‘Evil Within 2’ expands the survival-horror gameplay
The latest from ‘Resident Evil’ creator Shinji Mikami explores a new, nightmarishworld
Bethesda Softworks took a chance on “Resident Evil” creator Shinji Mikami. The man behind one of the biggest survivalhorror games wanted to bring the genre back to its roots with “The Evil Within.”
The high- concept project follows police detective Sebastian Castellanos as he investigates a bizarre incident at the Beacon Mental Hospital. The game increasingly becomes more horrific and surreal until it’s revealed that Sebastian, his partner Joseph Oda and double agent Juli Kidman were part of an experiment tied to the Mobius corporation.
The company invented a device called the STEM, which unites the consciousness of users. The three were abducted and inserted into this virtual world (think of it as “The Matrix”). Unfortunately, a mad scientist named Ruvik was in control of the experience. The original was intriguing, but a confusing mess.
Mikami and his team do better with “The Evil Within 2.” Set after Sebastian and Kidman escape the STEM, it follows the former detective as he recovers from his ordeal. Kidman recruits him for another foray into Mobius’ machine. The carrot to lure Sebastian is his daughter, Lily, who he believed had died in a fire. It turns out the evil company had kidnapped her and inserted the child into the STEM.
Now, Sebastian has to rescue his daughter in another nightmarish world, but the developer, Tango Gameworks, creates a fuller experience around this. “Evil Within 2” doubles down on the survival- horror elements that Mikami made famous. Players have to manage ammunition and creep around monsters that lurk in the town of Union, a virtual world that Mobius created.
Unlike the original, the sequel is less linear, and it gives players a semi- open world to explore. Starting with chapter 3, players can wander through Union. Vicious zombie- like enemies infest the streets, chasing players and forcing them to run. Often, it’s best to take the stealthy route, sneaking up on enemies and knifing them from behind. That approach saves ammo, which will be needed for bigger monsters.
What’s remarkable about “Evil Within 2” is that it expands the survival- horror gameplay across a big map. It opens up all sorts of strategies and ways to deal with monsters. Players have the option of f leeing from enemies and hiding behind corners to eliminate them. They can draw them to spilled gas puddle and shoot it to light foes on fire. Sebastian can use the shock bolt on the Warden Crossbow to electrify water and jolt the creatures. No matter the situation, the environment proves pivotal to every encounter.
That open world is buttressed by a compelling story and good mission design, but to understand it, players should finish the original, so they can appreciate the lore that Tango Gameworks has built into the campaign. The side missions focus on the comm tool, and they often pop up while meandering through Union. In addition, Sebastian discovers Mobius workers who managed to survive the monsters, and they offer quests.
The team does a great job of giving players incentives to take on these missions. Rewards often include green gel, weapon parts and other items. These power- ups are part of a progression system that lets players upgrade Sebastian with better health stats, new stealth moves and improved combat.
Players will enjoy the sense of growth as the “Evil Within 2” story evolves with some twists.