Capcom Resident Evil: Outbreak - PlayStation 2

When this was released in 2003, my mind was blown at how awesome the graphics were(for the time, and they sill hold up quite nicely). Resident Evil games in the past usually had pre-rendered backgrounds with 3D characters and item models, but this new game was entirely in 3D. Critic reviews were mixed, some thought it was the best Resident Evil(and multiplayer) game to date (and I'd say they are correct), while others panned it for the fixed camera angles (Which is semi-true, but the camera follows your character until it gets to a new angle. Making it feel more like a movie), slow gameplay (despite the fact that it's one of the fastest paced RE games) and clunky controls (Every game is clunky if you're not used to it). As a long time Resident Evil fan, I was more than happy when I got this game in 2005.I never did play the online feature (lack of friends with PS2 HDDs and Ethernet adapters); but the single player mode with AI partners was still a breathtaking experience. You play as one of eight Raccoon City civilians caught in the initial outbreak (The first Scenario takes place two days prior to the events of RE3) and run and fight for your very survival. Each character has a unique playstyle, making each time you run through a scenario different. Yoko is a meek college student who's not terribly physically fit, but has a knapsack that allows her to hold twice the items and a Dodge action that lets you crawl away from an enemy. She is served better as a support member than offensive player, since her health and movement speed are the lowest, as well as her damage output being the worst. While Kevin is a physically fit, well-trained street patrol officer who has the fastest running speed, second highest health and has the highest damage output from firearms and second highest melee damage output. He also starts off with a Colt 1911A1 and can take potshots that doubles the damage of handguns(except ones with burst or fully-automatic fire). Kevin's much better served as a room clearer and boss fighter, since he lacks any defensive moves and is purely offense. The other survivors each have their own move sets, damage output and movement speeds and vitality depending on their career/background and physical fitness levels. The five scenarios don't favor any playstyle over an other (Though some are much better suited for some parts, such as Kevin with his 1911 being used in narrow hallways, where melee weapons will just hit the wall and not connect with the enemy. While others like Yoko shine in scenarios where there's a lot of backtracking and scenarios are longer(like the last one, hint hint).), so you can feel free to experiment with different characters and tactics each time you play, providing a different experience.The gameplay itself is standard RE fare, but much smoother, responsive and faster paced than previous Resident Evil titles. In past games, the average clear time was around 3-5 hours. While in this one, the average scenario clear time is closer to 30-45 minutes depending on how well you are at solving puzzles and not getting lost. While this may seem short, remember that you have 5 scenarios to go through; so you're still getting your money's worth (I did, when it was around 10-20 dollars used. I felt like I was underpaying for such a great game). The addition of AI teammates is a love and hate relationship. When you're in Danger and moving at a snail's pace, your AI teammates will come over and pick you up and defend you while you make your way to a healing item. If they happen to have a healing item, they'll often give it to you (some are jerks, though). They also can fetch key items for the scenario if you guys have to split up and search the area. (This is especially useful in Scenarios like Hellfire, where it can get very confusing right away since you can explore 3 floors worth of rooms and hallways, and each side is split up between east and west.) But, at times they can be quite... stupid. Some AI partners like David have no qualms about wasting rarer ammo such as 12 Gauge shotgun shells and .44 Magnum rounds on weaker enemies like zombies and crows. Leaving you underprepared for boss fights due to the AI partner being a dolt. It's recommended you take the best weapons for yourself and hold on to them while you use one of the AI partners to cover you with more common weapons such as handguns and pipes. All in all though, the AI is usually awesome.While you may think you're going to get bored quickly, since there's only five scenarios. You're sadly mistaken, there is tons of replay value here. You can collect invisible special items if you hit X at a certain spot in the area, there are 260 of these spread out through the five scenarios; with some only appearing on certain difficulties and you are only allowed to take 8 in each scenario(Doing this unlocks special characters that are some of the most fun to play as. There are also character specific SP items, getting all of them unlocks an alternate costume and all of their spoken lines and even some cut lines.). There's also an event checklist, which you will never 100% in your first playthrough (100%ing each scenario checklist gives you infinite mode, so it's a worthwhile investment.). There is also a gallery mode, which lets you spend your hard-earned Reward Points(more on this later) on things such as Background music, concept and game art, new characters (which are really just skins for the eight characters, but with different stats and each one starts with an additional item, making them actually viable for more than just aesthetics.), cutscenes from the game, etc. Unlocking everything in the game will take you a while (I still haven't 100%'d the game, there is just so much to do.). The game also tracks your stats. Which characters you use the most, which status you're in most of the time, which weapons you use most of the time, what your fastest clear rate is for a certain scenario on a specific difficulty and what character. This game is a speedrunner's nightmare, since getting the fastest time possible for each scenario can be screwed up by one wrong move(accidentally running to the left and getting grabbed by a zombie, costing you a valuable 3 seconds) or by the game just deciding it wants to troll you(The Hunters in Below Freezing Point deciding to instant kill you, despite the fact your status is in Fine). But it's a fun challenge, since you also have special conditions such as using No Weapons or not taking any damage. You can always find a new challenge for yourself with this game.While in past RE games, you got a rank at the end of the game based on how many times you saved, how fast you cleared the game and how many first aid spays you used. Outbreak has a thing called "Reward Points', along with the usual Rank (which is only affected by time it took to complete the game). Each time you activate something on the event checklist, you get a few points. Each enemy you kill, you get a few points, each file and map you collect also nets you point. Special Items can also give boost the amount of points you get by a good margin if you get as much as you can. The special conditions such as No Damage or No Weapons double(or triple depending on the difficulty you're playing) the amount of points you get at the end. So getting the highest score possible for each scenario will give you something to shoot for. Using First Aid Sprays doesn't affect the amount of Reward Points you get, but you do lose points each time you take damage and if you partners die. If your attacks miss, this also affects your Reward Points (despite the fact the game doesn't keep track of accuracy for your character stats). There are just so many variables, it makes each playthrough exciting or frustrating depending if you're speedrunning or not.The story is similar to Dark Souls, as in that it's not really obvious and a lot of it can just fly over your head if you don't take the time to look at the files, listen to the dialogue carefully or look at the environment. RE fans will recognize all the shoutouts to previous RE games (namely 1, 2 and 3). The voiceacting for some characters is a bit 'ugh' worthy at times, but the actors make themselves somewhat believable and the characters are fairly likeable.This game is definitely worth checking out if you're into Resident Evil, survival horror or are just looking to experience something new. Recommended you have an HDD to play this on, since loading times will be reduced dramatically. I give it a 4.5/5 or 9.5/10. It would be a 5/5 or 10/10 if the European and US servers were still up.

I love the product and I love the game so far, it’s a definite buy for Resident evil fans.

One of the best purchases I ever made, love this game. Near mint condition, plays perfectly, no problems. On a side not when I tried submitting a review for another product it posted on another product I bought. Which was a terrible product, this one was not. In fact this was one the best products I ever bought from Amazon. Considering how old it was and its condition. So good job widget llc.

Resident Evil Outbreak...I have to say i do really Like this game. But there are some downsides as I'm sure other reviews have mentioned....The controls and A.I Are a real pain at times. But the concept and the story to this installment are pretty cool. or rather the scenarios are very unique. There are also really cool enemies in this game. I just purchased this off amazon recently and had a bit of a hard time getting into it the way i did initially...It really is a different experience than the first ps1 generation of gaming and even the early ps2 installments (Code veronica etc.) I think a big draw for me was how much it wasn't like code veronica and how it stayed to the heart of resident evil. And yes I'm aware it was meant for online play which when it was released i wasn't able to do due to lack of internet. And now online play has been long disabled so i guess all i can really comment on is standard A.I interaction game play. Which tends to get annoying due to how much you rely on it for almost everything. So all in all if your looking for classic Zombie based resident evil Cannon this is it, but beware that this game works better in concept than it does in execution. But it is cool for what it is. Next i need File 2 and Dead aim to complete my collection/ nostalgia trip!!!!!!!!

If you like old school games this is for you.