Resident Evil makes a good game even better.
But then, on April 20, 2002, the game was reborn with stunning graphics with the addition of new game play and story. With this new version of Resident Evil, the game was once again frightening, and players who thought they had abandoned the mansion a long time ago in 1996 are now only returning to it once again in 2002. This version of Resident Evil should be on every gamers wish list, if it wasn't already before or already is.
Resident Evil puts you in control of either Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield, two S.T.A.R.S. Members trying to survive a gruesome scenario within a mansion in the middle of the woods. The thing about the mansion? It's full of zombies and creatures, all messed up in their own creepy ways. Zombies roam the corridors and mutant dogs patrol the woods outdoors along side many other monsters. By conserving small amounts of ammunition and supplies, the player must find it's way out of the mansion by means of survival.
The mansion is full of small amounts of medical supplies and ammo in order to keep you alive. There are also several areas where you may not progress without the use of certain items, which are scattered about in many different places. Standing in the way of these routs and hallways are mutated dogs, crows, messed up mutants, and just typical zombies. But this game is not like all other video games that contain zombies and guns and such.
Instead of treating the game like a shoot 'em up, players are kept to a certain limit of how many things they may carry in their inventory, how many rounds of bullets they will find lying around, and what they must use those resources for in ways that are... err... resourcefully! For example: Using only 7 bullets to kill 1 zombie that you could have passed by without harm instead of using those 7 bullets to kill one that was blocking the path to a room that you need to enter in order to progress is generally the wrong idea. Running past zombies (which is usually hard to do, considering the narrow halls) is one such way of keeping alive.
Story development and plot is another huge role in this game. Finding files of deceased residents of the mansion creates an eerie back story mix to the game. Also trying to stick together with other members of the S.T.A.R.S. Team for cooperation is the right thing to do, considering the amount of help you will require in order to survive the list of possible ways to easily die in this game. Going out of your way to help a wounded comrade unable to move will most likely be rewarded with extra firepower on the next encounter with a large beast.
The graphics are absolutely amazing, considering this was only 2002 at its release. Shadows glide across walls and light bounces off the character's shoulders and face realistically. The amount of detail put into this work of art makes it all look very convincing. The only things that could use improvement are the mouthing of words in cut scenes and the detail of the fire that emits from carcasses that are burning.
Sound effects are truly realistic, and the BGM fits every scene or surprise perfectly. Controls can be a thing to get used to, which is what keeps many people from playing this outward outstanding masterpiece. Renting the game would be a mistake, as you would not have time enough to progress and unlock everything the game has to offer. The game has a cheap price now days on the Internet web-sites like amazon and such. I'd say just buy the game if you want a remember able experience.