Resident Evil: Dead Aim

"Solid game for the genre, unlike it's predecessors"

Well, the 4th installment of Capcom’s Gun Survivor Series. Enough said. So what makes this game suck? Or makes it great? Let’s find out.

Story
So here’s a short introduction to the story, without spoiling the plot. Morpheus Duvall is a terrorist who acquired the T-Virus from Umbrella’s Paris lab. He then threatened to unleash the virus over the US and China. So the China and US sends out its agents to stop him first. And, unfortunately (don’t they all do?), the virus break outs on the ship Morpheus is on, just as the agents arrive…

Graphics
This is a vast improvement from the earlier Gun Survivors. Lighting is crisp, backgrounds are textured, shadows fall in the right place. But undoubtedly, comparisons will take place between Resident Evil games, and I have to say that this game is no match for those on the Gamecube. Even so, the graphics have been enhanced until that it’s better than the only other Resident Evil game on the Playstation 2 – Code Veronica. The backgrounds are full of detail, from the bloodstains to the doors, and walls. Enemies have been enhanced too – they sort of look more life like.

Sounds
Not much to boast about here – this part is terrible. Sure enough, there is the usual soundtrack that goes along with you as you explore through the areas, and there is the big one that comes along with boss fights, but nothing is so much so spectacular. Very ordinary game music. Definitely a cause for improvement for the next game in the series.

Gameplay
Even more vastly improved here. Now, the game takes place in a usual 3rd person view mode. You do the usual, go around, collecting ammo, clues, and opening doors. But once you arm yourself, by pressing the R1 button, you go immediately into the 1st person view mode. This mode is exclusively for firing your weapon. The indicators here are decent enough, your health on the left, ammo on the right and the crosshairs clear enough to be seen. But the game’s bad points come about here. Movement is reduced to being, awkward in 1st person mode. The speed at which you move about in it is, possibly slower than a tortoise. Your best bet would be to move around in 3rd person mode, encounter enemies, then stop to fire in 1st person mode.

Controls
The PS2 Controller does not work very well here. The aiming crosshairs move too fast and that makes it very difficult to aim properly. At best, you’ll just be shooting aimlessly around. If you encounter packs of fast moving enemies, your best bet will be to run. The Guncon would work better, since you can actually aim and fire yourself. But movement will be limited, after all the Guncon is only designed for firing, not moving.

Replay Value
Not much here. You get weapons and an alternate character if you complete the game on a good ranking, but that’s all. This game is relatively short – it will take around 3 hours to beat it. So there’s little cause for replay here.

Scores
Graphics 8/10
Sounds 6/10
Gameplay 7/10
Replay Value 7/10

So this is it. This is a solid game for the genre (First Person Survival Horror Shooter?), but not so good enough. Though improvements have been substantial, there is still room for more. The main problems would be the sounds, controls and length of the game. If these can be ironed out, Gun Survivor 5 would be truly a great game. Bring it on then, Capcom!

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/14/03, Updated 06/14/03