A little back story
There's no denying that Resident Evils director, Shinji Mikami, has been influential for the horror genre in gaming. Many titles have borrowed ideas and been inspired by his works since the first Resident Evil in 1996.Conceived from ideas from Capcom's own horror title based off a movie, Sweet Home in 1989, and heavily influenced by Alone In The Dark, the first true survival horror from 1992, RE1 would be fundamental in the success of the genre, the first PlayStation and especially for Capcom as a whole.
Mikami would continue his success and go on to be the producer of RE2&3, Code Veronica and Dino Crisis. He would return as director for REmake released on the Gamecube in 2002.
Apart from original RE1 and it's remake, RE4 from 2005 is perhaps Mikami's most famous and successful title in his directing career at Capcom. It became a huge hit on the Gamecube in 2005 and even more so on the PS2 later that same year. RE4 has since been re-released countless times and it would influence the gaming industry massively.
Apart from original RE1 and it's remake, RE4 from 2005 is perhaps Mikami's most famous and successful title in his directing career at Capcom. It became a huge hit on the Gamecube in 2005 and even more so on the PS2 later that same year. RE4 has since been re-released countless times and it would influence the gaming industry massively.
In recent years I've played Vanquish, which Mikami also directed. I enjoyed the gameplay, but the story left me disappointed, read me review here.
Which brings me forward, to his last directing job from 2014, stating he's leaving such a position to younger developers in his team from here on, The Evil Within. The sequel, The Evil Within 2 from 2017, has Mikami listed as a producer and not a director.
I've recently played and completed both these horror titles, as a tribute to a director and producer I very much admire. Especially through my love for the very first RE, which I have found memories from in the 90's.
Let's take a look at both The Evil Within games.
Albeit, this time I went for the Mikamis recommended difficulty setting of casual. Resulting in a far more enjoyable experience and less frustrating experience, while still being a fairly difficult survival horror experience.
How would I best describe the game? Think of it as Mikami getting to direct a Silent Hill title, while bringing in the frantic village scenes from RE4 and being influenced by the movie Inception.
Gunplay feels intense and like a third person shooter should, but maybe a tad on the sluggish side. Ammo is scarce, even on casual, keeping that intense feeling of survival horror going throughout. At times, you feel yourself desperately trying to keep the main protagonist, Sebastian Castellano, alive.
I love how some of the unique features are retained from the first game to this sequel. Making it's own typical The Evil Within quirks, much like how we remember the item chests and ink ribbons in the Resident Evil franchise. Most noticeable is the upgrade hub, which is accessed though a bright mirror once again. Only this time, it brings you to an office and then further on into a dark and disturbing room with the nurse from the first game.
Caring, but also hauntingly so, the nurse speaks to Sebastian about how things are going on mentally with him. In the nurse's room you can open item boxes and do character upgrades, which she'll comment too. Luckily, this time around there's no loading screen between this hub world and the main game world, where you access the mirrors in designated safe rooms.
These safe rooms are much like the ones from Resident Evil: a safe haven from enemies and a place to save your game and breath out. They're charmingly equipped with a coffee maker to heal yourself!
This sequel retains the survival aspect of low ammo and scarce resources, but allows for more action oriented situations with multiple enemies. This breaks the comfort zone of the slow pace. I think it's a neat upgrade and found the balance between sneaking about, gun combat, exploration and story scenes very well balanced. Whenever you start feeling that you have a grip on everything, a little overpowered too, the game throws you into new types of scenarios with new enemies to take you off guard!
Where the first game felt more a lot like a Silent Hill title in it's atmosphere and design, this sequel feels more like a Resident Evil game. Although, I found the first game more disturbing and with more varied enemy design, closer to a typical Silent Hill title, this second game rests perhaps, a bit too close to the standard apocalypse and zombie affair.
Graphically, there's been major upgrades over the base console versions, especially on the Xbox One X. Going from 900p to 1800p in resolution alone for this sequel. Everything looks much sharper and far better textures are used, making even close-up details look great. The levels have become larger and contain far more space to roam.
Which brings me forward, to his last directing job from 2014, stating he's leaving such a position to younger developers in his team from here on, The Evil Within. The sequel, The Evil Within 2 from 2017, has Mikami listed as a producer and not a director.
I've recently played and completed both these horror titles, as a tribute to a director and producer I very much admire. Especially through my love for the very first RE, which I have found memories from in the 90's.
Let's take a look at both The Evil Within games.
Review
Played on: Xbox One & PlayStation 4
Released: 2014
I actually attempted to play the first Evil Within back on the PS4, in 2015. Being both unimpressed with it's bad optimisation, resulting in severe framerate drops in dense enemy sections and a steep learning curve, I left it unfinished and never returned.
This year, I was tipped off by a friend to play the second title. However, I still wanted to complete the first one, being directed by Mikami and all. So, I decided to go with the 900p version on XB1, PS4 is 1080p, and let my Xbox One X do the work at retaining the framerate stable. Luckily, it does, and I finally completed a playthrough.
Albeit, this time I went for the Mikamis recommended difficulty setting of casual. Resulting in a far more enjoyable experience and less frustrating experience, while still being a fairly difficult survival horror experience.Played on: Xbox One & PlayStation 4
Released: 2014
Released: 2014
I actually attempted to play the first Evil Within back on the PS4, in 2015. Being both unimpressed with it's bad optimisation, resulting in severe framerate drops in dense enemy sections and a steep learning curve, I left it unfinished and never returned.
This year, I was tipped off by a friend to play the second title. However, I still wanted to complete the first one, being directed by Mikami and all. So, I decided to go with the 900p version on XB1, PS4 is 1080p, and let my Xbox One X do the work at retaining the framerate stable. Luckily, it does, and I finally completed a playthrough.
How would I best describe the game? Think of it as Mikami getting to direct a Silent Hill title, while bringing in the frantic village scenes from RE4 and being influenced by the movie Inception.
I know, it sounds weird, but focus on the Silent Hill part. The story and environments feel closer to what a game in that franchise would be. The more grounded reality styled horror from the early RE games is replaced for an ever changing madness and weird enemies from somebody's darkest imagination.
There's even a little RE1 mansion within the game too. It rolls up the directors line up of work wonderfully, without ever daring to push boundaries. For fans of his work, there are a lot of nods back to his career.
There's a lot of western influence to the game's controls, it plays closer to a matured third person shooter than many other titles from Japan. Although Vanquish had the same influence for it's gameplay, Mikami and his team have been inspired by the west for not only with the gameplay, but also the story narrative.
There's even a little RE1 mansion within the game too. It rolls up the directors line up of work wonderfully, without ever daring to push boundaries. For fans of his work, there are a lot of nods back to his career.
There's a lot of western influence to the game's controls, it plays closer to a matured third person shooter than many other titles from Japan. Although Vanquish had the same influence for it's gameplay, Mikami and his team have been inspired by the west for not only with the gameplay, but also the story narrative.
It suits the game well, while still retaining some of that crazy madness that only horror games from Japan can replicate. The dialogue is well done, albeit with some cheesy lines here and there, with good voice acting. The story dramatically sinks you into it's disturbed world quickly. The presentation has aged a little, but nothing major.
As a big Silent Hill fan, I found the crazy, disturbing enemy designs and the changing environments a real flashback to Konami's twisted horror series.
Structurally, it's fairly linear affair, it's about traversing from A to B mostly. Although, it occasionally offers some room to explore larger areas. The locations and visual areas dramatically change and throws you from place to place in a spectacular and Inception-like fashion. The most non-linear layout I found, was the RE1 throwback mansion area. Playing on some of that original RE1 styled structure, going back and forth and unlocking new rooms in the mansion.
As a big Silent Hill fan, I found the crazy, disturbing enemy designs and the changing environments a real flashback to Konami's twisted horror series.
Structurally, it's fairly linear affair, it's about traversing from A to B mostly. Although, it occasionally offers some room to explore larger areas. The locations and visual areas dramatically change and throws you from place to place in a spectacular and Inception-like fashion. The most non-linear layout I found, was the RE1 throwback mansion area. Playing on some of that original RE1 styled structure, going back and forth and unlocking new rooms in the mansion.
Gunplay feels intense and like a third person shooter should, but maybe a tad on the sluggish side. Ammo is scarce, even on casual, keeping that intense feeling of survival horror going throughout. At times, you feel yourself desperately trying to keep the main protagonist, Sebastian Castellano, alive.
Much of the gameplay is surprisingly stealth based. It may sound a little strange, but consider that you used to sneak past zombies and creatures in both RE and SH games, it's not a bad idea. The stealth is lightly implemented though, killing enemies undetected earns you a chance to reserve ammo and quietly get through an area. However, being detected brings up some intense situations where enemies rush you. I enjoy stealth if it leaves room for failing, without being forced to restart.
While it's a fairly early, current generation release, it has quite a bit going for it visually. The image quality and performance though, brings the overall impression down. A muddy picture throughout, with graphics that can look very mediocre at times, but it at least does take use of current gen effects like a dramatic depth of field, well done lighting effects, air particles floating about and atmospheric fog.
Playing this in much higher resolution with a smooth framerate on PC would help, but the visuals do grow on you, even on the console versions. Just expect the performance to drop badly on base PS4 and XB1, hence playing them on newer consoles helps. I really enjoyed the environment diversity with it's chilling and haunting locations, although I would've preferred more colour usage, it really is in the gritty, grey and brown category of visual styles.
While it's a fairly early, current generation release, it has quite a bit going for it visually. The image quality and performance though, brings the overall impression down. A muddy picture throughout, with graphics that can look very mediocre at times, but it at least does take use of current gen effects like a dramatic depth of field, well done lighting effects, air particles floating about and atmospheric fog.
Playing this in much higher resolution with a smooth framerate on PC would help, but the visuals do grow on you, even on the console versions. Just expect the performance to drop badly on base PS4 and XB1, hence playing them on newer consoles helps. I really enjoyed the environment diversity with it's chilling and haunting locations, although I would've preferred more colour usage, it really is in the gritty, grey and brown category of visual styles.
With some tighter controls, a less stupid end boss and better performance, I feel this could've been a stronger release. The story is interesting, but it's main plot twist and ideas aren't exactly groundbreaking, and the ending is fairly uninspiring. The build-up of tension, helps aid the thinner story parts and it brings back some of that Silent Hill magic of falling deeper and deeper into madness.
It's strange then, to think that a game that feels like a Silent Hill title, is made by the guy that started the whole modern horror genre with the first Resident Evil! This first game at lays the fundamentals, which never quite surface properly, for a sequel to shine.
On it's own, it's neither great nor mediocre in any way. It's just pure survival horror, that could've done with more polish and perhaps pushed the gameplay boundaries further, with a less aged structure. Recommended for horror fans and those wanting to play the sequel!
It's strange then, to think that a game that feels like a Silent Hill title, is made by the guy that started the whole modern horror genre with the first Resident Evil! This first game at lays the fundamentals, which never quite surface properly, for a sequel to shine.
On it's own, it's neither great nor mediocre in any way. It's just pure survival horror, that could've done with more polish and perhaps pushed the gameplay boundaries further, with a less aged structure. Recommended for horror fans and those wanting to play the sequel!
Review
Played on: Xbox One X
Released: 2017
"Everything you can do, I can do better", a famous quote but a very fitting one for The Evil Within 2. I spoke earlier, about how the first game lays the fundamentals of the series. This sequel takes them and benefits from being a sequel that, perhaps not many realised, would even be made. It clearly feels like it's made by a team with a lot of freedom and ideas, but also a far more ambitious team.
Played on: Xbox One X
Released: 2017
Released: 2017
"Everything you can do, I can do better", a famous quote but a very fitting one for The Evil Within 2. I spoke earlier, about how the first game lays the fundamentals of the series. This sequel takes them and benefits from being a sequel that, perhaps not many realised, would even be made. It clearly feels like it's made by a team with a lot of freedom and ideas, but also a far more ambitious team.
It retains the iconic elements from the first title, but aims for a larger and more modern design to the whole experience. Playing the first game is key in understanding and appreciating the story of this sequel, though. Even just starting up the first level will spoil the main plot of the first game, so be sure to play the original first.
This sequel feels instantly like a more polished and complete package. Less rough around the edges and aiming at a more matured audience, far into this generation of consoles. It seems like it knows what it wants to be, rather than the first game which spanned to many ideas. How much influence Mikami has had as producer I don't know, but there's clearly still his DNA here.
Strangely enough, this time around it's closer to the old Resident Evil series, than Silent Hill. While not reaching the incredible tension and horror peaks of Alien Isolation and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard this generation, it is surprisingly up there with the best survival horror titles I've played in recent years. Don't worry though, there's still some Silent Hill-esque madness going on!
This sequel feels instantly like a more polished and complete package. Less rough around the edges and aiming at a more matured audience, far into this generation of consoles. It seems like it knows what it wants to be, rather than the first game which spanned to many ideas. How much influence Mikami has had as producer I don't know, but there's clearly still his DNA here.
Strangely enough, this time around it's closer to the old Resident Evil series, than Silent Hill. While not reaching the incredible tension and horror peaks of Alien Isolation and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard this generation, it is surprisingly up there with the best survival horror titles I've played in recent years. Don't worry though, there's still some Silent Hill-esque madness going on!
I love how some of the unique features are retained from the first game to this sequel. Making it's own typical The Evil Within quirks, much like how we remember the item chests and ink ribbons in the Resident Evil franchise. Most noticeable is the upgrade hub, which is accessed though a bright mirror once again. Only this time, it brings you to an office and then further on into a dark and disturbing room with the nurse from the first game.
Caring, but also hauntingly so, the nurse speaks to Sebastian about how things are going on mentally with him. In the nurse's room you can open item boxes and do character upgrades, which she'll comment too. Luckily, this time around there's no loading screen between this hub world and the main game world, where you access the mirrors in designated safe rooms.
These safe rooms are much like the ones from Resident Evil: a safe haven from enemies and a place to save your game and breath out. They're charmingly equipped with a coffee maker to heal yourself!
Weapon leveling is retained, only this time it has a deeper progression and requires resources. Character leveling is greatly expanded too and can be tailored towards your gameplay style. Resources from enemies gives the player a reason to take them down and with lots of items scatted hidden about, the player is encouraged to explore. Overall, a much better depth to the character upgrade system.
The structure is massively upgraded too and the areas you explore are now open ended in structure, working as small sandbox worlds. The first open area you come across, with it's charming small town US setting, is perfectly sized for newcomers. With rows of small houses, abandoned streets with cars in and parks to explore.
The structure is massively upgraded too and the areas you explore are now open ended in structure, working as small sandbox worlds. The first open area you come across, with it's charming small town US setting, is perfectly sized for newcomers. With rows of small houses, abandoned streets with cars in and parks to explore.
It's free roam, but at a small and manageable scale, which is key to keeping it open with a linear pace at the same time. It tempts you to go around and explore it further reaching areas, to gather resources and ammo, without overwhelming the player with freedom, while keeping you at unease with enemies crawling about.
The whole aesthetic of the town, combined with the close third person, over the shoulder, view and the orange tinted, street lamps on the streets of a zombie-like apocalypse, gives me vibes on how Resident Evil 2 would look like in modern times. A perfect warm-up for the RE2 remake next year in other words!
The whole aesthetic of the town, combined with the close third person, over the shoulder, view and the orange tinted, street lamps on the streets of a zombie-like apocalypse, gives me vibes on how Resident Evil 2 would look like in modern times. A perfect warm-up for the RE2 remake next year in other words!
I just love walking down the empty streets, roamed by zombies, with a shotgun and looking into back alleys and storage place for hidden resources, then suddenly being overwhelmed by a hoard of enemies. Survival horror at it's best, while allowing and rewarding a calmer pace of stealth kills, when hidden, as well.
This sequel retains the survival aspect of low ammo and scarce resources, but allows for more action oriented situations with multiple enemies. This breaks the comfort zone of the slow pace. I think it's a neat upgrade and found the balance between sneaking about, gun combat, exploration and story scenes very well balanced. Whenever you start feeling that you have a grip on everything, a little overpowered too, the game throws you into new types of scenarios with new enemies to take you off guard!
Where the first game felt more a lot like a Silent Hill title in it's atmosphere and design, this sequel feels more like a Resident Evil game. Although, I found the first game more disturbing and with more varied enemy design, closer to a typical Silent Hill title, this second game rests perhaps, a bit too close to the standard apocalypse and zombie affair.
Graphically, there's been major upgrades over the base console versions, especially on the Xbox One X. Going from 900p to 1800p in resolution alone for this sequel. Everything looks much sharper and far better textures are used, making even close-up details look great. The levels have become larger and contain far more space to roam.
It runs and feels smoother too, which really gives the whole experience a more pleasurable feel to the gameplay. Gone is the gritty and noisy image quality of the first game and in it's place lots of detail and a sharp picture.
Update: While useless back on the Xbox One X, this game had a option to unlock the framerate, allowing it to go higher than 30fps. Luckily, on Xbox Series X, this unlock is useful and lets the game run at 60fps! A very nice upgrade.
The sequel also delves into mad locations, like the first, further making it diverse from a visual and atmospheric point of view. To aid the less linear layout, there are markers on the map for it's main quests. You need to traverse to certain locations by yourself, you're not simply led along a path. There's even thrown in hidden upgrades of weapons to find and a handful of side missions, great stuff that takes the lifespan from the 10 hour mark of the first to 14 hour mark in the sequel.
Update: While useless back on the Xbox One X, this game had a option to unlock the framerate, allowing it to go higher than 30fps. Luckily, on Xbox Series X, this unlock is useful and lets the game run at 60fps! A very nice upgrade.
The sequel also delves into mad locations, like the first, further making it diverse from a visual and atmospheric point of view. To aid the less linear layout, there are markers on the map for it's main quests. You need to traverse to certain locations by yourself, you're not simply led along a path. There's even thrown in hidden upgrades of weapons to find and a handful of side missions, great stuff that takes the lifespan from the 10 hour mark of the first to 14 hour mark in the sequel.
There's no denying that an old survival horror player, like myself, has really enjoyed this second game. Although, I would've liked it to delve further down into the first game's Silent Hill designed visuals. As a whole though, the sequel is a fantastic package and a significant upgrade. It feels like a really solid and high budget release with great cutscenes, dialogue and strong gameplay that makes it very entertaining.
Sure, it may take a more safe route when it comes to weirdness and perhaps fare a little too far into the zombie apocalypse setting. But at the end of the day, it j all comes together as a varied and intense survival horror with a stronger and more ambitious design than it's predecessor. An expanded character leveling and weapon upgrade system helps keep the player engaged in exploring and actually lets you feel the progression by becoming more powerful.
Highly recommended and a great title to warm up to the Resident Evil 2 remake next year!
Bonus: Here's a playlist of some of my kills in the second game on YouTube, enjoy!
Sure, it may take a more safe route when it comes to weirdness and perhaps fare a little too far into the zombie apocalypse setting. But at the end of the day, it j all comes together as a varied and intense survival horror with a stronger and more ambitious design than it's predecessor. An expanded character leveling and weapon upgrade system helps keep the player engaged in exploring and actually lets you feel the progression by becoming more powerful.
Highly recommended and a great title to warm up to the Resident Evil 2 remake next year!
