Resident Evil Code: Veronica X

"The Evil Returns!"

Resident Evil is one of the proudest and long serving videogame series on Sony’s machine. I had everything up until RE3: Nemesis and wasn’t as impressed as I was with RE2. Then I almost got a Dreamcast in order to play the latest instalment, but when Sega made THAT announcement, my mind changed again and Code Veronica X was now a possibility. Resident Evil Code Veronica X Is simply a Director’s cut of the Dreamcast original. Sure there are a few extra Cut scenes but is that really worth it considering you already have the Dreamcast version? I don’t think so. Aside from that, Code Veronica X is arguably the best in the Series. The game kicks off with a superb action sequence of the Matrix vein with Heroine from RE2 Claire Redfield. After being captured by Umbrella Heavies, she is taken to the Rockfort Island compound where a T-Virus outbreak occurs. Cue Zombies, Tyrants and SELF DESTRUCT SEQUENCES!!!!

The first thing that PSX owners will notice is that the pre rendered backgrounds Resident Evil was famous for have now gone with the new machine. This looks a lot smoother now and boosts the score up a great bit. Characters look picture perfect and the Zombies are more frightening than ever. I’m not kidding. Backgrounds are the finest yet, with obtainable objects now shining so you can see them better as they always tuck into the background without you being able to see it. It looks that good. This just has to be the prettiest RE game yet. The control system has been given an overhaul that did take a bit of time getting used to. Action is still X but you neeed to use O to run. Start is your inventory button and Square Fires weapons. I always thought the control system was good in Resident Evil but It could have been a bit better this time round. One thing Resident Evil 3 had a lack of was some decent, Likeable Supporting characters. There are quite a few here including the return of Wesker (I haven’t spoilt it really, he’s on the title screen!!!!!!!!!!!!) which was reason enough for me to buy it. The Ashford family was a great inclusion and I really enjoyed reading about the members of the family. I can’t go into more detail-Spoilers and all. Then we get to the second playable character, Steve Burnside. I guess he’s like the Carlos of RE3. But a much better character overall. And Finally Chris Redfield returns. Lets just say the characters kept me interested in the plot.
The game plays as well as all the others-Puzzles are interactive which makes finding those clues all the more important, with the same find key objectives. I guess this type of gameplay infuriates some people. But I enjoy it! The Lifepan is another thing entirely. The first half of Code Veronica takes place on one section and is long enough to be a game in it’s own right. Bosses are much tougher than before as are most monsters including the Zombies. It will take a long time to complete overall and there are still the battle games to play although they lacked the substance of mercenaries mode in RE3. Perhaps Capcom should think up a gun shop option? On final note, the music is excellent, capturing the mood of every situation. This guy’s great, and I particularly liked the Tyrant, Nosferatu, Antarctica, save room scores. Not the Chris in Antarctica ones though. That sounded like Syphon Filter.

CVX has some notable flaws. First and foremost you will be changing characters a lot and the inability to place items in the item box at the right time means the other character will not be able to use that item. These include weapons mostly and also some items. What do they Think we are, Psychic? How do we know that we are about to change characters? The only way to do this is to save regularly. Lets just say that it’s a pain In the Neck. CVX Is significantly less gory than the other RE games. Zombies cannot be decapitated and there is no gruesome death scenes (Sick, Eh) to gaze at. I loved the felling when I Decapitate a Zombie at close range with a Shotgun blast. This cannot b with the cruel new system. Finally-And this Is a REAL nitpick, Capcom have used constant recycled gun sounds. The Sniper Rifle sounds like RE1’s Colt Python. All Handguns sound the same, which is ludicrous, and the Sub machine guns sound the same as the Sub Machine gun from RE2. To cap it all off, the shotgun sounds the same as the one from RE1. Please stop recycling these sound effects and get something new!

CVX is a game that will not appeal to everyone’s tastes. If Rayman is your bag, stay clear. However if you like a great adventure and fun, CVX cn’t do any wrong. Brilliant.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/08/02, Updated 03/05/02