Resident Evil 6 (Video Game Review)

Capcom is easily one of the most prominent video game developers and publishers in the world, and one of its most important series of all-time is arguably the Resident Evil franchise. The first release revolutionized the survival horror genre when it was released on the original PlayStation back in 1996, and the series has continued to grow and evolve over the years to become one of the most loved and recognizable franchises in gaming. When Capcom announced Resident Evil 6 early last year, fans couldn't wait to get their hands on the game, and the most diehard fans of the series in Japan were even willing to drop over $1,500 to preorder a special edition version of the game that included a replica of protagonist Leon S. Kennedy's leather jacket from the game; now, that's dedication! PC gamers would have to wait several months later to get their hands on the release unfortunately and listen to the mixed reactions of console gamers and reviewers while anxiously biding their time. To make the wait worth gamers' time, Capcom has announced Resident Evil 6 and Left 4 Dead 2 crossover content that will allow players to play as Left 4 Dead 2's Coach, Nick, Ellis and Rochelle in a special mode and to battle with the Witch and Mini-Tank as well. The content arrives April 5, 2013 and can be accessed for free on Resident Evil 6 for PC. To put the whole review into a single word, yes, the wait for Resident Evil 6 on PC was definitely worth it.

For those unfamiliar with the game's storyline, Resident Evil 6 takes place some years after the events of Resident Evil 5. Leon has found himself a new partner in United States Secret Service agent Helena Harper after a zombie outbreak claims the President's life and threatens to be a repeat of Raccoon City with Leon and Helena stuck right in the middle of zombie central. Series star Chris Redfield is having his own problems while dealing with the loss of his former soldiers in the B.S.A.A. and completing a new mission with his trusty partner Piers Nivans and a new group of soldiers. Meanwhile, Sherry Birkin is all grown up from her time in Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2 and is looking for a mercenary named Jake Muller, who just happens to be the son of series antagonist Albert Wesker and the key to stopping the infections worldwide. There was also a fourth, secret campaign starring Ada Wong included in the initial console release that will be available to play for PC gamers as soon as they boot up the game. Each of the four campaigns in Resident Evil 6 intertwince at various parts during the overarching storyline and even allows more than two players to participate in certain missions in versus and cooperative modes. Though the storyline goes a bit over the top several times throughout each campaign, it's this type of bizarre storytelling that has made the Resident Evil series so special over the years.

Plenty of new features have been packed into Resident Evil 6 that were never before seen in the series. The game's controls have been drastically changed to allow for a wider range of movements and animations such as more easily taking cover, evading incoming attacks and unleashing devastating melee attacks. Some core gameplay mechanics have been tweaked as well including the removal of herbs from inventories in place of new pill containers and plenty of new weapons. There are tons of new enemies throughout many of the campaigns in the game, and some are more prevalent in one campaign to another such as the numerous zombies in the more classic Leon campaign or the stronger J'avo in the Chris campaign. There are numerous game modes included in Resident Evil 6 as well including Mercenaries and Agent Hunt mode on disc and Survivors, Onslaught and Predator modes included as DLC for the game as well as the previously mentioned Left 4 Dead 2 content coming soon. There is plenty to do in Resident Evil 6 that keeps the replayability of the game incredibly high, and the solid gameplay keeps the game addicting with each new match.

 Resident Evil 6 boasts some enhanced graphics over its predecessors and is easily the best looking Resident Evil game ever. Character models are finely detailed, and counter animations and other maneuvers look amazing in HD. Lighting is also very atmospheric in Resident Evil 6 and helps to create some of the creepiest moments in the game as you see zombie shadows lurking off in the distance, as you prepare yourself for battle in the dark. The music of Resident Evil 6 is also one of the most overlooked aspects of the game and yet one of the most engrossing features the game has to offer. From the melodic overtures similar to compositions the game has been known for over the year to the intense rock anthems that blare over the most intense encounters, the Resident Evil 6 sets just the right tone for any situation. Seamless online play allows gamers to team up or battle it out against one another online. Resident Evil 6 is a great experience whether you're a longtime fan of the series or just picking up the game for the first time. The classic scares and horrors may not always be present as in older titles in the series, but the action of the game is exciting and unrelenting. Just try not to get stuck climbing a rope! Pick up your copy of Resident Evil 6 now available on PC today

Resident Evil 6 is now available from all major retailers and can be purchased for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Resident Evil 6 is rated M by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language & Suggestive Themes. For more information on the game, check out the official Resident Evil 6 website.

Game Features:

Online Multiplayer 1-4

Four Intertwining Storylines

Online Leaderboards

DLC Support

Trophy/Achievement Support

Game Information:
Developer & Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 & PC (reviewed)
Release Date: October 2, 2012 on Consoles & March 22, 2013 on PC

Score: 9 out of 10