Customer Reviews

Parasite Eve II

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I loved the first game. Great premise and nifty graphics made for an enjoyable gameplay environment (remember the "Museum of Natural History" level? classic!) However, the one thing I couldn't stand was the battle system. "Shoot at monsters, run around trying to dodge them while your attack bar recharges, shoot again, etc." It was a bit frustrating and really slowed down the pace of the game.

Well, gamers rejoice, because the new battle system is REAL TIME. you use the target button to cycle through the enemies, fire, run, and dodge in real time. The only time the game pauses is when you choose a parasite spell to cast or access an item in your inventory. The first level is too easy, but it gets progressively tougher as it goes along. The weapons and armor don't seem to have as many customizable attributes as in the first game, and the Liberate and Pre-raise spells are gone *sniff*. However, the new combat system and graphics are well worth the trade off. It is rather a Resident Evil clone in several ways, most notably character navigation and camera angles. I'll be the first to admit that the whole RE-static background style of gaming is getting stale. However, the puzzles are much more sensible and the levels more intriguing. Bottom line, This game is a keeper.

I played this before Parasite Eve 1, and was a little lost as regards the background story, but its one of my favourite games. Firstly the story is absorbing and exciting (always important). I liked all the characters, especially Aya, and followed the plot with without getting lost nearly all the time! Secondly, the graphics are superb. Pre-rendered backgrounds ( yes, they are in the style of Resident Evil) look incredible, and the monsters are among the creepiest since Silent Hill. The characters all look and move realistically, even the pet dog Flint! Plus of course, the battle system, which in my opinion is outstanding. In this game, you face the enemy in real time, and you have to run around avoiding attacks, whilst trying to attack and heal yourself at the same time, or try and stay safe for the few vital seconds it takes to cast a powerful magic spell. In my opinion, this form of combat is far preferable to the static, turn-based encounters of traditional RPGs, and much more exciting. These battles are not random, in fact you can choose whether or not to fight on a lot of occasions with the use of a handy scanner that warns of enemy infestated areas. Of course, you can't avoid the bosses, and these battles are suitably long and tough. I still remember the huge fat thing with a flame thrower in its mouth... Still, you might not want to avoid battles, as more fighting means more experience, and more power, which you will definitely need as things get incredibly tough in the final stages, leading up to a prolonged and a spectaular showdown.... it's true I may be biased, being more of a survival horror fan than RPG player, but this game really works. It beats so many other games out there easily, and in my mind is more satisfying than the first game, which had some serious control issues-at least Aya can actually run in this game! I have no complaints whatsoever...Oh all right, just one - How about some dialogue! I would love to have heard Aya speak, but not once, even in cut scenes! No matter, definitely worth buying

I read all of the reviews for Parasite Eve II and found a huge conflict in opinion. My question is, are we playing a differnt game or something? Personally, I found PE II to be a great game. I do see one problem with the marketing of the game, which puts it into the RPG class when I think it is more like a Horror Survival game (Resident Evil series, Dino Crisis, etc.)so maybe that is where the conflict lies. Otherwise, I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

PE II is an improvement over the orginal in that the controls are much easier and the real battle system is more engaging (literally) and and makes the game more interesting overall. There is the occasional problem with the camera angle getting in the way, but name one game of this type that doesn't have this issue. I also read a good number of complaints regarding the storyline of the game. Face it folks, few games even have a storyline, let alone one as extensive as the PE series. Yes, PE II's storyline is different from the original which is why it is a sequel...what did you expect the exact same storyline? The exact same characters...the exact same GAME?

PE II stands alone, yet it is closely associated to the original at least as far as the basics go. The movie sequences are outstanding and the overall movement is more fluid as well. My advice for those having problems controlling the character movement...stop using the stick...go back to the directional pad, its much easier. Character movement is VERY similar to the Resident Evil games and after just a few minutes, you'll get the hang of it. For RPG fans, the character control is probably much easier than some of the other games your used to...half the buttons are not even used. As for the story line, Parasite Eve may have been more interesting and unique but Squaresoft did a good job of expanding on the basics and improving the game battle sequences and control issues that were glaringly evident in the original game.

If you still aren't sure about buying this game now, I would advise that you rent it first. If you liked PE, chances are you'll like PE II. You're likely to appreciate it for its advancements (movie sequences, real time battle, easier control, etc.)and get sucked into this game as well.

I used to rent this game a lot when I was younger. I can't remember why I didn't just buy myself a copy, and I also can't remember why I stopped renting it. There was probably a part that I couldn't get past and I lost my patience with it or something. Either way, it was a fun game to play back in the day.

First of all I'd like to start by saying I really enjoyed playing this game. You start the game as Aya a member of M.I.S.T on the trail of some of the most ugliest monsters,I myself have ever seen,in the hope of totaly wiping them of the face off the face of the earth. The graphices are brilliant alround,and weaponry is bought on the b.p system (bounty points). But what game could be complete with out a little magic thrown in. Aya brings with her the ability to use parasite eve magic, which in turn helps with killing the hords of monsters thoughout the game.I my opinion the game is a must have for any true playsation and/or survival horror fan. thumbs-up to SQUARESOFT

First off, I would like to express my feelings about PE2. OK I'll admit I haven't beaten the game yet, but what I have played is simply astounding in my opinion because I am not looking at the game from an RPG perspective. I have seen enough of the game to figure out that Square put PE2 in the wrong genre. PE2 belongs in the survival-horror genre with such greats as Resident Evil and Dino Crisis. I also feel the same goes for the original Parasite Eve. I also feel that the game would've been better if Aya had stayed in New York and developed her relationships with the characters in PE. The graphics in the game are a major leap forward when compared to the original. I would place them on the same standards as Final Fantasy 9. The backgrounds are very realistic and the character motion is pretty fluid until the character comes up close. The sound and cinematics are fantastic as well. Most of your surroundings are pretty quiet, very fitting for a survival-horror title. All in all, the only thing I feel that qualifies this game as an RPG is its STORY. Most survival-horror games don't have a story. I would say that PE2 is a combination of both. Just like the original Parasite Eve.

Now my response to peoples' complaints... After reading all 20 of the reviews for this product, one complaint stands out above all of them....Play control. Many of the reviewers say it is terrible. Obviously, they haven't played the Resident Evil series, which has basically the same controls. My tip is, don't use the analog sticks if you are trying to get used to the controls. The D-Pad provides a better amount of control than the sticks. Second, use the shooting range. That's what it's there for!

The second complaint was about the battle system. I happen to love the real-time battle because it adds to the realism of the game. In fact, I feel the next Final Fantasy title should have a real-time battle system. The system in PE2 allows you to dodge an enemy's attack or even run and hide. Can you do that in any of the Final Fantasy games? Didn't think so. Trust me. Give it some time and you'll grow to love it.

The last complaint that stood out was that many of the enemies were too difficult. I feel sorry for you, really. If you want easy enemies, go out and buy Doom or Quake and enjoy the one-shot kills. Having harder enemies in a game is a MAJOR plus no matter what game it is. RPGs and Survival-Horror games are meant to have enemies that aren't killed in one shot and ammo is plentiful. What is the first word in "Survival Horror?" If you put one-shot kills in this genre, games would be TOO easy. These types of games were MEANT to TAKE TIME to finish. Get over it.

Now I'll be honest, I got the second game because I'd seen my relatives play the first game but hadn't experienced it myself yet. When I started playing this game I was impressed, being a total lover of Resident Evil - I thought it was great in comparison and it still had its own storyline.

The game stands solid, the graphics are amazing for the system and I actually wouldn't mind seeing Aya in a remake at one point in time. It does however lack in brain power, most of it is full out combat. Which is good to me but it may disappoint others. I was disappointed in the ending too and according to my reading I got the good ending. It left me in mystery and as of yet there has been no rumor of a third game.

When I played the first game, I got easily bored with it. It was just repetitive and dull but I'll admit I simply just gave up on it early into the game and let my relative take over so I could see the ending. So I think that likers of the first game will be disappointed. This game is a faster-paced and more lively action then the first but haters of the first, like myself, I think will love it.

This game had excellent graphics for its time and is a pretty solid buy... maybe. If you can find a way to ignore the abysmal control, you will most likely enjoy it. Other than that, don't even think about it.

Parasite Eve II took longer localisation than other Square titles like "Vagrant Story" and "Chrono Cross",yet the title is a great dissapointment as if it takes only some few months for the process.I'll brief on pros and bummers on this title

Pros: -Sharp pre-rendered backgrounds(like RE) -Some of the most memorable stunning FMVs(sorry,Aya's not completely nude,guys!) -lots of weapons -replayability last longer

Bummers: -Freakish controls -Storage system annoying unlike RE.Expect loads of repetitive trips to load/unload items and buy weapons -FMVs too little,not memorable as PE I -boring music score -[poor]translation(please,Square,not on FFIX! )

That is all of my brief review.Overall,not much to expect of this title,expect it like a B-graded game.

While the gameplay (in terms of controls and difficulty) is similar to the first, I am disappointed about how generic the story line and script is. The first one was intriguing, creepy and well thought out with story and characters while this one has shallowed out Aya and then there are the characters that show up once and you never really deal with them again. It's not a bad game and it has some good moments; I recommend playing it if you're interested; just don't expect it to go beyond the first one.