Overview:

Can you survive the mansion you’re trapped in filled with zombies, giant snakes, and other baddies who are just trying to kill you?  Well, if you can, you’re in luck because the famous survival horror franchise just got remade for the Nintendo GameCube.  When this game came out it was a really big deal because, even though this isn’t the first Resident Evil game for a Nintendo console, it was a unique version of the first game that didn’t release on any of the contemporary competitors.  Many of the aspects that scared fans of the original were changed as well as the visuals and the audio.  Everything about this version was a treat for GameCube owners everywhere.  Luckily it has been ported to every system under the sun now, so it’s not like Twin Snakes where it’s trapped on the system. 

Visuals:

Playing this game decades later I’m still surprised with how certain scenes look in the game. Compared to the original, this version looks breathtaking!  You will get creepy dutch angles, zombies banging on windows, lightning flashes, moody lighting.  It just looks incredible.  The cutscenes, on the other hand, are severely dated.  The CGI is low resolution and the character models look very of that era.  Again, compared to the original, this version is a masterpiece.  Compared to decades later, it’s a little bit stunted.  But it really isn’t a bad thing.  It doesn’t detract from the game.

Audio:

You know, I could have sworn the voice acting was better but it still just sounds just as bad as the original.  They’ve changed some of the dialog to get rid of the campyness but have just replaced it with equally bad takes.  Everyone sounds wooden and like they’re talking to a wall.  Where it really shines is the atmosphere.  Like I said about the visuals, the scenes of this game are just dripping with creaks, groans, thunder, scary sounds, etc. that just invite your imagination to run wild.  

Completion:

I’m pretty sure I beat this game back when it came out.  I’d have to check my records, but I’m working through it again and I am still loving how everything looks.  Sure, there are rose tinted glasses effecting an honest take, but it still is gorgeous.  The camera angles, with the lighting, and the revamped Jill model bring the game to a whole different level.  I’m pretty sure this is why it is still being released on modern consoles because it holds up.  Currently I just saved Richard and am working to a confrontation with a big fucking snake, but we will see how long I keep playing it.