Game Informer Review
Resist or Serve is a merely passable survival horror game that relies on its franchise rather than gameplay to deliver the bulk of the entertainment value. Granted, some of the elements from the TV series are well used, such as the voices and likenesses of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, as well as a plot revolving around Black Oil (a familiar menace to fans of the show). Unfortunately, these aspects aren't enough to overcome the uninspired, repetitive puzzle solving required to get the ball rolling.
Whether I was walking the streets of an eerie town or the halls of psychiatric ward, I was following the same pattern. The path forward was blocked (usually by a locked door) so I had to tromp around until I found the particular key that would let me progress. Along the way, if I saw a zombie, I shot it and it fell down. If it tried to get up, I kicked it until it died (because I usually didn't have enough ammo to shoot it again). I couldn't just run by it, either, because often times regular-looking enemies will be carrying a mission-critical clue or item.
To the game's credit, it does a good job of capturing the mood of the show, and some of the dialogue is pretty funny (especially when referencing the size of Mulder's adult video collection). It also manages to add some variety by providing alternate paths through missions, depending on whether you choose to play as Scully or Mulder. They need to accomplish tasks in a different order, and take slightly different approaches to certain situations. As Scully, you have occasional autopsy sequences where you cut up infected individuals to obtain precious zombie-fluids, and as Mulder you rely more on heavy firepower to solve problems.
Unfortunately, regardless of the agent you choose, the basic formula never changes. You spend so much time wandering aimlessly and kicking prone undead that you never really have a chance to get wrapped up in the exceptionally intriguing and involved story that was clearly intended to make Resist or Serve stand out.
Concept:
Make a game based on a series long past its prime
Graphics:
The scenery looks creepy and foreboding, but character animations are a bit awkward
Sound:
A bright star in the game's dark sky. The voices and music capture the ominous feel of the X-Files perfectly
Playability:
A conspiracy involving poor aiming, confusing camera work, and locked doors make it difficult to get comfortable
Entertainment:
I want to believe that this game isn't boring as all get-out
Replay:
Moderate
Rated: 6.5 out of 10
Editor: Joe Juba
Issue: May 2004
2nd Opinion:
With a vast city to explore, two playable characters with intertwining stories, an abundance of locked doors, and more zombies than you can shake a bloody New York strip at, this is a surprisingly decent amalgamation of survival horror's heavy hitters – primarily Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Truth be told, I like this game. Sure, it has a fair share of problems – be it the vagueness of puzzles, or the frustrations that the camera brings – but I just couldn't seem to put it down. The sarcastic banter between Scully and Mulder is done very well, the story moves along at quick pace, and the gameplay is solid. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Rated: 7 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
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