Introduction
Umbrella Inc. must have a really great public relations department. How else can you explain how these guys manage to create a lethal virus, blow up a huge mansion, and infect, then obliterate a major city without losing face in the eyes of the public consumers? The Resident Evil series has come a long way over the course of four games (five if you count Gun Survivor...which we won't). Code Veronica X marks the fourth installment in the survival horror series. While first released for the Dreamcast, it has finally made its way to the Playstation 2.


Gameplay
Variety is, in fact, one of the problems with Code Veronica. By itself, it isn't necessarily a bad game. But beyond new enemies, some weapons and locations, this one feels a little too familiar. It would be nice if Capcom could find ways to shake up and liven the gameplay a bit. As it stands, RE:CVX should please some fans, but not as much as it should. Being a Resident Evil game, the playtime is rather short (roughly 2-5 hours). Sadly, there are far less secrets to find andfewer reasons to play the thing through again. Admittedly, there is some replay value, just not as much as in previous games. The unlockable mini-game is fun for a little while, and 1st-person view is definitely worth seeing.

Story
Just how far has Resident Evil come? Graphically, RE:CVX easily outshines its predecessors on all counts. From realistic, beautiful cutscenes to convincing fire effects and loads of rotting monsters, Code Veronica X packs quite a punch. While not on the same level as the stunning Gamecube remake of the original, it's still quite awe-inspiring. The backgrounds are completely 3D, unlike previous games. The PS2's graphic power does what it can to compensate for the loss of pre-rendered environments, but never seems to achieve the same detail. Luckily, the scenery is great enough on its own, so this is hardly a problem. And with 3D environments, the camera is able to dynamically follow the character and (usually) offer the best view. Plus, this afforded the developers the ability to add new kinds of scares that just wouldn't work with a pre-rendered Resident Evil. The sound is about the same as in the last games. Zombies moan in the distance as fire crackles up from demolished vehicles. Besides sound effects, the music also helps to draw players into the game's twisted world. The controls are basically the same as they always were, which may irritate some gamers. Fortunately, a few helpful abilities have been brought along to assist with movement. For example, the useful quick-turn is always a lifesaver; and auto-aim is nice when you don't have the best camera angle (fairly often, actually). The gameplay should be familiar to fans of the series. Playing a new Resident Evil is like seeing the latest Bond film. It's fast, formulaic, and fun. Sure, you know there's going to be an exploding laboratory and a huge monster at the end. Don't expect too
many new surprises, though.

Graphics
Resident Evil: Code Veronica X is sure to attract fans and newcomers alike. With a deceptively deep plot, great visuals, and gameplay that's to die for; it won't be too hard for gamers to see past the clumsy controls and short game lifespan.