A re-review of the HD version on the PS3/PS4.
Is used to really like RE0. The train, the darkness, the quiet atmosphere...I liked it more than RE1. It was one of the first games I played on my GameCube way back in 2004 and I was excited to play through it again remastered in HD. Disappointment has overwhelmed me. First of all, the reformatted aspect ratio doesn't work too well. The game was not designed for 1.78:1 and it is so cramped that important details are often cropped out of the frame.
And the controls...don't get me started. They are a nightmare! This is a game that frequently relies on fast escapes or quick-witted agility, but with the constantly switching camera angles the coordination and orientation causes havoc with the controller. I wanted to grind the controller into dust in my hands.
Why is the game so slow? The RE format of collecting items to open new areas to collect new items to open new areas is just far too tedious in 2017. I know that the "door opening" clips are a staple of the early RE series, but they were really just made to cleverly disguise the new areas being loaded. There is no reason for them to still be present on the PS3 it slows down the tension and becomes very boring very quickly.
The story of the game itself is good enough. Set right before the events of the first game it details the events leading up to the incident at Spencer Mansion. You take control of Rebecca Chambers (who had a small role in RE1) and escaped convict Billy Coen, switching between them as you wish. The AI of the characters is so poor, however, that they will constantly be getting in your way. A zombie after you? Don't expect Rebecca to move just slightly to the left to let you escape!
Once you finish the main game you will unlock Wesker Mode and Leech Hunter, a mini-game where you run around the training facility collecting little charms. Win this and you'll unlock more weapons with infinity ammo. Sadly, the Platinum is far too difficult. There are 48 trophies and some of them require you to finish the WHOLE GAME without saving or using a healing item. Even on easy mode with the infinite ammo and powerful weapons you will find this nearly impossible.
Older games remastered in HD are usually quite good, but the concept of RE0 was tailored for lesser systems and it should have been given a bigger overhaul.
