Resident Evil: Code Veronica X
Score: 90% ESRB: Mature Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Survival Horror
Graphics & Sound: First off, did you play Resident Evil: Code Veronica X on the PS2? If so, you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect here. Crisp graphics and nice touches to detail are found generously in the Game Cube version of Code Veronica X. Light filters in beautifully through flimsy cobwebs, flies buzz around lights, and things look appropriately evil here. While it isn't a huge improvement over the PS2 version, there were slight differences to be seen. Sound effects are great, as usual. Ambient sounds will keep you edgy during gameplay and appropriate background music kicks in where it needs to be. The voicework, however, is as appallingly cheesy as it ever was in the series. The new evil bad guy, Alfred, oh Lord. He sounds like he is on helium. It is truly disturbing.
Gameplay: But how does it play? Well, if you are a survival horror vet, then you already know. This is another Resident Evil game, so it's just like all the rest. Of course, if you are a huge survival horror fan like I am, this is good news. The story breaks down like this: Claire Redfield, who you'll remember from previous Resident Evils, is off in search of her brother, Chris. Her journey lands her in the military jail of one of the Umbrella Corporation's compounds on some island. That's what you get for sneaking around their Parisian complex. But anyway, this island and compound have been overrun with zombies and it's up to Claire to contact Chris and get rescued, if she can. What would an Umbrella-owned property be without a creepy mansion on site? That and much more await you; suffice it to say that there are plenty of jump-scares to be found here. The new baddie is Alfred and his equally eerie twin, Alexis, both descendants of one of the early Umbrella founders. Along the way, Claire also meets up with Steve, a hot-shot kid who fancies himself a gun-slinger, and who also has the misfortune of being stuck in the compound. As usual, you'll find a number of weapons at your disposal including the standard issue gun, a few automatics, a bow gun and such. Ammo isn't necessarily plentiful all the time, but it is usually sufficient. The usual puzzles are here and there are a few fetch quests sprinkled in for good measure. Gore is abundant, but not overly done. Basically, if you like survival horror and you are a fan of the RE series, you'll want to continue the storyline. That, and you completist bastards will want the latest RE for your Game Cube collection. Like me.
Difficulty: Well, sometimes the game is pretty tough. However, in the normal course of the game, things are on just the right level. Enemies are difficult, but not unbearable, and puzzles can be figured out pretty quickly, even if they require you to run back and forth. Bosses are tough, but certainly doable and overall, I'd say the difficulty is just right.
Game Mechanics: Ahh, the famous survival horror controls. You either love them or you hate them. Personally, I love them. By pushing up, your character moves forward, even if they are facing to the right. Up is forward, down is backward and so on. Directions are relative to your character and once you get the hang of it, it will be second nature. One problem people often complain about in survival horror is camera angle. I must admit, I don't recall having any problems with the camera angle. The game manages to keep things creepy by showing you just what they want to, but never frustratingly so. Just as in past Resident Evil games, saving is accomplished by using an ink ribbon in the typewriters that are scattered about. They aren't everywhere, however, so that ups the challenge level a little bit. Claire (and at times, Steve) is able to carry a good number of items and by dogged exploring, you can find an add-on pack that expands your carrying capacity. Nice! I will say that healing herbs are few and far between, so don't get hurt badly and if you do, don't save over your 'healthy' file. ;) Overall, Code Veronica X has a great storyline, good graphics, interesting puzzles and action-packed fighting, with that survival horror flair that only Capcom can pull off. If you own it for the PS2, you might not want to plunk down the extra dough for this one because it's basically the same game. But if you don't own it and you like survival horror, it's a worthy addition to your collection.
-Psibabe, GameVortex Communications AKA Ashley Perkins
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