Resident Evil: Deadly Silence Nintendo DS

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence is a revamped version of 1996’s genredefining horror game on the original PlayStation. Of course, the differences between the two platforms has necessitated a few changes, including some allnew segments designed to take advantage of the handheld’s touchscreen capabilities. Otherwise the story line, characters, and the underlying premise are identical to the original Resident Evil: two members of the S.T.A.R.S. rescue squad are stranded near a supposedly abandoned mansion. As they investigate the whereabouts of former team members, they will soon learn some disturbing news: the "residents" are of the zombie persuasion and are more than a little famished. Taking control of Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, players must advance through the mansion, looking for clues, solving puzzles, and engaging in bloodsoaked combat with all manner of undead creatures.

New to the DS version is the ability for characters to attack using a knife, now a permanent part of a character’s equipment inventory. Knife attacks automatically switch the game’s default thirdperson perspective to a firstperson view, with the stylus used to perform slashing and thrusting motions by sliding it across the lower screen. The touchscreen interface is also used in some reworked puzzle elements, from manually spinning valves to entering security codes for locked doors, as well as in defensive situations where players can shake away from an enemy’s grip. The microphone will even be used at various points, as Jill Valentine can revive fallen comrades. The game is designed to offer surprises for Resident Evil veterans, as enemies will occasionally appear in waves. Also new to the game is a multiplayer element, allowing up to four players to compete in individual challenges against one another or to clear out zombies as a team. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide