During our coverage of E3 2014, I started the event with a stop by Bethesda’s booth and got some hands on time with their eagerly awaited new horror game The Evil Within.
The game is the creation of Shinji Mikami who created the highly successful Resident Evil series, and continues the tradition of combining horror and action with the stuff of nightmares.
After a brief introduction and trailer for the game we were shown an extended trailer for a new project that was in development and then it was off to play the game.
Entering the dark play area, I placed my headphones on at my station and waited patiently for the game to load.
When it did I was able to glace at a reference card which outlined the controls but many of them were in keeping with Resident Evil so there was not as much of a learning curve as I had expected.
I was approached by a N.P.C. character outside a house and told that we had to get to a location but there was company in the area.
I noticed several undead creatures in a clearing and attempted to take them out as quickly as I could. The game offered an ability to knock back enemies which allowed players more time to ready or reload weapons.
The enemies were dispatched with a bit of effort and I was able to make my way to the house. Exploring upstairs and downstairs I noted the look of the game was familiar to those who are used to this type of game and noted that the hero did not change his expression much. The locales allowed me to pick up various items but the looped dialogue got old very fast as I was attempting to explore rooms and deal with threats I encountered. Hearing the same line repeatedly annoyed me as I was more concerned with exploring and what might be waiting for me in the darkness ahead.
Heading downstairs I came upon a scene of carnage as a large and ghoulish being was carving up a individual on a table. I dispatched him soon enough but not in time to save the victim.
I wish that I had more time to play the game but as is the case with opening day at E3, a full schedule of meetings requires you to keep an eye on time and be ready to move on as I had already postponed one meeting that morning in order to spend more time with the game.
Gameplay was familiar and the graphics were solid, but this was not as revolutionary as I had expected. It played very much like previous Resident Evil games in many ways so I am hopping that the storyline really draws me in when the game is released. The trailer shows many interesting possibilities ahead so I look forward to the final game.
