vlad_davidov

First, I'll get the cons over with:

Yes, this game likely could have benefited from either an in-game save feature, light gun support, or CG FMVs, but that's about it.

The creators did go out on a limb with this project, and the end result is actually quite unique. The idea that the main character was stricken with amnesia and unsure as to who he is or why he was there ( Later stolen by Paul Anderson for the RE movie ) wasn't a bad idea, although it didn't really take a rocket scientist to figure out that he wasn't really 'Vincent'.

Another switch from the usual characteristics of the RE series is the weapons. In most Resident Evil games, your weaponry is limited to a Beretta, a Remington shotgun, and some random .357 pistol. Now they offer you three different sidearms ( I don't really consider the Japanese weapon worth using, but oh well. ), one having average rounds per minute and reloading time ( Glock 17 ), slow RPM and fast reloading ( Beretta Cougar ), and lighting-quick RPM and slow reloading time ( Czech-75 ). Gun nuts like myself will love this game.

One of the things with the normal Resident Evil games is that you always encounter it from a third-person perspective. Therefore, you know for sure if there's some evil low-budget zombie coming up from behind you. In this game, you won't know they're behind you until they take a big chunk out of your neck ( The sudden act of it all is more surprising/frightening than it sounds ).

Likely the reason that you cannot sidestep, or run and fire at the same time, is due to the fact that you can't do either of those in other Resident Evil games either. You always had to stop where you were, aim with R1, and then give whoever stands in the way, Holy hell. Plus it reminds me of the old nostalgia games where you had to beat the game all at once, like so many memorable NES games.

All in all, Resident Evil: Survivor is definitely worthy of belonging in a Resident Evil Junkie's collection, and even worthy of the casual player. Like all firsts of a genre, it has its lacking spots, but it's great to see how it's performed. I'd say four stars out of five.

Dino Crisis improves on many aspects of Resident Evil, but it falls short in some other areas.

The main plus - Now you can aim AND walk at the same time. It's just...really cool. Another plus is the advanced mixing system, that allows you to create even more powerful medical equipment/weapons than before.

Not to mention that killing dinosaurs is just fun in general.

And the storyline isn't what you'd think at first glance, either. The dinos aren't created by some horrible genetic experiment horribly gone wrong, but I'll leave how it actually happens to the gamer.

Also, gone are pre-rendered backgrounds, the game is now completely in 3D ( Sort of like Code: Veronica ), and the graphics are just sensational.

Saving is also much easier. Instead of having to have enough Ink Ribbons ( Meaning you can only save so many times ), you only have to locate a save point, where you can save your game as many times as you'd like.

The FMVs are sensational, and the voiceovers are superb.

The problems lay in the gameplay though. You only get three weapons tops ( But you can upgrade them to compensate ), such as a Glock, a SPAS shotgun, and the HK Grenade Pistol.

Another downside is the item box system. There are now three different kinds of boxes you can store things in, and in order to open them, you need so many 'Plugs' to open them. But, as an added plus, each box will usually come ready-equipped with stuff already in it.

Also, the game has many keypads which require codes, which are either incredibly hard to find, or just darn-near impossible ( Thank God for FAQs ).

If these problems don't affect your gameplay, you'll get quite a lot of mileage out of this game. Otherwise, this will only be a one-ride game. Kudos to Capcom though, this was a really good idea.

**** out of Five.

Hot off the wild success of the second installment of Resident Evil, one would think that another game starring Jill Valentine would be even better. Depending on who you talk to, you'll get varied responses, but of course, it's by far better than the first one.

You only get to play as one person through this crazy roller coaster ride, Jill Valentine ( Not counting the small part when you play as Carlos ), whereas in 'Rez' 2, you could play up to four different ways ( Claire A/B, Leon A/B ).

Yet another change is where the game takes place. The first game took place in a Mansion, the second one took place in well, a bunch of places ( Art Gallery-Turned Police Station, sewers, Umbrella lab, etc. ), and this time around, the entire City of Raccoon is your playground.

But they made up for the lack of multiple ways to play. Jill can earn up to five extra outfits ( 70's Disco, STARS, Meter Maid, Regina from Dino Crisis, and Leather bodysuit ), and the weapons have become far less exotic from Resident Evil 2, but there are a lot more of them, not to mention the ability to create new weapons from parts given from the downed Nemesis.

Oh yeah, Nemesis. Remember how many times Tyrant popped up during the B game of RE2? Remember how he usually caught you at the worst times? Guess what? Nemesis shows up even MORE times! ( I lost track around twelve ). He's certainly a persistent little bugger.

I don't find it scared me as often as the other games, but it's still fun to play over and over ( Is it because Jill's just eye candy? Maaaaaaaaybe. ), and ponder time and time again, just how the heck Jill can run around killing zombies in a miniskirt and a halter top? Perhaps the zombies caught her in the middle of a date.

Final Score - ****½ out of five.