Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

About Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is a third-person shooter set in the same universe as the main Resident Evil series but with a different tone. Developed by Slant Six Games and released in 2012, it takes place in 1998 Raccoon City during Umbrella’s T-virus crisis. Unlike the survival horror roots of the franchise, this game focuses on fast-paced combat with 12 playable characters. Players take on Umbrella’s mercenaries or US government forces in a race to control the city. It sits on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Think of it as a side story with more gunplay than zombie-killing.

Gameplay

The game mixes cover-based shooting with team-based objectives. Each session involves squad members with distinct roles, snipers, medics, engineers, working to complete tasks like extracting data or destroying labs. Combat feels methodical, with tight aiming and cover mechanics. The story mode follows a linear path through Raccoon City’s ruins, while co-op and multiplayer let you team up or fight with/against others. Missions include breaching buildings, fending off hordes, and using gadgets like grenades. The game prioritizes action over stealth, making it feel more like a military shooter than a horror game.

What Players Think

Community reactions are polarized. IGDB users gave it 48.1/100, with 38% completion rates and an average playtime of 10 hours. Fans praise the variety of characters and co-op mechanics, but 62% of reviews call it “derivative” or “confusing.” The mood tags lean “frustrating” (27%) and “mediocre” (35%). Critics argue it strays too far from the survival horror formula, though some enjoy its chaotic action. One user wrote, “It’s like a Resident Evil game for people who hate Resident Evil.”

PlayPile's Take

Operation Raccoon City is a middle-tier shooter best for fans of team-based action or those nostalgic for mid-2000s shooters. It lacks innovation but delivers decent co-op fun for under $20 on most platforms. If you want to see Raccoon City’s fall from a soldier’s perspective, this works. However, it’s not a must-play for the series. Stick with it if you enjoy repetitive combat and don’t mind its lack of polish.

Storyline

It‘s September 1998 and Raccoon City is being consumed by Umbrella’s deadly T-virus outbreak. With a cover up required, Umbrella orders an elite squad into Raccoon City to destroy all evidence of the outbreak and eliminate any survivors. Meanwhile, the US Government has quarantined the city and dispatched its own team of elite Spec-Ops soldiers to track down the source of the mysterious outbreak.