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Playing RE:6 is Breaking My Heart


On 03/31/2013 at 01:29 AM by Raised_on_Nintendo

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I bought Resident Evil 6 on release day (10.2.12).  This wouldn't be the first game that's taken so long for me to beat, but RE is one of my favorite franchises, and any RE normally would have been beaten by now.  This isn't entirely the game's fault.  I've been pretty busy the past few months.  Really, though, the game would keep my attention if it wasn't so flawed.

As per usual, my first play-through is on the toughest difficulty and in co-op mode.  Unfortunately, nobody I know bought RE6, so I am forced to play split-screen with my stepson.  He's a skilled gamer, perhaps moreso now than I, so the only real issue with this is the smaller view.  It's still okay, for the most part, but it is detracting slightly from my enjoyment of the game.  This is the first triple-A co-op title I purchased in which I was unable to join online with a friend because nobody else bought it.

My main issue is with how the controls (they're too complicated to begin with) couple with the menu screens and HUD.

Growing up, I used to play games with kids who would throw their controller, bite it, cuss at their Mom, punch a pillow, cry, you name it.  RE6 is turning me into that person.

It's embarrassing, really, cursing at this game so frequently and so loudly.  Due to the unfamiliar HUD, I can never tell exactly how many rounds are in my clip, and it's set in such a way that makes it difficult for me to keep an eye on, so to speak.  I'm not a fan of how herbs and other weapons (grenades, mines, etc) become equipped to the HUD.  Herbs and other healing items should have a specific button or method of invoking.  I shouldn't have to switch back if I use a grenade, or even switch to a grenade to begin with.  It should have a seperate slot in the interface.

Speaking of the interface, there's too many actions programmed into it.  I have to press 3 buttons to do a running slide.  That's ridiculous to me.  The game is constantly prompting the required input string during specific moments, because there's too many for them to simply feel intuitive enough to remember at any given time.  Granted, I haven't been playing consistantly for days, so each time I play I have to "brush up".

There's a bunch of nitpicky nuances that bother me, too, which are more the byproduct of playing co-op.  Cutscenes sometimes leave me facing in a prone direction.  Sometimes I think I'm downed, when it's really my partner, thanks to all the unnessecary flashing and button prompts happening on-screen.  

I can never seem to aim accurately, either.  Headshots?  Forget about it.  Again, this could be due to the smaller split-screen, but I can't tell if I'm even making contact .  The enemies don't react properly, or at all.  At best, there's a splashing of brown goo, which could be from my ammo, or some gaseous spittle already flowing from its face.

It's a shame, because there's so many new ideas that I like, and the graphics are amazing.  It pains me, too, because I've thoroughly enjoyed every previous RE, making this the first I might not like.  Perhaps the story would be different if I dropped the difficulty or played alone, but I've never done that for previous games, and never had interface issues.  

I put playing RE:6 higher on priority list, and I will beat it in the next week or so.  It's just breaking my heart.  It feels more like a grind, than a game.

 

Other Bits:

I'm excited to try RE: Revelations on a console, and wanted to give it a quick nod after dogging RE:6 like that.  It's great on the 3DS.  It shifts playable characters and locales a lot, which reminded me of Code: Veronica.

In other gaming news, I still play a lot of multiplayer on Wii (FIFA, Tiger Woods), and startedBattalian Wars.  I'm also playing Punch-Out on the Wii U, a great value at 30 cents, but kinda sad considering that's all I'm playing on Wii U at the moment.  I also went old school and downloaded a fan-translated Mother 3 (Earthbound 2) GBA rom.  It's pretty good, and reminds me of 8-, 16-, 32-bits' hayday.

To further resonate the retro note, I threw a few bucks at the Retronauts Podcast Kickstarter.  It's already reached its initial goal, now working toward stretch upgrades.  Personally, I'd like it to reach the 72,000 goal, which would trigger the creation of a quality Retronauts website.  Donations were at around 40,000 last I looked, with about 20 days left, so there's still a chance.


 

Comments

BrokenH

03/31/2013 at 01:45 AM

Our experiences with RE 6 differ because I bought it cheaper,much later, and a free update patch had come out by then. Additionally, I always start off by playing RE games on easy. I know it's kind of a spineless way of going about it but I like to build myself up towards the normal & hard difficulties one step at a time.

Personally I thought RE 6 was a good action game but simultaneously a rather bad survival horror game. I would have liked to "jump" in fright at least once but that moment never came! By the way, I'm excited for Revelations too!

Super Step Contributing Writer

03/31/2013 at 01:49 AM

I definitely look forward to Retronauts' return.

asrealasitgets

03/31/2013 at 04:40 AM

Interesting post. I've had quite a few discussions about RE6 in the past, here and elsewehere. I for the record was able to enjoy the game despite all of its flaws. Yes, I know it sounds odd to someone who may dislikes the game, but I read up on the games mechanics and controls and found a sort of middle ground if you will with this game. I bought it on launch day and played through all the chapters with all the characters. It's a cool movie I guess? I sort of gave up on RE franchise and just accept it for what it is. I played solo by the way, I can't imagine playing split screen as one of the biggest gripes about the game is the closed-in claustrophobic camera. 

Some tips...

Do use the skills and abilities menu at the end of each chapter  to give yourself better aim, grapple escape, and ground recovery. It will make a difference!

Also, although the game has cover, only use it to recover stamina. Don't try to Gears of War cover shoot through the game. You will die. There is a stamina meter that diminishes after doing too many melee moves, so you should hide out behind cover to recover stamina quickly.

Don't be afraid to melee the hell out of these mofos. This is more a run and gun melee game than a cover/stop and shoot game. Run like hell!!!!

You will need to learn patience too. You will die a lot!

I think starting off with Chris and Wesker chapters is best. Leave Leon for last or you will hate the game for sure! Ada Wong chapter is fun and cool.

Overall, just try to have fun with the game. Try? I know it may be hard. I wish I was still playing so I could coop, but I shelved it away for now. 

Totally agree on Revelations on 3DS. Great game and 3D is awesome.

*Update: The last game patch allows you to pull the camera back more. I really suggest doing this. 

Raised_on_Nintendo

03/31/2013 at 07:42 AM

@Ben I know I'm punishing myself by being stubborn and not changing the difficulty.  I agree that RE:6 is a great action game, it just shouldn't feel this wonky, even on this setting, IMO.  A great game should be great on all difficulties.  

@Joe Step ya know, I've just recently checked out 1Up's podcasts.  I didn't realize there were so many.  Retronauts is one of the best.

@asrealasitgets I started with Leon's campaign and just reached the point with the pilot BOW on the way to China.  I'm not really that far into it, and I know the gameplay changes up with different campaigns.  I use melee a lot, and I notice that it works better on certain BOW's.

After I beat the game I'm probably going to replay it solo on easy level, to get a better feel of the pacing.  I really like the environment, underground tunnels, that nasty zombie shark QTE battle, it's all been really neat.  It's just that certain routine maneuvers seem too complicated, which has never been the case for me with RE, even back in the old tank-control days.  

I think what I'm seeing here in RE:6 is perhaps the second or third advancement (or generation) of online co-op integration.  For me, it started with the first Gears of War.  That was the first online co-op adventure/action/shooter I played, and I think it's the first AAA of it's kind. That was way back in 2006, 6 years ago.

Since then, the formula hasn't changed all that much.  RE:5 - the first online co-op RE - nailed it pretty well, I thought.  FWIW, RE:Revelations nailed it too, even on the dinky 3DS, although 3DS' lack of voice chat made it a lonely experience.  Unfortunately, I am stuck with split screen for RE:6, but I can sense how they are trying to expand the experience, move it forward.  I respect that.

asrealasitgets

04/01/2013 at 10:17 PM

when u get to the final bosses u might start hating it again. It's like an up and down thing with this game. The bosses on chris and jake levels are pretty rad. leon is more of a retread of old things. Ada is so awesome. It's a long game. It would be interesting if u kept up with blogs about your experience with this game. I think I would be interested in reading that. 

angelfaceband42

03/31/2013 at 02:13 PM

I really enjoyed the game in single player and co-op.  If you want to go though it on coop sometime send me a message or friend me on live:  angelfaceband42

Raised_on_Nintendo

04/01/2013 at 02:59 AM

thanks, angelfaceband42. unfortunately, we are playing on different consoles, or i might take u up on it.

Coolsetzer

04/01/2013 at 03:59 AM

I've played through a few of the titles in the past, and I think it's more actiony than previous installments. Definitely get in enemies faces with melee because I think that's how it wants to be played. I'm told that you can set up your herbs to have a one bitton heal setup as well. As far as difficulty, I have the most fun with games when they're on the easiest setting these days. 

True Gamer At Heart

04/01/2013 at 01:29 PM

I am playing it as well..I am doing leon campain first..I see why people may not like this game very much, oh my...That is so annoying to have that onscreen hud!!

Chunopo

04/02/2013 at 02:03 AM

I keep tip toeing around RE6, I too love the franchaise and was really happy when I played Revelations, the first installment to edge back towards RE4 as far as I'm concerned, but I ve heard so many bad things about this game I just don't want to be disappointed. Yeah I'm a bit of a pussy when it comes to stuff like that but.... well its my childhood these guys are screwing up, I want good memories damn it!

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