In the world of video games, the Resident Evil series has been a pillar of horror and survival since its inception. However, the recent mobile release, Resident Evil Survival Unit, has generated more confusion than excitement. Silently launched last November by the South Korean studio JOYCITY, the game found little resonance in the community, leading many to question its value and relevance within the franchise.
A mobile game that wants to scare you
Despite its lackluster launch and mostly negative reviews, the developers at JOYCITY attempted to turn the gaming experience around by implementing innovative tests based on biosignals. In an interview with This Is Game, business leader Jun Seung Park revealed that the team monitored players’ brain waves, eye movements, and heart rates to objectively measure levels of tension and immersion in the game. According to Park, while questionnaires could provide positive responses, biometric data led to different conclusions about the effectiveness of horror in the game.
However, the expectations of a terrifying game quickly faded as reviews hinted that, although the beginning might seem like a traditional Resident Evil experience, it soon turned into a typical mobile market base-building game, filled with gacha mechanics and generic content. This leaves many fans of the series puzzled and wondering if it is really worth their time and attention.
Although the study claims that they are adjusting the levels of fear and immersion based on their tests, the general perception is that Resident Evil Survival Unit still has a long way to go to connect with fans who are expecting an authentic Resident Evil experience. Rumors suggest that the direction of the game could be reconsidered with the arrival of new updates.
