Free New Resident Evil Game is a Surprise Hit With a 94% Rating

Free-to-play mobile game Resident Evil Survival Unit is the newest spin-off to be added to the long-running zombie-focused horror series, and it appears to already be a big hit with fans who have tried it out. Over the years, spin-offs, whether they be mobile or not, haven’t always been successful for AAA franchises, but Resident Evil Survival Unit seems to be avoiding the usual spin-off pitfalls.

The official announcement of Resident Evil Survival Unit came in July at Anime Expo, and with spin-offs and some mobile games not having the greatest reputation, initial feedback was divided. The mobile title takes place before Resident Evil 4 and tasks S.T.A.R.S. agents with completing operations around the iconic Raccoon City. Although Resident Evil Survival Unit was met with skepticism from some gamers, the return of beloved franchise heroes like Leon S. Kennedy. Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield, and Ada Wong ignited excitement, and the reception to the game’s launch has been quite positive.

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Resident Evil Survival Unit Is One of the Franchise’s Highest-Rated Spin-Offs in Years

• Resident Evil Survival Unit is available for free on both Android and iOS devices.
• Just one day post-launch, the game has already been downloaded 1 million times.
• The game introduces the Operative, a new protagonist character who serves as a blank slate for players.

As of now, Resident Evil Survival Unit sits at an average approval rating of 94%, meaning it’s currently the highest-rated spin-off the franchise has seen. The Resident Evil franchise is coming up on its 30th anniversary in March, and in those three decades, Capcom has released a diverse offering of mainline titles and spin-offs, but the latter has a history of ups and downs. Notorious spin-offs like Umbrella Corps and Resident Evil: Survivor are some of the least-favored of the bunch, with their Metacritic scores currently sitting at 38% and 39%, respectively. Of course, not every Resident Evil spin-off has been as ill-fated as these two, but overall, the non-mainline stories have mostly garnered average review scores.

Resident Evil Survival Unit arrives at an exciting time in the franchise’s timeline. Resident Evil Requiem is right around the corner, and for fans who are craving more Raccoon City-focused mysteries ahead of the new entry’s launch, Resident Evil Survival Unit may be well worth a look. Also, even though Resident Evil Survival Unit isn’t the first mobile game in the franchise, it appears to currently be the one with the most promise. The franchise’s presence on mobile devices has been sparse, but this fresh spin-off may have gotten the Resident Evil formula right on mobile this time around.

The impressive legacy of Resident Evil has made the franchise one of the most beloved action horror series in gaming, and it’s exciting to see a mobile spin-off get off to such a strong start. Mobile gaming may not be for every Resident Evil fan, but for those who have been searching for something new, Resident Evil Survival Unit may prove to be a solid change of pace. Between the return of familiar faces, the introduction of brand-new characters, and fresh secrets to uncover around Raccoon City, Resident Evil Survival Unit may be a great appetizer to get in the mood for Resident Evil Requiem when it launches in February.

Source: App Store