"....very....spooky..."

Code Veronica scared the rice out of me. It literally leapt out as I was playing - and you know that can't be good for a sushi like I. This being my first survival horror game, I can’t compare it to the other REs, but from what I’ve heard, CV is bigger faster, prettier and just plain better. You control Claire Redfield from RE2 and later two other characters – Chris [from RE1] and Steve. The Resident Evil has been known for tough controls and CV is no different. It took me a while to get used to them, but adapting to the controls in CV is a must to fully enjoy it. Don’t worry it’s not that hard, and you’ll be taking out the zombies with ease in no time.

This Survival horror is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. But I decided I wanted something new, so I got Code Veronica. I took it home and popped it in… now was the moment of truth. Could I take this survival horror? Was it really that good? The answer is yes. Survival horror is an original genre, which is nice and fresh. Sure, I get the living crap scared out of me at times, but honestly speaking, I love it. This is the kind of game you have to play in the dark alone at home during a thunder storm to get the full effect. Be sure to have some extra pants.. or 'absorption garments' if that's your preference. It’s one freaky game with horrific events happening all the time. When it comes to survival horror you either love it or hate it.

Storyline.

The on going storyline of the Resident evil series is something I can not talk to much about, since CV is my first RE and survival horror game. The game stars Claire Redfield as the main character. She was also the co-star of RE2, and she’s the sister of Chris Redfield from RE1. Claire has left for Europe to look for her brother Chris who had gone missing. But she gets captured and thrown into a prison on an island. A mysterious man helps her escape but the island is overrun with zombies, monsters and very few survivors. On your way you’ll meet Steve Burnside – the whiney Leonardo Decaprio look a like. You'll have to get used to him. If you want to truly understand the story of Resident Evil, you should play all of the games.. starting all the way back at one, or Zero I guess [Upcoming RE prequel for Gamecube I believe.]

Gameplay.

The gameplay is wonderful, every moment you’ll be sitting there with a worried look on your face. “Are those zombies I hear pounding on the window? Maybe they’ll break in and eat me! Do I have enough ammo to protect myself? Or should I just run?” Code Veronica is filled with decisions you’ll have to make, which will result in your survival.. or maybe a new home in a zombie's stomach. The zombies aren’t the hardest enemies in the world – they move rather slowly and aren’t too strong. But when you’re surrounded by them, and low on ammo sometimes the best thing to do is run. The camera allows you to see Claire easily and the zombies as well.

Environment/Audio.

Code Veronica feels just like a horror movie.. and the music and sound effects just make it better. Just imagine this.. silence. That's all there is.. it’s raining heavily and you’re walking past a burning house.... BANG zombie dogs crash through a window and you're responsible for Claire's life. The zombies sound great with their groaning and what not. The music is always creepy.. it adds much to the overall experience. The handgun sounds a little weak, but everything else is good. Whether it’s hearing a heartbeat while you’re slowly walking up the stairs or the door’s slow creaking, the sound effects and music create an effective stir of emotions in you. On the downside, the voice acting could’ve been better.

Graphics.

The in-game graphics are breathtaking. Everything is very detailed and every scene usually has a convincing creepy kind of look. I particularly admire the effects of the lighter. It illuminates the room ever so slightly - and it looks very realistic. I’ve never seen such detailed zombies in a game. They walk slowly, act strangely and at different paces. Even the little light hanging from the ceiling swaying back and forth, back and forth as if to hypnotize you is impressive. The FMVs or cut-scenes look even better, as you may have suspected. Although sometimes you won’t be able to tell which is a cut-scene and which is the actual game (yes the in-game graphics are that good.) Everything in Code Veronica is eye-candy, no matter how you look at it.

Replay/Length.

But is there anything to do after you’re finished the game? Well you can go back and find all of those secret items... but I’ve also heard of a secret ‘battle’ mode. I don’t know anything about this, but who knows.. try to unlock it! Code Veronica is a very long and enticing game spread over two GDs filled with countless hours of terror and divertissement. The VMU displays your health which is remarkably helpful, so you don’t have to go into the menu to check and see if you're about to die. You can combine items (I still have to play around with this) to make new ones, such as two green herbs make a mixed herb which gives you more health back. There are plenty of weapons to choose from, ranging from combat knives to flame throwers. There’s a lot to see and do in CV.. and if you have yet to play a survival horror game I’d definitely recommend this one. But if you don’t own a DC, you can also try RE 1,2, and 3 on the PSX, RE2 on the N64 or some Resident Evils on the PC. This survival horror is really something.. and I love it.

''You may laugh in the face of fear.. but it'd be a small unconvincing little laugh.''
-Code Veronica commercial

***
Sushi's Quick Sheet

Gameplay : It'll draw you in and never let you out.
Graphics : Beautiful CG visuals.
Controls : May be confusing at first.
Sound : Terrific.
Music : Perfectly suits the game.
Environment : Amazingly well done.
Replay : Many secrets to unlock.
***

Ratings

Gameplay : 9.5
Graphics : 10
Controls : 7.5
Sound : 10
Music : 10
Environment : 10
Replay : 6.5
Sushi says : ''A wonderful example of how interesting and original survival horror is.''