SigleifTheRapper
Log Status
Completed
Playing
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Rating
Time Played
--
Days in Journal
2 days
Last played
June 10, 2023
First played
June 4, 2023
Platforms Played
This review contains spoilers
Wow, what a game. I am pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this one.
Borrowed this one from an in-law, and I just finished the main story on standard today. I -so- desperately want to rate this game higher than an 8, but being critical I don't think I can. Once I am finished with getting the plat (provided I dont get bored), I may be able to bump the score up provided the Village of Shadows difficulty is a fun challenge and well executed. Real reasons to replay a game are always appreciated.
The pacing of this games story is pretty much perfect. I can't say I can think of a story driven game that does the narrative pacing quite as well as this, besides Resident Evil 2, though granted I feel that in terms of story this game had a little more meat to its bones. Honestly, in the best way possible, this game feels like you are playing a movie. Even in terms of gameplay sections, Capcom really knew exactly when to hold on to an idea and then when to give it its climax and move on (as opposed to the overhyped mess which is RE4make, looking at you, overdone gauntlet sections).
I have heard the criticism before that Lady Dimitrescu shouldn't have died as early as she did in the story - and granted, in some alternate dimension where she was the second coming of Mr. X or Nemesis and stalked you the entire game, the game may have been better, I honestly cant say. However, I can safely say I had no moment during this game where I was reminiscing on the good bits. I was always looking forward to what came next, right till the end, which is a fantastic feeling.
As a father myself, the games story was just fantastic. I can completely understand not relating to Ethan as a character for non parents, but the motivation really is about as good as it gets. He is such a relatable character - just the sheer emotion of events during the story, especially in the finale, really hit home. When Rose appeared after the final boss fight, I got goosebumps imagining how being in that situation would feel. Hell, even at the truly terrifying segments such as the beginning sequence, there was times were I pushed through with the mindset of getting Rose back for Ethan - the kind of thinking an actual parent has for their child.
Also worth a mention, his quirky lines are entertaining, either giving a small eyeroll or a chuckle. What I like however, is that unlike Leon (in 4), he saves his one liners for after the fight, as to not ruin the tension or atmosphere. He makes his quip once the tension has been released, rather than during the squeeze before the fight starts.
The game is split into multiple segments, each with rather drastically different themes, but it keeps you guessing as to what will come next. One particular segment in the second area of the game, where you are lead into what seems like a haunted house, is especially disturbing. In fact it was so effective and well paced that, because the baby sounds were making me feel stressed etc, I actually looked up what was going to happen midway through the section because I didnt want any surprises. Luckily, I was right at the end of the segment so I didnt spoil it for myself. I would seriously suggest doing it blind, its truly fantasic. It was scarier than 99% of the horror films that ive seen.
What I also appreciated, was that the game knew what it set out to do. To start, the game is heavily reminiscent of the 2 remake in terms of its thick atmosphere and puzzle solving. It was a breath of fresh air and I was glad to see 2 wasnt a fluke after all. Then, toward the back end of the game, it becomes more and more action focused, but at no point does it ever let you off your toes. There are always slight scares, (and some big scares, if youre a wimp like me), to keep your blood pumping. By the end of the game, you feel like the protagonist of a revenge movie, and it feels awesome. Especially just being able to rip through hoards of the scary bastards thatve been jumping you the entire game with almost endless ammo.
As a foot note, the plot twist at the end caught me completely off guard - it was fantastic and I couldnt have asked for a better executed story. Every question I had got answered in a satisfying way with plenty of lore to connect this to the existing world of Resi, in spite of how different it is in its style.
Highlights:
- Opening sequence
- The castle
- Lady Dimitrescu (especially her boss fight - the best in the series in my opinion).
- Baby
- Heisenberg boss fight
- Chris Blast
- The finale
- Lore snippets through the entire game
Borrowed this one from an in-law, and I just finished the main story on standard today. I -so- desperately want to rate this game higher than an 8, but being critical I don't think I can. Once I am finished with getting the plat (provided I dont get bored), I may be able to bump the score up provided the Village of Shadows difficulty is a fun challenge and well executed. Real reasons to replay a game are always appreciated.
The pacing of this games story is pretty much perfect. I can't say I can think of a story driven game that does the narrative pacing quite as well as this, besides Resident Evil 2, though granted I feel that in terms of story this game had a little more meat to its bones. Honestly, in the best way possible, this game feels like you are playing a movie. Even in terms of gameplay sections, Capcom really knew exactly when to hold on to an idea and then when to give it its climax and move on (as opposed to the overhyped mess which is RE4make, looking at you, overdone gauntlet sections).
I have heard the criticism before that Lady Dimitrescu shouldn't have died as early as she did in the story - and granted, in some alternate dimension where she was the second coming of Mr. X or Nemesis and stalked you the entire game, the game may have been better, I honestly cant say. However, I can safely say I had no moment during this game where I was reminiscing on the good bits. I was always looking forward to what came next, right till the end, which is a fantastic feeling.
As a father myself, the games story was just fantastic. I can completely understand not relating to Ethan as a character for non parents, but the motivation really is about as good as it gets. He is such a relatable character - just the sheer emotion of events during the story, especially in the finale, really hit home. When Rose appeared after the final boss fight, I got goosebumps imagining how being in that situation would feel. Hell, even at the truly terrifying segments such as the beginning sequence, there was times were I pushed through with the mindset of getting Rose back for Ethan - the kind of thinking an actual parent has for their child.
Also worth a mention, his quirky lines are entertaining, either giving a small eyeroll or a chuckle. What I like however, is that unlike Leon (in 4), he saves his one liners for after the fight, as to not ruin the tension or atmosphere. He makes his quip once the tension has been released, rather than during the squeeze before the fight starts.
The game is split into multiple segments, each with rather drastically different themes, but it keeps you guessing as to what will come next. One particular segment in the second area of the game, where you are lead into what seems like a haunted house, is especially disturbing. In fact it was so effective and well paced that, because the baby sounds were making me feel stressed etc, I actually looked up what was going to happen midway through the section because I didnt want any surprises. Luckily, I was right at the end of the segment so I didnt spoil it for myself. I would seriously suggest doing it blind, its truly fantasic. It was scarier than 99% of the horror films that ive seen.
What I also appreciated, was that the game knew what it set out to do. To start, the game is heavily reminiscent of the 2 remake in terms of its thick atmosphere and puzzle solving. It was a breath of fresh air and I was glad to see 2 wasnt a fluke after all. Then, toward the back end of the game, it becomes more and more action focused, but at no point does it ever let you off your toes. There are always slight scares, (and some big scares, if youre a wimp like me), to keep your blood pumping. By the end of the game, you feel like the protagonist of a revenge movie, and it feels awesome. Especially just being able to rip through hoards of the scary bastards thatve been jumping you the entire game with almost endless ammo.
As a foot note, the plot twist at the end caught me completely off guard - it was fantastic and I couldnt have asked for a better executed story. Every question I had got answered in a satisfying way with plenty of lore to connect this to the existing world of Resi, in spite of how different it is in its style.
Highlights:
- Opening sequence
- The castle
- Lady Dimitrescu (especially her boss fight - the best in the series in my opinion).
- Baby
- Heisenberg boss fight
- Chris Blast
- The finale
- Lore snippets through the entire game