Video game demos are supposed to give gamers a clear representation of a game's final release, although there is the occasional release that either exceeds a demo's quality or fails to expand on what is offered in the quick preview.
In the case of Resident Evil 6, I really, really hope the final product exceeds the demo. Because the demo is awful. If this demo represents the final product, the game is going to be crap.
For one, load times are frequent and tedious, breaking up the experience and dragging me away from what should be a more streamlined and progressive experience. Rather, the demo's three different experiences are separated by long load screens showcasing button mapping, as well as the occasional load screen randomly during game time. I just want to play the game for crying out loud!
The three stages -- Chris, Leon Jake -- each have their fair share of problems, too.
Leon's demo is pretty much just guiding him through a dark house, with minimal actual exploration or investigating, and the occasional kick to the head of a zombie. "Underwhelming" is an understatement.
The Jake demo suffers from gross miscommunication, as I died a number of times trying to figure out what exactly I was supposed to do. The associated QTE while running away from the boss should make for some pretty basic gameplay on my behalf, but the game doesn't do a very good job of detailing what it is you need to do. Trial-and-error in games is fine, but this doesn't quite fit into that category: I felt like I was dying and restarting more because of poor game design, rather than an effort by the designers to make me experiment with the battle and try again after some problem solving. It's an experience that seems complicated for the sake of it.
Chris' demo was probably the standout of the three, but it was as basic as you can get when it comes to demoing gameplay. Simply put, if the combat is as simple and boring as Chris' demo was, Resident Evil 6 will fail to reach even RE5's standards of suspense and action. And RE5 wasn't even scary! The action in this segment was quick, simple and particularly mindless.
Then there's Jake's battle with Ustanak at the very end. Initially it seems like a blend of old-school boss battles with a sprinkle of some good ol' RE4 combat. However, the battle is too simple and lazy, as you simply need to lure the boss to an explosive barrel before you you-know-what to inflict some damage. That's it. Yawn.
Why It's Not Doom And Gloom...Yet
All that said, the demo quite clearly represents very specific aspects of Resident Evil 6's experience: exploration, action and boss battles. There are obvious restrictions when it comes to demos, and Capcom has tried to fit in the most playable aspects of the game into a short demo. But at the same time a demo is supposed to give a representation of the final product, so I am skeptical about ignoring the demo as nothing more than a quick showing of what will be on offer.
If that's the case, why release a demo in the first place? If I were to determine my purchase based on a demo -- which is one of the core reasonings behind offering a preview -- Resident Evil 6 probably won't be a purchase for me.
What did you think of the RE6 demo?