Explore Resident Evil Outbreak's survival horror gameplay, unique characters with special skills, the new virus gauge, inventory management, and weapon durability.
Resident Evil Outbreak is Capcom's survival horror installment for the PlayStation 2, featuring an online element where players team up with three other survivors (or two in offline mode) to escape one of five scenarios. This game introduces significant changes from previous installments, including a roster of eight ordinary civilians as playable characters, each with unique skills tied to their professions.
The playable characters include David, a plumber who can repair and create weapons; Alyssa, a journalist with a lock pick; Mark, a security guard with high stamina and a starting handgun; Kevin, an RPD officer with a kick attack and a handgun; Yoko, who can carry eight item slots; Jim, a subway employee skilled in puzzles; George, a surgeon who can create pills; and Cindy, a waitress adept at using herbs. Characters differ in behavior, vitality, and speed.
Gameplay features include a new virus gauge that constantly increases, leading to zombification in online mode or death in offline mode if it reaches 100%. Getting attacked accelerates this gauge. Inventory management is now a free-time activity, meaning players can be attacked while checking their map. Shoving and building barricades are defensive tactics. Each character has a limited inventory of 4 item slots.
Resident Evil Outbreak offers numerous melee weapons, such as the BUTCHER KNIFE, SCRUB BRUSH, and IRON PIPE, alongside firearms and throwable items like Molotov Cocktails and Chemical Bottles. Some weapons, like the IRON PIPE, have durability and will eventually break or be thrown at enemies. Basic defense includes shoving and stomping.
Teamwork is crucial, with players able to assist each other by lending support, exchanging items, and communicating through pre-scripted dialogue commands like "Help" and "Go." The Japanese version experienced long loading times, which could be mitigated with an HDD accessory. The game offers significant replay value through its extensive unlockables.
The music, produced by Akihiko Matsumoto, is well-regarded, with a soundtrack release planned for Japan in February. The game received the following scores:
- Gameplay: 10/10
- Music: 9/10
- Control: 7/10
- Replay value: 10/10
- Overall: 9/10
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