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Resident Evil is officially 15 years old and Capcom seems to be celebrating the series’ anniversary this year with not one but multiple releases. Just recently we received an official announcement regarding Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City which will add another game to the list of titles coming out this year that should make Resident Evil fans happy. From the 3DS to the PS3 and 360, Capcom has everyone covered here. So let’s take a look at the games that we know are coming from now until late 2011/early 2012 (because you know how those “winter” release dates go).
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (Nintendo 3DS; July 6, 2011)
The earliest Resident Evil title to hit this year is this summer’s 3DS exclusive, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D. Taking the addictive extra modes from Resident Evil 4 and 5, Mercenaries 3D aims to make the now traditional mode its own lone experience catering to fans of the action-heavy approach Resident Evil 5 took.
With the game’s 30 missions contaning levels ranging from Resident Evil 4 and 5 to, possibly, the rest of the franchise fans are in for quite a treat this summer. Add to that a vast selection (when it’s all said and done) of fan-favorite characters to select from and enemies to kill ranging from the most recent to the classics. Capcom will also be adding unlockables and other secrets that will definitely please long-time fans of the franchise. All this makes for a game any loyalist can’t afford to miss, especially since we now know it’s going to be including a demo for Resident Evil: Revelations.
Resident Evil: Revelations (Nintendo 3DS; TBA)
Resident Evil: Revelations is seen as the most desired title out of the pair of 3DS offerings from the franchise. Revelations will be set primarily in a luxury cruise and will see players once again take on the role of series’ all stars Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as they take on yet another biohazard outbreak.
Set before the events of Resident Evil 4 and 5, Revelations will fill in some more gaps of Chris and Jill’s BSAA story. We’re also promised other BSAA members to show up during the duration of the game. Hunk is also present and it’ll be interesting to see how he plays into things. Then, of course, we have the mysterious Chris clone/Krauser/Wesker/Alex Wesker/shape-shifting B.O.W. seen in the game’s only trailer thus far, something which has raised many debates among fans over “its” identity. Hopefully we’ll find out before the year ends, but early next year would be acceptable too.
Resident Evil 4 HD (PSN,XBLA; Fall 2011)
Falling under the Resident Evil: Revival Selection, we’re going to be getting Resident Evil 4 HD as a downloadable title on the PSN and XBLA. Unpriced as of now, Resident Evil 4 will be making the jump to HD with trophies/achievements galore, and of course a true wide-screen mode for all those tech-savy people. This will also mark the first time Leon’s sacred adventure lands on an Xbox machine.
While fans may be a bit hesitant over purchasing this game, because of its many re-releases over the years, you can’t really complain about replaying one of the finest games ever made. And as another bonus, there’s always the potential for Playstation Move compatibility. Regardless, Resident Evil 4 is by itself one of the shining examples of the franchise and it’s really good that Capcom is spreading the love to the 360 crowd and those without a backwards compatible PS3.
Resident Evil: Code Veronica X HD (PSN, XBLA; Fall 2011)
The second game that falls under the Revival Selection is Resident Evil: Code Veronica X HD. Claire’s second outing will be making the jump to current-gen consoles this fall along with Resident Evil 4. It’ll come complete with all the extras seen in the initial release of Code Veronica X for the PS2.
Trophies and achievements are expected as well as a true wide-screen mode. Playstation Move controls for such a title may not be as necessary or even desired as for Resident Evil 4 but who’s complaining when the game can be played just fine with a standard controller. While Resident Evil 4 casts a shadow on this game, in terms of Revival Selection, you can’t completely ignore it for it was a solid entry in the series. And once again, like in the case for RE4, this will mark the first time Code Veronica graces the Xbox console.
Resident Evil: Raccoon City (PS3, Xbox 360, PC; Winter 2011)
Lastly, we have the just confirmed Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. The game will be hitting the PS3, 360, and PC sometime this winter and it will bring with it developer Slant Six’s style of third-person gameplay. Operation Raccoon City will offer players a 4 player co-op experience throughout the streets of Raccoon City, while going through classic and brand new locales in the middle of the outbreak seen in Resident Evil 2 and 3. We’re all going to be facing classic enemies such as zombies, lickers, and hunters. And thus far we have Mr. X confirmed as one of the bosses.
This game may sound like it’s going to be pure action, especially considering Slant Six’s previous games, but we’re promised a return to the horror that has been missing from the franchise recently. We’re also going to see some old faces with Leon being confirmed thus far; you’ll actually be assigned to kill Leon in one of the game’s early missions. Other fan-favorite characters have been teased like Jill, Claire, and even Wesker.
While Operation Raccoon City is being developed as a spin-off to the franchise, in which you finally get to play through the outbreak from Umbrella’s perspective, this doesn’t mean that it won’t be adding to the series’ lore. By the time the USS team’s adventure is concluded we’ll most likely know a lot more about what went on behind the scenes during the outbreak and we may even be left with tidbits hinting at what comes next. Then of course you have the multi-player mode that will include a three way battle between the USS squad, US Spec Ops, and B.O.W.s. Will we be able to actually play as zombies in the game? We’re going to have to wait a bit more to find out.
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So what do you guys think? Which game are you looking forward to the most? Make sure to leave comments below telling us your opinions.
