Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Immersive"

One of the reasons my favorite video game franchise has hardly disappointed me is that each new game (ok not every new game) just like each of the cases their on always has something a little new to make it an even more worth while experience. This franchise in the past has tried a few times to get into the handheld gaming arena but the attempts were failures just simply due to bad timing in technology type. But finally they've got a hit thanks to the power of the 3DS.

The graphics are great, backgrounds, character animation, you name it it's all great. It really looks and feels like a console game most importantly an RE game. The 3D effects work well with the game, it really had the feeling you were in the game. But most importantly the game play is great, you really have good use of your touch pad functions it really does make inventory organization easier and the controls for your actions are responsive. I really love the action, has a bit of that mix of both third and first person shooter action, and there is some strategy and technique involved. Levels don't feel the same there are some distinct differences and certain things your suppose to do depending on the level's situation. My favorate kind of levels are in the moving levels where you man a rail gun while in constant movement, I thought those levels were great because they were something the franchise never had the feel of an on rails shooter, I love those kinds of shooters theres always something exciting about taking action while in constant motion .

Story is good if not great I'll talk about that latter it's does alright in acting as the inbetween story between "RE4" and 5 personally I'd kinda like to see most movie sequels try and do that. Two things I like in the story are for one it's format, I really like that they are for once using a multi focus format as well as the use of being non linear in a place or two which really give the game the sense of intrigue, the need to know how point A got to point B or simply how this or that happened. The characterization and the voice acting is good, the new characters are alright but I'm in it really for Jill and Chris whom are still well Jill and Chris; the voice acting for them and the others is on par and each really have distinctive personas. I even like the suit that Jill is wearing, she fits and moves very well in it. Ahem, anyway I really like the use of suspense, it's true this game isn't too scary though I don't mind too much because due to the pacing, moodyness and the action of the game it helps in amping up the suspense in the game. I couldn't help but feel a bit apprensive about what's hidden in the next corner or even behind a closed door. I even like the fact that for once your not really fighting zombies but anphibious mutants and monsters, I wouldn't say that blows the franchise away but it's just something different is all.

The only two misses for the game are the story, it's not completely memorable which makes it a little non engaging. It's the same problem I had with both "RE3" at least in my book anyway. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad story (likewise for the game I mentioned) it's got a good plot, it's interesting and did make me want to know more as I went on. But I just feel it's lacks a certain emotional senseability, a pizazz to up the creep factor. This is just a minor quib it could just be me on that manner, I've probably , and there was a certain twist I felt just came out of left field. This could just be me, gotten too use to the conspiracy plot as well as it's twists and turns, like driving on the same street over and over.

I also felt that the boss fights were just a bit long, not that that's a big deal I can still beat them but it just took more time then desired, they could of edited out at least 1 or 3 mins so the experence wouldn't of felt long.

Is this one of the best entries in the franchise, in my book no but it comes close and that's fine by me, it's kinda like how I feel about the Bond movies some I like more than others. But this is no doubt one of my favorate games for the 3DS (probably for now anyway) and personally I how this won't be the last. I wouldn't mind if another was made, if not this system then the "PS Vita" or heres a better thought how about both handheld systems; yeah I know wishful thinking but who's to say it can't happen. This game's revelations are all good.