Resident Evil

"Looks like they didn't get the the ROOT of this problem"

Most people have played Resident Evil in some way, shape, or form. Well this is the game that started it all, spawned lots of survival horror clones, and fun fun sequels. We all remember the game being known for it's great gameplay and scary suspenseful atmosphere, where your goal was to simply get out alive.
After coming out with new games, Capcom kept improving upon themselves, graphic and gameplay wise. Many praised Resident Evil as the greatest series in years, even though it was repetitive.

Games are normally re-released after their 20th birthday or so, and the people who play them are all old and don't know any better. But Capcom has decided to bring their old pony back to the races after only a few years, and sadly, nobody told them that their prize pony had turned into a sluggish outdated horse, that everyone already had a ride on, and had already put out to pasture...

Gameplay - 4/10

If you've played any Resident Evil game, then you know that it's like a remote control car, and such. They did a good job on the controls of this game, making it feel like you had control over your character at all times. Attacking is simple, and as fun as ever. The menu system, even in Japanese is easy to navigate assuming you've had some experience with it. The puzzles in the game are the same type, but the answers have changes slightly this time around, so if you've played the first version, and can randomize, this makes a great import title.

Many people considered Resident Evil to be too hard when first released, I however, found this version slightly easier, but I guess that's due to beating it before.. Though most of the time you'll square off against brain dead zombies, once the hunters and the zombies tougher cousins the Crimson Heads come, you'll find it really turns into survival horror, with you running away easily from everything you see in a slight zig zag pattern.... Once again there is the whole issue of Ammo conservation, but it's less so than in the first game.

There is also the addition of ''Defensive Weapons'' to the game. Which was a great idea, but there was really no great things about it. Say you have a defensive knife equipped, and a zombie grabs you, you can stab him in the eye, which will prevent him from chomping you up. Now this would be great if the knife was unlimited, but once you use it, it's gone, I mean what the hell, it can't be that hard to pick up a knife from a corpse. Little things about this game make you crazy.

Sadly, they didn't stray too far from the path(Pick up items, avoid zombies, use items, get new items that are part of unlocking a new area where other items are their for your picking up) and there are no really redeeming features that makes the game seem like there is really no point in playing the upgraded costlier version aside from the graphical enhancement. With a new boss, a few new weapons, and a few extra costumes and modes, the game is about worth playing through twice if you're into it.

One thing that upset me about this game, was that the hand to hand zombie combat was taken out, if not added at all. Though I read numerous places that it would be included, I saw nothing of it. You can't even kick monsters while they're down. But then again, Barry shoots stuff in the head, so I guess it's fun.

Story - 8/10

You're a member of a special police unit called S.T.A.R.S, Special Tactical And Rescue Service, if memory serves me right, in a small city called Raccoon. There have been various reports of suspicious activities in a mansion outside of town. And the S.T.A.R.S Bravo team has gone to the mansion and they're missing. It's up to Alpha to examine the mansion, find missing team members, and bust some heads.

Yeah yeah, you're basic horror movie plot, with lots of action scenes and then small talking ones. In which people can never seem to do things right or work together. I mean a group of four people with knives could take on anything in the mansion, let alone four people with guns. There have been no major additions to the story just some new boss, which hardly has any relevance what so ever, and you end up running from A LOT.

Most of the characters fit their police tough guy rolls quite well, Barry and Wesker the most. Some characters though seem to have no need of being there, like Rebecca, I mean, she has no real skills, and is a total rookie. They were going to the mansion to bust heads dammit, why take her along?

Visual - 8/10

This has pretty much the only area that has changed since the first release of this game. The graphics have been improved tenfold since then. Which is great if you hate looking at blocky zombies. The mansion still had a dark feel to it, yet still seems rather bland, the monsters and heroes seem to be animated smoother in their movements, which is good I guess.

The opening movie is now in CG work, instead of that crappy I-can't-see-what's-going-on-50-dollar-budget-movie they had back in the day. The graphics are great, but seem a little bland at times, there is also a slight pause in-between talking scenes which gets very annoying.

Audio - 6/10

The Music is fitting, and sounds dark and moody, and you'll be checking for monsters when the music swells and percussion hits. Speaking of monsters, the zombie moans and such sound good too.

The voice acting is English in both the Japanese and American versions, which again makes it a good import choice. I'm kind of upset they redid the voices, and changed some of the lines, but at least some of the classic lines are there, and that leads us to the old question ''What's wrong with Barry?''

Replay value - 3/10

There are some extra costumes, and there are a few extra weapons, the only thing that I was interested in was the invisible enemy mode or something. Anyway, there is enough maybe for a second or third play.

To buy or to rent?

To be on the safe side, don't import this one unless you're really a RE junkie and you have a Cube, wait for it to come out here, and rent it, most REs are beaten in a rental anyway.
If you don't have a cube, but feel left out, just rent one with the game, you can play all of the RE's when they come out, and you won't feel like you wasted your money.. I'm glad I have stupid friends, and I don't have to.

Overall - 4/10

Sure, the graphics are good, but it doesn't feel fun to play. If I really wanted to play Resident Evil, I'd play one of the newer ones, or the Resident Evil for PSX that sits on my dresser... This game would have been a higher score if it had been the first in the series, but, after so many other great RE titles and more or less playing through the same game a few years before, it falls to a lower rank.

Let's hope Capcom can use this game as a stepping stone to improve their upcoming RE titles.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 04/21/02, Updated 06/24/03