Decoding Resident Evil 6: How Long Will This Zombie Apocalypse Keep You Busy?

So, you’re diving headfirst into the chaos that is Resident Evil 6 (RE6), a game notorious for its length and scope. The burning question is: just how long are you going to be battling bio-organic weapons and unraveling conspiracies? Well, buckle up, because a single playthrough of all four campaigns will likely take you around 20-40 hours. This estimate is based on average play times, accounting for the game’s four interconnected campaigns.

Now, let’s break down what influences that playtime and explore the finer details, including individual campaign lengths and completionist goals.

Campaign Length Breakdown: A Matter of Perspective (and Skill!)

The total time isn’t just a static number. It fluctuates depending on your:

• Playstyle: Are you a methodical explorer, meticulously searching every corner for ammo and secrets? Or do you prefer a more aggressive, run-and-gun approach?
• Difficulty Setting: Playing on a higher difficulty will naturally increase playtime as you’ll be more cautious and likely to die more often.
• Experience with the Game: First-timers will naturally take longer than veterans who know the maps, enemy placements, and optimal strategies.

Here’s a more detailed look at how each campaign stacks up in terms of playtime:

• Leon’s Campaign: This is generally considered the longest campaign. Each chapter can range from 50-80 minutes, especially on your first playthrough. It leans heavily into the classic Resident Evil horror feel, which often involves slower pacing and puzzle-solving.
• Chris’ Campaign: Chris’s storyline is slightly shorter than Leon’s, but it’s also considered the hardest due to its intense action and relentless enemy encounters. This increased difficulty might compensate for its shorter length, making the overall time commitment comparable to Leon’s.
• Jake’s Campaign: Jake’s campaign takes a shorter time to complete than the others, but has tricky sections.
• Ada’s Campaign: Ada’s campaign is usually the shortest of the four. It emphasizes stealth and puzzle-solving, leading to a quicker, more focused experience.

Therefore, the question is not just ‘How long is the RE6 campaign’, but also ‘Which RE6 campaign is the longest?’.

Completionist Goals: Reaching 100%

While the main story might take 20-40 hours, achieving 100% completion will significantly extend your time with Resident Evil 6. For those that strive to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 54 Hours to obtain 100% completion.

What does 100% completion entail? Expect to spend a great deal of time doing the following:

• Unlocking all achievements/trophies.
• Finding all hidden emblems and collectibles.
• Mastering the Mercenaries mode.
• Experimenting with different characters and weapons.
• Playing through the game on all difficulty levels.

This is especially the case for the achievements or trophies. You may have to replay entire chapters, sections, or even campaigns.

Is the Time Investment Worth It? A Matter of Taste

Resident Evil 6 is a polarizing game within the franchise. Some criticize its action-heavy focus, while others appreciate its ambitious scope and interconnected storylines.

If you enjoy action-packed gameplay, cooperative play, and a lengthy campaign with diverse characters and environments, then RE6 is worth the time investment. However, if you’re primarily looking for a classic survival horror experience, you might find yourself less engaged.

Remember, gaming is, in the end, a hobby to have fun.

RE6 and the Future of Games Learning

The complex narrative and interwoven campaigns of Resident Evil 6 provide a compelling example of how video games can present intricate stories and challenging gameplay experiences. For those interested in exploring the educational potential of games, the Games Learning Society offers valuable resources and insights.

GamesLearningSociety.org offers a diverse community of researchers, educators, and game designers who are dedicated to exploring the ways in which games can be used to promote learning and development. You can find out about academic papers, research projects, and professional development opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many chapters are in each RE6 campaign?

Each of the four campaigns in Resident Evil 6 consists of 5 chapters, for a total of 20 chapters in the entire game.

2. Is Resident Evil 6 a long game compared to other Resident Evil titles?

Yes, Resident Evil 6 is the longest game in the main Resident Evil series, clocking in at approximately 21 hours for a main story playthrough.

3. Is Ada’s campaign the shortest?

Yes, generally speaking, Ada’s campaign is considered the shortest of the four in Resident Evil 6.

4. Does playing on a higher difficulty affect the length of the RE6 campaign?

Absolutely. A higher difficulty means tougher enemies, scarcer resources, and more frequent deaths. This will naturally extend your playtime.

5. Are the RE6 campaigns different from each other?

Yes, the campaigns are distinct, each offering a unique perspective, gameplay style, and set of challenges. While there are some crossover moments, each campaign is largely self-contained.

6. Which RE6 campaign is considered the hardest?

Many players find Chris’ campaign to be the most challenging due to its relentless action and intense firefights.

7. Do I need to play the campaigns in a specific order?

While you can play them in any order, it’s generally recommended to play them in the following sequence: Leon, Chris, Jake, and Ada. This order allows the story to unfold more naturally and provides a better understanding of the overall narrative.

8. How old is Leon in Resident Evil 6?

In Resident Evil 6, Leon S. Kennedy is 36 years old.

9. Is Resident Evil 7 a direct sequel to Resident Evil 6?

Resident Evil 7 takes place after the events of Resident Evil 6 and has some ties to the broader series, but it’s largely a standalone story with new characters and a different gameplay style.

10. Is Resident Evil 6 replayable?

Yes, Resident Evil 6 offers significant replay value due to its four campaigns, multiple characters, unlockable weapons and skills, and various difficulty levels.

11. Why is Resident Evil 6 considered controversial by some fans?

Some fans find the gameplay too action-oriented and deviate too much from the survival horror elements of earlier Resident Evil games.

12. What is the shortest Resident Evil game?

Resident Evil: Survivor is the shortest game in the series, with an average playtime of around 2 hours.

13. Is RE6 a co-op game?

Yes, all four campaigns in Resident Evil 6 can be played in cooperative mode, either online or locally.

14. What makes Ada’s campaign different?

Ada’s campaign focuses more on stealth, puzzle-solving, and exploration compared to the other campaigns, which tend to be more action-oriented.

15. Is Resident Evil 6 scary?

While Resident Evil 6 has some horror elements, it leans more towards action and spectacle. Many players find it less scary than earlier Resident Evil games. Leon’s segments are considered to be the most scary parts of the game.

Final Verdict: Prepare for a Marathon

So, there you have it. Resident Evil 6 is a time sink, no doubt. But if you’re prepared for a lengthy, action-packed adventure with plenty of replay value, it might just be the zombie apocalypse you’ve been waiting for. Now go forth, gear up, and survive!