Nowadays, most multiplayer experiences are fairly uniform: two groups try to shoot each other in the face, and maybe steal a flag or plant a bomb in the process. These concepts have become the norm, and while most of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City's varying multiplayer modes feel like they're trying to offer something that caters to the typical multiplayer crowd, I found myself constantly surprised and excited by an element completely out of my control: the NPCs.

In each of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City's game modes, players have to deal with a cadre of AI-controlled enemies as well as a team of opposing players. Generally, standard zombies aren't a threat to the leather-fetish Umbrella troops or their camo-loving Spec Ops counterpart; however, a stable of familiar Resident Evil enemies increase the lethality of each match. The agile and sharp-clawed Hunters gleefully rip everything apart; Lickers stalk their prey, striking ferociously from the darkness; and powerful Tyrants can emerge at any time, and I suggest you run when you see them.

Entering these enemies into the equation and priorities rapidly change on the fly, offering an experience unlike most team-based competitive multiplayer modes out there. "Should I keep shooting the enemy in front of me or should we jointly focus on the lumbering Tyrant who just dropped down into the middle of our firefight?" It's was the constant quick survey of options that led to a number of memorable moments during my time with the upcoming shooter from developer Slant Six.