Parasite Eve Ii (psx)
Gameplay: 77%
Story: 64%
Graphics: 80%
Music/Sound: 65%
Overall: 76%
Survival horror games have had great success with many gaming fans, with the many titles on offer from Resident Evil through to Silent Hill. Capcom, being the main creators of this genre, with help from the Resident Evil and Dino Crisis games have made a big impact on games and gamers alike taking the herald of the throne and claiming themselves unbeatable in the world of survival horror. But now, Squaresoft have decided to take heed and challenge Capcom at what they’re best at – creating survival horror games in order to claim that extra place in the video games industry – with Squaresoft’s answer to Resident Evil.
An evil breed of Neo Mitochondrion creatures has spawned and taken over the Akropolis Tower in Los Angeles, eliminating all living creatures that stand in their way. The situation is breaching out of control and the Los Angeles Police Department desperately need the help of a top agent to infiltrate the tower. As special MIST (Mitochondrion Investigation and Suppression Team) agent Aya Brea, you have been assigned by the FBI to undertake an investigation that takes you from the heart of the Los Angeles Akropolis Tower to a deep and nerving underground test research facility in the Mojave Desert. Your job is to put an end to the lives of these mitochondrion creatures that threaten to eliminate the entire human race. Immerse yourself in the new world of survival horror that is Parasite Eve II.
The gameplay in PEII is very similar to that of the many Resident Evil titles available, as you have to run around collecting items, such as keys and pass codes to progress to the next area. This may sound simple, but Squaresoft have not made this an easy task, as many of the stages are swamped with grotesque and monotonous creatures out for blood. In order to slay these creatures you have a vast arsenal of weapons ranging from 9mm handguns to a grenade launchers allowing you blast the enemy away with great pleasure. Trademark to the Resident Evil series, where the style of combat is somewhat dull and action-less is what makes PEII so very different from any other survival horror game. Squaresoft just couldn’t resist a touch of RPG class and have added the various levelling up and experience point’s malarkey known to many RPGs, into PEII’s gameplay. The battle system used in PEII is very similar to that of Vagrant Story for the PSX, where the battles are in real-time and players are required to target an enemy and use a specific attack from a scroll down menu.
Attacks are minimal as you can only attack physically with a handheld weapon or use Aya’s special powers – Parasite Energy. This is a power that Aya sealed away in the first PE and at the beginning of PEII is only limited to one of these powers, but gain EXP and level up and you can access a whole range of different powers to unload unto your enemy at free will. But beware as this parasite energy is limited to a number of MP and as soon as you run out you’ll quickly need to restore those vital lost MP to be able to use the powers again. The weapons vary in the game and have different kinds of effects on different enemies depending on the weapons attributes. Weapons are not easily acquired either as they have to be purchased with the use of BP (Battle Points) which can be received after a battle is victorious. You can then spend the BP received at an arms store where various weapons and firearms are available for your needs. These BP also aid you in the purchasing of protective clothing and armour ranging from bulletproof vests and tactical armour suits that all have different strength and weaknesses. These all add to Aya’s defences capabilities and attributes.
Graphically PEII is of a very high standard as the character designs are in high resolution and what any gamer would expect from Squaresoft’s graphical work. To add, these high detailed characters wander around on pixel perfect pre-rendered backdrops giving PEII a real sense of atmosphere and diversity. In many games with pre-rendered backgrounds the player can often look too bold and maybe a bit lustrous on top of the backgrounds, but PEII has accomplished this perfectly and made the characters blend into the backdrops seamlessly and precisely. PEII, as with any Squaresoft game, is accompanied with crystal clear FMV sequences that outline major points in the story and help evolve the story line a lot more, be warned though as many of the cut scenes are very adult orientated revealing why PEII has hitched a 15 certificate age rating. Character movements and animation are extremely life-like as are the creature’s movements and attitudes when in battle make the game very realistic and graphically pleasing to the eye.
Music in PEII accompanies the games atmosphere well making the gameplay eerie and in some points rather spine chilling. The music is not fast paced, but instead slow and dramatic adding to the fear and surroundings of the game. Music plays a big part in PEII, as there is not much voice acting or other sound effects to give the game an overall atmosphere, so the music acts as the main fear factor. Without the music that features in PEII the game would not have the same atmosphere and eerie effect that it holds so well into the survival horror genre.
Parasite Eve II slots nicely into the survival horror genre perfectly and even slips in elements of an RPG to make the gameplay varied and exciting and almost different in each section of the game. This is the an extremely innovative game and makes a difference from the usual classic style of RPGs Squaresoft produce so well. PEII is well worth an investment if you’re looking for a little more from a RPG and want to be a little sacred this time round as well.
Categories: Reviews, Role Playing
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