DarkMaster
11-12-2002, 03:45 PM
well, it doesnt look like it'll give MP much competition....not according to these scores.
Then of course there are the puzzles. They still don't make sense. They still barely have a place within the game universe. They're still obscure. Yet, they drive the story along in their own special way and, we admit it, there are several puzzles that are very satisfying and thoughtful, if out of place. For example, there is a later puzzle in which you must determine the pecking order for a series of animal based statues and light candles to mimic it. There is a clear sense of accomplishment once it's properly figured out and successfully completed. Still, why do the puzzles have to be so illogical? We could overlook this in the Resident Evil remake as it was just that -- an update to an old game. Since RE0 is a completely new title, though, there's really no excuse.
The second major addition is the ability to drop items whenever you want. As diehard Resident Evil fans can probably attest to, there's no fun in running back and forth between levels to drop spare parts in chests, as the series has traditionally required. So you can imagine the freedom gained with this option. As long time survival horror players ourselves, we almost feel guilty carelessly dropping items at any spot without worry, but wow -- what a difference it makes. That's not to suggest that the system is perfect. The fact remains: there are too many items in Resident Evil 0 -- plain and simple. Rebecca and Billy can never carry enough. Not even close. Be prepared to read the line "You cannot carry this item -- your inventory is full" 100 times over. There's only one solution, and that's to drop one of the items in your inventory to make room. And so an entirely new frustration rears its ugly head. Before long, you'll be asking yourself where you left the hookshot, and what room is the microfilm in, and what happened to the dark statue of evil? Luckily, you can consult your map at any time during the game and look up the locations of the items one by one. The fact that so many items must be dropped and replaced extends the play length of Resident Evil 0 considerably, but it's a trick, it's not exactly fun or strategic -- it's just a means to make the game longer. That said, it's still much better than the chest system of old.
Closing Comments
If you look at our review score, you might conclude that Resident Evil 0 is somehow vastly inferior to the remake. That's not exactly true.
For me, RE0 is really a solid survival horror update complete with beautiful graphics and a moody atmosphere, but it's also a game scarred by several gaping flaws, and I couldn't let that go again, not when Capcom could have easily corrected these issues by now. The game is still scary, and if that's good enough for you then don't bother reading the rest of my comments -- go now and pick it up. You won't be disappointed. But on the other hand, the control, especially with the "Type C" option removed, is clunky, robotic, and clashes with the pace of the game, which often requires quick and precise movements. Frankly, the play mechanics are outdated, and that really puts a hamper on the experience.
The same problems interrupted the pace of the remake. But the remake was essentially an update to a classic game that managed to inspire feelings of nostalgia and still scare the hell out of you. Now, though, we have a completely new outing with the same old problems. In fact, the control is worse and the puzzles are possibly even more stupefied. That's not cool.
If you can live with the drawbacks -- the same ones as always -- you'll probably grow to like or even love the latest in the Resident Evil series. If you're unwilling to brave bad control and poorly executed puzzles in search of the next big scare, though, you might want to rent this game before you get on the train for good.
-- Matt Casamassina
Presentation
Frightening and realistic all around. Some of the menu work is sloppy. 9.0
Graphics
Beautiful. Photo-realistic textures combine with amazing full motion animation backgrounds and foregrounds. Slick animation for monsters, but stiff for hero movement. Not full 3D for real camera. 9.0
Sound
Atmospheric. Nicely done all around. Capcom uses silence at times, too, to scare, which is brilliant. No DPLII support. 9.0
Gameplay
Still scary. Still fun, if you can forgive the clunky controls and stupid puzzles. But definitely dated. 7.0
Lasting Appeal
As usual, there are enough hidden goodies to keep coming back for more. 6.0
OVERALL SCORE (not an average) 8.2
hmmm....looks like Fran had most of the fun reviewing MP. oh well, if you're a fan of the series it should still be a good purchase.
Then of course there are the puzzles. They still don't make sense. They still barely have a place within the game universe. They're still obscure. Yet, they drive the story along in their own special way and, we admit it, there are several puzzles that are very satisfying and thoughtful, if out of place. For example, there is a later puzzle in which you must determine the pecking order for a series of animal based statues and light candles to mimic it. There is a clear sense of accomplishment once it's properly figured out and successfully completed. Still, why do the puzzles have to be so illogical? We could overlook this in the Resident Evil remake as it was just that -- an update to an old game. Since RE0 is a completely new title, though, there's really no excuse.
The second major addition is the ability to drop items whenever you want. As diehard Resident Evil fans can probably attest to, there's no fun in running back and forth between levels to drop spare parts in chests, as the series has traditionally required. So you can imagine the freedom gained with this option. As long time survival horror players ourselves, we almost feel guilty carelessly dropping items at any spot without worry, but wow -- what a difference it makes. That's not to suggest that the system is perfect. The fact remains: there are too many items in Resident Evil 0 -- plain and simple. Rebecca and Billy can never carry enough. Not even close. Be prepared to read the line "You cannot carry this item -- your inventory is full" 100 times over. There's only one solution, and that's to drop one of the items in your inventory to make room. And so an entirely new frustration rears its ugly head. Before long, you'll be asking yourself where you left the hookshot, and what room is the microfilm in, and what happened to the dark statue of evil? Luckily, you can consult your map at any time during the game and look up the locations of the items one by one. The fact that so many items must be dropped and replaced extends the play length of Resident Evil 0 considerably, but it's a trick, it's not exactly fun or strategic -- it's just a means to make the game longer. That said, it's still much better than the chest system of old.
Closing Comments
If you look at our review score, you might conclude that Resident Evil 0 is somehow vastly inferior to the remake. That's not exactly true.
For me, RE0 is really a solid survival horror update complete with beautiful graphics and a moody atmosphere, but it's also a game scarred by several gaping flaws, and I couldn't let that go again, not when Capcom could have easily corrected these issues by now. The game is still scary, and if that's good enough for you then don't bother reading the rest of my comments -- go now and pick it up. You won't be disappointed. But on the other hand, the control, especially with the "Type C" option removed, is clunky, robotic, and clashes with the pace of the game, which often requires quick and precise movements. Frankly, the play mechanics are outdated, and that really puts a hamper on the experience.
The same problems interrupted the pace of the remake. But the remake was essentially an update to a classic game that managed to inspire feelings of nostalgia and still scare the hell out of you. Now, though, we have a completely new outing with the same old problems. In fact, the control is worse and the puzzles are possibly even more stupefied. That's not cool.
If you can live with the drawbacks -- the same ones as always -- you'll probably grow to like or even love the latest in the Resident Evil series. If you're unwilling to brave bad control and poorly executed puzzles in search of the next big scare, though, you might want to rent this game before you get on the train for good.
-- Matt Casamassina
Presentation
Frightening and realistic all around. Some of the menu work is sloppy. 9.0
Graphics
Beautiful. Photo-realistic textures combine with amazing full motion animation backgrounds and foregrounds. Slick animation for monsters, but stiff for hero movement. Not full 3D for real camera. 9.0
Sound
Atmospheric. Nicely done all around. Capcom uses silence at times, too, to scare, which is brilliant. No DPLII support. 9.0
Gameplay
Still scary. Still fun, if you can forgive the clunky controls and stupid puzzles. But definitely dated. 7.0
Lasting Appeal
As usual, there are enough hidden goodies to keep coming back for more. 6.0
OVERALL SCORE (not an average) 8.2
hmmm....looks like Fran had most of the fun reviewing MP. oh well, if you're a fan of the series it should still be a good purchase.