Stock up on those green herbs and order yourself a Jill Sandwich because Resident Evil is back! For the first time ever, both Resident EvilStock up on those green herbs and order yourself a Jill Sandwich because Resident Evil is back! For the first time ever, both Resident Evil Remake and Resident Evil 0 are available together on disk outside of Nintendo consoles. Remake tasks players with revisiting the Spencer mansion and rediscovering the origins of the infamous Umbrella Company. Longtime fans of the series will not be disappointed as they are taken down memory lane to find it has been given a substantial visual and audio overhaul; as well as the option to change the control scheme from the old cumbersome tank feel, to a more fluid modernized style. You won't find any linear chapters to power through here.
Resident Evil (Remake)
The old mansion is just how I remembered it but with a few new caveats where I least expected them. This time around, we're treated to improved camera angles, adjusted lighting, and a complete overhaul of background textures and character models for a more immersive experience. As an added bonus, RE5 skins for both Chris and Jill are available from the start. Some small cut scenes however were not given an upgrade, and still remain grainy from the original release. Although somewhat jarring, the original rendered sequences still hold up to this day and serve as a nice throwback to longtime fans without breaking my immersion.
While the overall structure of the game has not been changed, Remake includes new enemies to handle as well as new puzzles that kept me retracing my steps for clues and solutions. Another great addition is the inclusion of defense items. These are found throughout the game to give you the ability to parry an enemy attack. Initially, I was concerned that these items would take away from the overall suspense due to the decrease in my vulnerability. This is not the case as it quickly became clear that this time around, enemies are significantly more aggressive and harder to dodge than I had previously remembered. Additionally, I was very pleased to see that Capcom also decided to carry over the Lisa Trevor subplot from the 2007 Wii exclusive, "The Umbrella Chronicles". This not only gave me answers as to what really happened to the Trevor family, but added a new emotional layer to the story. As a longtime fan of the original release, it was clear that Capcom was listening to the fan base when it came time for improvements and additions for Remake. And they delivered.
Resident Evil 0
Resident Evil 0 is considered by many to be one of the weaker installments of the franchise with it's fair share of criticism. This is due not only to poor implementation of the classic tank controls, but from the drastic change made to the item management system in general. Without item boxes, you must assume the roles of both Rebecca and Billy. The two characters swap items between their inventories, leading you to drop and retrieve items everywhere in the game as needed. At times, switching between the two characters for puzzles feels a bit unnecessary as much as it is inconvenient.
RE:0 has still been given both a visual and audio upscale. Despite the upgrade, new voice overs were not recorded as with the original as I had hoped. With new high resolution textures and enhanced character models, RE:0 stays true to its original release. Because this is a remaster rather than a remake, RE:0 was not given new gameplay or storytelling features as is the case with its predecessor.
Resident Evil Origins Collection manages to recreate the atmospheric dread that these games were well known for in the 90s. The storytelling and horror tropes of the classic Resident Evil games still hold up today; with the improved graphics and mechanics, younger generations are quick to understand why these games are still a big deal in the gaming community. Whether you’re a stalwart fan of the originals or are new to the series, Origins delivers when it comes to classic survival horror. With the newly announced remake of Resident Evil 2 in the works, Origins gives me hope for what Capcom has in store for us. With two iconic games in one, this collection is truly a great value that belongs on your shelf.
________________________________________
Score 8/10
+ Atmospheric survival horror, a rare commodity in the AAA gaming industry these days
+ Great story that is a must play for fans of later installments
+ Beautiful environments and architecture
+ Multiple difficulty settings for veteran players and newcomers alike
+ New game plus for unlocked weapons
+ Long overdue shot of nostalgia
+/- Cheesy Dialogue
- Dated mechanics may alienate new players
- Fixed camera angles
- Inventory micromanaging
Recommended for: fans of zombie shooters like The Evil Within, Silent Hill, Alan Wake, Dead Space, or for zombie movie lovers.… Expand
