"Resident Evil Code: Veronica FAILS to live up to expectations..."

Note: This review assumes that the reader is familiar with the Resident Evil series of games for Playstation (excluding Biohazard: Gun Surivior) previous to Resident Evil Code: Veronica for Dreamcast.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica, despite the hype it has received in many other reviews, succeeded admirably in disappointing this fan of the Resident Evil games. Compared to previous Resident Evil titles, it had little to offer beyond eye candy. Here's a breakdown of each element of the game, and how it did or did not impress me, such that I would say that Resident Evil Code: Veronica is the worst of the four ''survival horror'' games.

Graphics: Well, to show that I can and do give credit where credit is due, I must say that the graphic quality in Resident Evil Code: Veronica is great. Perhaps this is more a credit to the Dreamcast's capabilities than the game itself, but whatever the case, the graphic quality is beautiful. There were some instances in which I think improvements could have been made, but it still shines as the most visually stunning Resident Evil title to date. Score = 8.

Sound: Typical Resident Evil sound quality in the case of sound effects. As far as the dubbing, it is even worse than the original Resident Evil in my opinion. While the original Resident Evil was full of blatantly silly lines of dialogue spoken by extraordinarily mediocre voice actors, this game is plagued with conversations that did nothing but annoy me far more than the original ever amused me. I wanted characters to die simply because their voices annoyed me. Score = 4

Plot: I can sum up my feelings regarding the plot of this game in one monosyllabic sound comprehensible by even the lowest form of virus-infected zombie: Ugh. The plot for Resident Evil Code: Veronica is quite bad, taking the story in a direction I really personally felt it should not have gone. Obviously this an opinion with which others will disagree, but I can't help feeling that the three previous Resident Evil titles were far superior in their storylines. The previous titles slowly but surely revealed more information and brought about more incidents which would set up for a new game in which finally the players control characters who are getting to combat Umbrella on different terms rather than simply trying to survive and escape. After the ending of Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (which in my opinion was easily the best ending of the Resident Evil games), I was really excited to see the next game! I wanted to learn more about Umbrella, and finally take the fight to them. Sadly, Resident Evil Code: Veronica took all of my expectations regarding the nature and structure of Umbrella, as well as what would occur in the new game, and crushed them. While only a very few certain elements of the game's storyline were interesting, the storyline as a whole develops in a horrible 'soap drama with zombies' direction. If I could have my way, Capcom would take the game off shelves now, recall the ones that were sold, and rewrite the entire storyline behind this game. I feel that strongly that this game takes the Resident Evil storyline in a bad direction. Yes, there are plot twists, and there are surprises, and there are things to make you go ''hmmm...'' But as a whole, they all serve only to develop a plot that at its base is really quite bad. Score = 3

Setting: This could have come under plot as it is directly related, but I will consider it seperately as I have always believed that the setting and the mood it inspires is an immensely significant part of any and all Resident Evil titles. The setting and the claustrophobic and spooky feelings caused by it were part of what made the first Resident Evil the best of all of them, and each other game had much to owe to the settings as well. That being said, I really did not enjoy the setting of this game. Resident Evil Code: Veronica, despite being visually stunning, did not take place in an environment or location that could have truly taken advantage of the quality of visuals that can be produced and displayed using the Dreamcast. The game takes place in two major locations. So as not to spoil anything for anyone, I will not say what those locations are... rather that the first is absolutely horrible in my opinion (though the moods accompanying a few specific rooms correlated incredibly well), and while the second is better, it still could have been handled better. The reason I say this is because, with only a few minor flaws, the locations in which the Resident Evil games have taken place have always been logical and pretty well laid out. The settings of this game are extremely silly in my opinion, and that detracts much from the game itself, as well as contributes to the plot heading in a bad direction. Also, I did not feel as though there was any real consistency to the setting of the game. In other words, you were never in one location long enough to develop any sort of emotions or moods to attribute to the setting. Like I said about the first Resident Evil, the setting was very claustrophobic. That was because the setting was consistently dark and creepy, taking place mostly in small hallways or rooms. Resident Evil Code: Veronica does not allow for that kind of psychological response. I didn't even start to feel cold in the second major location! You'll know where that is if you play through the game... So, all this being said, onto the score. Score = 3

Gameplay: Same as always. It's a Resident Evil game. It did feel a little sluggish compared to Resident Evil 3 Nemesis for Playstation, but unlike any of the previous Resident Evil games, in Resident Evil Code: Veronica the knife kicks ass! One of the very few things I truly enjoyed about this game was walking around with the knife in one of my inventory slots! You may read this and think I'm out of my mind, but rest assured that when you play this game you will also agree that the knife is a beastly weapon! The reason is that it hits multiple times as it slashes. In other words, you can swing low, slashing for 2-3 hits. This will usually knock a zombie down after two swings, so that you can proceed to slash him for another good 6-12 hits in two to four slashes. Also, the knife is the absolute best way to deal with the zombie dogs. Tell the dogs to sit with a quick slash, and proceed to have them fetch the blade with their stomachs while they lay... But I digress! Score = 8

Replay value: Ummm... It was longer than any other Resident Evil game, and annoyed me the first time I played through. I haven't started to play through yet, and I doubt that I will anytime soon. In fact, I'm more inclined to go back and play ANY of the Playstation Resident Evil games again before even contemplating this one anytime soon. Score = 3

Overall Score = 5 (Sum of scores for each category divided by number of categories, rounded to the nearest whole number!)

Well, there ya' go! Compared to the previous Resident Evil titles, I don't even want to give it a 5, but apparently the Dreamcast's superior graphics and the fact that the knife is actually a good weapon come through to save the day for this game that is mediocre at best in my opinion. ^_^;;

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 04/20/00, Updated 04/20/00