Resident Evil Code Veronica

by Sega

Product Details

• ASIN: B00000K10U
• Item Weight: 5 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,629 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Editorial Review

The first Dreamcast installment in the Resident Evil series, Code: Veronica is "survival horror" at its finest. Unmatched in its ability to convey a persistent feeling of dread--and scare the pants off of you ever so often--this is one of those hard-to-put-down games that will keep you up for several nights on end.

The fourth chapter in the dark Resident Evil epic, Code: Veronica delves further into the machinations of the sinister Umbrella Corporation, once again pitting players against zombies and other horrifying mutations created by Umbrella's biotechnological viruses. Players begin the game as Claire Redfield, Resident Evil 2's college-girl-turned-zombie-killer, and later control Chris Redfield, the beefcake cop from the original game. There's more strategy required here than in the previous games, as Claire's actions have a direct impact on Chris. For example, playing a trigger-happy Claire that uses every health-restoring item in sight will call for some fancy footwork on the part of brother Chris.

While the basic game design here is largely unchanged from that of its PlayStation predecessors, Code: Veronica features many visual refinements--including exquisitely detailed 3-D character graphics, roaming camera viewpoints, and spectacular atmospheric and lighting effects--that greatly enhance the cinematic feel of the game. Equally high production values are evident in the game's excellent use of ambient and dynamic sound effects.

Upon completing Code: Veronica, players are rewarded with "Battle Game," a timed slaughterfest that can be played in third- or first-person point-of-view and has rewards all its own. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Engrossing storyline and well-developed characters
• Cinematic Dreamcast-enhanced graphics and excellent sound effects
• Challenging, first-rate gameplay
• "Battle Game" greatly increases replay value

Cons:

• Despite nonfixed camera angles, viewpoint can still be awkward at times
• Less than perfect controls

GameSpot Preview

As was first reported in GameSpot News, Resident Evil: Code Veronica (called Biohazard: Code Veronica in Japan) is set three months after the end of Resident Evil 2, with the player once again controlling Claire Redfield. After flying to Europe to investigate the disappearance of her brother Chris, Claire is abducted and taken to an isolated tropical island where some familiar rotting friends once again start popping up.

Veronica features a significant break with previous titles in the series - all the backgrounds are now done in full polygons, allowing the camera to move, following the action and a first-person view. There are also possible environmental changes, such as collapsing ceilings or toppling pillars. Veronica also makes use of the special effects of the Dreamcast hardware, like dramatic lighting and shadow and characters with skin so you don't see the jagged polygon edges. Imagine the detail on that.

We got a new look at the game during the Tokyo Game Show, shown in playable form for the first time anywhere. And here's what we found out:

First of all, the game will ship on two GD-ROMs. And even though Mikami didn't confirm it today, we've learned that Code Veronica will feature a slightly modified version of the zapping system from Resident Evil 2, so the player will be able to play as a different character for each disc, with each character's story intertwining with and affecting other stories. The two characters in Code: Veronica will be Claire Redfield and her brother, Chris Redfield. The story takes place three months after Resident Evil 2 and 3, with Claire heading off to Europe to search for her brother. Apparently, something goes wrong along the way, and where she ends up may or may not be where she had intended to go.

As mentioned, Code Veronica's world is composed entirely of polygons - a first for the RE series. Everything is rendered in full 3D, which makes for more dramatic use of the camera, and more dynamic lighting effects. For example, Claire's lighter actually illuminates her surroundings in real time, and the effects are very nice. When gunshots are fired, the blast actually affects the lighting too. Speaking of guns, apparently it'll be possible to handle two at once, though we weren't shown this feature during the game demonstration. It just happened to be the first thing Mikami muttered when he began playing.

There will be a 180-degree turn, just as there was in Dino Crisis and Resident Evil 3, though it was not available in the current version of the game.

At one point early in the game, a cinema scene came up that involved something crashing through a window and Claire rolling on the ground. Mikami quickly jumped up to block our view of this while he turned the monitor off. Apparently, he said, this cinema is key to the storyline, and he didn't want to reveal it just yet. He said it wouldn't be in the version being shown at TGS. However, before he turned it off we were able to sneak a peek at a male character in the background who looked quite a bit like Leon from RE2. Was it he? We really couldn't say for sure - the guy was in normal street clothes - but it certainly isn't out of the question, especially since he looked pretty similar to old Mr. Kennedy. (Leon, not Sam.) Also, Claire's little roll looked amazingly realistic. And it turns out that Capcom used motion capture for all f the game's cinema scenes for added realism.

The game's graphics were a bit unbalanced. Some looked rather plain and ordinary (hopefully because the game isn't finished), while other parts looked amazing. (The high altitude outdoor cliff area in particular looked simply incredible.) The animation was the same way - some of it rocked (the dogs especially), while some of it seemed unfinished. Hopefully, that's all it is. Sound effects are of similar fashion - footsteps sounded loud and tinny, even while walking outside on the grass, though the growls of the zombies and the barking of the dogs sounded great.

There are ten major areas this time, according to Mikami, and the game length will be one-and-a-half to two times longer than that of Resident Evil 3 for the PS (yes!). --Staff
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh My God This Game is Amazing, February 19, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Resident Evil Code Veronica (Video Game)

This is the most unbelivable game I have ever played in my life. The amazing lighting the sound the graphics are all 5 Stars in my book. The only trouble that I had in the game was the seven painting room puzzle, and that the game was in Japanese. I love this game every second of it is action packed with more and more surprises as the story unfolds. It even has some characters from the first Resident Evil, but I'm not about to give those away. This game absolutely blew me away. I said this about Nemesis but Code Veronica is the best game in the series.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Reason why I Bought a DC in the First place!, April 12, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Resident Evil Code Veronica (Video Game)

I am a huge Res Evil fan. I bought a Dreamcast last fall because this game would eventually come. The new 3D environment is wonderful. The dual guns are a cool addition. You can skip the scinemas. Also, if you read all the game files, you'll find the story to be much bigger and more TWISTED than the past REs.

You'll definately need a VMU to play the first few times for saving. You can see your health status on the VMU screen (a big help). The Jump Pak adds some fun too.

I'm an exprienced RE fan (like many of you). However, I do get lost from time to time. I highly recommend buying the Prima strategy guide just as an aid for those trouble spots that come up. It has a detailed walk-through and maps but don't ruin some of the surprises. Plus, it's easier than downloading and printing a walk-through via Internet.

I want to address two critiques of other players. Some say that the game isn't "scary" enough. PLEASE remember that this is the 4th Resident Evil story game. If you've played the other REs, then you'll already know what to expect in the game. It's like watching the "Friday the 13th" films. You don't have to watch all 9 movies to know that Jason cuts up any idiot that comes into his forest. Consentrate more on the gameplay, adventure, and story of Code Veronica. Second is the "lack of gore". I'm not sure what the reviewers mean by this. Perhaps it refers to the zombies' body parts not dismembering when you blast or stomp on them. Please don't let this defer you from playing (or buying) this game. This is very minor issue compared to the whole package of RE:CV you'll get.

I only have two personnal problems with this game. (1) I wished Chris's game was a litle longer or side by side with Clair's game like RE2. This is not a put-down. I have a little sister myself, and I would have liked to play "big brother" more. (2) The battle game is fun BUT too small and too difficult. This feature seems more like an after thought by the game makers. I don't want to give away too much. I'll just say that getting an "A Grade" in the Battle Game is damn near impossible.

Finally, if you like to read, I recommend buying the four Resident Evil novelizations, "Umbrella Conspiracy", "Caliban Cove", "City of the Dead", and "Underworld". Remember, if you rate this review, base the rating on its usefulness. Don't rate on whether you agree with me or not. Thanks.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Re:CV is a must buy game, May 12, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Resident Evil Code Veronica (Video Game)

Resident Evil is a great game. This game is fun, if you don't believe its fun READ THE OTHER REVIEWS. The graphics are great and the weapons are cool, if you want to know the weapons here is an example of weapons: G. Launcher, hand gun, custom handgun, shotgun, bow gun, magnum, linear launcher, etc. This game is so scary im still stuck on the second disc and won't play unless somebody else is in the room! The controls are a bit hard but can easily get used to. If you like Re games i suggest buying this one because it is the best out of all the Resident evils so far. The game is quite short if you play it non stop and if you arent scared. It takes a hefty amount of time if you are scared and arent able to play it. Everything about this game is good. Hint* hint* if you use a strategy guide it will ruin the whole game and also don't get the gameshark if you aren't done with the game yet! So what I am trying to say is GET THIS GAME NOW IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, CUZ THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST RE's!