Once upon a time in a haunted cruise ship, a duo of unlikely heroes embarked on an epic quest to bring back the fear factor that had seemingly been lost in the baddies and boogeymen of the Resident Evil universe. What emerged was 'Resident Evil: Revelations,' a game that, akin to a fine wine, gets better with age-especially when enjoyed on a portable console like the Nintendo Switch, allowing us to panic on the go.
Players step into the shoes of Jill Valentine (yes, that Jill Valentine) and the beefy Chris Redfield, who need to navigate through not just mazes of the undead but also intricate puzzles that would confound even the most astute of Google users. The game boasts an episodic structure, where scenarios unfold like a seasoned soap opera. Instead of zipping through enemies, you're treated to a scavenger hunt for ammunition, health packs, and keys, with a sprinkle of good old-fashioned exploration-all while trying not to soil your pants every time a mutated fish pops out of the water. The controls allow for running away while shooting, a dance move that should be awarded a medal for its sheer brilliance in making you look impressive while fleeing from ghastly creatures.
Graphically, Revelations on the Switch is surprisingly pleasing, showcasing the power of Capcom's MT Framework engine. A beautiful palette ignites the eerie atmosphere of the abandoned cruise ship. However, let's not kid ourselves; this is still a remaster of a title from the 3DS era. While you'll likely have your jaw droppingly impressed one minute, the next might leave you chuckling at how much detail was either lost in translation or simply never there to begin with. If squished textures quilted together can reminisce about simpler times, you'll find them aplenty here.
In the land of horror gaming, 'Resident Evil: Revelations' is akin to that funky relative who shows up to family gatherings-a bit off-beat, yet always the conversation starter. It strikes a solid balance between traditional RE scares and modern gameplay conveniences. The addition of Raid Mode offers a fresh perspective to this experience, enriching replayability as players can now team up to tackle their favorite moments in multiplayer mayhem. While not without its quirks, if you're a fan of survival horror or someone who's had a longing to survive the apocalypse through a handheld device, then dive into this adventure. Happy undead hunting!