Capcom Takes Risks with Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

Written by Erik Kubik, kube00 Thursday, 26 January 2012 06:00

Is Capcom taking the Resident Evil series in a new direction? This could be a risky gamble. This upcoming spin off for 2012 may be mixing things up in regards to the traditional Resident Evil games.

Capcom has decided players will finally be able to move and shoot. The older control scheme was something the series was known for since the first game came out. In game, players will also seek cover and use zombies as cover against other zombies. The zombies will be more aggressive, coming at players in groups vs. being slow and single. The slower version of zombies gave players ample time to make shots. But a faster, more aggressive zombie could get the adrenaline pumping making it even tougher to get those one stop head shots.   

One of the more interesting things is players can shoot other players or NPCs to make them bleed to attract the zombies. Do you save your team or feed your friend to the wolves? Capcom has really stepped out of its comfort zone here and this is another interesting element new to Resident Evil games, instead of saving the innocent players will be using them as fodder. Nothing like getting bit and then charging at your teammates as a zombie. 

Players will either play as part of Umbrella or Spec Ops. Both sides will have different objectives. Umbrella operatives may have the chance to kill Leon Kennedy. I’m looking forward to the 4-player co-op, mainly so I can kill off my teammates. The game was a lot of fun to demo at PAX and I did enjoy the fast paced action that forced gamers to work together. 

Regarding the risk Capcom is taking with the series I think gamers are to experience a different kind of Resident Evil, where things are much faster paced. Maybe something akin to what Left 4 Dead is. The problem is Resident Evil has sort of been its own niche series. If it’s trying to compete with Left 4 Dead it may alienate the fans. I also think if Capcom puts too much focus on the action and multi player it may take away from what made Resident Evil a great game.

If the game sells well, Capcom may go on to make other spin offs in the Resident Evil Universe. Who knows, maybe gamers could finally get the Resident Evil 1.5? If anything it sounds like Raccoon City is shaping up to become a sort of semi sequel to what Outbreak could have been. Even with a few lingering doubts this is on my must-have list for 2012.