Resident Evil - Code: Veronica X (Xbox 360 - XBLA, 2nd completion)
Originally released for the Sega Dreamcast in February of 2000, Resident Evil - Code: Veronica was the fourth mainline entry in the series up to that point. While the actual fourth game in the series was released five years later, Code: Veronica is considered a side story. Previous new releases were on the Sony Playstation, but this game started on the Dreamcast first. My friend, Marc, had a Dreamcast and bought this game. He eventually let me borrow the console and I beat the game in early 2001, I think. Because of the small customer base of the Dreamcast, Capcom later ported the game to newer consoles that were coming out: the Sony Playstation 2 and Nintendo GameCube. It was retitled as Code: Veronica X and it is the same as the Dreamcast version overall. There are 10 minutes of extra cinematics to help flesh out the background of series antagonist Albert Wesker (though this is not included in this HD version), and some graphical alterations. I have no memory of replaying the game on PS2 though surprisingly, I remembered quite a bit of the game when I played it this week after 21 years. The game was ported in HD in 2011 for PS3 and Xbox 360 while backwards compatibility was added on Xbox One in 2019. This is the version I played and will be reviewing. After 21 years, it was nice to revisit this Dreamcast classic and wish this would get the modern remake treatment that Capcom has been doing lately. This HD release isn't that great and I'd argue Capcom was kind of lazy with it. I beat the game last night with a "D" ranking in 9 hours and 58 minutes, with 13 saves, and 18 retries (the vast majority of those came from a boss fight I got screwed over a lot).
In December 1998, three months after escaping from Raccoon City (seen in Resident Evil 2) prior to its eventual destruction (seen in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis), Claire Redfield raids an Umbrella Corporation facility in Paris in search of her brother, Chris Redfield. Discovered by Umbrella's security forces and eventually captured, Claire is imprisoned on Rockfort Island, a prison complex owned by the corporation, situated in the Southern Ocean. Sometime after her imprisonment, Claire finds herself released by the man who captured her, and discovers that an outbreak of the T-virus has occurred. In the resulting chaos, she finds herself teaming up with Steve Burnside, another inmate seeking to escape. In their repeated efforts to explore the island and find the means to leave, the pair finds themselves confronting the island's commander, Alfred Ashford.
To see the entire game (PS3 version), go here or below:
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Graphics/Art-8
+ During the time of the Sega Dreamcast, Code: Veronica was an impressive looking game that dripped with atmosphere. It was definitely a step up from the original Playstation games before it. Besides the prison island and research facility settings, the game has a lot of European gothic horror influence.
+ Unlike previous games in the series which used pre-rendered backgrounds, Code: Veronica X uses real-time 3D environments. Because of this, the camera is more dynamic than in previous games. The camera will follow, pan, and zoom as you navigate your character through the environment, similar to Capcom's own Dino Crisis (1999). The story is told through cinematic CGI sequences and real-time cutscenes.
+ Most 2D graphics and menus have been upscaled and have good detail in this HD version.
- This HD version is just a simple upscale. The textures weren't really redone in HD so there is a lot of pixelation and blur-in from the original release. This version is also a little too dark filter-wise. The FMV scenes are also quite pixeated and not remastered. I'm glad Capcom later didn't do this for the HD remaster of the first RE Remake and RE Zero (review here), but I feel this game would benefit from a true remaster.
Sound/Music-9
+ Classic RE background music seems to always jive with the setting it is in and contributes to its horror atmosphere. The sound effects are good too.
+ I do like the save room music in this game. I surprisingly even remembered it after all these years too.
+ The over-the-top voice acting and cheesy dialogue return... and I love it! Alfred Ashford steals the show in this game.
Control-7
+ I remember the controls on the Dreamcast controller fitting this game well. It plays no different than the previous Resident Evil games.
- The default controls for this HD version can take awhile to get used to. You cannot customize them at all nor have the option for classic "tank" or new "alternate" control movement. You are totally stuck on the classic tank controls and button assignment.
Gameplay-9
+ Resident Evil - Code: Veronica X features survival horror gameplay, similar to previous Resident Evil games. This includes the series signature controls, interface, puzzles, as well as zombies and monsters to battle.
+ One half of Code: Veronica X places you in control of Claire Redfield while the other half is spent with her brother, Chris. Basic character actions include running, attacking, as well as pushing and climbing objects. Items you collect can be viewed on the status screen. From here, they can be examined to find clues to solve puzzles, and some can also be equipped. Also available in the status screen is a map and file menu. All notes found in the game are saved in game's files and may be essential to solve puzzles. You can only hold a limited number of items at a given time; other items must be stored in storage boxes located throughout the game.
+ The player character may receive damage, which can be healed with restore items. Herbs, which restore character health, can be combined with other types of herbs to become more effective. Too much damage will result in a game over. At this point, the game must be continued from the last save point. A partner's death will also result in a game over. Some weapons are better suited for battling certain enemies, some of which have weaknesses to elements like fire or acid.
+ Once the main game is cleared once, a "Battle Mode" is unlocked. This is a minigame in which the player character is given infinite ammo and places them in various locations from the main game with different enemies. In addition to the Redfield siblings, this mode allows you to control supporting character Steve Burnside and antagonist Albert Wesker, as well as a version of Claire in a new wardrobe.
- I found Chris' turn on Rockfort Island to not be as well executed as Claire's. There was a lot of backtracking to item boxes that were usually too far away compared to Claire. It really slows the game down though things pick up when Chris reaches the research facility.
- Unlike previous games in the series, this game has a couple of scenarios that can really screw the player over. One is the battle with Nosferatu: you only get seven sniper bullets to try and defeat him with and if you run out, tough luck, you need to be killed and retry again (I found out later you can actually use the knife to kill him as a last resort, but it is unlikely that players will have it in their inventory for the battle). The other is running away from a mutated Steve: if you didn't bring full healing items with you and use them quickly, he can kill you in one or two hits that are impossible to avoid.
Fun/Story/Misc-9
+ Setting-wise, Code: Veronica X is one of the better games in the series. A prison island owned by Umbrella was the better part of the game compared to the research facility in Antarctica, which I felt was so-so. I did like the kind-of throwback to the Spencer mansion from the first game later on though. I remember playing this game's abridged story in Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles on Nintendo Wii (2013 review here).
+ I did enjoy the characters and cheesy voice acting and dialogue. Alfred Ashford is a riot!
- As I emphasized above, it was disappointing that the game's textures weren't remastered and that everything was simply upscaled. To be fair, part of the problem may be playing the game on a 4K TV. I do hope this game will get a future remake like the others.
- Steve Burnside is obnoxious and I hope we never get to see him again!
- There is no extra content in this version, leaving only the main game and unlockable battle game.
Total: 42/50 (Grade Level: B)
The Resident Evil - Code: Veronica X website is long gone. The Wikipedia article is here.
Next Game: BioShock: The Collection (Xbox One)
Currently playing: Mega Man V (3DS Virtual Console - GB)
