Resident Evil 2

"A 2 CD game in cartridge!? How's that possible?"

ABSTRACT:Resident Evil, which was one of the many reasons why hardcore gamers left Nintendo for Sony, has debuted on the N64 recently. This not a review for which version is better, because the PS version (especially the Dual Shock Version with it's awesome Extreme Battle Mode) is still much better than it's N64 counterpart, but there are some extra features that makes the N64 version worth a rent.

STORYLINE:Three month has passed since the events of RE1 occured. You control either: Leon Scott Kennedy, a rookie member of the RPD, or Claire Redfield, a motorcyclist who is searching for her brother, Chris (one of the protagonist in RE1). During the game they will meet sub-characters like the mysterious Ada Wong, the frustrated little girl Sherry Birkin, the chief of police William Birkin and reporter Ben Burtollici. They are also terrorized by two monster (depending on the scenario), a mutant named G (who changes form everytime you fight him) and the persistent Tyrant sent by Umbrella (known as Mr.X to RE fans).

GAMEPLAY:In the entire RE series (except Code:Veronica, which is full 3D) you control a 3D character in a pre-rendered enviroment. Your mission is to make it out of the city alive. You collect items such as hraling herbs, weapons and ammo to defend yourself from various mutated beast such as Zombies, Dogs, Crows, Lickers and Ivies. You must solve puzzles to get keys or items that will help your progress in the game. Along the way you collect documents that helps you solve puzzles or gives some valueable insights of the storyline. Exclusive to the N64 is a set of 'EX files' that gives insight of the storyline from RE0, RE1, RE3 and foreshadows C:V.

THE GOOD:This a very good port of the PS version. The graphics maybe on the grainy side (without the EXpansion Pack, that is) and the FMV didn't translate as well on cartridge, but overall Angel Studios did a good job in translating the PS smash hit on the N64. This version contains no loading times (they still kept those opening door intermissions) and you don't have to waste money on a memory card just to save your games.

The new hidden costumes were very well designed, I especially like Leon's new STARS uniform, but how come Claire still gets only one new uniform (which isn't any different from the one in the PS version). After all, she is the female character, she deserves better. ^_^

There's a new 1st-Person Control scheme as well. I don't know why they called it a 1st-Person Controls, because you're actually moving the character in 3rd-Person (Up means Up, Left is Left, ect).

The Radomizer Option is also added when starting a new game, which adds to the challenge.

The EX Files adds alot to the already confusing RE continuity.

THE BAD: As previously stated the visuals and audio aren't up-par with the PS version.

The main game is very easy (even when it's set on Normal). There is too much ammo and healing herbs, but not enough monsters to use them agaisnt. Thankfully there's an Radomizer option after finishing, in which all the healing herbs and ammo are placed at random.

Unfortunately you have to load new save file in order to use it, rather than using your complete save file. most of the puzzles are very simple too.

Some of the EX files that were taken from RE3 like Dario's Note and the Mercenary's Log doesn't make any sense in RE2. Why would anyone care about Dario? He's just some fat guy who appeared in the beggining of RE3. A file that would have made more sense than either of them combined has to be Marvin's Report (note: Marvin is the wounded cop at the beggining of this game).

And finally, it would had been nice to see the Extreme Battle Mode from RE2:DS in this version. The EX Battle adds the needed challenge that is missing from the main game.

VERDICT: RE2 for N64 is a good port of the PS original. Which version should you buy? It's actually simple. If you only own an N64, get this version. But if you own both, a PS and a N64, get the Dual Shock release of the PS version. If you have a Dreamcast that can play Japanese games, you might as well buy the DC version of Biohazard 2 (assuming that you have the connections). But if you already have the PS/DC version of RE2, then the least you can do is to rent this version just to see the new features.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/12/00, Updated 05/12/00