Most Experimental Resident Evil Games

Summary

Umbrella Chronicles introduced a first-person view, adding a new perspective to classic stories.
Village offered a more whimsical and fantasy-based aesthetic, unique to the series.
The Mercenaries 3D created an entire game mode based on a popular bonus mode, which proved successful.

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours navigating through the chilling landscapes and battling hordes of undead in the Resident Evil series, I must say that each game in this iconic franchise has its unique charm and challenges. However, some titles truly stand out from the crowd due to their daring decisions and innovative approaches.

Over the years, the Resident Evil games have consistently adhered to their original survival horror concept, but not all installments have strictly obeyed these rules. In the course of this long-running horror franchise, Capcom has occasionally altered key gameplay elements, resulting in significantly different formulas for certain titles.

Occasionally, these changes can be seen as an effort to rejuvenate the series or as the developers jumping on a popular bandwagon at the time. In any case, tinkering with the series has resulted in mixed outcomes, producing some of the most original and groundbreaking titles in Resident Evil history so far.

8. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles

Umbrella Chronicles Implemented An FPS View So Players Could Experience Classic Stories From A New Perspective

Prior to the release of the Resident Evil 3 Remake, there was Umbrella Chronicles, a game that recounted the events of the third game, the original game, and Resident Evil 0 as well. Unlike its predecessors that employed fixed camera angles to enhance the gaming experience, Umbrella Chronicles placed players in a first-person shooter perspective instead.

Given that the game came out in 2007, it’s understandable why Capcom joined the trend of first-person shooter games. However, their decision proved fruitful as a sequel followed shortly afterward. Notably, the Nintendo Wii, which was just launched, turned out to be an ideal platform for this game due to its motion controls, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

7. Resident Evil Village

Village’s More Fantasy-Based Aesthetic And Whimsical Nature Was Nothing Like The Series Had Seen Before

Resident Evil Village exhibited a more ordinary feel and style compared to previous games in the series. Instead of the usual gritty horror setting, this game played out like a fairy tale with its magical and whimsical elements, which were quite different from anything we’ve seen in the franchise before. The introduction of characters such as a giant vampire woman or a man with metal manipulation abilities added a fantastical touch that was unexpected yet not entirely unwelcome.

Indeed, the enchanting ambiance of this storybook setting truly distinguishes the game, “Village,” from other games in the series. Instead of being just another installment in Ethan’s journey, it offers a unique experience. Whether Capcom decides to adopt this visual style in future games remains to be seen, but given the warm reception of “Village,” revisiting this design could certainly prove beneficial.

6. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

Capcom Based An Entire Game Around The Series’ Immensely Popular Bonus Game Mode

In the Resident Evil series, Mercenaries served as an additional game mode since the third installment, but it remained purely a game mode without much depth. However, due to its growing popularity, Capcom decided to create a separate game exclusively focusing on Mercenaries for the Nintendo 3DS.

The new gameplay mechanic significantly transformed the central gameplay experience, with players required to kill multiple enemies in succession to build combos and gain access to costumes for preferred characters – an integral part of the main storyline. It was undeniably a bold move, but it proved successful, contributing to the game’s immense popularity over time.

5. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

Operation Raccoon City Bumped The Player Count To 4 And Introduced An Incredibly Unique Multiplayer System

The central concept of Operation Raccoon City was immersing players as Umbrella operatives amidst the Raccoon City Incident. This game marked the first time in the series that a complete 4-player cooperative mode was introduced, and while 2-player co-op had been previously presented, having an additional two team members significantly transformed the gaming experience, shifting it more towards action-oriented gameplay.

The campaign offered a distinct and innovative twist, and the game itself included a multiplayer mode where players could select characters such as Leon, Jill, or HUNK from a familiar roster. These characters had unique weapons and abilities, creating an experience that resembled a light hero-shooter in feel. The game, titled Operation Raccoon City , garnered many fans due to its bold moves, but some critics felt it strayed too far from the survival horror genre’s traditional roots.

4. Resident Evil 6

Resident Evil 6’s Multiple Genre-Themed Campaigns Were Intriguing, But A Large Departure From What Came Before

Prior to Resident Evil 6, multiple campaigns weren’t typical in the series. In earlier games such as Code Veronica, players could alternate between characters within a single narrative, or choose one of two characters for their individual journey, both taking place in similar settings. However, Resident Evil 6 breaks this pattern by offering four distinct stories, each with its own unique genre focus – be it horror, action, or stealth – set in completely separate environments.

In this game, there was a unique feature that allowed two sets of players to interact within the game when their characters’ stories brought them together at specific points. This multi-campaign system was a groundbreaking concept in gaming, as no other game had tried it since then. Although it didn’t become a recurring element in the series, it certainly enriched the content available for play and expanded the lore of Resident Evil 6.

3. Resident Evil Gaiden

Resident Evil Gaiden Feels Like A Game That Capcom Created As A Quirky Test Experiment

Instead of progressing the story consistently with each main game, Capcom took a slightly new approach in Resident Evil Gaiden. This game explores an alternate scenario where improbable partners Leon and Barry find themselves trapped aboard a zombie-ridden ocean liner.

In a nod to classic gaming, the camera angles are reminiscent, but the combat compels players into a first-person shooter view, requiring precise timing for shots, much like the system seen in Undertale in later years. It appears that Resident Evil Gaiden was Capcom enjoying themselves and perhaps testing ideas and mechanics that would later be refined for future projects.

2. Umbrella Corps

Umbrella Corps Went All-In With Its Action, Resulting In A Hectic Horde Mode

The game “Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps” seems like an attempt that backfired, which is ironically reminiscent of several such failures within the series. Leveraging the widely acclaimed third-person action genre, “Umbrella Corps” is a fast-paced shooter where players strive to eliminate as many opponents as possible across various iconic locations from the game’s rich history.

This could seem somewhat like the Mercenaries, but it’s played more as a wave-based survival mode where players defend against endless waves of zombies, Ganado, and Majini using their weapon skills and character boosts, instead of hunting them down. However, keep in mind that Umbrella Corps was generally seen as a less successful addition to the series, though some fans have come to appreciate it more over time.

1. Resident Evil 0

With No Item Boxes And Two Playable Characters On Screen At Once, Resident Evil 0 Took Some Pretty Big Risks

After achieving great success with the first three “Resident Evil” games, Capcom opted to largely disregard the established rules when it came to creating “Resident Evil 0”. Gone were the item boxes, leading players to either discard items or trade them between their new in-game partner. The addition of a second character, Rebecca and Billy, was effective as it allowed for smooth movement between the two characters using the thumbsticks.

In today’s era of Resident Evil games, the cooperative gameplay featured in Resident Evil 0 was a groundbreaking innovation or experiment within the game’s mechanics. While fans had varying reactions to the significant alterations made in Resident Evil 0, it undeniably offers a unique experience that sets it apart from its predecessors.

2024-12-24 17:34