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Resident Evil Outbreak: File 2
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is another dark entry in a scary series. Parents should be aware that it is full of profanity, violence, and creepy creatures, such as a zombie with an exposed brain and a whip-like tongue. Parents need to know that the star rating given this game is based on quality of gameplay and not an endorsement of the violence.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
it is 4 every one it is not bad or that hard to beat
small improvement over the last outbreak
What's it about?
RESIDENT EVIL OUTBREAK: FILE 2 takes place in Raccoon City, where a few surviving denizens have banded together to attempt to leave the virus-infected city before the government blows it to smithereens. As in previous versions, Raccoon City is invested by zombies, as well as a host of other creatures including giant insects, blood-crazed animals, and mutant monsters.
Puzzles abound, and players must think carefully about the strategy they use, for it can change what happens next. In single-player mode, you can choose to play as one of eight characters, then pick two other characters who will accompany you. An abundance of supplies may be found, though you may only hold four or five supplies at a time. Ignore your companions, and they might ignore your requests for help or vital items, such as ammunition.
Is it any good?
The extensive detail in the gameplay and environments means long load times and plenty of glitches. It is sometimes difficult to tell what is happening during the action (the character's POV is skewed). Fighting is clumsy and redundant, and players may grow frustrated by the inability to manually save the game at a given point. You may only save when you come across typewriters, which aren't as numerous as they should be.
This is a thinking game, meaning players must learn a great deal and then figure out how to use what they learn. A car battery may be used to construct a bomb; a lighter and can of pesticide can be turned into a flame thrower. Because the action seems to be taking place far away, the violence doesn't seem as immediate as in some of the mature war time games, but there is plenty of creepy stuff. This creepiness, combined with the clunkiness and the time-suck factor, make it for fans only -- and mature fans at that.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the scary elements of the game. Why is this series so popular -- does its haunting characters and mood make it more appealing? Why or why not? What do you think of the dark world presented here? How does it compare with your own vision of the future?
Game details
- Platforms: PlayStation 2
- Price: $49.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: Capcom
- Release date: April 27, 2005
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating: M
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.