8 Things We Know About Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 has shown me Capcom has finally listened to fans who have been clamoring for a RE title that doesn't tote itself as a Hollywood action blockbuster.

The survival horror aspects of Resident Evil: Revelations are back in full force and the Call of Duty-esque flair and boulder-punching of previous games has taken a backseat. That means you can expect limited ammo and a couple of jump scares. You missed those, right? 

Revelations 2’s appearance at New York Comic Con marks the first time the game has been available for preview in North America. Here are eight things I’ve learned after sinking my teeth into a 15-minute PlayStation 4 demo. 

1. The game is being released in spurts.

While there is no exact release date, Capcom has revealed the three ways fans will be able to purchase the game when it lands on PC/Steam, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One in early 2015.

The game will initially be released in four parts as weekly downloadable episodes at $5.99 a pop. Alternatively, players can purchase a “Complete Season” which nets them each episode as they’re released, plus some bonus game content for $24.99. 

Finally, after all the episodes are available, the game will receive a physical disc release priced at $39.99 containing all four episodes and the aforementioned, unspecified bonus content. 

2. Claire Redfield is back in the spotlight.

Barring spin-offs like Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City and the CGI film Resident Evil: Degeneration, Claire Redfield hasn’t had a major starring role in a RE title since Resident Evil: Code Veronica X in 2001.

Her return is long overdue, although based on the dialogue I heard, it doesn’t seem like longtime Claire voice actress Alyson Court will be reprising the role. It’s even caused some fans to petition to Capcom in order bring her back.

3. Moira Burton has an awkward way of cursing.

While I for one have been championing the return of Barry Burton and his bearded visage, putting his daughter in as playable character still gets a thumbs-up from me.

Moira Burton appears to share her father’s tendency of spouting awkward phrases, albeit in a far more obscene manner. Get used to strange outbursts that include such potential classics like “what the cock did I just see?” and “who the fuck is reciting poetry?“

The best one thus far has to be “I don’t give a moist barrel of fucks.” It’s no “master of unlocking” or “Jill sandwich,” but that still made me giggle.

4. It sports a different kind of co-op.

Resident Evil Revelations 2 will provide split screen couch co-op for the campaign mode, albeit with a twist atypical of what previous entries have done.

While Claire will melee, stab and shoot at the infected just like any other RE character, Moira will primarily use a flashlight that blinds enemies and helps point out hidden items in the environment. Moira eventually can get her hands dirty once she acquires a crowbar that serves the dual purpose of opening doors and beating down enemies. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Moira's flashlight was influenced by a small moment in Resident Evil 5 where one player aimed a light in a mine shaft to aid their partner while they focused on shooting enemies. It’s a refreshingly new take that breaks away from the typical two-person gun-wielding brouhaha that defines most action co-op games. 

5. RAID Mode returns.

Although it wasn’t shown off in the demo, Capcom has confirmed that RAID Mode will be making a comeback, allowing players to co-operate in eliminating hordes of enemies to earn points.

Digital pre-orders of the game on PS3 and PS4 will allow users to get a bonus “RAID Mode Throwback Pack,” which will reportedly feature a multitude of stages based on recent RE titles.

6. The controls are strikingly fluid.

I was surprised by how well Revelations 2 handles. Think original Revelations, only more fluid. Turning feels quicker and smoother than before, and the game adds a move where Claire and Moira can quickly sashay in one of four directions. This came in handy for the numerous times I was swiped at with a lead pipe (more on that later).

One can switch between Claire and Moira during single player, and the game required me to switch to Moira in one instance to search for a key using her flashlight. 

7. Enemies WILL swarm you.

The infected enemies in Revelations 2, officially called "The Afflicted," are a cross between RE4’s Ganados and the more monstrous creations players came across in the first Revelations.  

These guys grossed me out a bit with their stitched up and grotesque meat-like bodies. They're fast, aggressive and run at you with lead pipes. They also happen to climb ladders much faster than you and can knock you off, which increased the tension I felt when facing off against a group of them in an enclosed room. 

Because of their intimidating nature, I can't understate how satisfying it is to score headshots on these freakishly demonic beings. You’re going to have to, since there’s limited ammo and you can’t let a jump scare cause you to react with gun-blazing.

8. The story will tease players much like other episodic games.

Capcom appears to be heavily inspired by episodic games like The Walking Dead. Even the demo ended on a cliffhanger, featuring a female voice that taunted Claire and Moira. This voice pointed out the white bracelets Claire and Moira were wearing, which apparently change color based on their response to fear. 

I’m not sure how these bracelets will factor into gameplay, but I’m already hearkening back to the Wii Vitality Sensor.

The game’s cutscenes featured voyeuristic camera angles, viewed from the lens of a surveillance camera. This grainy footage indicated that someone was watching their every move. Capcom is still pretty tight-lipped about the game’s story, and given their insistence on releasing it episodically, I doubt we’ll learn a great deal plot-wise until it’s out.