bit-tech Shopping: Capcom Resident Evil Zero (GC)

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Years

Strengths: Stellar graphics, new partner swapping and item dropping mechanics, prequel to REmake, the last RE with zombies, Leech Hunters mini-game, budget price

Weaknesses: Same old controls, weak storyline, unimaginative enemies (frogs, monkeys, bugs, etc.), contains major spoilers for REmake, short overall length

Summary: Resident Evil Zero was the last game in the popular Capcom series to feature the now classic RE controls and game play dating back to the original PSone Resident Evil. Unfortunately, this wasn't the grand sendoff that most fans had hoped for. The Gamecube-powered graphics certainly do the series proud, and the new partner swapping and drop-anytime item mechanics certainly add new twists to the venerable series. Unfortunately, Zero's storyline and enemies don't meet (much less exceed) the standards of the original game. Fans hoping for more insight into the series with the prequel won't be satisfied (as nothing really new or exciting is revealed here), but players new to the series will be rewarded with plenty of spoilers if they haven't already played the original (and much better) REmake. Series fans should definitely pick this game up, especially now that it can be found for less than $20, but players wary of the old control scheme and puzzle-oriented game play should steer clear entirely. The newer RE4 offers much more action and replay value for the same money.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Excellent graphics, voice acting and story

Weaknesses: Poor controls

Summary: I've never played a Resident Evil game (although I did see the movies and found them enjoyable) and this one pretty accurately models everything I've heard about the games. Excellent story, voice acting and graphics, and controls like trying to maneuver a drunken rat through a spinning maze. The parter system is interesting, but the tag-team puzzle solving (while inventive and interesting at first) quickly becomes boring and repetitive. Overall I recommend this game to people who like Resident Evil games, people who like survival horror games, and people who are willing to invest the time to beat a game that is very difficult (but very rewarding).

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: Graphics, mood, story

Weaknesses: Controls are poor

Summary: Capcom Resident Evil Zero GameCube was probably the best game in series prior to the release of Resident Evil 4. The game fills in the story prior to Resident Evil 1 and does a fantastic job of combining FMV clips and storyline with challenging puzzles and action. For fans of the survival/horor genre as well as Resident Evil games this is a must buy.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: unique character switching idea...

Weaknesses: ...that doesn't work as well as it should

Summary: This game tried to do something different with the series. While many of the RE games feature 2 playable characters, this is the first to let you play them at the same time, switching back and forth, or even controlling both in the same room at once. Problem is, this can become somewhat of a nuisance at times, as when you are controlling one character, the other is standing around in real time, possible getting attacked. While some of the puzzles do benefit from the character swapping, in the end I found it more of a hinderence. Other than that, though,same 'ol RE.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: 2 Characters to switch between during play.Use both to solve puzzles.Pass items to each other when close.Drop items anywhere for later pick-up when needed.Camera pans in most rooms.

Weaknesses: Still have tank controls, camera angles, and the typewriter + ribbon save combo.

Summary: All the elements of the RE series are here: tension, suspense, and creepy atmosphere. Some nuggets are: Cool environments like the train and interesting FMV backstory for Billy. I liked the addition of puzzle solving between the two characters and the map showing where items were dropped off. If not for that it would have been a scavenger hunt for dropped items (not fun). A must for any RE fan and a play for any GameCube owner.