Good Conversion Of A Great Game (Resident Evil 2 (PC))

Member Name:

Product:	Resident Evil 2 (PC)
Date:	05/08/01 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gameplay, plot, Longevity

Disadvantages: none

Forking out 8 quid at EB for this -vital- piece of gaming has made me a happy man! Admittedly a happy man who gets so scared he needs to make sure those are REAL PEOPLE at the front door, but nonetheless...

It was the first game I owned on my first console, the Playstation, so I have fond memories of staying up late scaring myself to sleep (don't we all). Now I've fallen in love again. This time, though, it's not quite so straightforward - I will begin with my moans at Resi2 on the PC, then articulate why I love it so!

Being more or less a straight port from the PS version, the limitations of the console manage to manifest themselves on this platform too. I personally find this unforgivable! Surely SOME hard drive could be used to stop that constant CD access? And surely there might have been some extras on two barely-filled CDs (I mean, we pay a little more for our PCs that we do for our Playstations). The PC is a constantly evolving platform, the team should've accommodated for this.

As in Resi1 the lo-res prerendered backgrounds contrast with interactive (hi-res) objects like keys, ink ribbons. Linking this game to its predecessor also is the comic standard of vocal acting. Though it is a little better this time, you still imagine you're watching Channel 5 castoffs. The timing is badly off!

As for the game itself...firstly the plot is great: Both times I've owned this I have become completely engrossed, playing for hours on end to see how the story unfolds.
Graphically, Resi2 was (on release) a good contender. Nowadays the visuals are bearable. Apart from, again, those lovely FMV clips.
Sound-wise I have no complaints - vocals are crisp, footstep sounds are varied, and the plethora of general interactions in the game are all well accounted for.

BUT

The thing which keeps me forever coming back for more is the EXCELLENT use of suspense in the game. It wasn't the progra
mmers' main focus, not like in, say, Silent Hill, but the way the game works is excellent.
Every now and then something will happen to make you jump. Then not much will happen for a good 20-30 minutes, giving the player time to become confident and stable again. When you least expect it you'll be shocked again with something jumping through a roof to get you. You have to play it to see, believe me.

All in all a good conversion of a great game, nothing new added and nothing removed.The only real difference is that you don't need to fork out £15 a go for memory cards, which is surely a good thing. Get out there and buy it!


A few last pointers:

- If you own or end up owning this game, be DAMN sure you have a joypad. There isn't much worse than keyboard Resi2. Think driving your car with a piece of thread. It's WRONG.

- Make sure someone's within 50 feet of your person. This could safeguard your personal sanity.

- Make sure no-one's within 5 feet of your person. When you laugh heartily at something's head being sprayed liberally as a result of your Remington M1100 they are likely to question your personal sanity.

Summary: