Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

How Resident Evil 6 should evolve

Capcom has recently revealed the trailer for Resident Evil 6 – the latest installment in the Resident Evil series to be announced – and so far, it looks promising. However, promises won’t mean anything if Capcom leaves concerns from the last game unanswered.

The trailer shows footage of Leon Kennedy, star of RE4, fighting his way through what looks like a modern day Raccoon City in the midst of another viral outbreak. Chris Redfield, notable staple character of the series, is shown in China fighting against bioterrorists. A third unnamed character looks playable as well, though no information has been released about this man as of yet.

In a press release from Capcom on their website, regarding the story, the video game developers said the following:

A press release from Capcom states the setting of the game takes place 10 years after the Raccoon City incident. The U.S. president discloses the truth behind the current revival of bioterrorist activity. Leon S. Kennedy is at the president’s side when the location suffers a bioterrorist attack, however Leon must confront “a president transformed beyond recognition” and make a difficult decision.

Simultaneously, Chris Redfield, Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance member, arrives in Hong Kong, while the city is under the threat of an attack. “With no country safe from these attacks and the ensuing outbreaks, the entire world’s population is united by a common fear that there is no hope left,” said the release.

The trailer looks fantastic, but healthy skepticism is warranted. Unless Capcom wants to anger even more fans, as in the case with RE5, changes need to be made.

Zombies

Resident Evil 4 and 5 decided to forsake the typical slow-moving zombies in favor of a parasite that just resided in a person’s body and controlled their actions. This allowed for cooperation among enemies, resulting in tense moments, at least when it came to RE4.

With Leon acting solo, handling an angry mob of Spanish villagers was harrowing enough. Add to the mix the protection of Ashley, kidnapped daughter of the president, and the result produced some terrifying moments and definite atmosphere.

RE5 lost this charm. Enemy types were recycled, even down to the chainsaw mini-boss. There was no “horror” element whatsoever and it felt more like an action game. The game wasn’t exactly bad, but it didn’t strike anywhere near the high note that RE4 did. Rotting corpses incapable of feeling pain add to the sense of dread.

From what can be seen in the trailer, it does look that at least Leon will be facing the undead, and they are capable of running to an extent, and in some cases, even jumping. Versatile undead seems like a step up, but hopefully it’s executed properly and often.

Loose Ends/Story

There are a plethora of characters who have not received closure that they deserve in the series.

Sherry Birkin, the daughter of an Umbrella Corporation top scientist, was taken into the care of the government at the end of RE2, but has been unheard of since. Fans are speculating that the woman who appears next to the unnamed main character could be Birkin, but there are those who also believe it to be Ashley.

In addition, Ada Wong, whose motives are relatively unclear, is said to be unlocked as a character in the game. Considering that players have been wondering about her for years, it would be nice to receive some information. The story at this point is also extremely difficult to follow at times. RE5 didn’t make sense until the player read all of the hidden files, and even then it was a horrible exercise in storytelling. If Capcom doesn’t answer some questions or make the process easier to understand, the series is going to lose its appeal to some extent.

Endgame Content

RE4 had some awesome content – the Mercenaries, Assignment Ada, multiple weapons and costumes, etc. – which were unlockable after beating the game. This really added a lot of life to the game. While RE5 did have some great costumes and mercenaries, it just wasn’t as fresh. Unlockable figurines? Bore. There just wasn’t anything great. Additionally, it doesn’t help that Capcom released more content further down the road as DLC. This better not be the case for RE6. It should be a complete package with enough post-game content to keep it going.

Survival

The series has become too much of an action thriller. RE5 killed the inventory and chapter system entirely, allowing players to keep replaying levels to build up money and upgrades. It broke the game on multiple levels and removed any sense of strategy, making every situation one to pick the best gun and go shoot everything fast.

Actions need repercussions. If the game isn’t going to be atmospherically tense, at least instead of returning to roots, elements need to be added to increase tension. The series doesn’t need to be survival horror, but it needs to be something to distinguish it from every other shooter on the market. Players should have to ration their items, plan their actions and make proper moves and status should transfer from one level to the next, without the ability to essentially build up supplies.

It looks as if RE6 will be implementing a more fleshed out cover system, a notable quality of many certain shooters. RE6 can’t survive alone by making another shooter game with zombies. It will have to offer the player something other games don’t. It’s going to need to evolve and improve at the same time.

That said, considering just the trailer, it looks as if Capcom has made some great improvements to the formula. Although, the fact that it’s just a trailer needs to be taken with caution. Until gameplay footage unearths, it’s the best that can be seen so far. Capcom has about a year until the game hits stores, and that’s plenty of time to make another classic.

Tim Jones can be reached at [email protected].

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  • N

    NenaFeb 3, 2012 at 12:39 am

    Well… good thing RE6 comes before RE5 chronologically. Therefore, Wesker is still alive. <3

    RE5 – 2009
    RE6 – 2008 (Ten years after the R.C. incident).

    And, "Capcom sources" are at work again, like with MvC3. "They" say the other leads are Alex Wesker (Project W) and Sherry Birkin. Here is hoping!

    Reply
  • R

    Ricardo ChangFeb 1, 2012 at 10:35 am

    I agree with some of the parts of Rafael. They did killed a big major enemy (Wesker), plus RE 4 was pretty asmazing. But despite that fact that we dont have the old villain, this the time for new ideas. Wesker wasnt the only one involved in the incident of Raccon City. The list that Wesker left behind, had a few names of survivors involved with umbrella and you can see that list at the very end of Re5. Now is the time to pro-long or extend the story of Resident Evil. Hopefully until the tenth.(Resident evil 10) Because a virus that cause this damage to the world will not be easy to erase. The only thing that weaken RE5 was the all partnering with Sheva all the times. I will understand in a few occasions, but all the time? THAT brought the horror down. But regardless of my words, they are just my opinion, thats all there is to it. Keep the Resident Evil series going.

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  • R

    RafaelFeb 1, 2012 at 12:10 am

    To be honest I think Re5 was a disgrace. They killed one of resident evil’s best characters (Wesker). And the whole “Sheva” Partner aspect of the game killed the mood and overall atmosphere of the game. Re4 was brilliant because u were alone…and u didn’t know what was going to happen next…re4 had me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the time…Re4 was so amazing because of its new approach to gameplay…but Re5 just attempted to use the same formula, so there was nothing special.

    Reply
  • B

    b weavJan 31, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    great great job on this article.. thanks for posting!! lets hope RE6 is brilliant

    Reply
  • R

    Ricardo ChangJan 31, 2012 at 10:31 am

    All i have to say is that, so far the resident evil games havent let me down. RE5, it didnt have much of horror in it, but there was still some. Like the lickers part. RE 5 was okay with me. I love all the RE games, they have much creativity. Now, this coming Re, im very impress on what they did. There is a zombie and mixed (parasites and terrorits) part. I love that idea. I HOPE, they planned to make a RE 7, because despite the accusations, i would buy any Resident evil game. I want to know what happen to Ada? Cherry (Daughter of Birkin), Rebecca, and other characters. (Sheva for example after Re 5)

    Reply
  • M

    Muhammed Ziad TariqJan 31, 2012 at 9:19 am

    really good experience over-through the RE 6. what do I think there should be advancement in strategy as compared to RE4 , RE 5 was just a dreamland of action and thriller , now WE DEMAND DREAMLAND OF HORROR,ACTION, Thriller as far as romance too!

    Reply
  • R

    RafaelJan 30, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    All i have to say is that ur absolutely right bro. good job nailing it

    Reply