- Primary Subject: Resident Evil 6 (2012 / Current "Action Masterpiece" Retrospective)
- Key Update: In 2026, RE6 is seen not as a failed horror game, but as one of the most mechanically deep third-person shooters ever made.
- Status: Confirmed (Community Re-rating)
- Last Verified: February 11, 2026
- Quick Answer: Resident Evil 6 is defended as a misunderstood action-adventure title that sacrificed traditional horror for cinematic spectacle, providing a unique, high-octane experience within the iconic franchise.
The Resident Evil series has given us some of the best and most memorable experiences that the survival horror genre can produce. It is one of the main reasons why Capcom has become one of the most recognized companies in the video game industry, and fans continue to adore it today.
With its latest entry, Resident Evil Requiem, the series looks to further add to its list of quality titles, further cementing it as an icon of survival horror. However, as great and as established as it has become, it's important to remember that it isn't entirely pristine, as there are a few blemishes.
Among them, a particular game that was released in October 2012 stands out: Resident Evil 6. It certainly took fans by surprise, as its formula was a large departure from what many enjoyed from the previous entries.
Normally, something different would be appreciated, but many felt that Resident Evil 6 was too far from what everyone was used to in regard to gameplay and even story. It came to a point where fans called it one of, if not the worst, entry in the entire series, and Capcom completely missed the mark with it.
While I do agree that it has its downsides, the game being different doesn't make it horrible. In fact, I would say that its unique approach gives it its own charm, and that fans are blinded from seeing its good aspects because they set too many expectations for it to be similar to previous entries.
Although it's still meant to be a survival horror, it's clear that Resident Evil 6 focuses more on its action-adventure side. If the bustling activity is the game's selling point rather than its scares, then you could say it does a good job in delivering that from multiple fronts. In fact, it may have done too well in that aspect.
There's no denying that the game had moments that were way too over-the-top, a perfect example being the Derek Simmons boss fight, where he mutates into various monstrous forms that you have to take care of with a helicopter, a rocket launcher, and even a lightning rod. However, I would say that those absurd experiences actually make the game more memorable and enjoyable, despite how much they can test one's endurance or disbelief.
It took the faster gameplay pace of Resident Evil 5 and cranked it up further, then added more ridiculous yet oddly amusing cinematic moments, which resulted in the deviation many seemed to dislike. But taking them for what they are, they're not bad. They can be quite entertaining despite things like overusing QTEs, the somewhat clunky combat, and the insane cinematic cutscenes.
Again, a good amount of fans just see Resident Evil 6 as horrible simply because it doesn't follow the slower pacing and more terrifying atmosphere of the older iconic entries. But if you take it for what it is, which is an action game with bits of horror elements spread throughout, then it's a decent entry that doesn't deserve the hate it received.
Still, I do understand fans' disappointment, as the Resident Evil series became popular with how its games scared players through the perfect blend of terrifying monster design and atmosphere, and the sixth entry feels lost in that department. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't produce heart-pumping, anxiety-inducing moments.
Rather than relying on jump scares, horrifying monsters, or decrepit environments, it again uses its biggest strength: action. There are many instances where you'll need to be aware of your surroundings, as there's almost always an enemy that's trying to get up close and personal with you. And while they're not exactly the scariest, their presence is still threatening, and there are a lot of them in this game.
Aside from that, there are also the previously mentioned QTEs. While they can get quite annoying at times, their existence at least keeps you vigilant, as you never know when they could suddenly show up. Failing them could lead to a game over, and in a way, that's scarier than any monster, no matter how grotesque or unnerving it looks.
Having to watch out for both often ensures constant tension, which can be seen as the game's alternative way of providing it compared to previous entries. So, regardless of whether you're playing Leon Kennedy's, Chris Redfield's, Jake Muller's, or even Ada Wong's campaign, you can expect a different kind of scare that only a huge amount of action-packed interspersed with a few horror elements can produce.
While Resident Evil 6 isn't a beloved entry in the series, it at least deserves to be looked at under a different light. Capcom took the time to make it different, and from what it delivers, the game can still promise a fun time. It's not meant to be like the past entries, and the more fans understand that, the more likely it is to get the revisit and recognition it deserves.
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