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Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 2: Contemplation Review for PC

Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 2: Contemplation Review for PC

Another Episode

Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 2: Contemplation is not only an excuse to gratuitously overuse the colon, but also the second installment in Capcom’s new episodic Resident Evil Revelations 2 series, which launched last week. Since Episode 2 uses the same game engine as Episode 1 , there isn’t a whole lot of difference in the way the game plays here. However, there is a massive difference in its tone and pacing. Not only that, but now that we have seen two episodes hit the market, this game serves as a fantastic example of how episodic gameplay can be applied to more than just cinematic Telltale style experiences. While Episode 2 isn’t the most mind-blowing game on its own, I have a feeling that the whole experience of Resident Evil Revelations 2 will amount to more than the sum of its parts.

Let’s start by going over what is the same as it was in Episode 1 . The characters and their roles are the same, so don’t go expecting Moira to be picking up an SMG any time soon. The controls are the same, so you don’t have to go relearning the game again. Most of the weapons are the same and most of the enemies are the same, so unfortunately outside bosses you won’t meet with many new challenges. The co-op operates the same, the Raid Mode is pretty much the same except for some new areas and characters, and overall you are really just getting a continuation of the first episode. On the upside you’ll be familiar with it and you can jump in with very little lead in time. On the downside, if you were looking for a fresh gameplay experience, you won’t find it here.

As I said before, one of the big differences here is the tone and pacing. Many reviewers had a problem with how easy the first episode was, with most enemies going down in a few shots and ammo pickups being abundant. I’d like to say that Capcom listened to us and changed this for Episode 2 , but frankly it’s only been a week and I know the game was done before Episode 1 even came out. Let’s just call this a case of happy serendipity.

Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 2: Contemplation Screenshot

Either way, ammo is much more sparse in Episode 2 , and this small change impacts the game in dramatic ways. Even though the enemies don’t really change, facing them is completely different when you realize you might run out of bullets soon. Enemies are also more plentiful this time around, so you very quickly start feeling the pressure of ammo scarcity. While the game never really steps over the line into horror territory, you definitely feel the “survival” part a little bit more. You’ll be aiming for headshots more often and running away when you can. While this can feel frustrating if you had already gotten used to the ease of the first episode, it can definitely draw you into the game in ways Episode 1 couldn’t.

Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 2: Contemplation Screenshot

The boss fights are some of the high points of Episode 2 . On one hand, you are seeing a lot of the same things you saw in other Resident Evil games, from giant zombies with bags on their heads to mutated creatures and everything in between. But Episode 2 puts a bit of a remix-style spin on a lot of these encounters, which helps to make them feel unique. You have probably seen trailers of the game or gameplay videos with Claire taking on a giant hulking zombie with a torch and what appears to be a lava cannon, and yes, it’s about as ludicrous to fight as it is to describe. Bosses are actually difficult and you’ll find yourself dying over and over again, challenged in ways that normal enemies don’t even begin to challenge you. It gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you overcome them, but once again can be frustrating if you are used to the pace of Episode 1 .

Speaking of frustration, with the increased difficulty the sheer helplessness of “partner” characters comes even more into focus. Moira is still incredibly frustrating to use and barely has any strengths to brag about. Natalie, however, continues to be useful with her ability to see enemies through walls. She essentially becomes a spotter while Barry is your muscle, and it gives the game an almost military feel. But even with these strengths you will find your partners getting in trouble often now that enemies waves are harder to take on. As a result, partners really have to lag behind, which means main characters have to slowly drag them forward, making progression through the game’s stages slower than it was before.

Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 2: Contemplation Screenshot

At this point, episodes are coming in at 3-4 hours, about twice the length of a standard Telltale Games episode. That, oddly enough, is the thing I like about Resident Evil: Revelations 2 the most. Capcom knows exactly how long I want to play a Resident Evil game. Arguably, I would have liked Resident Evil 6 better if I were only exposed to 3-4 hour chunks at a time. An episode of Resident Evil Revelations 2 is enough to keep you busy for a day or two and not much longer. While this might not seem like a great value, it actually does a lot to extend the life of the game not only in length, but in interest. The episodes end just before you would start getting fatigued by all the samey enemy encounters and repetitive brown-grey environments, and they always end on a cliff hanger, making you wonder what is going to happen next week. This is as close as video games have gotten to serialized TV, and frankly it works.

In the end, Resident Evil Revelations 2: Episode 2 is another “of course” purchase. If you liked Episode 1 , picking this episode up will be a no brainer, and frankly the game is only getting better. If you didn’t, Episode 2 isn’t going to turn heads and convert naysayers. It’s just more of the same with a welcome tweak to difficulty, and honestly, that’ s exactly what I wanted.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 3.5 Graphics
Same graphics, same uninspired environments. 4.0 Control
Same controls, not much difference here. 3.5 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Not much difference in the soundtrack or the voice acting. 4.0 Play Value
The increased difficulty really does help set the tone. 3.8 Overall Rating – Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 – 1.9 = Avoid 2.5 – 2.9 = Average 3.5 – 3.9 = Good 4.5 – 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 – 2.4 = Poor 3.0 – 3.4 = Fair 4.0 – 4.4 = Great 5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

  • Survival horror returns – A brand new tale in the Resident Evil Revelations saga comes to current and next generation gaming consoles
  • Clare Redfield and Moira Burton star – Fan favorite Claire returns to the horrors that haunted her in the past alongside Moira Burton, daughter of Resident Evil legend Barry Burton.
  • Evil is watching – Set in what appears to be an abandoned detention facility on a remote island, the horror awaits players around every dark corner. Will there be a way to escape?
  • A brand new type of enemy – Not as mindless as zombies, the scary design of the ‘Afflicted’ means they are able to move quickly and attack the player with basic weapons, making them a genuine threat to players’ survival.
  • Assistive co-op play – Players will need to switch between the two characters to overcome the nightmares in either single player mode with an AI partner or offline co-op. Utilize Moira’s torch to temporarily blind the enemy before Claire takes them out!

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