Resident Evil Outbreak File 2 Review - PS2

5

Gameplay: 6
Graphics: 5
Audio: 5
Multiplayer: 7
Innovation: 7

Resident Evil is a name synonmous with Sony and when Sony announced it was going online, Resident Evil was there to go with it with Outbreak now known as File 1. Outbreak was released in Australia very late in the products cycle and thus didn't get the exposure it probably should have. Despite the PS2 network in Australia being a bit of a sham, THQ have released file 2 with many improvements, and is playable even if you don't have PS2 online.

Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 is a lot different to the traditional RE games. First of all it is not really a continuing storyline, rather a series of missions each with varying storylines and difficulty. There is not many cut scene introductions either and that is one flaw with the game. In terms of story it can very quickly become a case of wondering why you're doing this. The reason for this is Outbreak is primarily a multiplayer game but considering it relies so much on a co-operative mode it still remains a critical flaw with the game.

The game itself however is played somewhat like the traditional RE games with the isometric fixed camera perspective and the third person viewpoint. The main area this game differs is that there is multiple players during each game either human or AI controlled and these characters can interact amongst each other and in fact rely on each other to survive. When it boils down to it however the game really is move from room to room finding items, shooting things and moving on. From then on it's a case of whether you liked the original games or not as to whether you will enjoy outbreak.

The character interaction is an excellent part of the game however. Should a character become incapacitated for instance, another has to run over and help them up before adminstering first aid. You can also share items amongst characters such as weapons to aid in every situation. During the single player game tehse characters are controlled by AI and seem to wander aimlessly rather then knowing what they are doing which does make Outbreak really a game for multiplayer only.

The game contains four missions and these are unlocked right away, you do not have to complete one to unlock the next one etc. This again places the game firmly in the multiplayer side of gaming. We tried them in the single player format and really the best way to use the single player is to learn the maps and objectives for the online game, as it feels as if it was thrown in just to keep those who want a single player mode in every game happy. Those who haven't played the RE games before can play through the training mission which also highlights some of the stupid decisions made for the interface. So you pick up a gun, arm it, then go into a menu and select bullets to reload. Why is there not a reload button, (continued next page)