Resident Evil

"The first of two versions: Amazing"

-Visuals 9/10-

Based inside in the deep dark woods of a town, much like the small one that you might live in, this game follows a dark story with exceptional visuals, environments, and a creepy story that brings to life, every fear that may live in the back of your mind.

The characters of this horror game, are polygonal set in a rendered environment of a mansion. Each character in the story, is unique in the way they look, move, and act, right down to the body langauge they use when performing some sort of action.

The true stars of this game, are the creatures that inhabit the mansion that is Resident Evil's staple. The creatures, from the beginning zombies, to the dogs and spiders, all jump from the screen with awesome detail and coloring. A true work of art, even in the day and age of cinematic games such as Final Fantasy 8 and Parasite Eve.

Each monster, has it's own way about it, moving, shambling, or leaping at a full run...a pull of the trigger, and you see not only the muzzle flash, but the spent casing flying into the air beside you...it's awesome to watch what Capcom is capable of when you break down the visuals alone.

Base this all on the fact that this is a single disc game, when you look at the textured, rendered enviroments, the carpets, the reflections in mirrors, the FMV seqeunces, all of it...you won't find a better example of what can be done with just one disc. Each enviroment has it's own dark mood to it...the camera angles, and other various portions of the game, all make for a visual masterpiece to watch.

-Audio 9/10-

It can give you the creeps in the least. Playing through for the first time, the dark, moody, horror flick music that you come into contact with in the game, is enough to make you play with the lights on. You never know what's around the next corner, and the music score of the game follows that attitude to the fullest, making your pulse race just a bit when you hear the soft undertones, only to have it pick up at the last moment.

The audio effects of the game truly make this a suspenseful game to play. You may not se the zombie...but you can hear it with crystal clear quality, as it lurches somewhere just out of your sight range, and shambling into view. That squish-thud of the dead feet on the carpeted floor speeding up, only makes you want to look behind you for a split second, that's how real this all sounds.

But let's not forget about the other effects in the game...the thumping of spider legs in the distance, the clicking sound of a dog's toenails on the concrete...the flow of water in certain points...it all meshs like something out of real-life, giving you the feeling of not just playing the game, but actually being there beside your character.

The voice overs, and the story lines, are first rate..and they do follow the format of a B-type horror movie. When you listen to this game, and what it has to offer, think of George Romero's original Night of the Living Dead. You'll get not only the same feeling, but the same effect...top notch.

-Control 9/10-

Almost perfect, the game gives you control of opening doors, aiming your weapon, crossing stairs, and walking/running through your environments, this is all simplified with the directional pad, once you have the control down. This can be slightly confusing at times however, when the camera angle shifts to another direction , you may find yourself a littel disoriented, but it's nothing that you can't get past.

The items's menu allows for complete control over your inventory, by selecting, and deselecting the weapon or item that you wish to use. This interface makes certain that you have the item that you need at hand, this also gives you a chance to cycle through any thing that you have picked up, in terms of maps, books, notes, pictures...whatever you need, it's all there at your figertips.

FRom time to time, you will probably have a problem with some of the direction of your character, it doesn't move like a normal person does, so it takes time, and patience to master the complete movement control over either Chris or Jill. Once you have, there isn't anything else to worry about.

-Gameplay 9/10-

Zombies and monsters is not your only goal in this game. There are several puzzles that must be completed to open up other portions of the house. You need to find items to further your quest, and ammunition to survive the onslaught of mutations that come at you throughout the game.

The puzzles, range from relatively simple, to insanly hard, your first time through, in some sections, you need to make a decision, and it will effect the outcome of the game as you play. Every section of the game has it's purpose, and even when you think you have something figured out, you don't. In some cases, you can't figure it out, and the answer is right in front of your face...that makes for a challenging game right there.

Ammunition is important in Resident Evil, it's the only thing that stands between you, and certain death, so, at times, it's better to run away, than stand and fight. You'll notice this depending on which character you play, Jill has more slots for items, but has a lower tolerance for damage, while Chris, has less slots, but a higher tolerance. You'll have to decide which character has a better chance.

On that note, when you play with either character, there is a change in the gameplay...Chris uses keys, Jill uses a lockpick. Chris can handle heavier weapons, while Jill can handle specialty weapons. This, again, makes it interesting to play through, because it pits your intellegence and drive, instead of how much damage you can do.

Once you've played through both scenario's, you'll find that there is little in terms of secrets. The name of this game, is time...if you finsih quickly, than you get something great, but miss out on some of the rooms in the mansion, if you take your time, no reward, but you get to explore. Again, this is a case of pro and con. The choice is yours.

The enemies of the game can be difficult, and some, can kill you with one well placed blow..so it's important to keep an eye on your health, and where to pick up the medicne if you are poisoned. This all makes the gameplay first rate and top notch.

-Overall 9/10-

For a company that is known for their extensive library of fighting games, Capcom does an amazing job with the Resident Evil title, and even spawned off another version of both the first and second game, which I'll be reviewing soon. Giving you a storyline that is better than going to the movies to see, and placing you in an environment that is just huge, intense, and creepy, Resident Evil is one of those games that take time and patience, but give you a run for the money the entire time.

This isn't a rental game, it's a collectable. You can't find the original Resident Evil anymore, they don't make it, nor sell it. I was lucky in the fact, that it was the first game that I bought with my PSX, and I held onto it. The closest that you can get to the first Resident Evil, is the Director's Cut, which is in the next review.

If you are able to find this game, in it's original bookshelf casing, then you are truly lucky, and you won't be sorry to have it in your collection. Capcom did an outstanding job, leaving very very little in terms of complaints, so few in fact, that the ones that might be there, aren't even worth mentioning.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/31/00, Updated 03/31/00