Parasite eve 2 review

Although the original did not see a PAL release Parasite eve took survival horror one step further by implementing a battle system (ala Alone in the Dark for the GBC but better obviously) and RPG elements like upgradeable powers, Experience points etc.
Unfortunately the game was inherently flawed and what followed was a series of bad reviews harping on about the graphics being drab and samey, the soundtrack being monotonous and uninteresting and the plot being convoluted. Square did not want to see Parasite eve go down in flames and therefore went about making a sequel which proved, thankfully to be pure gold.
Parasite eve 2 takes us to Los Angeles where the ever attractive Aya Brea is testing her skills out at the MIST centre shooting range. She shoots a little girl and then finishes up. Word spreads of an NMC (Neo Mitochondrion Creature) attack at the Akropolis tower and thus her adventure begins. First time players will not feel comfortable with Parasite eve 2’s control scheme, moving Aya feels a little clunky and it will take some time to become comfortable with the way Aya moves (it took me a while) but once you have grasped that the control scheme seems intuitive. Aiming your weapon is a let down, when you have your firearm ready you can only move Aya’s head which seems a little odd but makes sense when a fight begins.ne year after the incident in Manhattan Parasite eve 2 takes

Fights work in three stages: 1. Creature sees you or you see it; the screen turns negative for a second, we hear a heartbeat and the fighting commences. 2. You fight and either run away, die or win. 3. If you win rewards are dispensed. Hitting square targets an enemy and by holding the directional buttons you can switch targets without even trying, sometimes however Aya will aim at something you are not intending to aim at and this does become frustrating. Weapons can be bought with BP (bounty points) and most have upgrades like the Assault rifle which can have anything from a bayonet to a miniature laser attached to it. One feature which annoyed me was the armour attachments; outside of battle you can attach items to your armour and it is these alone which you can use in battle, you cannot open the menu so if you run out of ammo and switch guns but have no ammo attached to your armour you are screwed my friend. The life saver in battles is Aya’s Parasite energies, these are “awakened” using your experience points and do anything from discharge necrotizing electricity to making your bullets do up to 3 to 4 times more damage, however they have casting times and being hit by an enemy halts the casting process meaning you have to re-cast the parasite energy.

The graphics are truly stunning, Square has seamlessly including FMV elements into real time play and they are truly beautiful (check out the water feature in the Akropolis tower!) they really went out of their way to make sure Parasite eve 2 looked as great as possible. Character models are excellent and the prerendering of the backgrounds is the best I have ever seen.

Numerous times during play (twice I think) you can choose via a jukebox or via your friend Pierce to listen to some of the amazing music on the Parasite eve 2 soundtrack. The music is so good, some makes you want to dance, some makes you want to cry and some makes you want to sleep with your blanky but it all works so well creating a tense, relaxed or intense atmosphere that it can only be given two thumbs up. Unfortunately some of the games sound effects are a little…odd to say the least, for instance one NMC resembles a tiny loch ness monster and has a habit of mooing when it is shot, another enemy laughs hysterically when it is shot…odd. However most of Parasite eve 2’s sound effects are right on the money like the disturbing sobs of one malformed creation when it is hit or the pitiful death screeches of the creepily named “Strangers”.

Parasite eve 2 is such a magnificent title; it really is the best the Playstation can do in terms of graphics and sound. The plot is great, the characters likeable, game play challenging while not frustrating to the point of tears (like the end of Resident evil) there really is not much to find fault with. Unfortunately the game can be finished in 3-4 hours but it has 4 COUNT THEM 4! Replay modes which will give you hours of endless NMC hunting.

GOOD:

- Just about everything; Graphics are breathtaking, sound is to die for and the game play is fun and exciting. Replay modes rule. Parasite energy animations are amazing.

BAD:

- Occasional aiming problems prove frustrating. The mooing NMC’s are ridiculous.