Why Was Resident Evil 6 So Poorly Received? A Deep Dive

Resident Evil 6, despite boasting strong sales figures, is often considered a critical failure within the Resident Evil franchise. The core reason for its poor reception boils down to a dramatic shift in design philosophy. Capcom attempted to cater to too broad an audience, resulting in a game that felt fragmented, tonally inconsistent, and ultimately, disconnected from the survival horror roots that defined the series. It traded atmosphere and tension for bombastic action, complex narratives, and a sprawling campaign, alienating many longtime fans in the process.

The Core Issues: A Breakdown

The negative reception of Resident Evil 6 can be attributed to several key factors:

• Over-the-Top Action: The game shifted heavily towards action, prioritizing set-piece moments and gunplay over the survival horror elements that made the series famous. While action was always present in Resident Evil, it became the primary focus in RE6, relegating horror to a secondary role.

• Fragmented Narrative: The four interwoven campaigns, while ambitious, resulted in a disjointed experience. Each campaign had a different tone and focus, with some prioritizing action, others attempting (but often failing) to evoke horror, and still others landing somewhere in between. This lack of consistency made it difficult to become invested in the overall story.

• Length and Pacing: The game’s lengthy campaign, clocking in at around 20 hours, felt bloated and padded. Many sections felt repetitive and unnecessary, further exacerbating the pacing issues. The sheer scale of the game contributed to a feeling of exhaustion rather than excitement.

• Lack of Polish and Uninspired Design: Some critics and players felt that the game lacked the level of polish expected from a AAA title. Design choices, enemy variety, and overall level design were seen as uninspired and derivative.

• Catering to Everyone, Pleasing No One: As the article states, Capcom attempted to appeal to multiple demographics simultaneously – old-school survival horror fans, co-op action gamers, and general action enthusiasts. This resulted in a diluted experience that failed to satisfy any group completely. Each campaign attempted to cater to a different group.

• Loss of Isolation: The global scale of the game and the constant presence of a partner removed the sense of isolation and vulnerability that was crucial to the survival horror experience. Resident Evil traditionally thrived on creating a feeling of being alone and unprepared in a dangerous environment.

• Poor AI and Partner Reliance: The AI of the partner characters was often criticized as being unhelpful or even detrimental. The game frequently forced players to rely on their AI partner, which could lead to frustration and a decrease in immersion.

• Distance from Resident Evil Core: The shift to a more bombastic style removed the atmosphere and suspense associated with previous games and left fans feeling disconnected.

A Missed Opportunity: A Dissection

Resident Evil 6 represents a missed opportunity for the franchise. While experimentation is important, Capcom strayed too far from the core elements that made the series successful. The attempt to create a blockbuster action game ultimately undermined the identity of Resident Evil, resulting in a game that, while commercially successful, was widely considered a disappointment.

The Games Learning Society explores how games and learning intertwine, and Resident Evil 6 offers a fascinating case study in how shifting design philosophies can impact player engagement and perception. Exploring why certain games succeed and others fail is vital for understanding the broader landscape of game design and its societal implications. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Resident Evil 6: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Did Resident Evil 6 sell well despite the negative reviews?

Yes, Resident Evil 6 sold over 10 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games in the franchise. However, its sales fell short of Capcom’s initial expectations, leading to disappointment despite its commercial success.

Q2: Why is Resident Evil 7 considered a return to form for the series?

Resident Evil 7 shifted back to a survival horror focus, emphasizing atmosphere, tension, and resource management. It also adopted a first-person perspective, creating a more intimate and terrifying experience.

Q3: How does Resident Evil 6 compare to Resident Evil 5?

Resident Evil 5, while action-oriented, still retained some survival horror elements and had a stronger focus on co-op gameplay. Resident Evil 6, on the other hand, pushed the action even further, resulting in a more fragmented and less cohesive experience.

Q4: Which Resident Evil game is considered the scariest?

Resident Evil 7 is generally considered the scariest game in the franchise, due to its emphasis on atmosphere, claustrophobic environments, and terrifying enemies.

Q5: Is Resident Evil 6 connected to the other games in the series?

Yes, Resident Evil 6 is connected to the other games in the series, featuring returning characters like Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Ada Wong. However, its plot is largely self-contained.

Q6: Why was Chris Redfield portrayed differently in Resident Evil 6?

Chris Redfield suffers from PTSD and survivor’s guilt in Resident Evil 6, which leads to a darker and more troubled portrayal of the character.

Q7: Is Resident Evil 6 the longest game in the series?

Yes, Resident Evil 6 has the longest playtime in the Resident Evil series, due to its four interwoven campaigns.

Q8: Does anyone actually like Resident Evil 6?

Yes, some players enjoyed Resident Evil 6 for its action-packed gameplay, expansive story, and variety of playable characters. However, it is generally considered a divisive entry in the franchise.

Q9: Was Resident Evil 6 a financial failure?

No, Resident Evil 6 was not a financial failure. It sold millions of copies and generated significant revenue for Capcom. However, it did not meet the company’s high sales expectations.

Q10: Is Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil 7?

No, Leon Kennedy is not a playable character in Resident Evil 7. The game features a new protagonist, Ethan Winters.

Q11: Which is the hardest boss in Resident Evil 6?

Derek Simmons is often considered one of the hardest bosses in Resident Evil 6, due to his multiple transformations and challenging attacks.

Q12: How old is Leon in Resident Evil 6?

Leon Kennedy is 36 years old during the events of Resident Evil 6.

Q13: What were some of the criticisms about the story in Resident Evil 6?

Some criticisms of the story in Resident Evil 6 included its convoluted plot, excessive use of clichés, and lack of focus on character development.

Q14: Why did Capcom move away from the action-oriented approach of Resident Evil 6?

Capcom recognized that many fans were unhappy with the direction the series was heading and decided to return to its survival horror roots with Resident Evil 7.

Q15: What is the best-selling Resident Evil game of all time?

The Resident Evil 2 remake has become the best-selling Resident Evil game in franchise history, overtaking Resident Evil 7.