Resident Evil 2

"Munch on a bullet you zombie swine..."

Resident Evil is a game series that has given the world a game in which they can actually play through a land that is teeming with zombies. You’ll find that playing through this particular title is almost like playing through a movie version of Night of the Living Dead in which you are no longer stuck in a mansion, but rather Raccoon City itself. Although the game is difficult in plenty of areas, you’ll find that with a little strategy and proper usage of items, there is nothing that you cannot accomplish. Resident Evil 2 takes that to the next level with plenty of zombies, birds, dogs and other various evils that could be waiting around the corner to take a health bite out of your neck…

Hell On Earth

More zombies, more killing, and more puzzles. Yes, it seems like the same old same old, but there is the story to consider here. It weaves throughout the entire game, and keeps you glued to the screen as you play through with either Leon, the RPD rookie, or Claire, Chris Redfield's sister. This makes the game a continuation of the first one through the story. Resident Evil 2 is also the first to offer to the 'zapping' system. This means, that when you start out with one character, what that character does, effects what the next game has to offer for the other player.

While this sounds confusing, it's actually a nice touch, never giving you quite the same game twice, in which it changes the weapon placement, some of the items, and parts of the game that you went through with the first character, will be explained with the second. The computer A.I. has changed a bit, no longer is it just one or two zombies in a room, sometimes, when you walk through a door, you'll be faced with 6-10 zombies at once...and if you have nothing but your handgun...start running, otherwise you're lunch. This shows an almost sadistic quality of the programmers at Capcom and you’ll find that the more you think in situations like this, the quicker the game is going to be over.

The game also has many secrets to unlock, and again, like with the first Resident Evil, it's all about time. What you do, and how you do it, makes no difference...it's how fast you get through the game that allows you to see the secrets that Resident Evil 2 has to offer. The weapons and the items that you might have found in the first Resident Evil have been changed just a little to include upgrades on the weapons that you use and even the firepower that you can attain. For each of the characters, their default weapon is slightly different, leaving you to decide just where and when to use your precious ammunition.

Control isn’t an issue if you’re using a good game pad and the controls can be set to help you with aiming at creatures that might be in your way. While the game really doesn’t require you to be quick on the draw, you might want to take a minute and play through a quick game for a minute or two to familiarize yourself with the menu and the actual movement of your character. Aiming your weapon in this game, is something that was improved, with the auto-aim feature, you never really worry about missing your target, and can switch up with a simple button press to a fresh {heh} target to shoot at. All in all, this isn't bad one bit, so there is nothing here that will turn you away from the game.

Shadows Or Lurking Zombies?

The visuals of this game come far from the days of Resident Evil and it's full motion video, in placing the story through CG cut-scenes and situations that highlight some of the climaxing portions of the game itself. You are no longer trapped in a mansion, but in a police station in the middle of Raccoon City during the mayhem of a zombie invasion. The characters of this game are very well detailed, and have a tendency to be realistic enough to make you lean back from the screen and say whoa. Offering up a multitude of different types of zombies, including female versions of the undead.

Other monsters include nasty creatures that lance you with sharp tongues, and have a tendency to pull the heads off their victims. Through the game, you will stop and look at the dark and sinister backgrounds that is Resident Evil 2. Traveling first through the street's of Raccoon City, you'll notice that every ounce of attention was paid to the detail, even with the broken glass, and trash can's filled with garbage. The police station is where you will spend most of your time, it is made enjoyable to look at, nearly perfect in every way as you traverse...you see reflections, blood, gore, boarded up windows...everything that makes a good horror movie, you'll find here.

I Hear You Breathing…

The music of the Resident Evil 2 puts you in the frame of mind that something is not right here in the city, and you need to get away. It follows you through the game at all times, with high and low points, each track an audio painting of where you're at, and what you're doing. The sound effects come out through your stereo as if you were really there...and hey, maybe you are, but just don't know it. That's the feeling that you get when listening to just the effects. From the moans and shambling walk of the zombies, to the hissing whispers of some of the monsters in the game, it's near perfect in what it does to your senses. The music, and the sound effects keep you on your toes the entire time...when there is silence, you don't know what to expect. Will there be a monster around the corner? Will there be a zombie waiting? Or will there be nothing but open hallway for you to safely pass through...

Zombie Blasting, Ammo Expending…

Resident Evil 2 is well worth having if you don’t have the Dual Shock version and if you’re into the games. Although some of the concepts are outdated by the games that we have now, the overall theme and mood that the game sets really does say something about the title. With plenty of visuals and audio that keep you on your toes as well as some pretty impressive game play strategies that you have to keep in mind throughout, there is little here that action gamers won’t find worthy. For those fans of the series that have an original Play Station, this is a good step on the road before you take it to the next level with Nemesis.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/31/00, Updated 02/10/03