One person controls two people? Don't fret, this game is as much Resident Evil as it is a high-definition masterpiece!
Resident Evil Zero is the story of what happened before the mansion incident (the events of Resident Evil), and how the T-Virus got to infect the radius around the area. The game includes a few characters that you might recognise, such as Rebecca Chambers (Resident Evil), and William Birkin (Resident Evil 2), as well as some new faces, such as the mysterious drifter and alleged convict Billy Coen, who is sentenced to execution for the supposed murder of 23 innocent people. On top of this you still get the classic but evil humour of the sinister Albert Wesker.
Some of the newest features of this game have the potential to blow anyone anyway, with a lot of focus on the new Character Swapping method of gameplay. To shorten the speech, Character Swapping is essentially pressing the X Button while still to swap with your partner character at the time, which is either Billy or Rebecca. The use of this technique can be very diverse throughout the game, using the two to swap items, give boosts, solve puzzles, do things simultaneously and also it is used to double your combat force against some of the stronger enemies of this game, which frequently show up.
At that, there are a multitude of new foes to set your fire on to. A vast array of warped creatures have been experimented on just for this game, such as the gigantic cockroach, which is truly a bother to take down in close combat. The bosses become more imaginative as the games are made, Resident Evil Zero bringing out bosses such as the Gigantic Centipede boss, as well as the failed experiment the "Tyrant".
The graphics in this game should blow anyone away straight from the beginning, the game's opening sequence not only showing off some nice textures, but boasting an attractive rain sequence as well. Additionally, the sound quality is superb, an original soundtrack being composed by Seiko Kobuchi, being their first soundtrack, before in later years composing soundtracks for Megaman X, Disney's Aladdin and the ever so fabled third-person blockbuster Resident Evil 4.
Overall, this game will treat you well for purchasing or renting it, as it offers huge areas to explore, a sinister plot and puzzles to confuse even the wisest adventurer, while immersing character developments and graphic environments will have you holding your breath till the final credits.
Graphics - 9/10
Sound - 8.5/10
Gameplay - 10/10
Overall - 9.5/10