Resident Evil: Director's Cut
Developed By: Capcom
Published By: Capcom
Genre: 3D Action/Adventure
Players: 1
Rating: M (ages 17+)
Analog Compatible: No
Memory Card: 1 Block
Resident Evil: Director's Cut is basically the original Resident Evil re-released with some cool extras to make it stand apart from the original version. One of the largest additions is the Advanced game mode. This mode enhances the game with additional views, clothes for the main characters, and other cool little suprises which I'm not going to spoil for you. The game comes as a two disc set along with a cool playable demo of Resident Evil 2. Unfortunately, the game was supposed to include new super-gory cut scenes, but they were removed from the U.S. version because of some sort of copyright altercations.
The game itself plays exactly like the original Resident Evil. You must fight truly evil creatures such as Zombies and Mutated Dogs while trying to find your way out of the mansion alive. You must learn to conserve ammo by running past your undead foes, because there many more enemies than there is ammo. This game is very scary, one of the scariest games ever made, and Capcom intended it to be that way. There are not too difficult puzzles you must complete to gain access to certain areas of the mansion not previously accessible, but most of the puzzles are simply finding the switch to move the panel to gain access to a key. You must also learn to manage your inventory, as the characters can only carry a limited amount of items, no more pulling shotguns from your back pockets. You either control Chris or Jill, each possesing different abilities and special weapons only available in their game.
The graphics were ground breaking when the original version first appeared on the PlayStation, showing the gaming world that the PlayStation was a major contender in the console market, and they still are good, even when compared to today's standards. The pre-rendered backgrounds add a realistic look to the creepy mansion, while the character models are also well done, the enemies are bloody and very menacing, just like they should be. The FMV intro is still cool and quite scary, even after you've seen it a hundred times. The graphics really help you to believe you really exist in the world of horror that is Resident Evil.
The sound is still as frightening as ever, and is really important in a game of this nature, imagine a Resident Evil where the Zombies said "Boo!" and when they're shot they say "Ouch!". There is nothing scarier than hearing an enemy than you can't see, the "thump, drag" of a Zombie sends shivers down your spine. The howling of the Demon Dogs and the cawing of the Crows is equaly frightening. The "Boom!" of the shotgun is very satisfying, especially when you see the explosion of a Zombie head right infront of the character's face. One thing that I found particularly cool when the game came out, and still do, is that the foot-steps of your character change when you walk from a marble floor onto a carpet, that goes for any other floor surface in the game. The only low point in the game's sound are the infamous cheesey voice overs that appeared in the original game, but I guess it wouldn't have that B movie appeal without them.
The control of the character is a little hard to get used to at first, but it was much harder to get used to when it was first released, because this was the first time we got to walk in a totally free-roaming environment. When you press the directional keys your character walks, but if you hold the square button at the same time he runs. You can carry your weapon in your hand and still use the action key to open doors and such, but when you hold R1, your character rises his weapon and now the action button fires. You must also aim your weapon up or down to hit an enemy on the ground or blow off a Zombie's head, what's really scary is that you have to wait until he is practicaly kissing you to blow off his head with the shotgun.
This game is really more aimed towards the gamer that Resident Evil was a little before his time, or the gamer that played it, but never really got around to buying it. The only reason that Resident Evil veterans will want to play the Director's Cut is the Advanced Mode. This game is truly scary and a blast to play, if you've never played it or even heard of it, where have you been? Anyone who has never played Resident Evil or those who never beat it because they rented it should go out and buy this game as soon as they can, Resident Evil pros will probably go for the rental option just to play the Advanced mode.
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