Can ‘Resident Evil: Revelations 2’ Save A Dying Franchise? [Video]

Capcom, the company behind the Resident Evil video game franchise, seems to be pinning their hopes on the success of a single new video game release, Resident Evil: Revelations 2, from the same franchise that played a significant part in Capcom’s 37.1 percent loss last fiscal year. Fortunately, for Capcom as well as for Resident Evil gamers, their gamble is paying off.

According to statements released by the video game giant, Resident Evil: Revelations 2 has played just significant a part in bringing Capcom’s net profit up 92.1 percent for this fiscal year. The company reports that this newest addition to the Resident Evil franchise has the promise of becoming a best seller with the prospect of selling over one million copies.

Hedging their gamble, Capcom has already shipped 1.1 million copies of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 in anticipation of expected sales. Some credit this change in Resident Evil‘s sales to the change in direction the franchise has taken, following the poorly received Resident Evil 6 and Operation Raccoon City additions to the Resident Evil franchise.

Since those releases floundered, the creative team behind the Resident Evil franchise has directed their efforts into a rebooted version of Resident Evil, steering the games away from the action genre and back towards the horror genre for which Resident Evil has always had a strong fan base. Capcom is also credited for returning to an episodic approach, particularly with Resident Evil: Revelations 2, which makes the game much more appealing to Resident Evil fans.

So what makes Resident Evil: Revelations 2 so enticing to fans and gamers?

Some reviews credit the success of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 with the haunting feel for the player, as he or she is forced to explore an abandoned cruise ship alone and some say the spookiness of this game hasn’t been equaled since the release of Resident Evil 4. The sense of being forced to face dark forces alone doesn’t last long, however, as the player is soon joined by a partner.

Players can actually play both characters, if they prefer their gaming experience to be solo, and some actually recommend simply switching from player to player. The reason behind this is that each character in Resident Evil: Revelations 2 has a unique experience, which works well if a single player has access to both characters, but two players will lessen the experience for each participant.

Game N Guide offers a brief look into the different aspects of the two-player Resident Evil: Revelations 2.

“There are two main storylines that weave together- one featuring Claire Redfield (of Resident Evil 2 fame) along with Moira Burton (daughter of Barry, from the first game), who have been kidnapped and wake up on some mysterious island with bracelets placed on their wrists by someone who’s seen Battle Royale one too many times.

While they’re trying to escape, Barry is in full-on Dad mode, hunting down his missing daughter. On the island he runs into a creepy little girl named Natalia, who seems to be a test subject of her own. He decides to bring her along, because there’s no way that her weird powers could be a bad thing.”

The same Resident Evil: Revelations 2 review also recommends playing the game’s Raid Mode also seen in the Resident Evil 3 and 5 games, making the experience exciting and unique each time the game is replayed. Each of the numerous levels offers the player distinct challenges that will enhance the rest of the game by letting the player unlock new characters, weapons, and skills.

It sounds like Capcom is putting their best foot forward in an attempt to revitalize a dying franchise. While some aspects of Resident Evil: Revelations 2 work well, other facets seem to draw from the originality that could have benefited the Resident Evil franchise greatly. As the Resident Evil film franchise dies a lingering death, it may be up to Capcom to single-handedly reshape Resident Evil into a top-selling franchise anew, or let it go completely.

[Featured image: Resident Evil: Revelations 2 screenshot courtesy of Capcom.]