Following the success of Left 4 Dead Capcom realized that they should have been the first night of zombie-dripping co-op party. Better late than never.  After trips to both the Spanish countryside that African swamps, it is finally time for a dear old series to come home again. The upcoming Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is a spin-off, which builds on familiar landmarks and characters, but lands in some untrodden terrain. As the title suggests, it is located in the city that has been the center for much in the franchise’s rich history. In fact, we will take part in a campaign that runs parallel to events in Resident Evil 2 and 3, with both new perspective on things we experienced before and the potential to change history.

The focus, however, lies less on the action than we’re used to. Operation Raccoon City is in fact nothing like the traditional Resident Evil, but a co-op-based action game in the third person perspective. The setting is creepy but not scary. The tempo also carries great contrast to the approach of the somewhat rigid predecessors. Technically, there are more similarities to Left 4 Dead.

The plot revolves around three groups: Umbrella Security Service, the biological monsters BOW–Bio-organic weapons–and the elite unit in the form of Spec Ops. It would obviously be a pretty dramatic difference from the control Chris, Jill and other old protagonists.

The idea is that your small squad will consist of individuals who promised to have distinctive personalities and special abilities. The unique forces may include new weapons or the ability to make himself invisible for short periods, and unlocked when the show targets. The ambition to create very different soldiers is also one of the main reasons that the game is not viewed from first person perspective.

The small groups will fit too well with the team game, so the campaign’s support for co-op is both gratifying and self-evident. As for competitive multiplayer, it is nothing at all demonstrated at present, but the arrangement would undoubtedly be able to do well online.  However, what is more worrying is Slant Six’ poor track record. Since its establishment in 2005, the Canadian studio released a handful of games that each received lukewarm receptions.

That other Resident Evil veterans are behind it all, however, inspires confidence. One such aspect is the interaction with Raccoon City’s many zombies. The city’s many zombies can with the help of some cunning, be used to the player’s advantage, as they act very predictably. Properly used, the city zombies can be a powerful weapon.

Exactly how hot Operation Raccoon City as a whole will be is difficult to say at this stage, but the focus seems to be to find a working game mechanics and then build from there. It sounds like the right way to go, especially when you get a lot of free atmosphere in a world of fans eagerly waiting to return.

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