7.0(Chris & Jill playthroughs) Resident evil is a game that shows it age. Whether it be through it's clunky controls or dialogue it reminds you often its core is 24 years old and yet it manages to rise above the clunk for the most part thanks to it's great design. RE is a survival horror through and through with resource management being incredibly important throughout, whether it be the ammo of your weapons to defend you from the monsters that dwell in the mansion, or just what items you bring with you in your puny 6 item slots. One frustration for me was that there was no way to discard a item without using it which would lead to me having to backtrack to a supply box to store something and then run back to finally pick up the key item. If your new this will happen constantly throughout the game and annoyed to no end by the conclusion. The combat is functional and allows you to take on the great ensemble of monsters in a satisfying but limiting way. There are also plenty of fun puzzles that within the game that hit the sweet spot of being challenging but not overly frustrating. The mystery and intrigue of what has taken place in this mansion is palpable as you are fed bread crumbs at every turn in true horror fashion. The game isn't particularly scary but there is real tension as you explore the mansion not knowing what awaits you around the corner and it is ever present, as areas evolve throughout the game so even areas you know may not be the same. The games environmental design is where it shines though, as every room is distinct to each other even if it doesn't appear that way at the start, by the end you will know this place like your own home and its impeccable design makes the backtracking and opening of new areas all the more fulfilling. The story is good but the janky acting gives it a bit more goof than would be ideal for my preference, but the cheesiness might captivate you. The 2 playthrough have tweaks like different side characters and small changes in how the plot unfolds but in general are very similar. When it's all said and done Re falls just short of being an all time classic but it's importance to the survival horror genre cannot be understated.
