Resident Evil Series Review: A Journey of Survival, Evolution, and Missed Opportunities

 

Resident Evil Series Review: A Journey of Survival, Evolution, and Missed Opportunities

(Written in 2012, revisited for deeper analysis in upcoming reviews)

As an avid gamer with a penchant for Action/Adventure, Third-Person Shooters, and Survival Horror, the Resident Evil franchise has been a consistent favorite. It’s one of the few series where continuity and immersion in the story truly stand out, despite the challenges that come with multiple titles building on the same plot.

However, over time, the series has seen both remarkable achievements and some noticeable missteps, particularly with titles like Resident Evil: Outbreak, Outbreak File 2, and Resident Evil 5.

The Outbreak Series: A Step Away from the Core

The Outbreak titles felt like significant departures from the central story, introducing multiplayer gameplay in an online co-op format that didn’t quite resonate with the core of Resident Evil. While innovative, it didn’t align with the series' main narrative, which caused some confusion for long-time fans.

Resident Evil 4: A Glimmer of Hope

The redemption arc for the franchise came with Resident Evil 4. This title successfully redefined the survival horror genre, introducing a fresh third-person perspective and innovative gameplay mechanics that brought new life to the series while still keeping fans invested in its evolving story. It’s often hailed as one of the best games in the series, and rightfully so.

Resident Evil 5: Co-op Campaign with a Flawed AI Partner

Resident Evil 5 followed in Resident Evil 4’s footsteps, but it tried to do too much—introducing new mechanics and a companion AI system that simply didn’t live up to expectations. While Sheva was an interesting addition to the story, the AI was more of a burden than a benefit. The frustration of babysitting the partner AI was a constant annoyance, detracting from the experience.

That said, the game did introduce co-op campaign mode, which allowed players to team up either online or offline. This was a welcome addition, breathing new life into the gameplay. The ability to coordinate strategy with a partner—designating one player as the bait and the other as the aggressor—added a level of strategy and fun that helped redeem some of the earlier frustrations.

Resident Evil: Degeneration—Filling the Gaps

The Resident Evil: Degeneration movie was an excellent bridge between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, offering fans much-needed context and explanation for the events between the two games. The film adhered closely to the core story, filling in gaps without straying from the plotlines established in the games. For any Resident Evil fan, it’s a must-watch to understand the nuances between the two titles and further immerse oneself in the lore.

Looking Ahead: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

Despite my mixed feelings about Resident Evil 5, I’ve remained optimistic about the future of the franchise. The upcoming release of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City presented a fresh take on the series, allowing players to control members of the Umbrella Security Service (U.S.S.). This alternate perspective promised to offer a unique twist on the established story, and I was excited to see where this new direction would take the series.

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Final Thoughts: A Franchise of Peaks and Valleys

While the Resident Evil series has had its ups and downs, there’s no denying its lasting impact on the gaming world. Whether it's through groundbreaking gameplay, compelling storytelling, or memorable characters, Resident Evil continues to be one of the most influential franchises in survival horror.

Even as the series evolves, its ability to stay grounded in the lore and connect each installment with a sense of continuity keeps me coming back for more. I’m hopeful that Resident Evil will continue to find new ways to innovate while staying true to the core elements that have always made it so compelling.

I plan on revisiting the Resident Evil franchise in the near future and providing thorough, opinion-based reviews on each of the titles. Stay tuned for deeper insights into the series as I explore how it has evolved and what makes it so special for fans like me.