Resident Evil: Code Veronica X is a first for the series in many respects. Not only is it the first game to be in full 3D, it also happens to be the first game not to debut and have a timed exclusive to the PlayStation. Needless to say, many gamers were excited to see what would become of this supposed “side-story” of the Resident Evil saga.

Seeing the first screenshots released, many people were surprised at how much power the Dreamcast really had. At the time, Code Veronica looked amazing, with considerably detailed polygon models and 3D backgrounds that put the old pre-rendered overlays to shame.

It’s surprising how far things have come in a mere four years. Now, CVX looks considerably dated. Low poly characters on foggy, bland backgrounds and an amount of pixelation I didn’t think possible back then. Playing with others, it becomes a game of who can spot the graphical flaws first. Among the more serious offenders are close ups of main characters, such as the free-range pixel farm that has taken up residence in Steve’s (new) hair. Backgrounds also have a mysterious ability to fade into the fog quicker than one can say “ZOMBIES!!!” Even the FMVs don’t look all that impressive and the models and animations have a “clay-like” quality to them.

Fortunately, music and sound aren’t as easily improved on over time. Code Veronica X still has one of the better soundtracks of the Resident Evil series and maintains the sense of atmosphere that the graphics are no longer able to. Of course, as with all RE games before the GC REmake, the voice acting is absolutely atrocious, especially Claire’s new companion, Steve. Whenever he appears onscreen, one cannot help but shudder preemptively.

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X follows the adventures of Claire Redfield. While in search of her brother, Chris, she is captured by Umbrella’s forces in Paris. As she wakes up in a dingy cell, her captor explains that she’s on an island belonging to the evil corporation. Surprisingly enough, he frees her, telling her to escape. Evidently the island has just been invaded by a group of “special forces” and is in turmoil. Of course, this means the T-Virus has leaked, zombies and other mutated creatures abound, and Claire is armed with a knife. Joy.

Half-way through the game, players take control of Chris, in his efforts to locate and rescue his sister. In the end, they end up in Antarctica (?) slogging through a nigh exact replica of the original Mansion from RE1 (?!). While the other Resident Evil games are not the model for believable plots, Code Veronica X takes the cake in terms of absolute absurdity. I am not going to get into the Alfred/Alexia situation. It’s that preposterous.

In typical Resident Evil fashion, Claire and company solve obscure puzzles and spend much of their time avoiding or killing things that are after their soft delicious brains. Sadly, you are unable to make zombies explode. No decapitation, no limbs flying. This might seem a slightly unusual complaint, but one must understand: the attraction of Resident Evil is not that it is frightening. In fact, it isn’t remotely scary, nor has it ever been. The appeal of Resident Evil games is that one will giggle foolishly like a schoolgirl at the grotesque moaning zombies shuffling around and then blow them into smithereens. I had personally hoped that the GameCube port would have added this entirely necessary aspect, but I was sadly disappointed.

Many may be wondering what’s new with this port. There are a couple of new cut-scenes, but rather than further explaining the already convoluted plotline, they merely serve to confuse. (OK, Wesker the almighty super-being just kicked Claire in the head about three times. Why isn’t she dead/unconscious/bleeding from the ears?) The inclusion of Wesker’s Report was a nice addition for the PS2 version, but hardly necessary and as such wasn't included in the GameCube version. The only substantial improvement is the inclusion of REmake’s Control Type C.

In the end, Resident Evil: Code Veronica X is still a worthy entry to the series. However, the port was clearly pushed out to get a few thousand more copies sold, rather than to improve upon the original game. Unless you’re a Resident Evil fanatic who wishes to have the entire series on one system and money to burn, Code Veronica X isn’t really worth a purchase even with the added content.