that made the series so gripping. It introduced the world to the concept of online Resident

Evil, where you and three other friends could fight to survive in Raccoon City. But the

game wasn’t such as a dramatic change as Resident Evil 4 would be. It kept the story

in the city with the same gameplay, with the static camera angles and the love it or hate

control scheme. It was great to go back to the incident that made the series, but seeing

everything from a very different point of view. Not too long after its release, this

sequel came out, which didn’t really change much.

The gameplay is practically unchanged from RE Outbreak. So much so that the game feels

a lot more like an expansion pack instead of a legitimate sequel. So if you didn’t

like the approach to survival horror Outbreak took, this will not change your mind. The

game is always a multiplayer experience, so when you are not playing online, the other

survivors are controlled by the computer. You still select from one of same eight characters

as the first, with each one bringing something different to the scenario. Kevin is a cop

so he is strong and has a gun, George is a doctor so he can craft herbs and medicine,

Alyssa can pick lock, etc. Actually, depending on which character you are, the scenario will

unfold differently, which brings incentive to replay levels with a different one.

The scenarios are where the fun really is. The five levels will have you exploring new

areas of Raccoon City while also returning to some favorites from the past. Each scenario

takes place in a different location, with one taking place in the Raccoon City Police

Station, another having you going down into the subway, another into an Umbrella lab,

and even going into the forest. But my favorite is going to Raccoon City Zoo where you fight

against zombie animals including a huge elephant.

The gameplay is that of classic Resident Evil, which I how I believe the series should be.

You navigate through the changing camera angles as you solve puzzles and fight for your life.

There are many situations where it is better to run and conserve ammo and health than to

fight. And all the environments are dark and detailed, giving the game that eerie feel

that made the originals so memorable.

There are some problems with the computer AI, with partners randomly running around

constantly. And it would have been nice to see some improvements instead of just more

of the same. But when the same is entertaining and survival horror at its best, there isn’t

much to complain about.