I'm am going to be honest here I am not much for writing reviews. Still with all the different perspectives on this game I want to give my opinion especially since I have played practically every resident evil and horror game I have been able to get.
Now there are some issues I have with some of the negatives different reviews have on this game. I am playing the digital ps3 version and I don't know if it's the different systems or what but I found very little as far as pop in and framerate drops. The only time I encountered them is a couple seconds when the game autosaves and other than that the game has ran flawless for me. Also while it is in the minor opinion from what i seen how can anyone say this game is not scary or at have a very tense, heart pounding atmosphere? I may not have just out of my seat screaming scared or anything but this is definitely a tense game. I don't know how many times I just said to myself "What the heck?" and other phases along those lines. Shinji and his team did an excellent job at designing the environments and atmosphere of the game as far as what I have played so far. Now what is it with some saying that the game plays like it's 2005 like it's a bad thing? I have seen lots on the internet that enjoy that especially me. To be honest why would anyone expect different? We all saw the game play since it was announced. I happen to like the RE4 style mixed with the last of us and dead space and some I have even read feel it has a touch of Bioshock. To me it was clear is was not going to be anything revolutionary.
Now I have enjoyed the pacing so far and everything bout it but there are a couple minor things that keep me from giving the game a 10. First the story I guess you can say is intriguing but feels kinda dull or lacking so to speak, the characters are alright but don't expect a masterpiece of story telling. Also while the controlls work great and the balances ammo system that keeps you from blasting through everything is well implemented in my opinion there are a few parts I feel that seem cheap and unfair. For example there is once part where you have to press one of two buttons, one advances you through the puzzle the other is an instant death, I have ran into few spots like that but they are kinda annoying. The controls are great except sometimes if I am facing a hoard the response to buttons feel late and you get a cheap hit from the enemy it's rare but it gets annoying when it happens. Oh and as far as enemy design just look at Shinji's past work and if you like it then you will love the designs in the evil within. Also I'm not one to harp on graphics but I have to admit that they can look a bit dated and there are some muddy textures, they don't really bother me considering it was a 4 year developement and all but I think I have to mention that. To be honest I think this game is great and I am glad I followed my gut and bought it. I can't say I like it more than the older residents or RE4 but I do feel it is better than RE5 or 6. As for whether people should get this or alien isolation I can't really say cause I haven't played Alien Isolation yet. The only other thing I can say is that this game is difficult but not like a dark souls level. You just have to be patient and aware of your surroundings and what ever you do, DO NOT go in guns blazing.