There's no doubt that anyone even vaguely interested in, well, anything will have heard of Resident Evil. Whether it's the big-budget (but disappointing) films starring Milla Jovovich or Capcom's long-running gaming series that's scared us silly for years, you know what you're getting: zombies, and lots of them.
Unlike the 2D Resident Evil we reviewed not so long ago, this is the all-singing, all-dancing true 3D action adventurer console owners all know and love. Well, almost the same – obviously there are a few alterations to become accustomed to.
For a start, the old exploration and puzzle-based meandering while blasting persistent hoards of groaning zombies has been replaced with a heap of objective-focused missions to play through, instead.
Starring Jill Valentine, who veteran admirers of the series will fondly remember, you're tasked with completing various missions in order to reach the top end of a level selection pyramid.
These missions are fairly straightforward. Upon choosing one of the few on offer (more unlock as you progress), you're given a brief rundown on just what your task is, and what you can expect to be in your way.
Ranging from saving a few innocent civilians caught up in the flesh-feasting madness to clearing room fulls of the undead, each mission only lasts a few minutes at most. Perfect for a crafty mid-morning toilet break at work, then.
With your mission-based choices ensuring you miss hefty numbers of levels as you trundle slowly along the pyramid, you'll find yourself willing to start all over again purely to try out a different branch – a testament to how much fun the zombie splattering is.
Though it might look like classic Resident Evil, controlling Jill (and the few secret characters you can unlock) isn't quite as frustrating as it has been in the past. Instead of spinning her on the spot then moving forwards, now Jill will simply wander whichever way you prod her in. Sounds obvious but this direct control is a real blessing, and means an end to feeling like you're turning an oil filled tanker rather than a sprightly female.
Another huge help is the ability to simply flick between running and walking with a quick press of one of your mobile's buttons, enabling you to speedily rush along empty corridors.
Not that you're without guidance. Icons appear above doors to encourage you in the right direction, while pick-ups flash a dazzling shiny silver to urge you over to them. And it might be a setting overrun by hordes of death-bringing beasties but, luckily, the franchise's signature health-boosting green herbs are there to save you from certain death.
Also helpful is the aiming, which is handled automatically. You just switch to the aiming stance by a swift button press and a zombie will be right in the middle of your crosshairs. Then simply tweak the aim to shoot at their weak spot, and blast away until they're reduced to bloody entrails.
You'll need all this help, too, as every mission comes with a strict time limit. These limits can be lengthened by offing a few evil zombies, but you'll still find it tricky to rush through some of the later missions within the time allowed.
Visually, it all looks rather swish, with the series' 3D aesthetics transferring very well to mobile. The pre-rendered backdrops are dark and suitably decayed, and Jill herself looks pretty gorgeous – even if her run animation does look a little, well, laboured, to say the least.
Nevertheless, we'll go as far as saying that if you're packing the hardware, the game is worth a buy purely to drool over its looks. (Though it's worth mentioning the sound hasn't been forgotten, with nice, groany effects adding to the already tense atmosphere.)
For 3D
mobile actionfans, then, this is one of the best examples around. It's got oodles of missions to play through, all of which are not only thoughtfully done but pack a lot of action-led fun, too. Not that zombie-blasting is ever dull, but when it's done up to Resident Evil standard, you know it'll be thrilling stuff.
