• ID = PS0706
• STYLE = Survival Horror
• DEV. = Capcom Co., Ltd.
• PUB. = Capcom USA, Inc.
• R-DATE = Apr-13-2004
• ESRB = M / For Mature
• PLAYERS = 1-4 players
• LIST PRICE = $49.99
  

Around Every Corner. Behind Every Door. Deep In Every Shadow. Terror Waits. Witness the revolutionary Resident Evil gameplay, multi-player scenarios and next level design in this totallynew, dramatic, cooperative gameplay experience. Take on the role as one of 8 survivors of an outbreak caused by a secret biological weapon. Play in offline or online mode to create contagiously addictive play scenarios you’ll want to try and relive again and again.

• An all new Resident Evil story line.
• First person seamless navigation and combat.
• Weapon upgrades as you progress through the game.
• An intense blend of action and puzzle solving.
• Sharp graphics and intuitive gameplay.
• Guncon2 light gun controller compatible also supports DualShock 2 controller.

Description 2:
Resident Evil Outbreak supports both single player and online multiplayer game modes set within the Resident Evil world. Resident Evil Outbreak is played from the viewpoint of ordinary Raccoon City citizens. Now players can experience the horror with up to four concurrent players on network mode or enjoy various scenarios with one-player in off-line mode.

• Events span from Resident Evil 1 through 3.
• Character choice dictates player abilities & scenarios.
• Cooperative & competitive gameplay.
• Real-time 3-D graphics.
• Multi-player: 4 player in online mode. Requires Network Adapter.
• Die & join the zombie ranks – first time ever in Resident Evil.

Resident Evil Outbreak retains the signature Resident Evil storytelling, visuals, and bone-chilling audio that Capcom’s survival-horror fans demand. The game introduces an all-new story, an assortment of new characters, and a large number of non-player characters (NPC’s). Scenarios are generated for the player by the game with storylines branching off in new directions based on decisions made. Players can enjoy each character’s own storyline, as well as communicate with others.

Resident Evil Outbreak tells the dramatic story of an outbreak caused by a secret biological weapon infecting the people of Raccoon City. Citizens are turning into flesh-eating zombies that swarm the streets. Players wage war against the pharmaceutical giant, Umbrella who is responsible for the events leading up to this disaster. In the shadow of this nightmare are a few desperate survivors.

Players take the role of these distraught few as they search for traces of life. They must find a way to get out of this city before the government quarantines the entire area by firing a missile and destroying all proof of existence. Players must beat the clock or die trying. Resident Evil Outbreak is the story of those survivors, fighting to endure this horrific ordeal.

The most notable aspect about Outbreak is the graphics--they're almost as good as the GameCube versions and yet they're in full 3-D instead of just having static 2-D backdrops. Together with the constant calls for help from other people this makes the game one of the most cinematic yet, although the slow-paced psychological horror of the first game has been replaced by all-out fast-paced terror.

Things are made even more difficult since most of the eight characters you can choose to play as are ordinary men and women, not super-cops, so you usually start the game with no weapons other than those you can find scattered around. Although perhaps not the best game in the Resident Evil series, Outbreak is still well worth a look for fans of the genre.-- David Jenkins

The virus has spread online, and Resident Evil's gameplay has never been so infectious. Fighting for life with three human-controlled characters at your side definitely adds an element of unfamiliarity to the survival horror mix, but make no mistake, this is still Resident Evil. Whether you find yourself jumping out of your seat as a zombie crashes through a window, marveling at the action in the cutscenes, or complaining about the stiffness of control and awkwardly placed camera angles, this is just another trip to Raccoon City. Only this time, you're with friends.

I really have to hand it to Capcom for making teamwork the cornerstone of gameplay. In every room that you reach, this game hammers home the message that you have to stick together and work as a group. When jumping from one rooftop to another, you may misjudge the distance and fall short. Thankfully, a teammate can pull you up.

Even before the game commences, you'll find yourself coordinating tactics with your soon-to-be companions at the character selection screen. In a similar vein to an RPG, each of the eight playable characters that you can select brings completely different abilities to the table that you must factor in. Do you bring a lock-picker? Someone with extra inventory spots? Or rely on firepower with a weapons expert?

Unlike the other games in the series, zombies can pass from room to room and are often found in packs. Taking this newfound hunting prowess into account, Capcom has implemented a handful of new techniques that players can use to survive. You can slide under beds, hide in lockers, and even repel a zombie attack by forcing their head away from your neck with enough breathing room to raise your pistol and shoot them directly between the eyes. You'll even find strategy in the reloading of weapons. For instance, a box of shells takes more time to load than a clip. As annoying as it is to watch your character get munched because he couldn't load the rounds quick enough, I really like this aspect. It makes you keep an eye on every little detail.

Where Outbreak excels in engrossing multiplayer and creative gameplay, the overall design of the game is very odd. Rather than creating one lengthy quest that players can really sink their teeth into, Capcom opted to break up the game into five separate scenarios that are roughly 45 minutes each. If you die, you'll turn into a zombie for a brief extent (and yes, you can attack your teammates if you like), then will be dropped out of the game. Sadly, you can't re-spawn. You either have to wait for your friends to finish up, or find another game to enter. While scripted controller commands are offered, it doesn't support voice chat at all or keyboard functionality in-game. Someone's head should roll for this!

All told, this is a surprisingly enjoyable online venture that showcases some amazing gameplay concepts, yet a lack of foresight in the delivery of multiplayer.

Concept:
A highly creative, yet slightly flawed approach to multiplayer survival horror

Graphics:
Not as lavish as the recent GameCube releases, yet impressive nonetheless

Sound:
Great ambiance, but it sure would be nice to communicate with other players. Where's the voice chat?!

Playability:
Familiar RE controls with innovative teammate techniques and newfound environment interaction

Entertainment:
Entertaining, yet lacking all the elements that would keep you hooked

Replay:
Moderately Low

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: May 2004

2nd Opinion:
Why isn't there voice chat in Resident Evil: Outbreak? For the love of all that is holy, I want to give this game a good score for its thoughtful level design, nice graphics, intense gameplay, and smart mission structure – but that missing headset support throws the whole experience out of whack. These levels are fast-paced and frantic, almost like an FPS, and what you want is to make some sort of strategy. This just isn't possible with the canned commands available, as "You two check out the locker room and we're going to search the owner's office. Meet back here and we'll go up to the 3rd floor," weirdly isn't mapped to the right analog stick. So, this game gets the backhanded compliment of being "high concept" like Crystal Chronicles and Steel Battalion, for example. My ideal setup is playing this game with four friends, four TVs, and four PS2s all in the same room. Get this setup, and the game is a real gem.

Rated: 8 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason


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Hint 1 - "What if I meet an opponent?"

No matter which enemy you meet, there is no good method for dealing with more than one enemy at the same time. First of all, it's probably best to think about running away from wherever you are.

When you've got plenty of ammunition for your weapons or are in a place where you're fighting together with other characters, then it's probably OK to decide to fight.

When you're using a weapon, each has its own specific characteristics, like "Wide Attack Range," "Automatic Fire," or "Knock Down In A Single Blow." Develop an understanding of these weapons, and use them appropriately depending on the situation.

Information on your enemies can be found in memos, files, and so on, so don't neglect to collect information from all the corners of each room. If you hope to survive, it's of utmost importance to first understand your enemy.

Hint 2 - "I can't find a key to the door!"

Depending on the door, you don't need to use a key and can use a weapon, beat the door in, and so on. In situations where no matter how much you look you can't find the key or in situations where you know where the key is located but find many enemies there, breaking down the door is one way to move along in the game. However, if you use a gun you consume bullets, and it's necessary to know when using a tackle to open a door is suitable. So, you will need to know how to fit your judgment to the circumstances.

Hint 3 - "Where are the other players?"

Keep your ears open for sounds when you're playing. In situations where other characters are in a nearby room, you'll definitely be able to hear the sound of footsteps, screams, gunshots, and so on.

In situations where you actually hear a scream, you should open the Map Screen right away. When you pick up the map, the place where other characters are screaming will appear. In situations where characters are screaming in places where you cannot hear, a mark will appear on the map. To look for a person, it is recommended that you make use of the "Map Screen."

Hint 4 - "Attack Objects"

There are situations in which there are installations set up to maximize the effects of damage on an enemy when you shoot them. If you are able to use this well, it may be of good use when fighting with an enemy. Try it out in different ways.

Hint 5 - "Hidden Potency of Regenerative Items"

Aside from the ability of herbs, emergency spray, and other medicinal items to rejuvenate physical power, these items also have the effect of momentarily stopping the virus gauge. Even when you have enough physical power, in situations where the viral infection is evolving, it's OK to use these freely.

The green, blue, and red herbs can be combined in various ways to add more effects than if these substances were used on their own. There are several different ways to prepare these mixtures, so try different combinations.

AREA DESCRIPTIONS:

J'S BAR / RACCOON CITY STREETS A normal, peaceful night at J's Bar... That is until some "uninvited guests" crashed the party looking for a little something to eat.

The only thing we could do was run for our lives...

UNDERGROUND FACILITY / LAB
After escaping the hordes of zombies on our trail we ventured into an underground facility. Cold, silence, and of course death permeated the air.

What truths would we uncover after enduring the countless screams and cries of pain?

HOSPITAL
Thousands of creatures instinctively wriggling through the darkness. A hospital totally transformed into some demonic hive. We pushed on as we fought to push this nightmarish image from our minds. Just how long would this go on?

APPLE INN HOTEL
A hotel encased in a thick putty-like smog. The flames took the shape of strange beasts and almost seemed to laugh at the pathetic, weak humans striving to survive the torturous conditions that bar their way.

Now we all truly knew the real meaning of Hell as it burned before us ever closer and closer, threatening to engulf us forever. With only courage and hope to keep us moving we steeled ourselves for the goal at hand: Crossing the sea of flames...

RACCOON UNIVERSITY / UMBRELLA EXPERIMENT FACILITY
The pounding footsteps of destruction that slowly rocked toward the city... The darkness of despair...

We had no time to hesitate as each decidedly painful path lie before us. Would our decisions lead to death? Would they lead to our survival. Only fate could possibly know if day break would bring newfound hope... or eternal misery.