Resident Evil: Deadly Silence

"Resident Evil on two tiny screens; is it evil?"

Resident Evil *puts finger on mouth ala Austin Powers*: it's probably in the top 10 most known and successful series in the world of gaming, so it's no surprise that when you have a cash-cow--DS--Resident Evil was bound to pop out. This Evil is a remake of the original PlayStation title w/ exclusive multi-player mode, touch screen knife fights, and some changes.

You play on the bottom screen w/ your map on the top screen, which is really helpful seeing how you're always bound to flicking through menus searching for the map to determine where you are/where to go next. The controls are standard RE fare with the shoulder buttons taking care of weapon aiming and knife aiming.

Not new to this game are the tank controls of the RE series: up on the d-pad moves your character forward and the rest built around this system. It might feel difficult at first--if you're new to the series--but sooner than later you'll be cleaning off zombie heads with the swift power of your shotgun and magnum.

You can play as either Jill or Chris, the first being an easier trek--Jill can carry more items/has a lockpick. The graphics are true to the original PSOne title and you even get the movies: even though the quality reeks of stink--you can barely distinguish what's going on in these low-low-quality videos. However, kudos for trying with a cart Capcom.

Let's talk about the ORIGINAL RESIDENT EVIL: it's a survival horror action title with puzzle sprinkles all over the place. Puzzles can be insert object A in place A or more challenging balance power circuits. From start to finish the game was engrossing in its action and zombie obliteration, all made complete with cheesy B-movie voice acting. What changed in RE DS?

- For starters, you're playing on a tiny screen (duh) so the action is a bit diluted.
- The touch screen knifing sections are annoying/boring: they just detract you from the flow of the game and have you play a boring slash left/right/up/down/however you'd like enemies on the screen, which are crows, hunters, zombies, and dogs.
+The puzzles are still here with some new fun puzzles added in
+A multi-player mode (I didn't get much into it, but it's fun from what I played)

So balancing these, I'd say playing the original or any of its remakes on the home consoles are better to play than this. However, if you want to go all bazooka/magnum/flamethrower blazing in portable form, then you will have fun with this: I know I did, even though I enjoyed the PSOne version more.

Pros

+It's the original Evil in portable form
+mm the casual roster of weapons doesn't disappoint when combined with zombies
+Shotgun/Magnum shots that wipe off heads in a lovely animation
+Puzzles can be fun
+Some fun new additions

Cons

-Annoying touch-screen knifing sections
-Damage is inflicted much more than the original--however there are more items strewn about
-The action seems a bit diluted, what with it being tiny screen and all

Story - 6
Visuals - 7
Audio - 6

Gameplay - 7
-FUN Factor - 7
-Controls - B
-Difficulty - Easy

Lifespan - 5

Overall - 7

Original Evil in handheld form ain't as evil, but it offers some fun and frills.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 02/17/09

Game Release: Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (US, 02/07/06)