What's with the message that Mia recorded for Ethan at the ship? Not only she didn't even send the file (did she expected Ethan to somehow get across that random laptop and play a random video file?), but she hadn't even explain anything. Just "stay away!" and "forget about me!" isn't really what would make the loved one think "OK, I don't mind you missing, I'll now continue with my life without even trying to find you.". And as I said previously, it is yet another time in the game where characters talk to each other, but keep being unnecessarily cryptic just for the sake of it. Tell him that there has been an outbreak, that it's dangerous to get here, that you're already dead or something. Not the "forget about me" crap.
The ship is a really nice location with great views (that moment when you can see outside at the whole wrecked tanker is really great) and effects. However, the wrecked ship is just so plainly looking. I know Capcom tried to keep things realistic, but some distinct look would really help the location. Also, no new enemies or any boss fight (given how much ammo and bombs Mia can pickup just before rescuing Ethan I really expected for something to happen) was disappointing.
However, the wrecked ship still has nothing on the mines - they are such a letdown. I didn't mind them on my first playthrough, but playing the game now they look like a real rushed job: a long corridor with barely any exploration, two rooms filled with files that try hard to explain everything that hasn't been explained yet (and introduces Lucas as a separate party), and small waves of enemies. No new gameplay ideas, no new weapons, no new enemies types or mini-bosses. Compared to end-game locations from other games this one looks like an afterthought. If I had to compare the location to locations from other games, it would be underground tunnels from RE1 or sewers from RE2, not the laboratories or the Dead Factory. And the biggest threat the game has to offer here is a room with two Fat Moldeds. But since at this point you have access to a grenade launcher, shotguns, a magnum, a machine gun, bombs and a shitload of healing items, they aren't even that big of a threat.
And then there's the final, final location. I loved how you suddenly finds a hidden passageway to the guest house from the beginning of the game. Even though it makes no sense geographically, the "oh, wow!" feeling was great. However, I really don't like the final boss. After four great bosses (Jack in the garage, the chainsaw fight with Jack, Marguerite and the mutated Jack, Eveline is a disappointment. The boss fight is scripted and it's really hard to tell which attacks are scripted and are bound to happen no matter what, and which ones you can actually avoid.
I really don't get what exactly Capcom tried to do with Eveline. On one hand, you have a girl created artificially in a laboratory who just wants a family; that sad, desperate "why does everyone hate me?" from the very old and fragile Eveline sitting on a wheelchair really sealed that theme. But then, throughout the whole game, Eveline acts like a spoiled brat who enjoys hurting people, thinking of them as their toys (even the one that really want to take care of her -- see "The Sisters" DLC). Obviously Capcom wanted us to simply hate her, but if that's the case, why did they try to include that one emotional scene about poor little girl that simply wanted some love?
