The best looking graphics on the 3DS
Even compared to Tokyo EAD’s magic powers put to use on Super Mario on the 3DS, Resident Evil Revelations looks better to me. When I first saw Luigi’s Mansion 2 on the 3DS, I thought there wasn’t much fog in the game because of the 3DS not being able to handle it. Then lo and behold, there was moody fog in Revelations.  I can other hope other developers eventually catch up to what Capcom has been able to achieve on the 3DS.

Practically Resident Evil 4 in your hands
Revelations feels like the same experience as Resident Evil 4 and features similar, if not the same, controls. You’ll also get the same frantic button mashing moments when a zombie latches on you and starts gnawing away. Note though that the enemies in the demo didn’t look like people but more like RE4’s grayish and eye-less regenerators without spikes that pop out. The enemies make good use of 3D when they stick out their tube-like tongue to feed. Unlike previous iterations of the series, these guys won’t follow you through doors but will wait patiently near the door on the other side when you return.

Unfortunately, there weren’t any huge environments in the demo. Mostly it took place inside in hallways and the largest room was around 200’x50’. Health, or lack thereof, is shown by more and more blood splatter around the edges of the top screen. Healing is done without going to the menu like RE5; Simply tap A to heal.

I’m on a boat!
At first, it appeared that the story was about Jill Valentine in another mansion but at the end of the demo, it’s revealed that the game takes place on a cruise ship (it looked more like a freighter but Capcom says otherwise). Considering how Resident Evil 1 was a complete game in a mansion, I’m sure Capcom will have no problems if it’s confined to a ship. Jill Valentine will be joined by a new partner, Parker Luciani. The cutscene with him was below standards however as he had a voice but it was jarring when his mouth didn’t move at all.

Not being able to move and shoot is just fine
Resident Evil Revelations does away with the strafing added in RE5 and stops you dead in your tracks while shooting. I’m fine with that due to the added tension when a zombie’s closing in on me. It fit’s the game.

Scanning is a hassle
The one downside to the demo was the addition of an item scanner to search for hidden items. The item scanner would have been fine if it wasn’t required to pick-up these items but that is not the case. These items won’t show up and sparkle until the item scanner is used on them in a first-person night vision-like view. A similar comparison would be the scanner in Metroid Prime but that was used mostly for story, not useful items.

 

Hello Strangah!

Sadly, no merchant from RE4 was encountered during the demo. Considering how he wasn't in RE5, he likely won't make an appearance.

Overall, I was most impressed with Resident Evil Revelations out of all the 3DS fare. I’d even lean towards Resident Evil Revelations being one of my favorite games of E3. Stay tuned to GameXplain for more Revelations when it comes out later this year.