Parasite Eve 2

Written by Tom Clare in PSOne Game Reviews, Friday 9 January, 2004

Bounty-licious!

The original Parasite Eve game was one of many Japanese games that failed to get a release over in Europe, but hopes were high when Squaresoft announced that it's sequel, the simply titled Parasite Eve 2, was to get a release outside of Japan and the US.

PE2 mixes the action, puzzles and graphical style of a survival-horror game with the statistical and interactive influence of an R.P.G, and the results are utterly spectacular.

Aya Brea is is a member of an FBI sub-division called MIST, who specialise in clean-up operations and bounty-hunting in the field genetically mutated creatures. When Aya goes on a mission to rid an LA skyscraper of these, she uncovers a couple of rather sinister happenings - firstly, she discovers a device in one of these mutants that can allegedly be triggered to cause instant and catastrophic change in humans mitochondria (causing them to turn into flesh-eating monsters). Almost as worryingly, a strange, masked lunatic appears wielding a massive sword. He is exceptionally powerful and can jump inhumanly long distances - he seems to be toying with Aya and MIST - but for what purpose?

The LA skyscraper is in essence just the introduction. Much of the adventure takes place in Dryfield; a small, desolate town in the Nevada desert. This was the scene of recent sightings and so it is up to Aya to find where the out-break started and what's behind it.

Action in the field of play mimics that of Resident Evil - exploring areas, searching for keys, solving cryptic riddles and talking to shifty-looking people come as standard, but things start to get a lot more interesting when in battle.

The battle system cleverly combines real-time movement and use of firearms with RPG-orientated options such as using items or magic. Locking-on and targeting enemies is simple enough - holding the square button will get Aya to focus on her nearest foe and so locating them is rarely a problem. You need to keep on your toes at all times though as the inspired enemies often fight in packs, have cloaking-camouflage or charge at you, causing great damage if making contact.

Aya is a unique woman as she has a special-genetic make up that means she can retain her youthful looks and more importantly, use Parasite Energy. At the end of each battle you are awarded BP (Bounty Points) and EXP (Experience Points). You can spend EXP on a variety of different Parasite Energies, choosing between healing, damaging, status-changing and attribute-increasing magics that Aya can put to her own use or her enemies hinderance. More fun however is the chance to cash in Bounty Points for items, armours and, yep you guessed it, guns! Considering guns are only half the story when it comes to the fights (items and magic are almost as crucial), there is a truly staggering array of weapons on offer. Various pistols, shotguns, magnums, machine-guns and grenade-launchers litter the game plus the amount of custom items that can be found beggars belief. Take one standard rifle - you now have the option to add either extra clips, a stunning-flash beam, a grenade launcher, a powerful laser, an electrical bolt-launcher, a flamethrower...the list goes on.

Parasite Eve 2 is a graphical tour-de-force - from the jaw-droppingly lovely full-motion videos that litter the game to the stylish loading screens the presentation really stands out. In-game graphics are stunning also - every static background that populates the game is incredibly rendered and manages to put even the likes of Resident Evil 3 firmly in the shade. There are two small quibbles though - there is sometimes a bit of a pause while the camera changes shot (not noticeable unless you're looking) and, if I'm really going to pick at straws, I suppose the animation could be slightly better.

PE2 isn't all looks though - the depth of the plot is enough to get you really involved in this game and before you say 'I hate parasites', you're totally engrossed.

Puzzles are of the highest quality throughout and Squaresoft only very rarely saw fit to use the simple find-the-key-unlock-the-door trick. You'll need to find number combinations, solve obscure riddles and tackle some challenging block and floor-based puzzles (anyone who has ever tried the tricky pyramid-rhythm challenge will know what I mean).

The biggest misjudgement lies in the games soundtrack. I say misjudgement as the songs are actually pretty good but whilst tense and hectic situations should be accompanied by ominous or rapid-paced tunes, they are merely joined by laid-back, almost insignificant efforts. Oh, and another people complain about bitterly is the lack of audio-speech. This simply means reading through cut-scenes instead of listening. I personally think it was a good decision on the part of Squaresoft to neglect speech as you only need to look at the 'acting' travesties of Resident Evil and Silent Hill to see how wrong this could have gone. All it means is a bit of reading, and you can read, can't you?

Though this two-disc adventure doesn't take an overly long time to finish, it is the epitome of good value. After completion you have have the opportunity to unlock and play not 1 but 4 different scenarios (i've completed the game five times and unlocked three so far). Replay Mode allows you to play the normal game whilst unlocking a host of new items and weapons for next time round. Bounty Mode is a tough one crammed with enemies from the word go. Scavenger Mode involves scrounging for all the items that you can find whilst being very carefully to avoid contact with enemies, who cause great amounts of damage on this setting. Finally, there is the illusive Nightmare mode, which judging by it's name, is likely to be excruciatingly difficult.

So then, what blights the parasite? Well, the controls are slightly unwieldy at first and Aya hardly moves with oodles of grace. Because of the deeper plot and slower pace of this compared with similar titles, there is always a risk that fans of the action element could grow bored. Tricky, unexpected and bafflingly-placed boss battles serve to frustrate at times.

Whilst it does borrow great chunks of inspiration from other survival-horror titles, ultimately Parasite Eve 2 succeeds because it dares to do things it's own way; certain sections see you fighting side by side with a comrade and whilst this could have gone wrong, it proves quite thrilling, and sadly all too brief. Another point is Aya's more thoughtful approach to situations and interactive objects within the field of play - for example, if you cam across a painting in Resident Evil you may well be greeted with 'old painting - no use' as a response. Parasite Eve 2's interpretation would see Aya not only describing the object in more detail, but adding her on feelings and remarks (upon finding a picture of Calamity Jane, she quips 'Calmity Jane? Calamity Aya more like'). Some might say her constant analysis bogs the game down further but in reality she becomes portrayed as a better, more likable character in time who actually plays an important role in plot instead of just making her way through it.

Gamers of a squeamish disposition will no doubt be pleased to hear that the action is fairly restrained when it comes to blood, guts 'n' gore, although some creatures are especially freakish. Generally it is fine for anyone 10 years of age or above.

Should you buy it then? Do I even need to ask? Though a fairly rare beast these days Parasite Eve 2 has reportedly been sighted at an incredible £7 brand new! You'd have to be clinically insane to ignore that kind of deal, or if you are not a PlayStation owner then this should be all the convincing you need to get one.

One of the high-points of gaming in recent times, it's clear why Squaresoft are thought of so highly in gaming circles because it's not just their Final Fantasy's that are stunners. Parasite Eve 2 is slick, polished, stylish and thoroughly high-class from start to finish. Immense.

Leave a Reply