Resident Evil Remake
Resident Evil for the Gamecube is, quite simply, a phenomenal game in every way. If ever a perfect game existed, it would be this one. Just as Resident Evil Classic was a revolution for gaming when it was first released, Remake steps it up another notch and delivers a game you're unlikely to ever forget.
The storyline from the first game remains pretty much in-tact without any major changes. To keep things fresh however, and fix up some plot holes from later games in the series, a few things have been tweaked and added around the place. Most notably the addition of Lisa Trevor, who amps up the terror 10-fold while also building upon existing Resident Evil lore. There are also a few new files to tie back in with later games, such as a report from Birkin which details RE2's G-Virus status. But other than Lisa, if you've played the original there really isn't anything new here to surprise you.
The enemies are pretty much exactly the same as the original game as well except for one terrifying new addition; the Crimson Heads. Enough to scare even the most hardened gamer, and the kind of enemy everyone has a hilarious 'first encounter' story to tell about. Unlike previous games, killing a zombie won't make them disappear when you leave. They'll remain in the same spot, time after time, until finally you walk over them one too many times and they get right back up and chase you, screeching and attacking with their huge new claws. Terrifying, but unforgettable. Regular old zombies will never be the same again.
The majority of the puzzles from Classic can also be found in Remake, although often with minor twists to keep experienced players guessing. Rarely will the answer be the same as it used to be, and there are also quite a few entirely new puzzles as well.
The locations remain the same as well, with only a few minor changes. The mansion has a bigger layout with some entirely new sections (including a really creepy basement) and the back yard can now also be explored, leading to Lisa Trevor's shack and her underground caves. Everything looks eerie and foreboding, the stuff nightmares are made of. While the original mansion was something to behold, with Remake's new graphics it truly is unforgettable.
Personality-wise Chris has also had an upgrade with this game. While he's a bit doey and often cracks bad jokes in the original, he's a lot more like his CV self this time around. Serious, quiet, self-sacrificing. He rarely shows any kind of emotion (even when all his teammates are dying around him), but his initial confusion at the events that take place around him remains. His protective nature towards both Rebecca and Jill also shines through, particularly towards the end of the game. His infamous anger also rears its ugly head, almost costing him a bullet to the brain when he finally confronts Wesker (which leads in well to their later CV confrontation). All in all Chris is a lot more like the character we've grown to know during the series, his personality is a lot more developed and refined.
As anyone who played Classic would know, Resident Evil's voice acting is a breed of its own. Thankfully here it's another level again, but this time for the better. With a refined script most of the cheesiness is gone, and the actors are no longer way too overexuberant considering their circumstances. Understatement is the key here, and it works well in the context of the game.
The graphics for Remake are, to put it simply, amazing. By far the best video games had ever seen when it first came out, and they still look far better than most games on the market today. Everything is simply beautiful to look at. The mansion is so intricately detailed, characters can see their own reflections on the shiny floor, lightning casts shadows on the walls and everything has a dark, almost evil appeal to it. The character models are also amazing, some of the most realistic looking ever seen. Chris has had yet another upgrade since CV, his facial features are a lot more refined and distinctive, although that trademark frown remains. Simply put, this game is absolutely beautiful, it's easy to sit there for hours just looking at it.
Remake also includes a wealth of extras that will literally keeps fans occupied for many hours trying to unlock them all. Different modes, extra costumes, unlockable weapons and even hidden slides of unused designs. There's a huge amount to be discovered, most of it worthwhile stuff as well.
Overall, Remake is an absolutely stunning game, something that really has to be seen to be believed. Phenomenal graphics, intriguing storyline, terrifying enemies, fantastic characters, multiple endings and a huge amount of extras, there really isn't anything else you could ask for. If you love Chris, you simply have to play this game. You won't regret it.
Rating: A+