Evil Returns to the PS2.
Overview
Sadness hit PS2 owners as Capcom announced they are moving one of their most beloved franchises to GameCube. Now the main series will only be available on Nintendo’s new system. What did this leave for PS2 owners hoping to experience their favorite survival horror series? Enter Resident Evil Outbreak, a side story covering the events of Resident Evil 2 and 3. Now players can control a brand new cast of characters in five different scenarios. Now here is the kicker, they all can be played online. Now you and three strangers can experience the horror that is Resident Evil. Unfortunately there were more horrors than Capcom had planned.
Graphics 9/10
Outbreak is an improvement over Code Veronica. Plenty of detail in the environment and character models, very surprising thanks to the number of characters on screen. You run into the same looking zombies through most of the game, which is a little bothersome since they keep coming. Most of the old enemies return so it’s a treat to see some of my favorites. The bosses look cool, not original, but keep with the scheme. If you’re expecting GC quality graphics, prepare to be disappointed. It’s kind of sore on the eyes looking at Outbreak then at Resident Evil for GC. PS2 isn’t as powerful but it’s impressive what Capcom has accomplished with this hardware.
Gameplay/Controls 8/10
If you’ve been a resident, no pun intended, of S-C.com for long, you may have heard of the REODC. Well this is how it all started. You could consider this the “bible” of the REODC, it’s what we live by. Back to the game, Resident Evil returns to PS2, after suddenly departing to GC. PS owners whined and complained about the sudden change but their prayers have finally been answered. Outbreak marks the return to Sony’s console and it comes armed with online play. This makes a gaming treat for those of you who play online games for PS2, those who don’t might not be satisfied with the wait.
Outbreak was suppose to be online only, but Capcom threw in a solo mode for those less fortunate. Solo mode is exactly how Capcom treated it, an afterthought. This game was clearly made for online play. In place of other players, the game uses AI to help you with the missions. The whole point of Outbreak is playing with other people, conquering the evil as a team. I wish the AI thought that way. The AI is basically item whores, they will grab and use everything in their path. This can leave you without precious ammo or health items if you don’t keep up with their inventory. Another bad habit is the AI tendency to wander. They like to run off on their own, leaving you all by yourself. This can be annoying as they usually run into trouble, ending in death. You do have commands at your disposal but the AI ignores it occasionally. I had to sit for 10-15 minutes trying to get the AI to leave one room. He would come out then go back in, really annoying. The AI isn’t all bad, they will help you out if they have the items or ammo. They even make a good distraction for bosses, my major use for them. They are better off not existing in solo mode since they are less helpful than actually players.
The game plays like typical Resident Evil. Find items, complete puzzles, fight off never ending bio weapons. Now with extra players, your team can hold more items, fend off more enemies, and it gives you a greater sense of survival. Since you play with multiple characters, it feels like a new experience. RE0 you played with two, but unlike Zero you don’t have complete control over all the characters. After playing a few scenarios, you’re going to wish you had more control over your teammates like Zero. Other than that it’s the same just like any other Resident Evil game, with a severe lack of story. Outside the short endings at the end of each scenario, the solo mode less fulfilling than previous games. Load times don’t help either. Outbreak has some of the worse load times I have ever seen. Online isn’t too bad, but in solo you notice it. The HDD helps, but if you don’t want to shell out $100 you have to deal with it. Adding this in with the retarded AI, even more annoying.
One plus is the multiple characters. There’s eight default characters, a lot more secret, each having unique abilities. Some characters come to the party packing heat, some specialize in healing or fixing/making weapons, more inventory slots, or exclusive moves like kicks and playing dead. This offers plenty of ways to experience the game adding to the replay value. Also the character abilities and new items add new twist to the game play. Kicking zombies to stun, barricading doors, new elements to add to the survival feeling. Cool ideas you wish they had in previous games. Utilizing these special abilities can be the key to surviving so make sure you know what you can do and your teammates. Control is exactly like the other Resident Evils, nothing really new. The analog sticks give short commands for your teammates. This will give your teammates an idea of what you want to do. Like I said, the AI doesn’t like to listen all the time, so prepare to be using the same command a lot.
Sound/Music 6/10
Typical Resident Evil music, and it works so no worries there. Voice acting is average, some even terrible. Some of the characters, especially Jim (Sisqo) has the most annoying yelps I have ever heard. There’s constantly talking in this game, thanks to the commands, so you can’t avoid it. The lack of cut scenes make it bearable, but all the talking in the game could have been used for better purposes. I would settle for annoying cries if a story was around it, not “HELP ME” when I’m trying to do something.
Replay Value 7/10
Ah, this is the good part. Online mode is why Outbreak was made. Instead if playing with stupid AI, you get to play with people. This turns up the fun beyond the extreme. Working together, solving puzzles, stomping zombies in the face as a group, pure bliss. Playing with other people helps you ignore how average a Resident game this is and those long load times. You can throw everything bad I said about this game out the window when you play online, well maybe not the annoying voice acting. However a new problem is reveal, no voice communication. Giving commands to the AI is simple enough, when they actually obey, but getting your point across to fellow gamers is troublesome. Talking strategy or even letting someone know where you’re at is impossible. Smart players are more valuable than the AI, so you want to have them around. Without any real communication, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. That and the servers are not the greatest. I can’t hold the game accountable for that, but it must be said. Prepare to run into down servers occasionally. With that being said, online rocks.
Finding secret characters adds to the fun. Collecting items or beating the game will unlock new characters. This can be accomplished in either solo or online modes. This will be your main reason for even bothering with solo, that and unlocking scenarios to be used online. New modes and difficulties are also waiting to be found too, so make sure you play with everyone and search everywhere for items.
Overall 6/10
So it Outbreak a bad game? Far from it, but it depends on what you have access to. If you are only going to play solo, I suggest renting it. The game is average at best, with the AI and loading more trouble than they’re worth. With a lack of story, you have little reason to continue. Those of you who are playing online, buy this game now. Resident Evil is a blast to play with three other people. A new experience of survival and fun that must be played. Only if it had voice communication, Outbreak would have no equal. Simple commands is a pain in the ass. You want a reason to play online? Go buy this game, just avoid the REODC rooms if you want to survive.
- by Cold Man X
