Resident Evil with Linear Designs Makes a Case for Scenarios to Return

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Resident Evil with Linear Designs Makes a Case for Scenarios to Return

Highlights

  • Resident Evil games are moving away from linear gameplay, embracing exploration and optional loot in wider regions.
  • Resident Evil 2’s A and B scenarios added replay value by offering unique perspectives and experiences for players.
  • A return to scenarios in future Resident Evil games could provide a unique direction for the franchise, balancing classic mechanics with modern trends.

As a long-time fan of the Resident Evil series, I’ve seen the franchise evolve significantly over the years. The recent shift towards exploration and optional loot in wider regions has been intriguing, but it’s also left me feeling like something is missing. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the new direction, but the replay value just isn’t what it used to be.

Although “Resident Evil” hasn’t yet ventured into a fully open-world setting, it has certainly moved away from its linear roots, with recent games offering more exploration and optional loot discoveries. For instance, in “Resident Evil Village,” players could hunt animals to prepare stat-enhancing dishes for the Duke, while the remake of “Resident Evil 4” featured optional tasks for Leon S. Kennedy that he could complete at the Merchant. If Capcom continues to develop levels in this manner, an open-world “Resident Evil” game might not be entirely implausible.

There’s an argument to be made that Resident Evil games lose a bit of replayability with this design because, while exploring can be exhilarating on a first playthrough, exploration can be more of a slog on repeat playthroughs. Replayability hasn’t been an issue for many Resident Evil games, but some titles’ replayability is certainly better than others so long as there is enough content to fulfill multiple playthroughs. That’s why, with alternating scenarios providing unique perspectives and experiences, Resident Evil 2 would be a terrific template for any future Resident Evil games that are a return to basics.

Resident Evil 2’s A and B Scenarios Quadruple an Otherwise Linear Game’s Content

Playing both Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield’s characters not once but twice offers an engaging way to delve deeper into the story, setting it apart from playing as Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield in Resident Evil. The experiences change depending on whether you start with Leon A or Claire A, resulting in four distinct scenarios to explore.

In the game Resident Evil 2, the scenarios could have turned out repetitive or unoriginal if not handled skillfully. Fortunately, unique aspects have been incorporated into each scenario, making them valuable additions for new players to experience.

In the original version of Resident Evil 3, instead of having multiple interconnected scenarios like Resident Evil 2, there was a section where Carlos became a playable character. Resident Evil 2, on the other hand, offered more content and allowed players to shape the narrative themselves, while following a predetermined A-to-B path with Claire as the first player character and Leon following suit. The remake of Resident Evil 2 could have expanded upon the original’s scenarios more extensively, and perhaps future games will reimagine the scenario concept entirely.

Resident Evil Taking a Backstep Could Be Its Most Progressive Choice in a While

In a potential new installment of “Resident Evil,” making the game linear with distinct scenarios might be an innovative choice for the series. However, if “Resident Evil” starts incorporating contemporary and popular gaming elements, it’s doubtful that we’ll see a return to traditional mechanics.

In a similar fashion, it’s unlikely that Resident Evil will revert back to tank controls and fixed camera angles, as this would require abandoning the openness and freedom found in its more recent games. For fans who haven’t experienced the original trilogy, Code: Veronica, and 0, this shift could be disconcerting due to their lack of familiarity with the closely interconnected gameplay styles of those titles.

Despite this, scenarios played a crucial role in the highly popular remake of “Resident Evil 2.” Given that “Resident Evil 2” is now one of the most cherished “Resident Evil” games, returning to scenarios might not feel entirely out of place or unwelcome. At the very least, the “Resident Evil” series has a wealth of potential storylines to explore, any of which could add to its enduring appeal.

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2024-07-30 13:35