Resident Evil Zero (GameCube)

Welcome back to the world of survival horror--again. After the awesome remake of the first game, Resident Evil Zero goes even further back in time with this all-new prequel to the infamous "mansion incident". This time you control Rebecca Chambers (the rookie medic featured in Chris's story from the first game) and "framed for a crime he didn't commit" prison escapee Billy Coen. Unlike previous Resident Evil games, though, you actually get to control both characters, and simultaneously; you can switch between either at any time, choose to have your partner tag along with you, set them to shoot automatically whenever a monster comes near or even control them manually with the C-stick. This unusual system works well and is, as you'd expect, a basis for a lot of split-up-necessitating puzzles.

Another welcome change from the usual Resident Evil formula is the absence of item boxes--now you can drop items whenever and wherever you like. In most other areas Resi 0 is business as usual, as you creep around a series of genuinely creepy mansions, trains and underground bases fervently wishing you had enough bullets to deal with all the foul monsters that are out to get you, many of which, without wishing to spoil the surprise, are not technically zombies this time around. If you haven't liked previous Resident Evil games you're unlikely to change your mind now, but such sourpusses are the only ones who will fail to be captivated by this highly entertaining, atmospheric and (at least in comparison to some of its predecessors) innovative game. --David Jenkins

"A beautiful game--breathtakingly so at times... treads familiar ground yet remains fundamentally engaging."

"The last hybrid Resident Evil is the best yet."

"Great set pieces, looks lovely. 85%."

In Resident Evil Zero, something terrible is seeping into the once pristine mountain air. The residents of Raccoon City go about their lives unaware of the dark menace that surrounds them. Sent in to investigate a series of grisly murders in the area, S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team scrambles into action. On the way to the scene, Bravo's helicopter crashes. Although everyone survives, they discover a gruesome sight--an overturned military transport truck, riddled with corpses. Rookie member Rebecca Chambers is beginning to wonder what she has got herself into. Bravo Team is about to discover the evil nightmare that is growing all around them.

In Resident Evil Zero, something terrible is seeping into the once pristine mountain air. The residents of Raccoon City go about their lives unaware of the dark menace that surrounds them. Sent in to investigate a series of grisly murders in the area, S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team scrambles into action. On the way to the scene, Bravo's helicopter crashes. Although everyone survives, they discover a gruesome sight--an overturned military transport truck, riddled with corpses. Rookie member Rebecca Chambers is beginning to wonder what she has got herself into. Bravo Team is about to discover the evil nightmare that is growing all around them.

• All-new prequel to the survival horror series
• 2-disc set
• Play as rookie cop Rebecca Chambers and escaped convict Billy Cowen
• New Partner Zapping System lets you quickly switch between each character
• For 1 player