Very fun. Enjoyed it a lot. All the 3d games from this time period have this, duplo, feel to the graphics that are really cute and give a bit of a disconnect to the whole thing. Gives a miniature feel while also adding to the horror.

The cutscenes and story are laughable, especially the voicework. Its cute though and its such a small part of the game that it doesn't take away from it. The gameplay is fantastic though, actually scary feeling but has a bit of a step to it. Everything in the game can be learned and understood. The zombies only take so many hits, the shotgun is an instakill. You can learn it all.

Really a great game. Would reccommend but download the ultimate director's cut version with the better music.

(Played before 2023)
This game did not age well. It is a product of its time and a lot of bad parts about it are seen as charming like the voice acting, but the voice acting is still, well, bad. Like a cheesey horror film, the story is dumb and stupid, and there is a lot of goofy moments (You were almost a Jill sandwich!). The design of the game is really good though, dealing with zombies in terms of trying to avoid them and risk getting bit, or clearing the threat with ammo and hoping you don't need it later. But overall there isn't anything special going on with it outside of the historical importance, so if you're not a fan of the series, especially the remake, just don't play it.

Resident Evil 1 is certainly a product of its time. It controls like molasses and its tank controls don’t help much. Since I played the original version, I did not have access to the auto-aim system that’s found in the Director’s Cut and Dualshock versions which made enemy encounters a lot more difficult than they needed to be. You could argue that this does enhance the horror aspects of this game, making you feel powerless against these monsters, however, it felt less like an intentional choice and more of a fault with the gameplay. Puzzles aren’t as tricky or archaic as I thought they were going to be. Every puzzle is fairly obvious and there are plenty of clues barring a few instances but for a PS1 puzzle game, that is an accomplishment. The story is total non-sense thanks to the terrible voice-acting but despite this, I could still get invested in these characters. There’s enough intrigue where I felt interested in this game’s plot despite of its flaws that I’m actually excited to play its sequels. If you’re going to play RE1 for the PlayStation, just play the later editions as they fix many flaws found with this version.

y'know, coming at this from a certain angle, it clicks way more then if i just went into it blind. reading the developers talk about taking big influences from a ton of romero movies and their knock-offs, in such a perfect way, distills why, even with this game's flaws and "flaws", it's hard for me and others to not appreciate what it well. the bad acting and awful dialogue are the second best things here, surrounding a story so entrenched in a mish-mash of horror stories in books and film that it makes the already crazy notion of zombies into an outright secret government plot that the brave special corps people must investigate and destroy. for better and for worse, this is literally simulating a b-horror movie that my friends would put to have a good time during october, and that dialogue and acting, i'll be damned if it doesn't add to the thrill i got

as for the rest...ehhhh, it's tricky to say. beneath it's appearance as a thrid-person shooter is what is inherently an adventure and puzzle game, where the actual best element of being alert and wise to items and weapons stock (saying nothing of the actual puzzles in certain rooms) shines the more dangerous the infected creatures become. having a short memory like me, it is quite the challenge for a game that can be as easy on its face as it's hard on its body. the clunk is both a strength in getting a handle on the tank controls and a weakness as it's quite a lot to maneuver to aim in time

still, for what it is, i still can't help but admire just how golden the best parts are when i was able to get the hang of the gameplay; it works as a mid-tuned jumpstart to greater things and a delightful playable b-movie in its own right

developer gonna catch shit for dissing dawn of the dead tho

2 STARS: I LIKED A COUPLE THINGS

Impressed with the loading screens between areas, really helps set the tone for those beginning hours.

Appreciate the novel attempt to make what was for all intents and purposes the first "survival horror" game. In retrospect it seems as though it was very experimental and took a lot of chances. Not just with the controls or the mansion itself, but to give it so much replay value as well, and with branching endings to boot.

The physical playing I didn't mind, the controls are straightforward enough. My issue was getting lost (and not in the fun way) several times, each taking me up to an hour to get back on track. I often put the game down in boredom, returning later as though it were a chore. Looking back I suppose keeping notes on hand is the best way to enjoy the experience, but I preferred to keep my hands on the controller.

I wouldn't recommend playing it now, not unless you're intent on simply getting some context like I was. It's a type of fun you can find elsewhere, the legacy exists in more refined forms.