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Resident Evil: Deadly Silence DS Review / Preview for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence DS Review / Preview for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

Still evil, still deadly, after all these years. This port proves the original Resident Evil has not lost its touch, but rather gained some on the DS. by Cole Smith

February 7, 2006 – Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, is a port of the original 1996 Playstation game. It’s a great looking game on the DS but it is dated. The Rebirth mode more than makes up for any shortcomings as it is a recreation of the original game with some new content that includes the use of the DS touch controls and microphone. Fans can play both the original and the Rebirth version on this tiny handheld. It features all of the original content including fully-voiced cutscenes.

Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield are members of an elite squad known as alpha team. They are sent to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the bravo team that lost radio contact while investigating an old mansion. As soon as the alpha team arrives they are confronted by a series of horrors inside the mansion that range from giant spiders to killer zombies. Presented in the horror genre, the gameplay is loaded with suspense, combat, puzzle-solving and gory depictions. The cutscenes are very poorly acted, but you just can’t live without them as you delve deeper into the mysteries of the haunted mansion.

There’s a lot more to do in this version than the original. The gameplay hasn’t changed much but the Rebirth mode has simply added more action in place of puzzles and exploring. But what’s good is that the puzzles are new. The co-op and competitive multi-player modes are also a good addition but since the screen is so small you won’t be able to see the other players on your screen. Instead they will be represented by a colored star. I’m not so sure I would recommend this game to Resident Evil fanatics since they’ve played the series to death but to those that haven’t played it or only dabbled in it, there’s no question that you must get this game.

One thing that should be mentioned right off the bat is the control system. It’s very responsive but it’s really awkward to get used to. It took me so long to get used to the original Playstation version that I didn’t get into the meat of the game for a week. I would try it for fifteen minutes a day and then give up in disgust, usually flinging my controller at the wall as is my usual immature behavior. To move forward you have to press up. This is really confusing. To aim you have to use the shoulder buttons and then press the action button to fire. I have to admit that it does work well, especially since you always have a point of reference when the camera angles change automatically, but you should note that it does take a while to get used to.

You move through the corridors of the mansion coming upon various monsters around the corners and in the various rooms. Typically there is a lot of exploring and puzzle solving, such as locating keys and activating switches but there’s less of that in the Rebirth mode. Weapons such as guns require ammo and while there is usually a good supply, you might not have enough to finish off all of monsters before you can reload. You have to be conservative with ammo, or just be a really good shot.

There are only six slots for inventory so you can’t carry a lot of things with you. You will have room for some ammo, a couple of guns, a couple of keys and some health herbs. If you accumulate too much stuff you can place them in a chest for safe keeping, but you have to backtrack to it every time you want something.

A map appears on the top screen. It’s really handy when you’re exploring or backtracking. There is also an indicator that shows when you’re hurt so that you can search for some health. It doesn’t act as a radar to show you where the monsters are. That would take all of the fun out of the game. Getting creeped out by the anticipation is one of the best aspects of the gameplay. It’s very gory at times, with images of severed limbs, disemboweled bodies and blood caked on the walls and furniture. The only way you’ll know that a monster is approaching is by hearing them. The DS’s stereo system is good enough to allow you to discern which direction it’s coming from.

In the Rebirth mode you will have more action and less exploring and puzzles. If you want the full effect, play the original mode first for the suspense. The Rebirth mode reminds me of House of the Dead. It’s more like a monster shooting gallery. What it lacks in finesse and atmosphere it more than makes up for in action. There are tons of monsters and you’ve always got a steady supply of ammo on hand. The Rebirth mode also has new puzzles and makes good use of the DS’s touch controls and microphone. When confronted by some monsters you will assume the first-person perspective and will have to touch the screen to activate a knife. This weapon will slice through the creatures as you slide or prod your finger on the screen. The microphone also comes into play here. In an attempt to revive one of your teammates you will have to blow in to the microphone to resuscitate them.

Using the Wi-Fi system you can play with up to four players in either a co-op or competitive mode. In the competitive mode it’s a race to finish each level. The co-op mode offers team play that is more in keeping with the storyline. The only problem with these multi-player modes is that you can’t see the other players’ characters. They are represented by colored stars so that you can see they are there but you can’t see any of the corresponding action. You probably won’t get as much replay value out of the multi-player mode as you might think. I still felt as though I was playing it alone. The replay value will mostly be found in the two different versions of the game as well as the two playable characters, Jill and Chris. Chris is stronger and can take more hits but Jill is more skilled at picking locks and can carry more inventory items. There’s no reason not to replay the game as both characters, though the majority of surprises will be revealed the first time through.

At first I wasn’t all that impressed with the graphics until it dawned on me that this was a Nintendo handheld system. Which leads to comments such as “The graphics are good, considering…” The backgrounds are a little on the low res side but the overall 3D characters and environments are rendered nicely. The creatures are definitely fodder for nightmares and the ambient music will assure that you don’t play this game alone in the dark – instead, play it with four people alone in the dark.

Features:

  • ClassicMode – The original, high tension Resident Evil that features 80% exploration/puzzle solving and 20% intense battle elements.
  • Rebirth Mode – Features a high octane game style that is 80% intense battle and 20% exploration/puzzle solving.
  • New Enhanced Controls
  • Microphone Function – Solve puzzles and even resuscitate your injured teammate by blowing into the microphone
  • Multiplayer Play – Join up with 2-4 friends and scream together playing in a specially created mansion map
  • Bonus Mini-Game – Ward off hordes of the undead in the Master of Knifing mini-game

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer

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