Parasite Eve

This game is definitely underrated. The graphics are lacking by today's standards, but the story and the gameplay hold up over time. This is a role playing game, and because it is a PS1 game, there is no voice acting, so a lot of time will be spent reading through the plot line, but the story is entertaining enough to make you want to find out what happens next, so it isn't as tedious as you might think. The game opens with you playing as Aya Brea, an NYPD officer back in good ol' 1997. Aya is reluctantly on a date at the opera house, when all of a sudden, everyone in the audience begins to spontaneously combust. Only Aya and the lead actress onstage are left unharmed, and as you question her, she reveals herself to be known as Eve. Eve tells you that your mitochondria are evolving, as are hers, causing each of you to undergo evolutionary changes. You then embark on a strange and difficult quest for answers, following the minute clues Eve carelessly leaves in her wake as she terrorizes Manhattan.

The gameplay itself is unlike anything that had previously been seen before, and is still quite rare in today's RPGs. While the fight system is still turn-based, you are not glued to your spot on the battlefield, unlike games such as Final Fantasy. You are free to move your character around as you please, giving you the unique ability to dodge attacks and position yourself to attack a location on the enemy that will cause the most damage. As you progress through the story and earn experience, your parasite powers evolve as well, giving you new abilities ranging from defensive and healing spells to full out mitochondrial liberation. You are also able to customize your weapons and armor, which can be carried over to a new save once you've beaten the game.

All of the enemies are mitochondrial mutations of common animals, insects, and bacteria, and even extinct species. This makes for a varied combat experience that rarely gets old. The combat locations vary as much as the creatures as well. You'll go all over Manhattan, from the sewers under Chinatown to the Museum of Natural History, and the Subway. There is even a fight in a runaway horse-drawn carriage! This game is worth checking out, even if you're into the more graphically enhanced games. It's got a solid story, great gameplay, and replay value to boot!

it is not a secert that Square (now Square Enix) makes great games. People who play Square games are players who look for more then just action and graphics. These people want a story, character development and a interesting battle system. back in 1998 after the Final fantasy 7 rampage, Square came out with a game that they hailed "The Cinematic RPG", which would be named "parasite eve". being a huge fan of Final Fantasy and Square, I picked this one up immediately. How did I like it....?

Something has infected this game, yes something that most games are immune to. This game was and is still a realer shiner and it promises actually wha t Square said. Playing this game you feel like you are watching a movie. The way the characters look ( which at the time was pretty damn good and stil l is), the graphics are so realistic that you could believe that this is a movie. The action is great and the story is a very interesting one for those of you who are biological nuts. Even though I am not, this games story still it from me. I wanted to know what the hell was going from the first shot of Aya getting out of the car till the very end. But the only negative aspect of this game was the battle system was that it was awkward at times, sure you could move around unlike Final Fantasy 7, but it was like Chess. IF you move somewhere and got a good shot off you were stuck there tempory and open to attacks. This game was also a nice present to female gamers cause Aya is one of the most A$$ kicking game characters with a amazing precence I have seen in a game. Eve may not be a Sephriroth but she holds her own to freak the gamer out and fear the minute you have to face her. I sold this game after beating it and it was one of the biggest mistakes, thankfully it is still around used. You bet I will be picking it up very shortly at a cheap $5. Do yourself a favor if you are a fan or Square/RPGs/ action games and get this before it disappears and STAY THE HELL away from the sequel cause it ruined what made the first game so magical...

A-

"Parasite Eve" as a 'cinematic RPG' is highly successful in its bid for bridging the gap between movies and games, setting the standards for computer generated graphics and gameplay. While many advances have been made since Square's release of "Parasite Eve", this game still stands as a symbol of what technological innovation and professional, multi-million dollar productions can do for the games of tomorrow.

The story of "Parasite Eve" is basic - Aya Brea, a tough as nails NYPD officer, discovers that there is a strange link between herself and a series of unexplained, gruesome deaths around the city. These deaths are all linked to a strange mutation of mitochondrial DNA. The US Navy and NYPD decide to evacuate New York, only to discover, the horror is just beginning.

Set against the backdrop of Christmas and filled with icy synthesizer music ("Out Of Phase" is a great track) "Parasite Eve" comes across as a dark, chilling story. Excellent CGI sequences and intense use of symbolism make the first "Parasite Eve" story a must-have game. "Parasite Eve" is loaded with FMV action as any videogame worth its salt should have, ranging from gun battles in filthy sewers to helicopter air-to-air battles over New York. While there are some 'anomalies' in realism and military accuracy, all in all this is a great game.

SPOILERS:

This game teaches some about the human body and makes you wonder at some points. The things about people spontaneously combusting is really something to ponder if you believe in that sort of thing. When I first played the game I thought it would be a down to earth game being on PS1. Instead it turned out to be real gory and neat. The park scene was a gross out. The horse setting on fire was a huge surprise and really cool or hot whichever way you want to look at it.

SPOILERS STOPPED

I've also liked this very much for the music. A good gory breakthrough for a PS1 game. 10/10

This is one of the most underrated RPG's in my opinion. People seem to think just because there's guns, and monsters, it must be just like Resident Evil or Silent Hill.

I personally, love this game. It's a really intelligent game, that talks about real things. Not some dinky company that somehow gets away with an outbreak of a virus, this is about a real organism that does live in us that gains self awareness again.

People complain how everyone seems to talk too much. Well Aya Brea and her partners arnt exactly trying to escape a horde of monsters. Instead, there all trying to figure out what in the hell is going on, so of course there's gonna be some lengthy dialog scenes.

The battle system is something to love. Why in the name of God couldn't you run around in other games? At least now you can avoid attacks, even if you still have to wait your turn to do your stuff.

Overall, I'll give this game a 10/10. It's FAR superior to it's sequel which sadly, happened to take the Resident Evil route, right down to the story...