Introduction
Ever since the mid 90s, Resident Evil has been scaring its fans with limited ammunition, zombies and unsettling, but calm Save room music. This franchise is what embodies the average millennial gamer. For as long as we could recall we have been trying to figure out how such a cheesy line, “Jill Sandwich” still reverberates with us even to today. So it is with a proud heart that I can give my review of Resident Evil 9 and where this game comes in strong and comes up short.
THE GOOD
Story
For Grace’s storyline, she was basically the secret sauce to Spencer’s original plan to infect the world with the T-virus. In short, Elpis which is Grace is the key to finishing Spencer’s work, but since she wasn’t around they had to create clones of her in hopes releasing Elpis, but all clones failed which also ended up creating “THE GIRL.” Elpis was actually the original virus that Spencer intended to release. Concerning Leon’s story, he is battling raccoon city trauma and has to find a cure for himself or he will eventually die. For some reason all of the survivors of that incident from re2 end up dead so this brings him back to Raccoon city. To be honest it sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me, but whatever. 7/10
GAMEPLAY
Re9’s gameplay is in this weird place where it really doesn’t know where it wants to be. Should we go full blown survival horror or should we go full blown Survival action? Well…Re9 does both as this installment incorporated the best elements from the Re7, re2, re3, re4, and even re6.
Grace
Re7 with the help of Outlast’s 1st person perspective take on horror, took this inspiration to direct Grace’s gameplay style. If you have played re7 & 8 along with amnesia or Outlast then you will be familiar with Grace’s gameplay. Her 1st person perspective gives a VR feel while also immersing the player head on through her gameplay. The next element to her play style incorporates the Re2 survival style from the 90s. For players that want that vintage survival horror feel you won’t be disappointed as grace will need ink ribbons just to save her progress, so it puts a bit of a spin on resource management. 8/10
Zombies
The next element are the enemies or zombies in the game. These zombies border on classic Re1 zombies/Dawn of the dead. The reason I say this is because some of the zombies such as the blister heads come at you with relentless speed before it finally grabs you. The classic zombies are more keen to being next to a drunk man in the club and not knowing if he is going to fall on you or in the zombie’s case bite you. They have this sneaky disposition where they can clear a lot of ground with few step which keeps you on your toes.6/10
Last but not least, Grace’s gameplay incorporates the best stalker enemy mechanics from Re3 with a new stalker type called, “THE GIRL,” this disfigured entity is Grace’s main antagonist as she has to creep around without being seen or risk getting eaten by ,”The girl.” The sense of dread from hearing her chance rattle as you hid behind a desk or stay in the light is pure cinema gold. In a way, it almost reminds me of darkness falls. Anyway, her gameplay focus on staying in the light or finding light, this could be somewhat of a callback to dying light but that is neither here or there. 8/10
Leon
Leons gameplay is a bit different as his gameplay focuses heavily on his own class Re4-Re6 games. Essentially when playing Leons campaign he is John Wick or James Bond killing zombies. With Leons gameplay expect high action stakes in which you are pit in situations designed to spike your anxiety like Re4’s “CABIN” level where you are stuck with Luis Sera and you have to survive the night. Leons campaigns makes you survive in tight enclosed spaces with zombies toting chainsaws. Leon’s gameplay pretty much speaks for itself, as he comes with an arsenal that is able to tuned up and upgraded. At times, during Leons standard gameplay, the zombies somewhat feel almost too easy to kill. but during the insanity mode the gameplay is just as it sounds. Leons gameplay deal a lot is parries but for his standard run you don’t really need to parry except for Hunks part. However, the insanity run, parrying is a must. 7/10
Graphics
The graphics in the game do justice for Leon and grace as you can tell Leon has aged throughout the years while Grace has this type of sultry sweat ready to drop at a moment’s notice. I wasn’t blown away by the graphics, if anything it’s only marginally better than Re4. But it gets the job done. 5/10
THE BAD
Duration and playthroughs
The reason this game gets so much flack is because of its duration. For 70 dollars and for the game to end in 11 hours it is somewhat of a disappointment, but the game felt complete in 11 hours. If you really wanted to go there this game is a memberberry for millennials a compilation or Requel. Another point of contention I found was during the unlimited ammo run. This game is definitely worth at least 3 playthroughs as you complete it on the normal difficulty, play on insanity, and once insanity is completed you do a final vengeance run with unlimited ammo. However, during your unlimited vengeance ammo run it somewhat feels anticlimactic and the whole point of the game is ruined. Comparing this unlimited run to Resident Evil 4’s unlimited ammo run, Re4’s runs still felt worthy, challenging, and fun. However, since it is only 11 hours and “THE GIRLS” part is basically inconsequential with unlimited ammunition then you feel somewhat cheated because you can’t really kill the girl due to plot armor. So Leon’s run is the run where you can actually get full use of unlimited ammunition. However, Leon already felt overpowered as is, so it feels like a god among zombies when you play. These really weren’t too much to gripe about, but for some it may be a nuisance. 6/10
Emily’s game level
Have you ever wanted to feel like a weak little bitch, me either! Well you had better not play Emily’s level, shit, it’s required! Well her fucking level is frustrating because it triggers your parental instincts of helplessness. Here, the entire level feels like you are being gaslighted. Gaslighted and helplessness which somewhat align with the themes of Resident Evil but this level is just EVIL. 4/10
