Don't Ignore Resident Evil Revelations

Portable games often don't get near the amount of credit they deserve. When a major, console-based franchise gets a handheld version, it's inevitable that many people will gripe that it's a waste, as it would always have been better as a full, home console release. Resident Evil Revelations is the latest title to inspire that sentiment - and one of the greatest examples of the flaws behind that way of thinking.

Below are some of the reasons why Resident Evil Revelations demands your attention. Seriously, ignoring it simply because it's a portable title (and not a numbered entry) is tantamount to a gaming sin. But fear not, lost souls - the game comes out this Tuesday, and there's still time to make amends. Here's why you should.

Resident Evil Revelations isn't just a solid entry in the survival horror franchise - it's also a return to form. It represents something RE fans have been gunning for ever since the franchise began its spiral away from its horrific roots and toward becoming just another action game. Blending old school RE tone and pacing with modern sensibilities and some action segments, Revelations truly is the best of both worlds.

The game's mood and atmosphere - especially during the ship segments - are so effective as to harken back to Chris and Jill's mansion days. The fact that you never know when one of the Ooze will show up out of a vent, and that no corner or shadow is safe, ups the tension considerably, as does the subtle yet brilliant sound design. The way the narrow corridors are offset by grand set pieces (like a ballroom covered in fog) make for a setting that ranks among the series' best. The fact that the game largely follows Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine only further sweetens the deal, and illustrates Capcom's desire to take things back to basics with this one.

If you've ever pined for the RE of old, or even the more balanced approach of Resident Evil 4, don't neglect Revelations. Capcom is giving us what we want - don't look a gift zombie in the mouth (shoot it in the head instead).

While Resident Evil 5 enjoyed great commercial success, and was a well-made game in its own right, it simply failed at capturing the RE spirit. It lacked any true atmosphere or memorable settings, was too fast-paced, too bright, and its implementation of co-op was a flat-out mistake. The bond between partners is a huge part of the franchise, but having a hot girl healing you and stealing your ammo - despite what you might think - was actually a mood killer. It was a fun game, but not exactly Evil material.

Although Revelations is not a numbered entry, nor a console release, it succeeds in all the ways RE5 failed. All of the successes already discussed culminated into a memorable experience that feels more like Resident Evil from beginning to end than RE5 ever did. It even does partners better. Sure, your partner in Revelations is essentially useless (as they can't actually kill monsters for you), but it's kind of better that way. It lets you have the partner experience without losing the feeling that your survival is all on you, and there are plenty of times when you're just on your own.

The most important thing is that Revelations embraces its roots without discarding the series' modern innovations, and it also brings a few new tricks of its own. Its expert balance between old and new RE is complemented by unique additions like the scanner. This device lets you scan a room for hidden objects (such as ammo, herbs or hidden handprints), and proves a great way to reward players for taking it slow and exploring every corner of a room. It's new to the franchise, but feels right at home.

In a recent Iwata Asks, Revelations producer Masachika Kawata expressed regret that he hadn't made the game a full numbered title, saying Revelations is "a true-as-can-be Resident Evil game from head to toe." That goes to show you that although the game is a subtitled sequel rather than a core entry like RE5 was, the execution and scope of the core titles is still present. Especially if RE5 left you wanting a more traditional RE experience, don't let Revelations pass you by.

Revelations is an important game for the 3DS. Its success will inform Nintendo, Capcom and third parties alike as to whether or not interest exists for such a full-fledged adventure on the company's newest portable platform. If this game doesn't do well, it sends the message that a huge, console-like adventure can't find an audience on the 3DS. That means 3DS owners will be much less likely to get those types of games in the future - and when we don't, gamers will inevitably complain about their absence. Everyone will lose, and since this is actually a great game well worth your time and money, don't let that happen just because you're sore about wanting to play your big RE games on a larger screen.

It's true that just shoving a console experience onto a handheld (or vice versa) is a bad idea - but translating one experience over to another platform, if done well, can result in brilliance. That's just what happened with Revelations. It's got the scope and grandeur of a console title but custom made for on-the-go gaming. The smaller chapters, the plot summations, the various control options and all the other minor adjustments perfectly befit the platform - so don't think you're getting a poor man's Resident Evil here. It's the next big RE game, just one you can play on the go. If that sounds like just what the doctor ordered, make sure Capcom knows you want more where that came from.

Revelations is the best Resident Evil game in seven years. For all these reasons and more, you'd do well not to ignore it. After all, why wait all the way until November 20 to play Resident Evil 6, when the latest Biohazard is right around the corner?


Audrey Drake is an Associate Editor of IGN.com and a proud member of the IGN Nintendo team. She is also a lifelong gamer, a frequent banisher of evil and a wielder of various legendary blades. You can follow her zany exploits on MyIGN and Twitter. Game on!

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