The most evil game ever created.
06/16/02 by Dan Chubaty
The Game: totally revamped edition of the game that started the survival horror movement. Featuring visuals and scenes built from the ground up.
Gameplay: The story is actually quite simple. You play as either Jill or Chris; they are members of the STARS team. Early in the game they are searching a forest for clues as to the disappearance of their former team members. They soon find refuge in a huge mansion centered in the woods. And must now find a way out. Alive.
Anybody who has played Resident Evil knows what it's all about. Unlike most reviews, I will not compare the game to the original PSX version. Resident Evil features gameplay like no other game. The mood and setting are just as much part of the gameplay as the actual action on screen. RE feeds off of gamer’s senses. Coupled with all the rest of the game, you've got something special. Players are confronted with many puzzles and mysteries, all feeding off of the need to survive.
A game like this, while still pretty action packed, more often then not, forces you to think a great deal. Strategy comes into play a great deal. Such as the characters ability to hold only a certain amount of items or weapons. Without giving away much on the plot. Players will no doubt find a lengthy adventure packed with several plot twists and scary as hell experiences
Visuals: One word: amazing. Capcom has produced the most amazing character models I have ever seen. Every detail seen on Jill or Chris is out of this world, from gun holsters, to facial expressions and hair. It's all-amazing. And Jill herself is possibly the hottest game babe ever. There really isn't any other way to explain it, your jaw will drop. RE uses rendered backgrounds with polygonal objects and characters laid out over top. The backgrounds are also incredibly detailed and high resolution, so much in fact, that they blend seamlessly with the characters. One new feature is that there is some FMV in the backgrounds themselves, so things can actually animate. (Just look at the gorgeous outdoor environments!) Want more? Check out the moody lighting effects, casting shadows all over the walls, you will look twice. This is a game full of eye candy.
Audio: Audio is another factor important in RE. You'll hear the shuffling feet of zombies and the low moans as they approach you from a distance. It's an incredibly heart-stopping effect. The voice acting is decent, but there are some awkward pauses and sometimes it's just generally weak. But still mildly enjoyable even at it's worst. Music is well done, as well. But you only really hear it when it's needed, such as when an enemy attacks, or a surprise happens. This again, creates the horror effect perfectly. The music that is there though, is high quality and usually very creepy.
Control: If you've played any RE before you'll feel right at home. If you haven't, prepare to die a few times before you grasp what it has to offer. It's a personal preference, I actually love the controls. But they've come under much fire from other gamers. The layout is as it should be. R raises your weapon, A fires, Z toggles the map, Y the inventory and B is for running. The C-stick is used for the newly added quick 180 turn; this will save your life more than once.
Replay Value: With two characters, each with a unique experience, this game is a long one, and also very hard. It will engross you for some time. After that, there are tons of extra modes and secret items to find, by playing through the game on harder modes and beating quick times. There are also extra costumes to find. (mmm, Jill in sexy costumes) So much to do, and unlike a lot of games, you'll actually want to play through this one all you can.
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