Resident Evil: Revelations

Resident Evil: Revelations, a survival horror title from Capcom, was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012. The story takes place not long after the events of Resident Evil 4 and follows agents Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they investigate a bioterrorist group aiming to unleash a virus into the world’s oceans. The single-player campaign is split into episodes that require solving puzzles and defeating enemies, while a multiplayer mode lets players battle through modified versions of these scenarios. The game prioritizes survival, evasion, and exploration over fast action, giving the player scarce ammunition, health, and slower movement. It was intended to return to the series’ horror roots while updating the gameplay, and it was the first title to support the Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro outside of Japan. Commercially, it saw moderate success and earned generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its eerie atmosphere, sound design, and presentation, though they noted uneven gameplay across episodes. It received three Golden Joystick Award nominations, including Ultimate Game of the Year, and a nomination for Handheld Game of the Year at the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. An HD version came out for Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii U, and Xbox 360 in 2013, and later for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in 2017. This version dropped the 3DS’s 3D feature but offered improved graphics and extra content, such as a new difficulty setting. Across all platforms, the HD version sold over two million copies, though it faced criticism for dated visuals and inconsistent controls. A sequel, Resident Evil: Revelations 2, was released in 2015.

In terms of gameplay, Revelations is a survival horror experience where players complete a series of episodes. While most scenarios put the player in control of Jill Valentine on a ghost ship, others feature different characters in various locations. Objectives include solving puzzles, defeating bosses, collecting keys to unlock new areas, and reaching specific points. The game stresses survival, evasion, and exploration by limiting ammunition, health, and movement speed. Players can run, climb ladders, swim, and dive underwater for short periods. Up to three firearms—such as handguns, shotguns, submachine guns, and rifles—can be carried at once, along with grenades and a combat knife.