Resident Evil Outbreak

"Your best friends can very well become your worst enemies..."

After playing Resident Evil: Remake and the all-new, original Resident Evil 0, I was extremely looking forward to the newest installment to the Resident Evil name. This is a review for Resident Evil: Outbreak for the Playstation 2 console. Resident Evil: Outbreak is the very first Resident Evil installment that can allow you to either team up and take out Raccoon's infected residents with your friends in Network Play or dumb down the action and excitement and team up with the AI in Single Player mode all by yourself. There's not much of a choice here, is there? Well, let's get started, shall we?

Graphics: (9) The graphics in this game are very stunning and life-like and actually make you feel as though you are right in the action. Each level is also beautifully mapped out and is unique in its own way. There are five scenarios--Outbreak, Below Freezing Point, The Hive, Hellfire, and Decisions, Decisions--each with their own theme and puzzles, as well as a certain ending pertaining to which character you chose to play through the scenario as. For example: should you play as Kevin Ryman, an R.P.D. officer who is the main character in my opinion, you'll see a cut scene with him drinking in the very first stage, Outbreak, which is a bar and watching a television set, whereas the character Yoko, a very young woman who works for the Umbrella Corporation, goes into the bathroom in the same scenario and is separated from the group at the beginning of the scenario. You only see what happens to the character your playing as in said scenarios. I assure you, though. You will not be disappointed with this game graphic-wise.

Sound: (9) The sound in this game was very eerie and strange depending on where you were at that particular moment. Also, with the addition of set voice commands that each character has, you can tell teammates, as well as AI where to go and what to do to some extent. Be warned though, these voice commands can be very annoying should you decide to play online and one player presses them repeatedly. You will also love the beginning theme of Outbreak. This song, as well as many others, gave me some incentive to beat the scenario and find out what happens next to my character.

Game Play: (10) I give this game a 10 in terms of Game Play. As any ordinary Resident Evil fan might know, each installment to this spectacular series has a very unique and enjoyable Game Play. The NPCs, though large in number, can either be a hindrance or a help to you. Example: One NPC might die and become a zombie, thus, attacking you. However, there are also NPCs that give you items such as a Shotgun or a Handgun if you do what is required. Also, be ready to face your teammates should the T-Virus infect them as well. Once your virus gauge reaches 100% your character goes limp and falls to the floor, only to become a zombie a few seconds later. You can also press the square button and talk as a human that realizes he is turning into a zombie, which I found extremely original. You can then attack your teammates or just stand there and manage to help them out by busting down a door or two.

Storyline (If any): (9) You are one of 8 survivors in Raccoon City that goes through five scenarios in hopes of escaping the infected city once known as Raccoon City. Along the way, you meet other characters, some good and some bad. But only you, with the help of your teammates, can escape Raccoon City. You can choose to play as Kevin Ryman, an RPD officer who starts off with a very powerful handgun at the beginning of every scenario, Mark Wilkins, a Vietnam veteran who also starts off with a handgun, though not as powerful, Alyssa Ashcroft, a reporter, who can use a lock pick to unlock doors, David Kind, a plumber who can make and fix weapons through the use of his toolkit, Jim Chapman, the comic relief character that starts off with a coin that can cause critical damage and the ability to play dead, Yoko Suzuki, who can hold 8 items instead of the original 4 due to her backpack, George Hamilton, a doctor who can create medicines with herbs, and Cindy Lennox, a waitress who can hold many herbs at one time. These colorful cast of characters will have you longing to find out what happens to each of them from the beginning to the end.

Summary: (9.50) Any fan of the series will love this game. I sure did and I wasn't in the least disappointed. I'd say definitely pick up this title if you can play online with the PS2. I found that many people disliked the game because they couldn't go on Network Play and experience online action. So, if you're a fan or RE, can play online, kill many zombies at any given time, or are just looking for a fun game to play when you're bored, RE: O is an excellent choice.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/11/05