Resident Evil: Revelations - Boxed - PS3

Resident Evil: Revelations marks a return to the survival-horror roots of the franchise after the action-focused gameplay of its predecessor, Resident Evil 5.

The game takes place before the fifth instalment, in 2005, and after the total destruction of the state-of-the-art floating city of Terragrigia by terrorists deploying old-style Umbrella B.O.W.s (Bio-Organic Weapons). The story's main focus is on Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, who seek answers aboard a mysterious luxury cruise liner called the Queen Zenobia. As befits a portable title, the story is split into chapters that alternate in time. Jill Valentine works alongside her new partner, Parker Luciani, for the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance). Other story segments may focus on Chris Redfield and his new partner, Jessica Sherawat, or on new BSAA members Keith and Quint. Each chapter gradually pieces together the overall narrative.

As in Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, exploration in the game takes place in third-person 3D, with the more traditional survival-horror style of the series' earlier entries replacing the action-heavy gameplay of those titles. The player once again explores an opulent, luxurious setting reminiscent of the mansion from the original game, carefully managing ammunition, tackling puzzles, and deciding when to fight and when to flee an attack. The new mutations also appear in smaller numbers and in claustrophobic areas.

While exploring the Queen Zenobia is deeply rooted in survival-horror style, many of the alternating chapters are far more action-oriented, generally resembling the "shooting gallery" segments of Resident Evil 5. These sections may also feature much more classic B.O.W. monsters, such as the infamous Hunters and variations of zombie dogs. Ammunition is much more plentiful, and exploration is downplayed.

New to the series is the Genesis device, which lets players scan their surroundings for hidden items such as ammunition or handprints, or scan enemies for "data". Each scanned enemy raises a percentage, and once the player reaches 100%, they receive a new herb. The inventory system from earlier games has largely been removed; instead, players face general limits – up to three weapons and five herbs can be carried at once, and weapon lockers let the player store additional weapons and upgrades. Keys and special items no longer take up inventory space and therefore no longer need to be managed.

A weapon upgrade system, similar to the one in Mercenaries 3D, is also present in the game. Each weapon upgrade can be applied to any weapon or swapped out for a different upgrade. Each weapon has a limited number of upgrades, usually three or four. Upgrades range from increased firepower, increased fire rate, and larger magazines to special features that let a weapon fire two rounds with a single trigger pull.

Raid Mode is action-oriented and has players face off against waves of enemies to kill them. Essentially, it takes the place of the Mercenaries mode found in Resident Evil 4 and in the previously released 3DS title Mercenaries 3D. The biggest difference between the new Raid Mode and the old Mercenaries mode is the removal of the strict time limit. Players complete a section by killing all the monsters and finishing off an emblem in melee combat at the end. This mode can be played either solo or co-operatively, either via local wireless play or online. Players earn BP, which function like experience or money, to purchase a range of upgrades for Raid Mode. The BP earned is based on results from both Raid Mode and the regular story mode, and once enough has been earned, it can also be used to level up. This mode also uses Nintendo 3DS Play Coins, which can be used to purchase certain items.

The game is played primarily on the 3D screen of the Nintendo 3DS and even includes an option to effectively double the system's 3D depth. The touchscreen is used for the inventory, item details, and the game's map. Primary and secondary weapons can be selected via the touchscreen and the Genesis device. Weapon upgrades can also be applied or removed via the touchscreen. There are also a few mini-games in the game, such as unscrewing junction boxes and rerouting the power inside them.

There is a special mission mode that functions like an achievement system in an Xbox 360 game. Completing the various missions unlocks the multiplayer Raid Mode as well as special items and conditions for Raid Mode. The missions also make use of the Nintendo 3DS's StreetPass feature, which can unlock other missions when the player's 3DS meets another with different active missions. Missions range from earning in-game achievements to defeating specific enemies. StreetPass missions include defeating powerful enemies in the campaign, obtaining special items only available in Raid Mode, and others.