Classic Resident Evil

The game is from 2002 and it's been well over ten years since I've played through it the first and only time. After watching the last in my opinion disappointing Games Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil: Revelations have played out, I had another really feel like a Resident Evil of old style.
I can only say that the old games are better and more captivating by far actually from the current action pabulum. The nostalgia glasses definitely plays no role and the more leisurely pace of play and the old game mechanics do the fun no harm.

But the actual game. Resident Evil Zero is the history of the original Resident Evil and tells a part of the now highly complex backstory. I have already given up the timeline to understand the attempt definitely be answered in RE0 why it's ever been in the mansion for the exit of the T-Virus. In addition, there are some interesting overlaps and correlations for series veterans like me.
So it was very interesting to meet for me to Enrico Marini, who in Resident Evil only had a very brief appearance. Rebecca Chambers also seen after RE0 well with different eyes.

The main characters of Resident Evil Zero is Rebecca Chambers, a member of STARS Bravo Team and Billy Coen, an escaped convict, who is allegedly responsible for the deaths of 23 people.

Resident Evil Zero is one of the last (maybe the last?) Classic games of the series and was released between Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4. It has already received at the time of publication of 2002 was slightly negative reviews for the dusty game mechanics. Back then you could not guess well that there would be much worse years later.

The game, however, was certainly not without innovation. For the first time they had permanently together you had to solve puzzles an ally at his side with the. At that time the whole but not as plump as implemented in the modern co-op shooters.
You can freely switch between the characters, be divided and go completely separate ways when needed. From time to time but it will be disconnected from the story and the course must alternately either Rebecca or Billy play.

The second major innovation is in my view the complete absence of familiar Supply Crates. In Resident Evil Zero is necessary to carry out all necessary items with them or if the inventory of the two characters is full, are omitted. Should items still need, therefore, are very long walking distances on the agenda.
And I'm already one of the criticisms. One can, for lack of the boxes are as you want, but the backtracking takes up to enormous proportions and surpasses my opinion any of his predecessors. Clearly one has now anytime two inventories, which is, however, offset by the fact that, of course, both characters must carry arms and ammunition on condition. The long run routes fall through the sometimes interminable doors and stairs animation all the more significant. Even changing the pawns takes not only a moment and needs to be used a great deal in some puzzles.

As a counter-argument may be mentioned the intelligent level design, which seeks in Resident Evil Zero has no equal. Again and again, new shortcuts and links to open up old fields. For example, the last section of the game is very cleverly connected to the beginning of the game. Only the section at the very beginning you have to do without. This played namely in what is now a derailed train and completely destroyed.

My second complaint are the portions where the characters are separated and one under enormous time expenditure items with a small elevator, as we know them from hotels, back and must send along. The developers apparently has so much that it will use the same in two places in the game this incredibly tedious game element.

The third man of questionable innovations is the grappling hook for me. This one of the two pawns reaches otherwise inaccessible places, a return path there are not. Incorrect character caught or weapons or items in the inventory of colleagues password? Bad luck! Also this game element is overused in my opinion and leads to massive backtracking because the grappling hook takes another two places in the inventory in fog. So once again run the full map view and 20 animations door to fetch as needed to grapple from where you are to let him. When appearing on the way new enemies that were not there before, the joy really is limited.

With these decisions, Resident Evil Zero has done no favors, even though it is in my eyes a really good game. It is, however, unfortunately so protracted that it takes even small progress in the story forever. Not for nothing, I then leave it well by playing at a time. I've also used for the passage of this weekend whopping 12:45, with a rather inglorious D ranking on Normal. Several hours may here be added, as the dying is as was customary, tough punished by the title screen. They are dead.

Even if there is some fault, the game clearly has its strengths. So the cut scenes are what technology As for that time "top notch", and the game graphics are at a similar level as that of Resident Evil (remake). Resident Evil (remake) and Resident Evil Zero is incidentally the only two classical parts of the series, which are optically at a high level. Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica were pure without porting Visual improvements. Nevertheless, it must be said that the Gamecube is a paradise for all fans of the Resident Evil series, rarely more games in the series have united on a console.

I advise nevertheless definitely to Resident Evil Zero to play through at least once. I was captivated from start to finish and this weekend could finally experience again what I found so great to Resident Evil 15 years ago. Even the acclaimed Resident Evil: Revelations is just a poor imitation of what constitutes a "real" Resident Evil. I sincerely hope that Capcom eventually come to their senses. I am sure that it would be worthwhile for all parties.