Mike_Bracken's Full Review: Parasite Eve for PlayStation 1
When Square released Parasite Eve, their goal was simple, if a bit lofty--to implement the gameplay mechanics of titles like Tomb Raider and Resident Evil into an RPG type of game. The end result of this experiment is something of a mixed bag, as Parasite Eve succeeds on some levels and falls short on others.
Marketed as the first "Cinematic RPG" and based on a popular Japanese novel, Parasite Eve was a highly anticipated game. It tells the story of Aya Brea, an NYC detective hot on the trail of a woman possessed by an alien symbiote called Eve. Whenever normal humans come into contact with Eve, they experience a harsh mitochondrial reaction, which causes them to burst into flame--fortunately, Aya is immune to this, although no one knows why. Your quest is to guide Aya through the city, fighting mutated animals and unraveling the mystery of what Eve is and where she came from.
The gameplay is interesting, with you maneuvering Aya through several different locales (including Central Park). You must search for ammo and weapons, as well as solve some simple puzzles. Occasionally, you will encounter a monster (usually in the form of a snake, mutated rat, or crocodile) with whom you must do battle--this is when things get interesting. Instead of featuring the standard RPGs side based battle screens, the battles in Parasite Eve are totally interactive. You and the monster are in close quarters, with both of you able to move about freely while you wait for your attack meter to charge. It's also a bit frustrating, as most of the areas are very small, which makes avoiding enemy hits nearly impossible.
The game's detailed storyline is divulged through both interaction with the other characters, and some really nice looking FMV sequences. The FMV sequences are like watching a movie, and really add to the overall experience of the game. Unfortunately, some of them are rather lengthy. If you die and have to resume your game prior to the FMV sequence, you'll have to watch the whole thing again. Die several times in one area and this can become majorly annoying.
Perhaps most disappointing is the game's length. This is a short game, especially for one made by Square. Expect to beat this one in around 10 hours. There is an "EX mode" that's playable after you beat the game the first time, but the only real difference is that you can now enter the Chrysler Building--which didn't really make it worth playing through again (but it is kind of fun to go through the first day or two fighting monsters with your best weapon, which you get to keep).
Overall, Parasite Eve is an interesting game, both for its attempted innovations, and its interesting storyline. Gamers expecting the typical Square RPG will be letdown, but those looking for an immersive, interactive gaming experience should find enough here to hold their interest.
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