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Although they've had to wait for a year and a half, N64 owners finally get to experience some survival horror of their very own. Was it worth the wait? Does a zombie rot in the woods?
First off, if you've already played the PlayStation original of RE2 then there are really no reasons to get this one unless powering up the PlayStation just wipes you out. If you've never played this game and were jealous of those hoity-toity PSX owners who have flaunted this classic series in your face, you actually have the last laugh. Remember how they said this couldn't be done on an N64? They said that fitting 2 complete games with all of the FMV's would take a miracle to do on the N64? Well, you had better check to see if that water has turned to wine because Capcom pulled it off. This is a 100% faithful representation of the game. If you are mature enough to handle the content, then you had better forget about that sissy Donkey Kong game and get some horror happening. C'mon what are you...chicken? "Oh mom, please buy me Donkey Kong because I'm too afraid of the evil zombie game." Bok Bok Bok. Well, you had better be afraid, because this game will scare the crap out of you. In fact when you send mom out to pick it up, better put in a request for some extra Hello Kitty underwear.
For those who have absolutely no idea what this game is about, listen up and I'll give you a fast synopsis. You can play as either Claire Redfield or Leon Kennedy, both have separate missions making this in effect, 2 games in 1. Your mission? Get the hell out of Dodge, basically, except replace the word Dodge, with Raccoon City. You start off in the streets, surrounded by the unfortunate citizens of RC who have been infected by a nasty virus that tends to turn normally law-abiding townsfolk into flesh-eating-slow-moving-zombies. And you thought that rash from your polyester underwear was bad... You'll have to make your way to your first destination: the Raccoon Police Department. Unfortunately that place ain't all that safe either. You'll be forced to solve puzzles that range from simple "find the key to this door" to more thinking cap required mensa tests, all while watching out for the undead and other horrifying mutant creatures like the Licker, who wants to french you with his razor sharp tongue. Ouch. You can only save your progress if you find ink ribbons, which are strategically scattered, around the town. The ink ribbons must be used on typewriters to save progress. Yes, it is a clunky method of saving, but you'll get used to it. During your adventure you'll come across various weapons which will do to the undead what death should have done long ago. You can only carry a limited amount of items and weapons, so you'll have to keep the rest of your inventory in chests that are generally located in the same rooms as typewriters. Once you finish the game with one character, it's time to try the other one. You can only play one characters game at a time.
The control in Resident Evil 2 is different from any other game you've played on the N64, so it will take some time to get used to it. Expect to die frequently while getting the hang of the control. The analog stick moves you from a walk to a run depending on the amount you move it. The R button draws your weapon and the Z button fires. You can't move while your weapon is drawn, so be careful. If the zombies attack you, you are also given a shove move that will knock several zombies back. This game is all about fight or flight; in most cases it is best to just put these guys and gals out of their misery, because they will be waiting if you return to their location. Once I became used to the controls, I actually found it slightly more intuitive than the PlayStation version. I especially liked the analog control.
Graphically, this game isn't quite as crisp as the PlayStation version, but c'mon? Who's really gonna complain about that? You've got one of the best games ever made on your system, so be happy. The backgrounds are non-interactive, but you'll hardly notice. This game is all about atmosphere, and the camera angles help make this game one of the scariest ever made. The camera angles are set for maximum fright-factor; you'll never be able to see exactly what is ahead until it's almost upon you. That is the genius behind this series; you'll feel like you are watching a horror movie, yet you are the one actually controlling it. All of the CG sequences are award winners and will simply amaze you, while drawing you further into this nightmare. The N64 version offers 3 violence settings and 3 blood color settings, so you can adjust the game to suit your sensitivity. Parents be warned though, that this game is not intended for children, even on the lower settings. It is rated Mature, which is for ages 17+. This game will scare you, so just imagine what it will do to your kids.
A horror movie is only as good as its soundtrack and this game is no different. If you turned off the music, this game would be half as scary. You need to hear the distant wails, groans and shrieks of the undead in the distance, while a lone string section rattles your last remaining nerve, to fully immerse yourself into this world. While we are on the subject of atmosphere, let me say now that you have to play this game alone, at night, in a dark room and preferably with headphones on. I've said it before and I'll say it again; if you are playing this game on a bright sunny Sunday afternoon while still in your church threads, you are depriving yourself of an experience of a lifetime. If that's the case, then maybe you should hang out with Donkey Kong, baby. On a side note, fans of the Big Comfy Couch may recognize Claire Redfield's voice because Loonette the Clown (Alyson Court) did the honors. If you know of whom I speak, then you are probably too young to play this game.
This game has "must have" written all over it. I loved this game all over again, even though the PlayStation version is sitting on my shelf. I'm just tickled that Capcom brought it out for the N64. Do yourself a HUGE favor and take a trip to Raccoon City soon. I guarantee you'll never walk by boarded-up windows in an abandoned Police Station the same way ever again. If I have done my job correctly, most of you should have went out halfway through this review and bought the game. If you haven't, then may I suggest having someone smarter than yourself read the review to you. They'll know what to do.
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