Resident Evil: Deadly Silence Review (no fat)

Game Description

It has been ten years since the release of Capcom’s original Resident Evil game, and now the developers of the horror series are introducing a classic to gamers of the portable and modern era. But is the new game really a new game? Or just a transition from one platform to the other with a few updates thrown in? Answers to these questions and more lie ahead. Read on.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence Gameplay

Capcom has thrown an old game a new bone, by transitioning it to the Nintendo DS portable gaming system. The game is virtually the same as it was on the PlayStation with a few new updates added in for good measure. Environments in the old mansion are just as creepy looking as they were in the original, just in a smaller screen. However, Deadly Silence features a story mode as well as a multiplayer mode.

You will play as one of two S.T.A.R.S members, either Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield, and will have to combat zombies, monsters and vicious hellhounds throughout the game. The objetcive would be to find out what happened in that mansion, and what the Umbrella Corporation is trying to hide by finding clues and unlocking the mysteries of the mansion and its surrounding buildings. Of course, everyone knows that the Umbrella Corporation was conducting illegal experiments, and the zombies just happen to be an experiment that went horribly wrong. That’s where the S.T.A.R.S team comes in to save the day.

Unlike the console version of Resident Evil, the portable version doesn’t quite scare like it should. Yes, there are a few moments where gamers will jump, but nothing like the original. That is probably due to the small screen that the gamers are playing on. Also during gameplay, there are a limited amount of “tape ribbons” in which gamers can save their games. This can cause problems, as the game was transferred to a portable system. Gamers won’t want to waste a tape ribbon to save the game just to get out of the car.

However, the game does feature a mode unique to the series called the Rebirth mode. This mode features easier gameplay, more saves, more ammo and a new way to fight of the zombies by using the touch-screen. You will have to use the touch screen to complete puzzles, as well as shaking off attacking zombies. Also, at certain points in the game it switches to first person view, and you will have to swipe their finger or the stylus across the touch screen in order to slash at attacking zombies with a knife. After the zombie is taken care of, the screen switches back to normal view and gamers regain control of their character. Using fingers though seems a bit clunky and doesn’t do a good of job at warding off zombies. However, if you don’t use their fingers you’ll have to pause the game every time it switches to first person view just to grab your stylus. Either way, this makes for clunky gameplay.

Multiplayer action is also incorporated into gameplay. Games can play Vs. or Co-Op. Each mode of multiplayer can hold up to four gamers each who have a copy of the game. In Vs. gamers will race against each other to exit the mansion the quickest. However, gamers will never see their opponents. Instead, they see a star that represents their opponents should they enter a room where they are located. This, however, just takes away the intensity of the whole idea and spoils the fun. In Co-Op gamers will share a health bar, and will fight zombies together in order to exit the mansion. After a while, you will start to memorize the maps, and multiplayer will no longer be fun anymore.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence Graphics

The graphics in the game are taken from the previous version. There is nothing updated here besides a few details on each characters clothing. One would think that the developers would have made some updates in the graphics section, but unfortunately, this aspect was over looked. However, maybe they just wanted to retain the feel of the original game on an updated platform...still not a good enough excuse though.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence Audio

Audio in the game is down right spooky, and features an original sound track. The voice acting in the game is a bit cheesy, but the sound effects are presented very nicely. Gamers will tense up with they hear the sounds of zombie feet shuffling across the floor, or the squeaking of door hinges as they enter each room. Not to mention the moans of the zombies are downright terrifying.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence - Final Verdict

Capcom did alright when they brought a classic horror-action game to a portable platform. However, a lot more could have been updated in gameplay to keep players of the original version coming back for more. If you have played the original, don’t waste $29.99 to buy the game. If you need a horror fix with a few updates then go rent the game.