Reviews Surfing - Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil (Wii)

Once again, Capcom has released a Resident Evil for the Nintendo Wii. Thankfully, it’s not a rail shooter. The “new” game is named Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil and it’s a port of a 2002 GameCube remake whose mechanics are based on a 13-year old game. Yes, even the game’s origins are convoluted. Scoff if you must, but Resident Evil remains timeless because it’s darn good and that’s why even the cynical critics like it.

IGN: (80%) “Resident Evil Archives retails on Wii for $29.99, about $10 more than it should cost since it’s a seven-year-old remake of a game from 1996. Still, it’s a reduced price tag compared to most Wii games and despite the lack of any real changes from the GCN version — this is very much the same effort, 4:3 mode and all — it’s still a hell of an experience. It remains the scariest survival horror adventure I’ve played and those frights are complemented by very pretty pre-rendered visuals that hold up even by today’s standards. The controls, however, dating back 13 years now, seem more archaic and fundamentally broken than ever. If you purchase Archives as a collector’s item, you will undoubtedly have already played it previously and know what to expect. If you’re new to the game, though, you will almost certainly find the configuration dated and disappointingly unintuitive.”

Be afraid. Be very afraid--of the controls.

Eurogamer: (80%) “As much of a shame as it is that Capcom hasn’t bothered to enhance Resident Evil in any meaningful sense, there’s no denying that this ageing relic remains one of the high points from the old generation of survival horror titles. Boasting an intense atmosphere, satisfying puzzles and nail-biting combat, it’s a game that will linger long in the memory for those who succumb to its dark allure. If you missed out on this the first or even second time around, then now’s the time to pick up a true classic - at the right price.”

Cheat Code Central: (70%) “Having multiple control options, not having to change out tiny discs midway through the game, and having better audio are definitely pluses, but I don’t think they are big enough improvements to merit picking up this title if you already own the GameCube version. However, if you for some reason didn’t get around to checking it out before, at thirty dollars REA is a great deal and will provide you with countless hours of RE goodness. Of course, you do still need to be willing to put up with the not so great side of classic RE games including tank controls, fixed camera angles, and an unforgiving save system. Though, if those don’t sound like major problems to you and you don’t already have the RE remake on the GameCube, then this would definitely be a worthwhile purchase.”

If you haven’t played the original Resident Evil, missed out on the GameCube remake, or just want to see the classic with a prettier graphical coat, then Resident Evil Archives: Resident Evil just might be worth something to you. Just don’t expect the game to have a control scheme similar to what you’ve seen in the past two numbered installments. You’ll also spend $30, which is probably more than what the game is worth, but if your purpose is to collect, then by all means, get Resident Evil Archives.

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