Resident Evil Survivor 2: Code: Veronica

"Resident Evil? The evil is weak within this one..."

OK, I'm gonna start being a bit more professional in my reviews now... starting with the not-hotly anticipated RE SURVIVOR 2, the sequal to the horrible PS1 game. I had the (mis)fortune to play the arcade version... and the console version is almost an exact port. And thats a SHAME!

ARCADE PERFECT? IS THAT A BAD THING?

Well, put it this way You had RE Survivor 2, and beside it was the quite outstanding House of the Dead 2. Now, even the most mentally challenged of people would look at both machines for a second and go for HOTD2.

I did want to try Survivor 2 though, I can often forgive poor visuals. But the whole game felt barren, empty and all too predictable - maybe because I had played CVx and the original Survivor? I spent 5 credits on the game and finished it... oh, thats a bad thing. I think... yeah, it's a bad thing. The arcade version couldn't stand up to other classy shooters in the arcade hall like HOTD2, Jurassic Park The Lost World and even Time Crisis 2.

Basically, there was no queue. When that happens you know a game is doomed...

THE EVIL RESIDES ON THE PS2!

Now we get an arcade perfect conversion - and my response is, ''Big Whoop.'' I mean, arcade perfect is just not acceptable any more. HOTD2 on the Dreamcast was ARCADE SUPERIOR, proving with a little time and effort you can make arcade games even better for a console.

The PS2 still has ALL of the bad things of the arcade version. Dodgy visuals, poor sound and more - oh, and Nemesis, the coolest monster ever, seems less than impressive. The controls are a bit awkward but forgivable, hey - it tries to be original and full marks to Capcom for daring to be different.

But when you try to veer from the crowd, you put yourself in danger and this is where Capcom fall flat on their faces. It tries to involve the player but doesn't do it well enough, it tries to be fast paced but feels sloooooooooooow, it tries to be fun but feels dull.

THE EVIL IS NOT RESIDENT HERE!

If this is anything to go by, it seems my favourite games series ever is dying. This does not do resident Evil CVx justice, or Capcom. It doesn't achieve anything new and it doesn't feel remotely like a true arcade game.

I admire the creators for their attempts at a fresh approach to a light-gun shooter. But it isn't right. This game is very poor, saved only by being barely playable. 'Tis a sad day indeed...

Now, GIMME RE1 GAMECUBE! GIMME GIMME GIMME!

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 04/03/02, Updated 04/03/02