RESIDENT EVIL

Developer

Capcom

Options

Distributer

Virgin

1 Player

Game Type

Strategy/Adventure

Mem. Card

Review Date

Sept 1996

Setting the Scene

This game has got to be one of the most controversial titles ever released since Mortal Combat.
When it was released I was one of the first to get a copy. I jumped in my car, floored it, and rushed right home to pop this bad boy in.

Genre

Resident Evil is a strategy and adventure game that takes place in a scary mansion that is packed with evil creatures and sinister events. Are you brave enough to solve the mystery?

Graphics

Great FMV opening sequence really draws you into the "mood" of the game. It's sharp and crystal clear and gets right to the point. From there, it kinda melds into the actual game. The characters are very well rendered (minor polygon clipping here and there but nothing to seriously detract from the game) and easily identifiable.

The backgrounds are gorgeously pre-rendered in 2-D, but the various cuts and camera angles are awesome and really immerse you into the environment and give it a somewhat 3-D feel. The special effects and extra touches are superb. Creatures actually walk right OUT from the bottom of the TV screen and into the action. Cool...

Overall the graphics couldn't be much better but there is always room for improvement. One of the best looking games to appear on a console system... ever.

Sounds and Effects

Almost flawless! The music really sets the mood. If you have a home theater setup with surround sound, you would be in heaven! From the sloshing, wet gooey sound of the zombies footsteps, to the birds cawing, the dogs pawsteps, to the various sounds your footsteps make on the different surfaces you traverse, this game covers it all. There are times that things will JUMP OUT in front of you and the sounds they make will make you drop more than just your joypad!

Playability

At first, the control of the characters within the game can be a bit disorienting and take some getting used to. For example, when your character is walking "into" the screen, left is right, right is left. This becomes a problem if you are running from something and instinctively go to turn left but actually turn right and end up zombie food or worse! Gun control is difficult at first also. The button setup is a bit cumbersome.

It's not really as bad as it sounds though and after a little bit of playing time, you get the controls down.


Yep, this game is almost perfect. You get to play as one of two characters (Jill or Chris). Each character follows a slightly different storyline and different difficulties. For instance: Jill can carry more items (go figure?!?) and has lock picking capabilities that will help her get into the various rooms much easier than Chris. Chris can take more damage than Jill, but the game is much harder playing as him. There are a minimum of six endings. The end boss is one of the best I have ever seen (his name is Tyrant and he is awesome). If you finish the game in under seven hours, 30 minutes you get a special key (closet key) and if you finish the game in under three hours you get to play the game over again with a rocket launcher with unlimited ammo! Talk about a goal! Shooting stuff with the rocket launcher is great... pieces of body parts fly all over the place!!

There are different strategies you can employ during gameplay such as blowing off the zombies legs so they can't follow you, or blowing their arms so they can't hold onto you.

There are also different decisions/paths that you have to take throughout the game.

Value for Money

The in-game sound is very atmospheric and the sound effects will scare you time and time again. Control is awkward at first but the perseverance is definately worth while. One of the best looking games on the PlayStation. Loads of different solutions to the game and two different characters to play, provide longevity to the appeal of the game. My recommendation is Buy It! Get it now!! Don't walk, drive like a loonatic to your nearest Playstation store and get it,you won't be sorry.

Opinion

TOM

GRAPHICS:

17/20

An amazing accomplishment. I keep wanting to play it over and over and over.....I still find myself popping this bad boy into my PSX in an effort to beat the game in under 3 hours and get the rocket launcher! Its also a super game to show off to your friends.

SOUND:

9/10

PLAYABILITY:

48/50

VALUE:

18/20

OVERALL
92%

MARTIN

GRAPHICS:

Brilliant

Stunning graphics. Amazing sounds. Gripping storyline. Frightening enemies. Callenging gameplay. If you own a Playstation then Resident Evil is a 'must buy'.

SOUND:

Brilliant

PLAYABILITY:

Brilliant

VALUE:

Brilliant

OVERALL
9/10