BioHazard Code: Veronica Complete

"Resident Evil Code: Veronica in a Complete version with cool new and edited cut-scenes and features."

Actually, there are many people all around the world complaining that Capcom had cheated the gamers by giving an incomplete version of Resident Evil Code: Veronica and then selling out copies of the Complete version later on. I had no comments for this, but perhaps I can state that Capcom did not brag or put tons of advertisements regarding this new updated game. Of course, unintentionally, by releasing a demo from the introduction of the game, Capcom had managed to attract Resident Evil fans and gamers as if it’s a new game.

Nothing much had changed actually. Maybe a little bit, like some of the scenes are changed as well as enhanced, with the new game modes available to modify the difficulty. There are actually new cut-scenes too, which I think is really, really cool and much better than before. If you had extra dollars in your pocket, you might consider this game. I know that real die-hard Resident Evil fans will get this game without even thinking about this at all to complete their collection, that is, if they had extra cash. Also, in case you don’t remember, this is a Japanese version of Resident Evil and therefore, it’s called Biohazard Code Veronica: Complete.

Graphics – 9.7
I’m not exaggerating in any way, but the graphics in this game is absolutely better far beyond than the rest of the Resident Evil series. The faces like Claire’s, Steve’s and Chris’s look extremely real, and that’s what makes the game look even better. This game is in complete 3D, as you might know, and the background things around it like the buildings, shutter gates, wall and other similar things are detailed down to the finish, and it looks like another Shenmue type of a game.

Light-source special effects, are used a lot in the game like when there’s fire, and sparkle from certain items where it indicates a special item that you should collect to continue your game. The FMV looks even better, if you think that the cut-scenes look cool enough. It’s truly remarkable. I think the cut-scenes are already enough, as the FMV scenes seemed a little too real and Claire as well as Steve look a little bit different than normal.

Music – 9.5
If you haven’t played the game yet, I think seeing the introduction demo scenes in the beginning when you start the game will tell you how exciting the background music actually sounds. I can’t sing it for you to hear, nor can I write and tell you every single detail of the music but maybe I can just say that it has some rapid beats and interesting parts that make the music sound nice. Some of them are quite common to hear, like the save room area, while some may be new to you.

Sound effects are just realistic enough, with bullet shots coming out from your trusty Handgun, or a shot from your Magnum, quick repeated arrow shots from your Bow Gun and many more items. Quick running footsteps either from your character can be heard or quick pattering sounds from the vicious dogs. You know, you can also hear those squeaky sounds when you open a door, and even different sounds from your feet when you step onto a ground with different material, like metal.

For the voices, some of them had been done quite well, like Claire and Chris, our two main heroes here. The siblings had good voice actors, although Claire can be heard obviously different from Resident Evil 2. Steve, however, sound a little too girlish and high-pitched in the voice, while the rest of the characters, I don’t want to reveal further more, sounds quite all right.

Gameplay – 9.8
For non-Resident Evil players, you may be confused what had actually happened as the game had been done in many series with the story continuing from the beginning till the end. Maybe I should just say that Umbrella Biohazard Corporation (it’s a company, mind you, not a human or a monster) is behind all these zombie-infestation places, where they had created the T and G viruses. This time around, Claire is in search of her lost brother Chris and she landed on the Umbrella secret island.

The camera system is quite different than the other Resident Evil series because it’s more like Dino Crisis. It will follow you wherever you go and turn at the right time when you move around too, so it’s easier to see that way. You can easily play this game for a while and notice the difference immediately.

So, what’s your mission actually? It’s simple really, shoot those zombies down, mutated creatures that will try and kill you and complete certain complicated puzzles that are really, really hard to finish. Some of them can be easy, like finding keys and similar things like that (even so, it’s really hard too as the ammo are scarce here) while real tough puzzles will give you a dead-end. Honestly, this game is hard because of the limited ammo in the game. But with the newly awaited Complete version, you can now choose your own difficulty (in English text), Normal, Easy and Very Easy. Of course, the easier the difficulty, the more ammo and better things you’ll get.

Okay, I will now start explaining the differences between Resident Evil Code: Veronica and the Complete version. This game is clearly in Japanese, with the words Biohazard to remind you of that. The voices are in English so you can follow but the text, like subtitles, menu, description of items and etc. are all in Japanese so you wouldn’t know what is it like. Some scenes are edited and changed a little bit like the introduction scenes. Gone the original type with Alexia saying, “I am Alexia Ashford.” It’s now changed with the scenes centered mainly on Albert Wesker.

Some of the cut-scenes are changed completely and replaced with new and cooler ones while some are added to reveal more of the ‘still-in-the-dark’ story. Steve has now a new odd hairstyle, which actually makes him look worse. Nevertheless, it’s still a new feature that some of us might look forward too.

Replay Value- 7.6
Playing the game all over again can sound absurd, especially as the game is really long. Resident Evil fans like me will definitely choose the option, to understand and see those nice moments in the game but it’s really up to your own personality; whether you like it or not.

Overall – 9.6
As I am a Resident Evil fan, I buy this Complete version just to see those newly added and edited scenes as well to see the changes but for those who had bought the original version, they might just choose not to buy this again. Those who had not yet bought Resident Evil Code: Veronica should choose this enhanced game. Everything else is still the same though, so if you want to buy this game just because of the new scenes, it’s up to you.

President
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+ Cool, new cut-scenes!
+ The background music and the sound effects are really impressive.
+ More complete of course, with additional features to keep Resident Evil fans happy.

Resident
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- If Capcom decided to release a Complete version of RE:CV, they shouldn’t release the original version first. What a waste of money.
- Steve’s new hairstyle is quite horrible.
- You will get thoroughly addicted so beware.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/30/01, Updated 03/30/01