Resident Evil: Revelations 2 - Episode 1: Penal Colony

 Xbox One
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Destructoid
    Feb 24, 2015
    90
    Resident Evil: Revelations 2 feels like a budgeted release at times visually, but given the interesting environments and insanely detailed Raid Mode, that's okay. Either mode is worth the $5 entry fee alone, and I will be playing this for weeks to come both alone and with a partner.
  2. Gaming Nexus
    Mar 6, 2015
    80
    The first episode of Revelations 2 starts off a little slow, thankfully Raid Mode keeps things interesting and alone justifies the price of admission. Hopefully the story picks up in the future chapters.
  3. Metro GameCentral
    Feb 24, 2015
    80
    A successful start to the first episodic Resident Evil, with some genuinely inventive co-op features and the most effective scares the series has seen in years.
  5. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Feb 25, 2015
    75
    While all the elements are in place for a traditional and memorable Resident Evil experience, Revelations 2 is – at least through this first chapter – missing a spark.
  6. 4P.de
    Feb 27, 2015
    74
    After the gruesome Resident Evil 6 this is a first step to redemption. Atmosphere and exploration move back into the center, but are too often overshadowed by action. It it still a long way back to the old Resident Evil virtues, but you have to start somewhere. So why not here?
  7. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Apr 6, 2015
    70
    Proves there's still some life in the old series yet. [Issue#122, p.70]
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  8. CGMagazine
    Mar 3, 2015
    70
    For a paltry $6, Penal Colony includes about two hours of single player story and a horde of zombie-filled hours in the numerous Raid levels, complete with multiple characters to build and upgrade.
  9. Pure Xbox
    Mar 2, 2015
    70
    Dividing the game into episodic chunks is already shaping up to a successful experiment for Capcom, and we can’t wait to see where it all leads to in the coming weeks.
  10. Atomix
    Feb 26, 2015
    70
    Capcom finally learned that fan service and nostalgia sell. It delivers a game full of winks and memories for the hardcore fans, while trying out new game structures that may be what we could see from the franchise in the future.
  11. Hardcore Gamer
    Feb 26, 2015
    70
    Regardless, the first episode of Resident Evil Revelations 2 is off to a solid start, but Capcom has a ways to go before convincing players that this is a good direction for the series.
  12. VideoGamer
    Feb 25, 2015
    70
    It's fun, with a compulsive quality and a constant glut of rewards to keep you playing and earning more weapons, perks, and Yet More Stuff for your build(s), even if it lacks the time pressure and one-more-go appeal of Mercenaries. At five quid, however, there's no going wrong here.
  13. Game Revolution
    Feb 24, 2015
    70
    Though nothing is over-the-top incredible about each piece individually, it all links together in a way that only Resident Evil games somehow can manage—maybe not everything on the sampler platter is as tasty as the next, but altogether it's pretty darn good.
  14. Xbox Achievements
    Feb 24, 2015
    70
    Whether there's quite enough intrigue to make you desperate for next week's instalment is debatable, but Resident Evil: Revelations 2 is off to a decent enough start.
  15. IGN
    Feb 24, 2015
    70
    Episode 1 is let down by dull environments and creature design, but a terrific co-op mode, intriguing story, and replayable Raid Mode balances out its flaws. Not quite a headshot, then; but it’s left a bloody impression on me nonetheless.
  16. GameSpot
    Feb 24, 2015
    70
    With tastes of both classic and modern Resident Evil, Revelations 2 has something for everyone, but it would be served better if it was a little more focused and had a little less Moira.
  17. The Jimquisition
    Feb 25, 2015
    60
    Its episodic nature comes off as arbitrary to begin with, the DLC slinging is flagrant, and overall it looks and plays like something either very old, or a budget game punching above its weight. Raid Mode offers some longevity, and nothing the game does is particularly awful, but not even the return of Barry Burton makes this debut episode more remarkable than it is.

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
71
#71 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 116
  3. Negative: 24 out of 116
  1. wka93
    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!    … Full Review »
  2. Lileroice
    Feb 26, 2015
    10
    Amazing game! The best RE ever (after Re2 for sure) *-*. Great history, graphic, horror, everthing that you want to see in a RE. EverybodyAmazing game! The best RE ever (after Re2 for sure) *-*. Great history, graphic, horror, everthing that you want to see in a RE. Everybody needs to play this RE… Full Review »
  3. DarkEvil79
    Feb 25, 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.… Full Review »
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