JBoc924The Resident Evil franchise is no stranger to Apple’s iOS devices, nor is it a stranger to handhelds in general. Owners of the iPod touch and/or iPhone have already been able to enjoy Resident Evil Degeneration as well as a mobile port of Resident Evil 4. Now, iOS device owners have a chance to experience a game exclusively devoted to one of the franchise’s most popular modes: Mercenaries. And while fans are eagerly awaiting the release of this summer’s Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D this doesn’t mean that Resident Evil: Mercenaries Vs. should be completely ignored. At $2.99, this iOS title not only provides a fun portable version of the popular Resident Evil 4 and 5 survival mode, but it also offers a taste of the main meal coming in the summer. Find out why below.
The first thing one should take into consideration is the fact that this is a strictly touch-based mobile version of a console experience. So obviously there’s going to be a little getting used to the controls here which come in the way of a virtual analog with touch-sensitive icons on the right side that control actions such as raising your gun and going into your inventory. Once you get a hang of this control-set then you should feel quite comfortable and be ready to pull off headshots, perform quick 180 degree turns and transition from firing your gun to a melee attack.
So what of the maps? Well, the game is pretty bare bones when it comes to that, as well as the character selection which consists of, and is limited to, series’ all-stars: Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and Albert Wesker. From the get-go you have only three stages to choose from. These stages have the enemies you would expect to be roaming them and even some mini-bosses like JJ and Dr. Salvador make an appearance. You can opt to take on these stages in a free-for-all fashion with four players going at it or in a team-based style with pairs going up against each other, just like in the console version’s Versus mode add-on.
The biggest hook to the this game is the online mode and this is the title that Capcom is using to test out the iOS’ online capabilities. It’s worth noting that there’s also local play for the game’s aforementioned modes but experiencing it online might be much more attractive to most. After setting up your user account and being assigned a unique PIN ,you’re then free to either search for specific lobbies, create your own, or engage in quick play. It doesn’t take too long to find other players and before you know it you’ll be chasing after each other and killing enemies with the goal of trying to get the most points within the set time-limit (just like the console versions). Lag was pretty much non-existent and the “replay” option upon the end of each match is quite appreciated.
Right from the very beginning, when the game was first revealed, everyone pointed out the muddy looking images and thus stated how this looks like an extremely watered down port of the Mercenaries experience. While that may be somewhat correct, one has to acknowledge the fact that it’s running on an iOS device and it won’t look as nice as the upcoming 3DS version. Having said that, though, the game does a reasonable a good job in the presentation department.
You have music ripped straight from the console versions of these modes and they’re best experience here with headphones. And yeah, the visuals aren’t anything to boast about and nowhere near a graphical showcase like Infinity Blade, but the playable character models look rather decent and its a bit jarring to see this graphical decency not carry itself over to the enemies which look really muddy and polygnal upon close quarters. This may indicate the release as rushed and a lazy job on Capcom’s part, but one must remember that the main focus here was running an online-enabled title with minimal technical issues, which of course, Capcom succeeded in.
Overall, the game whether online or off doesn’t really stutter that much or drop in frame-rate, though, online this may end up changing due to one’s connection. The maps themselves feel a little empty but that’s to be expected due to the platform it’s on, though there are a few exceptions like the aforementioned Infinity Blade.
Now here’s the most important question, especially for those not really willing to shell out the three bucks for this title: How’s the replay value? In short, it’s really good and while there’s a very small amount of stages and characters, Capcom has promised paid DLC for the game that will expand the game even more with a meatier selection characters and stages. What’s here is fun, though and whether you decide to tackle everything on your lonesome with bots in the mix or multiplayer (offline/online) with other players, you’re still going to have a fun time.
As for extras, there’s actually a brand new mode in this game that you can engage in called Coin Shoot mode in which you’re doing just that, shooting coins scattered around the levels trying to do it in quick succession. This complements the main single player mode nicely. One downside, though, is that there’s actually no literal “single” player mode. What I mean by that is that even when playing by yourself, you’re still tasked with killing the other characters which in this case are bots, making the infected enemies roaming around nothing more than a means to get more points while you draw your attention solely on the other characters. It would have been nice to have a mode where it’s just you by yourself trying to kill as much enemies as possibly within the time limit, like in the consoles.
Despite all this, the replay value can also be extended a bit more by using the different characters. Each comes with their own unique load-out and own set of melee attacks like Wesker’s rushing tackle from one side of the stage to the other and Jill’s spinning kicks and knee-drops. This all makes for a pretty moderate package in terms of replay value. And of course, you always have the online mode waiting for you and you can easily spend a good amount of time there ending up with that “just one more game” feeling that lends itself nicely to a handheld platform.
Final Opinion
It may have technical shortcomings and it may not be rich in content, but Resident Evil Mercenaries Vs. provides a very nice experience on the iOS devices whether it be the iPhone/iTouch or the much more sophisticated iPad. At $2.99, you’ll get your money’s worth and you can always keep coming back to the online multiplayer mode which may even end up being addicting over time. And with future support for this game coming, by way of levels and characters, this little mobile version of the franchise’s popular extra mode not only serves as a suitable title on the iOS devices but also as a nice appetizer for what’s to come this summer on the 3DS. Go check it out.
(7 / 10)
Good
(7 / 10)
