Resident Evil 0

"Near Perfection"

Introduction: Resident Evil Ø

Out in 1996, the first Resident Evil game shocked and put fear into the hearts of many who bought it. It was an instant classic, and the succeeding games proved to build higher and higher onto the already hit formula. Resident Evil 2 is often considered the peak of the series, followed by Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil CODE: Veronica (X), Survivor series, and finally the more recent game in the series, Resident Evil: Dead Aim.

One could assume with the repetitive game play and moderately confusing story lines, the games would lose their edge rather quickly. However, with Resident Evil, that is far from the case.

Resident Evil 0 was released just in time to rescue the series, and it easily became one of the few games to show off the power of the Nintendo Game Cube with superb graphics, stunning FMV’s, and bone chilling monsters.

Gameplay (8/10)

With three difficulty modes to choose from, Resident Evil 0 can be enjoyed by really anyone. When you first start playing, you open on a train and soon find that the entire thing has been contaminated by something to make the dead passengers come back to life.
Back track a second…

You are Rebecca Chambers, rookie cop on an elite police unit known as STARS, or Special Tactics and Rescue Squad. She is on the Bravo team, one of two. Her helicopter crash lands in the Arklay Forest, near or around Raccoon City, where the STARS base is located. They were sent into the forest to investigate a series of grisly murders, apparently carried out by cannibals.

Upon crashing, Rebecca finds an overturned military vehicle with the MP’s dead and the convict no where to be found: Billy Coen officially enters the picture. Rebecca’s team disperses and she then stumbles upon the train.

A new innovation in Resident Evil 0 is the partner switching system. With one touch, you can switch between Rebecca and Billy at any time. Both characters have their uses: Rebecca can mix herbs but isn’t too strong and can take minimal damage before biting the dust, while Billy cant mix herbs but can push heavy things and take a hell of a lot of bites and scratches before calling it quits.

The weapon choices are great too, with the addition of the Hunting Rifle, Molotov Cocktails (YAY!) and other kinds of goodies.

The thing that takes the score down though is that item boxes have been replaced with the ability to drop items at any point. This becomes hellish, as if you leave your, say, Grenade Launcher back in a hall somewhere and you’re about to load a train to take you a looooong way away, you have to backtrack a ways to get the launcher so you can have it in the new area. This really stinks, because it takes time and gets annoying if you die on the way and have to go and do it again.

Another poor thing is the continuation of the ink ribbon/type writer save issue. Personally, I can’t stand this I believe you should be able to save anywhere but you can’t get everything you want but I guess its still alright.

Story (10/10)
As a dedicated fan to the Resident Evil series, I find that the story line is absolutely fantastic. Its compelling and involving and you get attached to the characters. You feel bad when you hear Rebecca mutter the words in her narrator voice: “I never saw him again…” about her comrades.

The story goes as follows:

A train is infested with life devouring leech creatures, controlled by a mad man dressed in a white gown. Rebecca’s team goes in to investigate murders around a forest area, and Rebecca boards the train upon finding it stalled. She finds herself surrounded by undead monsters, with all the doors leading outside sealed shut either by being blocked by trees or safety locks. Billy Coen has already boarded the train, and they find each other and decide to cooperate after Billy saves Rebecca’s life. Together, they embark on a journey to discover the roots of the sinister Umbrella Corporation…

Graphics/Sound (10/10)

The game looks absolutely incredible. It is by far one of the most expressive and detailed and wildly animated games ever. Characters are shadowed perfectly, light shimmers as the train moves, rain pours in through a window and bounces off the floor. Even though they are not fully 3D environments, the character models blend perfectly with their environment at all times. The only thing that doesn’t look realistic is the fire that comes off of Molotov Cocktails once they have exploded against an enemy.

As for sound, you get the same kinds of moans and groans and hisses from any kind of monster that you would find in a survival horror game. And the music goes silent sometimes…very creepy!

Controls (8/10)

I hate when people bash a games controls. Personally, if you play a game for like a half hour, you’ve got the controls whether you like it or not. Resident Evil 0 uses the same control system that Resident Evil always has, and personally I don’t really mind. The only frustrating thing is the Z button, which brings you to the map. I cant ever seem to get my finger there in the right space and end up aiming my gun instead…ah, o well.

Play Time and Replayability Factor (6/10)

Its like this. Like in any Resident Evil game, you get costumes and the Rocket Launcher and a mini game. Nothings really changed. You get the Leech Hunter game, which will allow you infinite weapons, ammo, and the Sub Machine gun if played well. Beat the game in under 3:30, and you’ve got the rocket launcher. Beat it on normal, you’ve got the closet key. Very simple. Wish it wasn’t…but oh well.

As for play time, expect to play through your first time in about 7 or 8 hours. Then, if you want to play through again, as I did, you can beat it faster because you’ll know the game well. If you unlock the infinite ammo for the pistol and hunting rifle, you can play through much faster. All in all, its not wonderful in this way, but its still good.

Final Thoughts

It’s a great game, with awesome features and the graphics…GRAPHICS…wonderful. The only thing is that it gets a bit tedius at times, but you should definetly rent it from one of those blockbusters where if you rent it and like it you cant buy it for 10 bucks. Have fun and enjoy it it’s a great game and power to you if you got it for free like me with your GC!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/27/03, Updated 06/27/03