Resident Evil: Survivor

"Is different better?"

When I heard there was a new Resident Evil game, I quickly went to the store and bought it (Like I've done with every other RE title). I heard that it was different than the others, because it was a first person shooter. A few days later, I decided to take the time to plug in my Playstation, and try it out. All I can say is that as different as it was from other RE games, this one still kept my interest, like the others.

Graphics: 6/10

So the graphics weren't great. There were a few bugs and glitches also (See the walls). The FMV isn't the best either. However, graphics usually don't matter when it comes to gameplay, in my opinion.

Sound: 7/10

The sound isn't really a high point when it comes to RE: Survivor either. I must admit that I've heard better voice acting in other RE titles. The music that's played in the background in different areas is pretty good though, and adds to the atmosphere.

Story: 7/10

It's not the best story in the RE series, but it still has the same elements that the stories in the rest of the Resident Evil series have. Basically, your helicopter crashes on an island, that had recently outbroke with the T-Virus, and you've lost your memory. Along the way, you'll find out different things about Umbrella, that you didn't know in previous RE games, while trying to find out who you are.

Control: 5/10

The controls in RE: Survivor are hard to get used to. It's hard to aim at 2 different things that are walking up at you, since unlike other RE games, you don't automatically hit anything you're facing, when you shoot. It also means you can't turn around quickly, when enemies are behind you, which can be a real drawback when you play. Also, the fact that when aiming, up moves the crosshair up, and down moves it down, kinda annoyed me (Since I was used to It being the opposite way). However, once you get the hang of it, it can be very fun.

Gameplay: 9/10

Where the game lacks in some places, gameplay makes up for. It reminded me of Area-51, but with more interaction, and you're free to move anywhere in a room that you want. Instead of walking up to something, and pressing a button to pick it up, you simply walk over it instead. This works the same way with doors also. And yes, the door animation stays in RE: Survivor, and so does the stair animation. There could have been more work done on it, I'll agree, but it doesn't decrease too much of the fun factor. Another difference is that instead of walking up to an object and pressing a button to pick it up, you automatically get it, just by walking over it. This makes it easier to find items, and makes it easier to solve puzzles also.However, I had a hard time getting used to not having to push a button to pick things up. And of course, it keeps the element of surprise like the rest of the games in the Resident Evil series.

Final Verdict (Not an average of previous scores): 8/10

I liked this game, and think that it was a good addition to the RE series. If you're a fan of Resident Evil, you may enjoy this game, though there's always the chance that you won't, so I'd say rent it, before you buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/30/00, Updated 09/30/00