Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City - Series character lacking

The Resident Evil series is often recognised as having re-invented survival horror and brought it into the next generation, with its revolutionary Resident Evil 4.

 

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

For: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

From: Capcom

Two and a half stars (out of five)

 

As its popularity has risen, Capcom has attempted to cash in on the brand, hence Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City has been developed by a separate studio to the previous games. Slant Six Games has been given the reins for this game, and its previous track record (Several SOCOM games) would suggest that it's more than up to the task.

The game is third person like the previous entries to the series, however this time it's a squad-based shooter. You choose which character you want to be at the start, and you and three companions enter Raccoon City to try and remove all evidence of Umbrella Corporation's role in the outbreak of the virus.

These events are shown from a different perspective than that used in previous Resident Evil games and, with no explanation for those that haven't played Resident Evil before, leads to confusion over characters and locations in the game.

The gameplay is standard for third person co-op shooters, very reminiscent of Gears of War and Binary Domain among (many) others in terms of combat. It's fast, fun and frantic at times, but not without occasional annoyances (bosses that frustratingly knock you down should never be in games these days!).

Unfortunately, Raccoon City is also a little confused.

The game is obvious fan service for those dedicated Resident Evil fans, but the wheels fall off almost immediately.

The gameplay is barely reminiscent of that of the previous games, and while there are iconic Resident Evil aspects (such as gaining health by picking up plants), it's far more likely to alienate hardcore fans than interest them.

Fans buying this game expecting the quality storytelling and gameplay of the previous games are going to be left wanting. The graphics and overall design of the game are certainly competent, but it hasn't got the character that the other games do.

Resident Evil is a series that prides itself on survival horror, but this game is firmly an action game.

It comes off as a quick cash-in title, rather than a fully fledged entry into the series folklore, without any of the care or love that the other games received.

Hopefully, the forthcoming Resident Evil 6 returns the series to its former glory.

  - Simon Bishop