Resident Evil 2 (GameCube)

 

 

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Resident Evil 2.
the sequel to the game that spawned a genre.
obviously this game was highly anticipated and lived up to its predecessor, even surpassed it some say. It included one of the greatest openings of any game of the series, built on the amazing storyline of the evil umbrella corporation, and provided more of the heart stopping moments that made the original so unique and successful. the gameplay was kept the same, but offered a new place to explore with more possibilites of zombie warfare and over mutated beasts.
But, does it still provide that awe and pick up and Resident Evil at its peak, offering more of the astounding gameplay that made the original a classic.
this is definitely one to have in your Gamecube collection.
There is though, one flaw.
Sadly, unlike the original, it hasn't had a major overhaul to Gamecube, and has kept its original Playstation graphics.
However, this should be too big a problem, as it is Resident Evil
and you can't really go wrong with it.
This is a major must buy game for those who have never played it, or those that feel it is such a classic that they need play it again, and Gamecube is just the excuse to do that. It is truly brilliant, and should only be ignored by those with weak stomachs or heart problems.

I'm a pretty big Resident Evil fan, so when I heard about the Resident Evil remake for the GameCube, I was pretty excited. Bought that, loved it and sat patiently waiting for RE2.

That's when things took a (slight) turn for the worst. RE2 is a direct port from the PlayStation original, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The game itself is excellent as games go, but trouble arises because you may already have this game on another console. If you do, then there's nothing new for you; only die hard fans and those wishing to complete their collection need buy it.

On the other hand, if you're new to the Resident Evil series (Hi, welcome back from Mars) or have just recently discovered it, then it will prove a worthy purchase. The game is well able to hold it's own alongside most GameCube games (it's a timeless classic) and it provides a great challenge. Because it's ported from a 32-bit console, you would be forgive for assuming the worst regarding graphics, but this game is actually graphically more impressive than some GameCube games! Soundwise, the game is pretty good; it helps crate and maintain the creepy atmosphere. The controls are chunky, just the way Resident Evil should be and the plot is engrossing and interesting.

Overall, it's well worth a look for people new to the series, but I'd be hesitant buying it if you already own another version.

Resident Evil 2 is so good that I recently played through it three times in one sitting (one of the few benefits of unemployment is the abundance of free time). From the opening FMVs and that first awesome section dashing through Raccoon City ("the next thing I knew, the entire city was infested with zombies") through to the Police Headquarters, cavernous sewers and the then-traditional laboratory-set ending, this game exudes quality through and through.

While some were put off by it, the Resident Evil control system was in my mind perfect, and only improved upon in Resident Evil 4 (which much of contemporary gaming owes A LOT to). The soundtrack is incredible, with each and every scene scored with the perfect blend of atmosphere and action, or whichever was necessary. The sound effects are excellent, a huge step up from the somewhat comical zombies or the first game, now moaning discomfortingly rather than hilariously. The graphics are of course hugely dated, but you can't fault the design of the game. Enemy characters shuffle and shamble realistically, speeding up when their prey is within range, clawing along the floor when they've parted way with their legs and taking bullets with more than a mere step back, another leap from the arms-outstretched grey (!) zombies of before. While the backgrounds are pre-rendered in 2D, each is totally eerie, cold and at times genuinely upsetting when it comes to life-like quality. The undead-dominated world of Resident Evil 2 makes for a very oppressive feel indeed.

Also of note is the voice acting, which is for the most part still rubbish, but again a vast improvement over the first. Sadly, the live action scenes are gone too, but it all adds up to make RE2 a much more serious game than its progenitor. Its not often enough games improve this much on their predecessor, and a major complaint of the sequel (Resident Evil 3: Nemesis) was that it ran on the RE2 engine, which to me is no bad thing as it allowed the game to be released mere months after 2.

Finally, and most importantly, the game is scary as hell, from Mr. X smashing through walls to falling through the floor in the library (who didn't jump the first time around?) to the final confrontation with the flaming tyrant, this game mixes the perfect amount of mood with jump scares to keep things fresh. The replay value is high also, with the game being split into two distinct chapters which play out differently depending on which character you choose to begin with, as well as two bonus games which aren't easily unlocked and command you come back for more. Long story short, its one of those rare games that surprises you with much, much more when you thought you'd finished it.

As my opening comment suggests, the game is quite short, easily completed by a veteran like myself in a little over an hour and a half, but for newbies it ought to keep you entertained for long enough to make your purchase worthwhile. Might I recommend you buy the Nintendo Gamecube version, as it plays much smoother than previous versions, allows cutscene-skipping (for those all important second playthroughs) and offers a few other neat bonuses, as well as suiting the GC controller perfectly.

It may not have redefined gaming necessarily, and it's not even the best in the series, but this is a classic well worth investing in, either for first timers or fans nostalgic for the golden years of PSOne. For its combination of story, atmosphere and action, few other games of that era come close.

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3.0 out of 5 stars gamecube resident evil 2
this game has a slightly better contrast ratio and slightly better charactar models than its playstation original but other than that its exactly the same from start to finish. Read more

Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Mrs. S. J. Clarke

4.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite Survival Horror
In 1996, Capcom gave us the first instalment of a video game series that captured the imaginations of a generation, 'Resident Evil. Read more

Published on 30 July 2009 by Mr. D. A. Glover

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the best horror games ever made
The plot of the game is just like the one of the second RE movie: the zombies and monsters have conquered Racoon City. Read more

Published on 3 Oct 2007 by Hans Panzerfaust

5.0 out of 5 stars Graphics
ok, i have seen some comments people are leaving for this game about the graphics, saying its ps1 graphics... Read more

Published on 18 Aug 2007 by Colin"Resident Evil"Murphy

5.0 out of 5 stars the ultimate survival horror
Yes the original resident evil started the horror genre but 2 took it to a whole new level the first was more puzzly, desperately searching for ammo adventure while this... Read more

Published on 7 May 2007 by R. Fisher

4.0 out of 5 stars Remake of Capcom's Finest Horror Series...
After playing the remake of the original resident evil and the brillant and underrated resident evil zero it is quite sad that how bored i am getting of resident evil. Read more

Published on 19 Feb 2006 by D. Cuthbertson

3.0 out of 5 stars Remake but not REmade
This was a bit of a dissapointment when I first saw it. As several other reviews have said, the graphics have not had much done to them. Read more

Published on 14 July 2005 by starfox67

2.0 out of 5 stars No reason to buy
Resident Evil is a must yeah right when it got released in 1998 on GC i was expeting a remake like Resident Evil Rebirth(or Resident Evil remake or just Resident Evil)the controls... Read more

Published on 20 Mar 2005 by Erling Stengaard Jensen

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY GOOD GAME!
Out of the resident evil games on gamecube and on any console, I got to say that this is the best one there is! Read more

Published on 19 Feb 2005 by Mark

4.0 out of 5 stars An absolute classic!
I feel that this is a very underrated game, because contrary to popular belief it is NOT a direct port of the PS original but infact the rare Dual Shock version! Read more

Published on 30 Jan 2005

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