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N64 | Action | Resident Evil 2 | Review

Boxart for Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 12 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.5
  • SOUND: 5.0
  • CONTROL: 4.0
  • FUN FACTOR 4.5
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.4
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.5
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

Review: Resident Evil 2

Review by THEFRESHMAN | 11/24/2000 | 14:47:41 PM PST

It's about time Nintendo 64 gamers got a chance to survive the horror. Capcom finally brings the PlayStation classic to the Nintendo 64, and they've done the impossible: they've shoved two CDs of gameplay into a N64 cartridge version that looks almost as good as the PSX original.

It's about time Nintendo 64 gamers got a chance to survive the horror. Capcom finally brings the PlayStation classic to the Nintendo 64, and they've done the impossible: they've shoved two CDs of gameplay into a N64 cartridge version that looks almost as good as the PSX original.

What's This "Resident Evil" I Keep Hearin' About?
In case you've been in a cave for the past few years, there's a li'l series on the Playstation called Resident Evil. The version that's just now hitting the N64 is the second in the PSX series and the zombies we met in the first Resident Evil have overrun the peaceful town of Raccoon City. You take the role of either Claire Redfield or Leon Kennedy, and you try to get to the bottom of the events that brought this plague of zombies to town.

The PSX version shipped on two CDs, chock full of CG movies and prerendered backgrounds. Angel Studios developed a special compression system that allowed them to shove the whole thing on a cartridge that's twice the size of Zelda 64, all the while adding new features (hi-res graphics, new text files to discover, variable gore levels) and maintaining every single sound-bite and CG movie. The result is a game that brings N64 gamers all the vein-popping pleasure that PSX gamers have enjoyed for almost two years. The problem is that the N64 isn't quite the best place for this evil to take residence.

Hi-Res-ident Evil
Graphically, Resident Evil 2 has two personalities: the beautiful, enchanced in-game Dr. Jeckyl Jeklly and the highly compressed and grainy CG Mr. Hyde. Angel Studios did a lot to make the in-game graphics look great, maybe even better than the original, but in order to fit the CG movies on a cartridge, they had to compress the living hell out of them. You'll spend most of your time playing the game rather than watching the movies, though, so graphic-purists won't be disappointed.

Resident Evil 2 always depended on its sound to scare the bejeezus out of you, and the N64 version is no different. You'll hear the shuffling feet and deep moans of the shambling undead, the screams of off-screen victims, and the howling of nearby undead dogs. Compared to other PSX-to-N64 conversions, the sound is pristine.

You can either use the analog stick or the D-pad, and it's a toss up as to which is better, because neither one is perfect. Control in Resident Evil games has always been stiff and difficult, and is more suited to exploration and puzzles than for twitch-based action. For most of the game you'll be fine, but when you're surprised by bosses and have to react, you'll spend most of your time turning to face the peril. It's not that the N64 version controls badly, it's that the Resident Evil control scheme in general could use an overhaul.

Touched By An Angel
This version of Resident Evil 2 isn't perfect, but it's a testament to Capcom and Angel Studios that it was even possible. For those people doubting the N64, take a look at this. If they could make RE2 for the Fun Machine, just think what else they can do.