Dani1o
The game is a gem. This rerelease is overall good and considered as the best version of the game by many, but it is much easier than the original: auto-aim that can't be disabled, more saves, late game enemies consistently die from just one magnum shot. For some people it's good, but they should've kept the original difficulty as an option.
Advanced mode is a nice addition for extra replayability. It has more enemies (that all have restored HP from the original release IIRC), tweaked key item spawns and some other minor stuff. It also lets you wear alternative costumes on your first run, so you don't need to replay the EXACT same game as the same character just to try them out.
This version claimed to be uncensored, but it isn't. No big deal tho - slightly different intro FMV doesn't make the experience any worse.
For the first playthrough this Director's Cut is more preferable than the DualShock version, because it has unchanged original soundtrack which is better.
Advanced mode is a nice addition for extra replayability. It has more enemies (that all have restored HP from the original release IIRC), tweaked key item spawns and some other minor stuff. It also lets you wear alternative costumes on your first run, so you don't need to replay the EXACT same game as the same character just to try them out.
This version claimed to be uncensored, but it isn't. No big deal tho - slightly different intro FMV doesn't make the experience any worse.
For the first playthrough this Director's Cut is more preferable than the DualShock version, because it has unchanged original soundtrack which is better.
1998
Amazing sequel. The formula is the same as the first game - zombie horror, fixed camera angles, survival with limited amount of ammo/heal/saves mixed with point n click style puzzles. Great new setting, story and characters. Many improvements were made: better visuals, engine capabilities - a lot more zombies may appear in the same room than before; dialogues and voice acting - although still aren't perfect, good enough and much better than RE1. Two characters feature was expanded to separate, complementary scenarios for each, basically doubling the amount of unique gameplay in the same environment. Also, depending on who you chose first, the story will differ a bit. For the first playthrough I suggest starting with Claire, as this route is better IMO and considered canon. I only wish the base difficulty was a little bit harder, since towards the end you accumulate way too much ammo.
About the Dreamcast version: higher resolution than PS1, 60FPS and I noticed the sound stuttering a bit, although that might be an emulation problem. All the features from the PS1 Dualshock release are there, except it doesn't let you toggle the auto-aim in the settings, it depends on the mode you play - it is always enabled in the original game and disabled in arrange. Also, regardless of the region, Original game is now based on the PS1 Japanese release in terms of items and enemies spawn, and Arrange is the more difficult American version (new Expert difficulty doesn't have the free weapons from Rookie). For beating any scenario you unlock Hard and Nightmare difficulties for Original and Arrange modes respectively, which are great for replaying the game - enemies are a lot more dangerous, especially regular zombies who can either survive the entire pistol mag or die from one critical shot. Seems accurate, judging by the FMV cutscenes. There was no reason to not add this feature to the GC port.
About the Dreamcast version: higher resolution than PS1, 60FPS and I noticed the sound stuttering a bit, although that might be an emulation problem. All the features from the PS1 Dualshock release are there, except it doesn't let you toggle the auto-aim in the settings, it depends on the mode you play - it is always enabled in the original game and disabled in arrange. Also, regardless of the region, Original game is now based on the PS1 Japanese release in terms of items and enemies spawn, and Arrange is the more difficult American version (new Expert difficulty doesn't have the free weapons from Rookie). For beating any scenario you unlock Hard and Nightmare difficulties for Original and Arrange modes respectively, which are great for replaying the game - enemies are a lot more dangerous, especially regular zombies who can either survive the entire pistol mag or die from one critical shot. Seems accurate, judging by the FMV cutscenes. There was no reason to not add this feature to the GC port.
Played it as the first part of the Oracles story.
Great soundtrack and visuals, similar to Link's Awakening DX. Loved the characters design and references to the 1986 game.
Gameplay wise it's a solid Zelda, the changing seasons gimmick is neat, although it didn't keep my attention as much as the previous games. Not sure if the problem is in the game tho, probably just burned out from Zelda.
The story is rather simplistic and typical for the franchise - visit X dungeons and find X items to beat the evil guy who imprisoned the princess. But it's not a bad thing, all the dialogues and interactions with characters, learning their stories and solving their problems were charming as usual.
Great soundtrack and visuals, similar to Link's Awakening DX. Loved the characters design and references to the 1986 game.
Gameplay wise it's a solid Zelda, the changing seasons gimmick is neat, although it didn't keep my attention as much as the previous games. Not sure if the problem is in the game tho, probably just burned out from Zelda.
The story is rather simplistic and typical for the franchise - visit X dungeons and find X items to beat the evil guy who imprisoned the princess. But it's not a bad thing, all the dialogues and interactions with characters, learning their stories and solving their problems were charming as usual.
1996
I didn't like it on my first try, probably because expected something more action driven and this seemed clunky and weird. But when I gave it another shot few months later - absolutely loved it, even though usually I'm not into horror and zombie stuff at all.
It's an interesting mix of point and click with action and limited resources survival. Fixed camera angles and prerendered background were probably a workaround to save some processing power, make the game look better and run smoother, but it also created unique gameplay and nice horror effect. Tank controls is not a problem after just a little bit of practice, and it's also necessary for this game, so you don't run in a different direction every time camera angle changes.
The story is alright, the dialogues - basically a porn movie, they probably were written by a Japanese guy who isn't very fluent in English and voiced by random people. However, you shouldn't disregard them - it's a perfect example of "so bad that it's good" which gave birth to lots of memes and catchphrases.
For the serious story you probably should be playing the Remake - heard it greatly expanded the lore and delivered the plot better. But gameplay-wise it's different from the original, so I recommend playing both.
The Saturn version claim to have reworked backgrounds, but overall looks worse than the PS1 release. 3D models look bulkier and worse, the sound quality is lacking and transparen't objects are basically a checkers board, because Saturn can't transparency. However, it's worth checking out for the minor stuff like unique enemies in the caves (didn't notice any gameplay differences from the regular Hunters but still), second Tyrant while playing as Chris, and of course, Battle Game where you clear rooms of enemies in a sequence with a given supply of ammo. It's fun and pretty challenging, although not as tough as The 4th Survivor from RE2.
For the casual playthrough I recommend playing the non-DualShock Director's Cut version. It has both the good original music unchaged and the statandard difficulty is actually based on the simplified Japanese version with auto-aim on, weaker enemies and more ink ribbons. There is also Advanced mode with some tweaks and rearrangemets and even easier difficulty.
For the hardcore enjoyers and completionists - first Saturn or OG PS1 or PC version for the standard game (as they all have the original US difficulty), then Arrange game from Director's Cut DualShock (just to check out the different soundtrack, even though it's worse).
There is also Deadly Silence remaster for the DS. Didn't try it myself yet, but should be also a solid version to play.
It's an interesting mix of point and click with action and limited resources survival. Fixed camera angles and prerendered background were probably a workaround to save some processing power, make the game look better and run smoother, but it also created unique gameplay and nice horror effect. Tank controls is not a problem after just a little bit of practice, and it's also necessary for this game, so you don't run in a different direction every time camera angle changes.
The story is alright, the dialogues - basically a porn movie, they probably were written by a Japanese guy who isn't very fluent in English and voiced by random people. However, you shouldn't disregard them - it's a perfect example of "so bad that it's good" which gave birth to lots of memes and catchphrases.
For the serious story you probably should be playing the Remake - heard it greatly expanded the lore and delivered the plot better. But gameplay-wise it's different from the original, so I recommend playing both.
The Saturn version claim to have reworked backgrounds, but overall looks worse than the PS1 release. 3D models look bulkier and worse, the sound quality is lacking and transparen't objects are basically a checkers board, because Saturn can't transparency. However, it's worth checking out for the minor stuff like unique enemies in the caves (didn't notice any gameplay differences from the regular Hunters but still), second Tyrant while playing as Chris, and of course, Battle Game where you clear rooms of enemies in a sequence with a given supply of ammo. It's fun and pretty challenging, although not as tough as The 4th Survivor from RE2.
For the casual playthrough I recommend playing the non-DualShock Director's Cut version. It has both the good original music unchaged and the statandard difficulty is actually based on the simplified Japanese version with auto-aim on, weaker enemies and more ink ribbons. There is also Advanced mode with some tweaks and rearrangemets and even easier difficulty.
For the hardcore enjoyers and completionists - first Saturn or OG PS1 or PC version for the standard game (as they all have the original US difficulty), then Arrange game from Director's Cut DualShock (just to check out the different soundtrack, even though it's worse).
There is also Deadly Silence remaster for the DS. Didn't try it myself yet, but should be also a solid version to play.
Played the version supported by RA, a bit outdated by now. However, what I say should apply to the recent build as well.
When Resident Evil 2 was nearly done in 1997, devs were dissatisfied with it and decided to remake it from scratch. The game they released a year later was a lot different, while the original unreleased version is known today as Resident Evil 1.5. What is available online is a leaked 40% prototype and a fan made partial reconstruction based on it, the nearly done build never appeared anywhere.
The main idea was kept the same and the overall plot is similar, but the actual events and details were changed. The characters are mostly reused, but their roles, stories and intentions differ more or less. Most of the scenery was redesigned entirely, except for the final location, which has undergone changes but remained recognizable. It was really interesting to see what the game was originally supposed to be. I really liked the OG environment and find these office looking rooms and halls even more creepy than the final version ones. Not sure why they decided to scrap all that.
If you like Resident Evil 2 and enjoy finding out about cut and unused content in games - this prototype is worth checking out. But if you're looking for something fun to play - I'd say wait a little. Guys did a good job making the prototype somewhat playable, but it's still too incomplete to make sense as a game. The engine is buggy, many features and gameplay parts are missing - e.g. rooms that lead to nowhere and serve no purpose, no saves and no item boxes. Not enough restrictions so you can go wherever, trigger events in a wrong order or just skip them completely. The cutscenes look junky, background masks are missing so you and the enemies are shown over walls and other obstacles. I believe it will be turned into something decent, more or less faithful to the original depending on the amount of source material available, but for now it's more of a demo.
When Resident Evil 2 was nearly done in 1997, devs were dissatisfied with it and decided to remake it from scratch. The game they released a year later was a lot different, while the original unreleased version is known today as Resident Evil 1.5. What is available online is a leaked 40% prototype and a fan made partial reconstruction based on it, the nearly done build never appeared anywhere.
The main idea was kept the same and the overall plot is similar, but the actual events and details were changed. The characters are mostly reused, but their roles, stories and intentions differ more or less. Most of the scenery was redesigned entirely, except for the final location, which has undergone changes but remained recognizable. It was really interesting to see what the game was originally supposed to be. I really liked the OG environment and find these office looking rooms and halls even more creepy than the final version ones. Not sure why they decided to scrap all that.
If you like Resident Evil 2 and enjoy finding out about cut and unused content in games - this prototype is worth checking out. But if you're looking for something fun to play - I'd say wait a little. Guys did a good job making the prototype somewhat playable, but it's still too incomplete to make sense as a game. The engine is buggy, many features and gameplay parts are missing - e.g. rooms that lead to nowhere and serve no purpose, no saves and no item boxes. Not enough restrictions so you can go wherever, trigger events in a wrong order or just skip them completely. The cutscenes look junky, background masks are missing so you and the enemies are shown over walls and other obstacles. I believe it will be turned into something decent, more or less faithful to the original depending on the amount of source material available, but for now it's more of a demo.
1990
Ah yes, Snake's Revenge without Snake taking revenge on anyone. Those old school names were something else.
Not a perfect game, but I expected worse. Cheesy story and plenty of bullshit moments, but it's not that I didn't have fun at all. It was annoying to get instantly spotted on a screen change, especially in the jungle and on the ship, but I felt like the level design improved towards the end. Standing guards, who frantically turn in all directions suck, but SMG kinda negates the problem as soon as you acquire one. Side-scrolling areas suck even more, since enemies always randomly shake from side to side and you can't stealth consistently, but they aren't as unbearable as people say, I always could just fight them through with a gun and few rations. Despite the flaws, Snake's Revenge still kinda brought me that OG MG joy, but I probably should replay the MSX2 games to compare.
Not a perfect game, but I expected worse. Cheesy story and plenty of bullshit moments, but it's not that I didn't have fun at all. It was annoying to get instantly spotted on a screen change, especially in the jungle and on the ship, but I felt like the level design improved towards the end. Standing guards, who frantically turn in all directions suck, but SMG kinda negates the problem as soon as you acquire one. Side-scrolling areas suck even more, since enemies always randomly shake from side to side and you can't stealth consistently, but they aren't as unbearable as people say, I always could just fight them through with a gun and few rations. Despite the flaws, Snake's Revenge still kinda brought me that OG MG joy, but I probably should replay the MSX2 games to compare.
Super exciting and comfy interactive VN. Worse than the first game IMO (especially the soundtrack), yet still really good.
1995
This review contains spoilers
Hell of unusual difficulty curve the new episode has - ridiculously hard at the start, but not as much towards the end. Still really good tho.
Played this one as a linked game, enjoyed it even more than Seasons.
It's own story is good and richer than the Seasons one, the overall conclusion that appears in the linked game is even better. For that reason I think it might be worth it to play Ages>Seasons to balance out the amount of interesting plot, although I didn't play this way myself yet.
I also really liked both new characters and returning ones from N64 Zeldas.
Just like in OoS, both music and visuals are fantastic, devs could really make wonders on a limited hardware back then. I liked the puzzle focused gameplay of Ages more than combat focused one of Seasons, but it's good they made them different. I think two games connected into one journey was an amazing concept that I would like to see more often. The only thing I didn't like - linked game became way too easy with all the rings and upgrades from the first part.
It's own story is good and richer than the Seasons one, the overall conclusion that appears in the linked game is even better. For that reason I think it might be worth it to play Ages>Seasons to balance out the amount of interesting plot, although I didn't play this way myself yet.
I also really liked both new characters and returning ones from N64 Zeldas.
Just like in OoS, both music and visuals are fantastic, devs could really make wonders on a limited hardware back then. I liked the puzzle focused gameplay of Ages more than combat focused one of Seasons, but it's good they made them different. I think two games connected into one journey was an amazing concept that I would like to see more often. The only thing I didn't like - linked game became way too easy with all the rings and upgrades from the first part.
One bullet to the head or a shitton of lead to the ragdolling body - so that's where GTA Online enemy NPCs actually origin from. At least in this game they melee rather than laser accurate marksmans.
The story is good and the dialogues are hilarious - meeting familiar characters under different circumstances was a lot of fun. The gameplay - way too repetitive IMO. Very few actually new scripted missions, most of them just reuse free roam activities of defending towns and clearing cemeteries and some make you find and bring specific items, such as flowers or hogtied undeads. I don't usually like zombie shooters and enjoyed the main RDR much more, but this was a nice alternative take on the game world.
The story is good and the dialogues are hilarious - meeting familiar characters under different circumstances was a lot of fun. The gameplay - way too repetitive IMO. Very few actually new scripted missions, most of them just reuse free roam activities of defending towns and clearing cemeteries and some make you find and bring specific items, such as flowers or hogtied undeads. I don't usually like zombie shooters and enjoyed the main RDR much more, but this was a nice alternative take on the game world.
2008
Unique first person parkour experience. Good soundtrack, clean artstyle which emphasizes the feeling of control and oppresion. The vibe reminds me HL2, but rather futuristic than average Eastern Europe.
As for the drawbacks - too short, many bugs, combat is kinda clunky and it also felt a bit repetitive to me. I expected more gunplay and went full Doom whenever I found a weapon, but that's my problem, I guess. Just wish one day there will be a similar game, but more combat oriented.
As for the drawbacks - too short, many bugs, combat is kinda clunky and it also felt a bit repetitive to me. I expected more gunplay and went full Doom whenever I found a weapon, but that's my problem, I guess. Just wish one day there will be a similar game, but more combat oriented.
2001
I don't play strategies and this one was hard to get into for me, but as soon as I figured it out - I really enjoyed it. One of the most unique games I ever played for sure, everyone should try it at least once.
"This game kicks, but the music ain't it, it really needs some orchestral kind of stuff. And the analog stick support without actual analog input would be great." - no one ever
The original game is amazing. Regular Director's Cut is a pretty good re-release - it adds Advanced/Arrange mode and the baby difficulty, but for some reason tones down "original" difficulty as well. And this re-re-release is the same, but also changes the soundtrack to the one made by a talented ghost composer for a talented liar who convinced everyone he's Japanese Beethoven.
New tunes are generally not as bad as you may think judging by the reputation of this edition, but they're just unnecessary and inconsistent as hell. Some of them sound really well and some aren't necessarily bad, but noticeably worse fit for the scenery than the originals. And some are the basement abomination everyone loves bringing out, but actually that's the only horrible one, seems more like a mistake.
And for some reason they cut the end credits movie, now it's just a text on the plain black background regardless of the ending. Not sure why, probably because it didn't really work with the new credits music or something. Still a shame.
This version might be worth it for replays, just for the different soundtrack novelty. But your first playthrough should be either the original release, or non-DualShock Director's Cut depending on the difficulty you want.
The original game is amazing. Regular Director's Cut is a pretty good re-release - it adds Advanced/Arrange mode and the baby difficulty, but for some reason tones down "original" difficulty as well. And this re-re-release is the same, but also changes the soundtrack to the one made by a talented ghost composer for a talented liar who convinced everyone he's Japanese Beethoven.
New tunes are generally not as bad as you may think judging by the reputation of this edition, but they're just unnecessary and inconsistent as hell. Some of them sound really well and some aren't necessarily bad, but noticeably worse fit for the scenery than the originals. And some are the basement abomination everyone loves bringing out, but actually that's the only horrible one, seems more like a mistake.
And for some reason they cut the end credits movie, now it's just a text on the plain black background regardless of the ending. Not sure why, probably because it didn't really work with the new credits music or something. Still a shame.
This version might be worth it for replays, just for the different soundtrack novelty. But your first playthrough should be either the original release, or non-DualShock Director's Cut depending on the difficulty you want.
Fantastic visual novel. Great graphics and soundtrack, comfy atmosphere and likable characters. The court stuff is silly and unrealistic, yet somehow immersive. Good interactive parts, which aren't too easy, but solvable if you pay attention. Deserves its fame 100%.
1999
The beginning of the franchise that defined the platform fighter genre and hasn't been topped to this day. Instead of inputting long combos to deplete opponent's health bar, you're kicking them out of the stage with more comprehensive button+direction attacks. Following installments may add a lot of content and improve the formula in every way, but there would be nothing to improve without this game. And when you play it, it's not like you "respect its importance for the gaming history but wouldn't play for longer than 5 minutes" - no, it still feels like Smash, still fun, just with less characters and stuff. Truly unique concept and great execution.