Gaming Target - GameCube: Resident Evil Code: Veronica X

Written by D'Marcus Beatty on October 21, 2003

Final Glimpse: Zombies, monsters, and Leonardo DiCaprioЕin 3D for the first time! Well, for the zombies and monsters anyway.

Code Veronica is one of the most critically acclaimed and fan lauded iterations of Resident Evil since RE2. Debuting on the now defunct Dreamcast, Code Veronica offered beautiful (and fully 3D) graphics, an engaging storyline, absorbing gameplay, and some answers and treats for the RE faithful. Now, years after its release, Gamecube owners will be able to sample the RE instant classic.

Code Veronica is the fourth Resident Evil title, continuing the events that began in RE2. The story is filled with twists, including eccentric characters such as a Leonardo Dicaprio look-alike with domestic emotional baggage, a matriarchal, tyrannical УqueenФ of Umbrella, and her subservient УtwinФ brother with identity issues. Of course, there are also the RE protagonists, Claire Redfield and her brother Chris, both of whom the players have an opportunity to control. Claire will begin the story, with Chris following much later, playing through the stages Claire has already finished, albeit with the changes her presence has affected, similar to the disk-swapping ability of the second RE. There are also a few surprises, including a return character from an earlier RE. Of course, there is the expected zombie bashing, undead dogs, and even some new and creepy foes to scare players out of their skin. There will also be the RE staple of numerous puzzles, although Capcom did attempt to make the puzzles more realistic in this version, instead of the extremely unlikely obstacles that one could expect in earlier RE iterations.

Code Veronica is also the first (and currently only) RE with fully 3D graphics. Unlike the prerendered environments that the RE aficionados expect, RE: CV has moving cameras and a 3D environment. The graphics themselves are lovely, though somewhat dated. Though revolutionary for the Dreamcast, the graphics are now just slightly unimpressive, although they are far from ugly.

The storyline is one of the most impressive aspects of Code Veronica. Those who have been with RE since the beginning will especially appreciate some of the story twists and environments that CV brings. In CV, players will find the actual origins of the infamous T-virus and explore the origins of the evil Umbrella Corporation. Although like any RE, CV has a few dry moments, but it still does a really good job of exciting and motivating the player to continue, especially in the beginning and towards the end. There are also a number of games that can be unlocked upon game completion, including a time-attack mode that allows you to choose a character, and then rush through some of the game's locations as quickly as possible.