03/29/00

Resident Evil: Code Veronica

Capcom for Dreamcast

I put off writing this review until I had beaten Resident Evil: Code Veronica in its entirety. The aforementioned event occurred earlier this evening; here then is my in-depth review.

The first thing that struck me about Code Veronica was the graphics. Everything is crisp and clean, and even though the environments are fully 3D this time around, the power of the Dreamcast allows heightened detail, so they retain the polished look of the earlier, CG backdrops. The second thought that ran through my head after about an hour with the game was that it was exactly like all of the previous Resident Evil games.

And that, my friends, is the main gripe I have with this game – if you’ve played through any of the other RE titles, you know just what to expect from Code Veronica. Same control, same puzzles, same enemies (with a couple of exceptions), same save system… and yes, even the hated storage box inventory system is here. Fortunately, I am a Resident Evil fan, and therefore am able to look past the almost overbearing sameness of this game, and find the good within.

As long as we’re talking about gripes, let’s get to the control. Now that analog controllers are the rule and not the exception, shouldn’t we at least get the option to play with true analog directional movement (push left and the character goes left)? The whole "tank controls" thing should die out with the Tomb Raider franchise. On to the good stuff…

Code Veronica is the best Resident Evil yet. The game has an almost imperceptibly smoother "flow" than earlier titles in the series. The puzzles are more logical, there’s less running back and forth over long distances and item management is much easier due to the fact that most puzzle-oriented items are put to use almost immediately upon finding them.

Graphically, there is little to complain about. Sure, there are the (very rare) instances of slowdown if there’s too much happening onscreen. Yes, Steve Burnside (the "Leonardo DeCaprio as voiced by Edward Furlong character" – thanks to Adrian for that one) is annoying, but the game makes up for him in the end… The visuals are top-notch, although the often fixed camera angles sometimes make for frustratingly blind combat (a complaint I have with the series in general).

The music will be familiar to fans of the series, but the sound effects really take advantage of the system, and if you have a stereo system connected to your DC, shut off the lights and turn up the volume – you’re in for a treat.

Code Veronica also has the best storyline of the series. Finally, Raccoon City has absolutely nothing do with the events happening here. As the true sequel to RE 2, Code Veronica finds Claire Redfield stranded on an Umbrella Corporation-owned island while searching for her brother Chris, last seen in the original Resident Evil game. As fate would have it, Claire manages to escape the island shortly before Chris arrives to rescuer her, creating a fun, involving storyline seen through the eyes of both Claire and her brother. New secrets about the history of Umbrella are uncovered, and the ending hints that the guaranteed sequel may see the fall of the sinister organization once and for all.

What would a Resident Evil game be without a bunch of hidden stuff? Code Veronica delivers in this department as well. Upon beating the game for the first time, the Battle Game is unlocked. If you did well your first time through and grabbed a couple of optional items (check out the Tips & Tricks June 2000 issue for details - shameless self-plug department) you’ll be able to play this bonus mini-game as Claire, Chris, or Steve and with either a first or third person viewpoint. The game involves getting through several enemy-filled rooms in the shortest amount of time possible (with unlimited ammo in most cases) and is loads of fun. Beating Battle Game unlocks new characters, as does beating the regular game with a high enough rating.

All told, Capcom (and Sega) have delivered the goods once again, and Code Veronica is the game that will sell a million Dreamcasts. Sega played their hand very wisely indeed with the deal they cut for this title, and it’s going to pay off big time. This is the best single player DC game I’ve yet played, and the best game in an already great series. Highly recommended.

Graphics: 10 (The best looking RE game yet)
Control: 7 (Come on, guys, true analog control should at least be an option…)
Sound: 10 (The music, the sound effects… all perfection)
Replay: 8 (Gotta beat it at least three times to see everything)
Overall: 9 (It’s the best in the series… but if you’re not an RE fan you’re not gonna love it)

- Pat Reynolds

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