This new R.E. game is killer. The graphics are amazing, and the gameplay is super-fun. Many say that the game is really tough, but once you get a good handle, it all comes together.
The new features in this game are immense. Many will say that it is going to flop because it is the remake of an old game. Throughout my playing, I have found that almost the whole game has changed. There are tons of new rooms, and the backgrounds and lighting sets the mood. And there is also the addition of Defense Weapons.
These Defense weapons are: A dagger, A taser, and a Flash Grenade. You equip these weapons in a separate spot, and they make your life a bit easier. If you are grabbed by a zombie, you will stab it in the head and escape unscathed. This greatly helps. The Flash Grenade is also pretty cool. You find less of these, but they kill the enemy instantly. (You can only get these as Chris.) What happens with the grenade is once someone bites you, you stick the grenade in its mouth. You then back off and shoot the grenade to blow its head off. Jill's only defense weapon is the taser. With the taser Jill can zap her enemy to its bitter death. You must collect battery packs to use the taser, but you start with it. What happens here is when you are grabbed, you poke them with the taser, and they spark and fall down, dead. Remember, these weapons are only good once, but you find many.
Along with the defense items are the original ones. You get your flamethrower, magnum, shotgun, berretta, the beloved survival knife, and the "awwww" ROCKET LAUNCHER. All the weapons can take out a zombie, but it's a little harder this time around. First of all, you don't get many guns at the start, and about no ammo. For about 30 minutes to an hour of play you get 30 bullets, so dodge, dodge, dodge!!! Once you get the shotgun, you will find yourself a little more relaxed. You can aim up and pop heads off, but you only get about 12 rounds for an hour and a half of game, so only use if in trouble. One thing that has changed about dead zombies is that the bodies linger. This is because they can come back to life. You need to kill them by decapitation, or use the kerosene canteen and lighter on them. Try to do this as much as possible, because once you trigger a main item, they will come back and will be faster and more pissed.
Another aspect of this game,(that I have seen so far) is that the zombies are very tough now. You will have an easier time avoiding the now slower zombies than trying to kill them all. I have only played a small portion of the game, but it is different weapon-wise. The handgun takes about 10 long range shots to kill a zombie, and about 5 close. Because you do not get much ammo, you are better off just avoiding monsters. The zombies, as I said before, seem to move slower. You can dodge through the enemies, and they do not lunge very far. They just reach in front of themselves, and miss you a lot. There is also the fact that you have to try to throw off the zombie. You must jam the control stick around in order to push the monster off, because if you don't, you will die in two captures.
The game is set up like the original Director's Cut, but with a bunch of added halls and rooms. One that is quite obvious from the start is a door at the top of the first staircase, and another underneath it. You will find as you are going through the game that items are also placed differently. You don't find as many clips, but you find more of the defense items. The typewriters are also placed in different places. You will have an easier time than the first time you played through, but will have to accept some kinks in the process. Also, once you beat the game, you can open multiple new modes. From what I heard there is Hard Mode, Invisible Mode, and Zombie Mode. I don't know what Invisible Mode is, but Zombie Mode sounds fun. In Zombie Mode, every room has a zombie in it. This zombie follows you through the entire game. If you kill it, you die! Wow, hardcore gamers only please! There are also the classics; finish game in under 5 hours gets you unlimited rocketlauncher etc. Also, if you beat it in a certain time you get once again mode. In this form of play I have heard that you get a secret key that alows you to get new costumes.
The graphics in this game are the best I have seen on any system so far. Everyone looks very real, and the cutscenes are even better. There are many animations where you can get completely blown away by how real the game looks. You will hear odd noises, and there are many mirrors that reflect your image exactly as how it moves and all. Another thing that can freak you out is the shadowing. Because the whole game is lit by candles and lanterns, you can see the shadows of all the zombies lurking around, and also your own.
Overall this game is a must. It takes the GameCube to its full potential with its amazing graphics and realistic gameplay. Original Resident Evil fans will love this game, and first time players will get addicted. If you need to vent your anger, you like killing, or even if you hate the dead you will find Resident Evil very calming. Just remember as you turn off your lights to check the closets and lock the doors. Turn out the lights..... and live the NIGHTMARE!!!