil universe, demonstrating that the franchise could still deliver genuine scares and suspense alongside its more action-packed main installments. It successfully bridged narrative gaps and offered fans a welcome dose of classic survival horror.