Resident Evil

Time is an enemy. This is a saying that can apply to a lot of things, as it means different things to different people and things. One area it definitely applies to is video games. This is due to how many games, despite being innovative and brilliant during their heyday, can age rather poorly. This is due to how many games improve on the established formula to a point where the original becomes essentially obsolete (i.e. the original Street Fighter), or relied on a gimmick or hook (its level or violence for example) that made them popular when they initially released but aren't much good removed from that original context (i.e Splatterhouse, arguably the original Mortal Kombat). Luckily, this isn't the case with the original Resident Evil. Despite some flaws here and there, the game has aged supremely well and its gameplay is still quite fun even to this day.

The plot of the game is that a group called STARS are investigating a bizarre series of cannibalistic murders outside of Raccoon City. While there however, they are attacked by a group of zombie dogs and flee to the nearest shelter: a seemingly abandoned mansion. However when they arrive, not all is what it seems, as strange monsters start to attack the remaining members and many of the members go missing. Now it is up to the player character to survive this terror and escape.

The plot maybe minimalist (so much so that it is forgotten about for large chunks of the game) but the game makes up for it in atmosphere. There is a strong sense of isolation and helplessness as the player, due to lack of resources and support, making the game a more intense experience. At points, it does make the game a lot more cryptic than it needs to be, but for the most part it still works in making you more immersed in the game's world.

It also helps that the game plays very well too. Despite sometimes awkward tank-like controls, the game runs at a good pace and is quite fun too, whether you are killing monsters or solving puzzles, with the former being the most frequent throughout the game, and thanks to a variant number of creatures and weapons, it never gets old and despite how later in the game some of the enemies start to regenerate, it is usually is fun to fight these foes. The puzzle solving aspect of the game is also quite good as well, with many of the puzzles being the right level of though in order to be enjoyable, but still fairly challenging as well.

The game's locations are also very detailed and encourages a lot of exploring. Sure the game isn't too huge and is limited in terms of scope , (which to be fair considering how this is a franchise starter) but there is enough in the game that is interesting and you will be curious to look around all around this game's world to find every nook and cranny around the area, which can be very rewarding as you can find many helpful items this way.

The sound design is also excellent. Many of the creatures sound menacing and make them more intimidating, motivating you to kill them as soon as possible, and for the most part, the music is pure brilliance, helping to up the game's creepy atmosphere and at certain points (like when you go into a save room or at the end credits) can be strangely calming as it makes a nice change of pace and tone from the intense action.

Is everything in this game perfect? No, considering how some aspects of the game hasn't aged very well. It isn't just the dreadful voice acting and poor live action sequences, as the graphics haven't aged greatly either. Some of the gameplay aspects are weak as well. The game can be too cryptic sometimes, the tank controls can take some time to get used to for new players & the bosses are very easy, as they usually consist of the same tactics: circle strafing and constantly shooting at it with a rocket launcher will put the creatures out of their misery, which does drain some of the tension and threat when you face them. To be honest, some of the game's regular enemies are harder to kill than these bosses.

Despite those problems, the original Resident Evil has aged very well and stands out as not only one of the best of its genre, but one of the best video games of all time. Fun, tension-filled and always a joy to play, the original Resident Evil is flawed, but it has more than enough polish and great aspects to it that make up for this in spades. If you haven't played this game yet, I would definitely recommend it to you, as it is a true masterclass in survival horror and it is one of the best video games of all time.

"Biohazard Director`s Cut"(called "Resident Evil" outside of Japan) contains three different versions of "Biohazard". The first version is exactly the same as the first game, the second one is the same as the first game but a lot easier, and the third version is what this game is all about: the re-arranged version. In this version there is quite a few changes that`ll please veterans. The two main-characters now have a new set of clothes, some of the camera-angles have been changed, some new dialogue is put in there, the clothing on some of the walls have changed, there are more zombies and monsters and all the items in the game are to be found at different places. All these changes have been made to make the game as different from the original as possible, and it is a huge success. I love "Biohazard" and I was very pleased to learn that a director`s cut-version of the game was coming out. If you already got the first game, and aren`t particularly fond of it, you shouldn`t really buy this game, but if you love the original game, this is worth picking up, and remember that the game comes with a playable demo of "Biohazard 2". 10/10

one of the best games in the world to date,and still going strong,this has paved the way for games such as parasite eve and silent hill in my opinion,resident evil truly is a classic,from the graphics,to the suspense of walking down a dimly lit corridor,with eerie music being played in the background,wondering whether you heard the squelch of a footstep behind you,to the plot of the games(i'm not going to give anything away!).sure enough there are flaws (the dialogue is atrocious,but it doesn't bother me) but every game has flaws,i've bought near enough every resi game thats followed on from this,and will carry on to do so,i'm hooked! amazing 10/10 :)

This game is a classic, a gem, one in which is very hard to find. The Storyline isn't a rip-off,the Mansion is so creepy you want to memorize every inch of it, and the Suprises scare you each time you play. There are very few other modern Horror games that are worth playing. Some great oldies are Snatcher, Alone In The Dark, Rise of the Dragon, and Night Trap. Snatcher is,in my opinion, the best ever, of the Videogame horror genre, but it is hard to find, because it is solely a Sega CD/PC videogame. In Terms of Resident Evil, the first is the best, the 3rd is 2nd best, and Code Veronica is 3rd best. Resident Evil 2 is interesting,yes, but I have never cared for it's characters much. This series is one of the very few reasons I still play Playstation.

Forget the movie for a second. "Resident Evil," the game, works just as well theatrically as it does in terms of gameplay -- it's an addictive experience with haunting visuals, a creepy perfectly suited score and tense, suspense-building action that propels into bloody gore.

I've never felt so nervous and sweaty while playing an RPG before. This is the type of game that builds up all the tension until finally, out of nowhere, a zombie appears and it really freaks you out. Unlike the film, it takes its time getting to where it's going and works well as such. The only game I've ever felt as paranoid playing in the past was "Aliens vs. Predators 2," which in the marine campaign was really scary and took its time delivering the action.

Don't get me wrong. I thought the "Resident Evil" movie bashers were overly-cruel. It was, after all, just a silly action movie and worked as such entertainment.

But the game is better.

Much better.

Nine years later it still packs a bloody punch and is one of the best games ever. I'd rank it in the top ten.

Best of all? It's got brains, too. It doesn't just require a quick trigger finger.

Highly, highly recommended.