Resident Evil: Revelations 2 - Episode 1: Penal Colony Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 118 Ratings

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  • Summary: The first episode is entitled Penal Colony. Claire Redfield, one of the only survivors of the Raccoon City incident of 1998, has since joined an NGO called Terra Save, whose mission is to assist victims of biological weaponry. During an event at Terra Save’s HQ, a mysterious force abductsThe first episode is entitled Penal Colony. Claire Redfield, one of the only survivors of the Raccoon City incident of 1998, has since joined an NGO called Terra Save, whose mission is to assist victims of biological weaponry. During an event at Terra Save’s HQ, a mysterious force abducts Claire and her co-workers and moves them to a creepy deserted island. Expand

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Resident Evil Revelations 2 - Live-action Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 19, 2015
    84
    This is an entertaining, but quite linear piece of action adventure. Action is good, but the horror elements are a bit bland, since there's no time to build real tension. [March 2015]
  2. 80
    While the graphics in Penal Colony are pretty disappointing, the atmosphere, pacing, and amount of content are easily worth the price of admission.
  3. Mar 4, 2015
    80
    Resident Evil is finally back! Well, almost anyway. The first episode of Revelations 2 is a step away from the action spectacle that was Resident Evil 6. Instead it feels like a cheaper version of Resident Evil 4, with a real interesting story and well written characters.
  4. Play UK
    Mar 1, 2015
    77
    A fair remaster of a classic, Resident Evil is a game that holds up pretty well, but one that those not nostalgic enough likely won't enjoy as much as returning STARS veterans will. [Issue#253, p.64]
  5. 75
    Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is a promising start to this four-part horror title, with some interesting gameplay dynamics let down by dodgy presentation and some technical hiccups.
  6. Feb 25, 2015
    72
    The game has some flaws, but for now it’s just a setup and as a setup, it’s decent.
  7. Feb 24, 2015
    60
    This first episode of Resident Evil Revelations 2 is not fantastic but quite efficient. Playing with groups of two characters is nice, the atmosphere is as dark as we expected... Well, it does the job and makes us impatient to play the rest of the game in the next episode.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Feb 25, 2015
    10
    Being a long-time RE fan, I enjoyed most of the games the series has produced. Resident Evil Revelations 2 is certainly no exception. GrantedBeing a long-time RE fan, I enjoyed most of the games the series has produced. Resident Evil Revelations 2 is certainly no exception. Granted that the graphics aren't exactly 'up-to-date', but the gameplay and story certainly makes up for that and especially for what is considered to be a low budget game for only $25 for the whole season. Excluding the Raid mode (which I will get to in a bit), I always able to play through a solid 3 hours with the first episode. This is actually wonderful considering the entire season will essentially be around 12 hours roughly; so it's definitely not a short game. The first campaign did not scare me so much considering that I've watched many videos with Claire Redfield gameplay, however, Barry's campaign certainly did give me quite a few jump scares. Both campaigns are certainly fun to play and while some may complain that the environment may seem dull, I myself am quite pleased with the background environment during the gameplay (brings back memories of Code Veronica). The dialogue has improved over the past few games and while Moira's dialogue may seem over the top, it should be noted that this is in fact Barry 'What IS this' Burton's Daughter.

    Raid Mode as always is quite fun. I have played the Mercenary Mode in the past RE games and they have certainly kept me entertained. However, I do prefer Raid Mode in the Revelations series since it's definitely a lot faster paced, with options to upgrade weapons, fight over-sized monsters charging towards you and it certainly helps practice your aiming for when you go through campaign mode without sacrificing precious ammunition.

    That being said I am definitely satisfied with the first episode of this game and would actually recommend it for those interested in playing. However, if you are an old-school fan who enjoyed fixed camera angles and painted horror game background, you might wanna steer clear of this.

    Hope this helped!
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  2. Feb 24, 2015
    10
    The gameplay is really interesting and the game is awesome. The graphics are excellent for an episodic game and Moira flashlight is very goodThe gameplay is really interesting and the game is awesome. The graphics are excellent for an episodic game and Moira flashlight is very good . This game is better than 6 and 5 .I hope Resident Evil 7 be good like this game. Expand
  3. Feb 24, 2015
    10
    this is what all resident evil fans want a real survival horror re and this is it its an amazing start to the 4 episode journey and i cantthis is what all resident evil fans want a real survival horror re and this is it its an amazing start to the 4 episode journey and i cant wait to see what happens next Expand
  4. Feb 28, 2015
    9
    Revelations 2 plays really nicely and the first episode really makes me begging for more. I really like the overall feeling of the firstRevelations 2 plays really nicely and the first episode really makes me begging for more. I really like the overall feeling of the first episode and even after finishing the 2-2.5 hour campaign of the first episode, there is tons of content in the funny raid mode. Other than some magazines, I really like the new additions to the gameplay with moira and that other girl. The only letdown are really the graphics, but that's okay with me. It's not always the looks that matter. Btw: Barry dropes an amazing line at the end of episode 1. People how played the original first resident evil will love this ^^ Expand
  5. Feb 24, 2015
    8
    I really liked Resident evil revelations 2 . Today i finished episode 1 and it takes 2 hours for me . It was deffinitly better than residentI really liked Resident evil revelations 2 . Today i finished episode 1 and it takes 2 hours for me . It was deffinitly better than resident evil revelations 1 and Resident evil 6. Its 1080p 60fps , the graphic engine would be better ,not so bad .. I wish they make Resident evil 7 with Capcom's panta rhei graphic engine.
    Story is so interresting . The atmosphere draws you into the game. Yea maybe it would be better with online experience on campaing but Multiplayer raid mode will be come when all episodes released .
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  6. Feb 25, 2015
    8
    Very conservative, apart from Alan Wake's flashlight and The Last of Us' little girl it's the same game Capcom's been making in the last twoVery conservative, apart from Alan Wake's flashlight and The Last of Us' little girl it's the same game Capcom's been making in the last two decades. Enemies are more of a standard zombie variety, compared to overly retarded creatures from Revelations 1 and RE5. Environments are uneven: dull indoors, but really nice, atmospheric outdoors. Graphics are nice, character models are detailed and well textured, however low rez textures can be seen on many surfaces, making the game look a bit dated. I was surprised by music score, which is probably better, than in any other game in the series and adds a lot to game's overall atmosphere.
    Contrary to some silly claims, this game isn't a "shooter". The fact that game gives you just enough ammo to kill everything on the map doesn't make it a shooter. It still makes you count every bullet and be very careful, which are not characteristics of modern shooters. Don't listen to people, who want Resident Evil to be an Amnesia/Outlast clone, where Leon Kennedy, after cowardly running away from undead horde, could finally engage into fiery romance with Albert Wesker.
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  7. Feb 26, 2015
    7
    RE: Revelation 2 is a pretty interesting effort from Capcom to get back to the survival horror genre by improving the game play and giving aRE: Revelation 2 is a pretty interesting effort from Capcom to get back to the survival horror genre by improving the game play and giving a lot of content for gamers.
    However graphics and atmosphere need to be improved substantially if they want to reach the top.
    Overall rate: 7/10

    Graphics: 4/10
    This is one of weakest elements of this game. The graphics are not bad but could have been much better considering the PS4 capabilities.
    Game play: 8/10
    Game play is very smooth and intuitive. Shooting is very fun, as well as the possibility to change characters and adopt their skills/equipment depending on what the current situation in the game requires. However stealth system would have been a great addition, especially when you run out of ammo, as well as further optimization on your partner's AI (when playing alone).
    Story: 9/10
    Story is interesting and is building up the suspense pretty good, additionally I love the fact they reference many quotes of Franz Kafka. Characters are pretty interesting and lovely in case of Natalia.
    Atmosphere: 6/10
    Atmosphere could have been better; the most interesting part is when Barry is in the woods. We need more of that atmosphere. The music is not scary or stressful; the enemies are quite plain and look very old fashion (design wise). Additionally the sound when using your fire arms is quite boring.
    Content: 9/10
    For the price you pay, you will have a lot of fun and different ways to beat the game.
    Co-op, raid and different difficulties are available to replay this first chapter.
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See all 11 User Reviews