Is Capcom’s new direction worthy of the loyal fans Resident Evil has earned over the years. After playing the game it’s definitely a different experience than the RE games of old.  If you’re a long running Resident Evil fan, the operation in Raccoon City is for sure a new take on the series, and one you may not be expecting. Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City represent a new directon not seen in the history of the Resident Evil franchise.

Capcom’s take on Umbrella’s attempt to cover up what happened in Raccoon City is a new story direction the series is in need of. However, Slant Six’s gameplay design makes this Resident Evil feel unlike any other. As a shooter the game wins on multiple levels, featuring some very unique gameplay tactics, and gunplay mechinics. One of my favorite is the zombie atracting bleed-out, which is useful both online and off. The biggest difference in Resident Evil: Opertaion Racoon City, is that the game is more of a shooter, than a survival horror game, and Slant Six’s shooting design is clearing represented. If you loved Socom Confrontations, Operation Raccoon City should have you feeling right at home.

This Resident Evil feels new on all fronts because of the direction Capcom has taken by using Slant Six for development. Also, because of the new story direction, which allows you to interact with the old characters from the previous Resident Evil games set in the same time period. Resident Evil has become a fast paced action packed shooter. After playing the game I couldn’t help but feel somewhat betrayed by the changes the series has taken. I prefer the slower more methodical approach to horror, even the tank controls seen almost better – for horror at least. Though I felt like Capcom stole my nostalgic Resident Evil memories by making Resident Evil into a shooter, I did enjoy my time with the game.

RE: Operation Raccoon City has a few new changes and strategies that could have you loving how much the series has changed as well. With six’s class, and four player co-op, this evil game opens the door to some versatility. Also, a cool new weapon added to the game that changes the gameplay is the pheromone grenade. This biologically sented grenade will send the zombies in whatever direction you throw them; attach them to the enemie and they will spend most of their time running from zombies instead of trying to killing you. Capcom calls Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City a three corner conflict, two warring military groups with the zombies as the wide card in the middle.

It’s a good description for a game that lets you use the lust for flesh as a combat tactic. Another nice feature is that every upgrade you earn in the single player campaign carriers over to multiplayer modes. The multiplayer modes will host a number of competitive and cooperative modes for you to set you sights on.

As you attempt to wipe away any existence of Umbrellas involvement with the T-Virus outbreak, you will experience a number of the signature Resident Evil scares, laced in some intense combat situations. Capcom's promising a story that will stay true to Resident Evil’s roots, but it’s hard to see how this version of Resident Evil will have the same creepiness the originals are known for; RE 4 at least. Playing through the story will also give you the oppertunity to change some of the series’ most important moments. The tank like controls we’ve all have shown our dislike for after Resident Evil 5, seem to be a huge part of what makes Resident Evil a classic franchise.

Capcom’s newest take on the Resident Evil feels like a new series entirely, that’s not all bad though, it’s actually a deep, inventive combat experience. On the other hand, I just don’t think hard core Resident Evil fans are expecting such a huge change for the seires. For the most part, Resident Evil: Operation Racoon City has become a shooter wrap with some Resident Evil flare. In the past Resident Evil was never been a shooter, it's been a survival horror game that allowed you to shoot. Venturing into Raccoon City is a risk you should consider before you enter the zombiefid Metropolis, it just might take you by surprise how much the world of shooting has overtaken the love of classic scary zombies, if you if find zombies scary, and I know you do. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is set to release Fall 2011.