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| Resident Evil Code: Veronica (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Platform: Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube,
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Players: 1
Genre: Survival Horror
Publisher: Capcom
Since the Resident Evil 6 is only available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (and still waiting for PC!), I decided to play some Resident Evil games lately on my PS2. So, let us just savor for a moment of going back to the previous Resident
Evil titles. One of them is Resident Evil Code: Veronica X which was re-released
last year in "HD." Probably, this is the last time you are going to
feel the classic Resident Evil experience as it is absolutely belonged to the
survival-horror series unlike the action-packed Resident Evil 5 -- although it
was technically branded as survival-horror. So let's begin!
The game begins 3 months
after the 1998 Raccoon City incident where Resident Evil 2 and 3 took place.
Claire Redfield, who is the protagonist of the story, went to an Umbrella
Corporation Facility in Europe to search for her lost brother, Chris Redfield. As
she infiltrate in the building, she was unfortunately captured and sent to an
isolated prison called Rockfort Island. Then, your adventure starts.
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| Ah yes, the classic menu. Nostalgia strikes. |
If you are used to the
older Resident Evil environment, then you will do just fine. If not, it might
difficult for you particularly when moving your character. Carrying a number of
items is limited that is why you should always pay a visit at your portable
magical box -- a storage that takes your items wherever you are
-- that can be found in some rooms. Using the map is still the same;
it gives you a glimpse on what places you have already went in case you are
lost. As for saving your game, you are going to use an ink ribbon, which is
also inadequate, to use it in the typewriter. Just make it a habit to save
when it is really needed especially if you feel that you are in danger. Otherwise,
the game will come back into your last save point even if there is a retry
option. Yes, your last save point as there is no "restart last checkpoint.”
Likewise, Resident Evil
will not be Resident Evil if there are no puzzles involved. Do not expect it to
be easy as there are several puzzles that require you to solve (even the entire
place is like a puzzle). The 180-degree turn and change aim features are quite
helpful especially when you have to shoot numerous zombies coming at you.
Although, the dodge has been removed in which it was first introduced in
Resident Evil 3. Keep in
mind that this is a survival-horror genre so please, do not be so trigger-happy
and conserve your ammo wisely because you will regret it in the end if you did
not.
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| Just trolling the zombie. |
When it comes to
graphics, it is crisp and made in 3D unlike the previous Resident Evil 1, 2 and
3 which was pre-rendered. Also, the camera view was somehow changed in the
game. It is moving in some of the places but most of it is still
fixed making it sometimes really hard to see the incoming off-screen
enemies. There are several new scenes have added in the game like when Claire
opens the door nervously, giving it a suspense to players on what they might
encounter behind that door. Plus, you have an option of skipping the movie
sequence by pressing the Select button.
The music collection in
the game is great; the orchestral music gives the impact while you roam. But of
course, it changes and adapt depending on your situations throughout the game. Though,
the voice presentation here is another issue. Some of the voice actors were
pretty awful particularly when Steve Burnside is talking.
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| Poor guy. I wonder how the giant moth did it? |
When it comes to replayability,
although the story is linear, many unlockables are waiting for you once you
have beaten the game like the Battle Game which is good as it gives you more
time playing the game. If you want challenges, then you might want to play the
game again to have a speed run or meet certain requirements in order to unlock a
certain weapon.
So there you go,
Resident Evil Code: Veronica X definitely offers a mixture of horror, drama,
action and suspense while playing it. If you are a fan of the Resident Evil
franchise, then it is absolutely a must-have in your collection. Enjoy!
Gameplay - 10
Sound - 7
Graphics - 8
Replay Value - 8
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