RESIDENT EVIL

Reviewed By: Michael Brinkman
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: Game Cube (Nintendo)
Produced by: Capcom
Price Range: $51-60
Learning curve time: 31-60 min.
Age level: Mature Teen to Adult
ESRB Rating: Mature

Genre: Action
Christian Rating: 2 of 5
   (offensive)
Gameplay: 5 of 5
   (excellent)
Violence: 2 of 5
   (heavy)
Adult Content: 3 of 5
   (mild)

"Resident Evil" is, without a doubt, amazing in both gameplay and graphics. Yet most Christians will be offended by this game. That said, I will get into my review of this technically spectacular game that has been brought back and revived (more or less a remake of the Playstation version).

When you start the game, you can choose from 2 characters--Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine. Their missions are a little different from each other but basically have the same plot. After you pick your character, you are brought into a movie sequence of how everything is started. Basically, you are a member of S.T.A.R.S., an organization much like the police or FBI. Some of your team is missing in the woods, and you, along with other S.T.A.R.S. members, go looking for them, only to find yourself being chased through the woods by mutated dogs. You're only choice is to flee to a huge mansion in the woods. This is where the game begins.

As you reach the building, you realize that one of your team members is missing. The rest of the team then splits up to go find him, leaving you alone in this house, which is anything but ordinary.

An organization, named Umbrella, formerly did research on humans in this mansion and created what is known as the T-Virus. The virus infects anyone it comes in contact with, turning them into zombies. This house is now infested with zombies and other nasty creatures, and the basic point of the game is to survive.

As you go through the game, you find keys to unlock certain doors and you have to work puzzles to reveal hidden secrets.

Screenshot from 'Resident Evil' This game does have some offensive material. There is a pretty heavy dosage of violence, and there is some bad language used. The violence consists of just a spray of blood whenever you shoot someone, but that isn't anything compared to headshots and some defensive items. If you hit a zombie or creature in a certain way, you blow their head straight off and it is pretty gory. Also there are defensive items that weren't in the original Playstation game that are pretty gory as well.

If you play as Chris, you can get a defensive grenade which allows you to shove a grenade in a zombie's mouth, back away, and…well you know what happens. Besides the violence, there is also a fair amount of cursing involved. Thankfully there was no use of God's name in vain, but there are instances of h*ll, d***, and s***, which weren't necessary.

As far as sexuality goes, there isn't much of it, besides the fact that in some rooms they have dusty pictures of scantily-clad women.

Overall, there is a pretty heavy dosage of objectionable elements. On the brighter side, there were good things about the game. As far as graphics go, I can't even go into how stunning they are. The graphics in this game are the best graphics of any game on any console ever, in many people's opinion. The backgrounds are pre-rendered, meaning they don't move, so it gives a lot more room for graphic improvement in other areas.

The gameplay is spectacular. I could not put down this game. This isn't one of those games you will put down and come back to in a few months. It is a HUGE game, consisting of 2 discs, and gives a ton of replay value since there are many secrets you can get after beating the game.

"Resident Evil" actually scared me, and no game has ever done that to me before. Playing at night with the lights off makes the effect even greater. If you don't mind the violence or bad language, I highly suggest this game for anyone who is looking for a fun, long lasting game. I hope you have as much fun with it as I did. But be warned--it's pretty raw.

Year of Release—2002

Neutral—This is the best game I've played in a long time. Great visuals and story. What I liked about this game (as well as the other ones in the series) is that the zombies are not supernatural, but man-made, showcasing how depraved humanity can become. My Ratings: [2/5]
—Albert, age 20

Comments from Young People…
Neutral—I liked the game even though it and had bad language. The graphics were the best I have ever seen in my entire life. Maybe capcom will tone the gore down a little bit in the next few games to come. My Ratings: [2/5]
—Christopher, age 14

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.