AFTER months of eager anticipation Resident Evil Outbreak is finally here, but it's not quite what one may have initially envisaged.

Gamers were disappointed when it was announced that the European release would not feature an online mode. Originally this had been the main attraction.

What Outbreak does feature, however, is five individual scenarios and eight playable characters, each with their own advantages.

Kevin, for example, is equipped with a hand 'gun from the start, whereas Yoko will be a firm favourite with many for she can hold the most items.

Unlike other offerings, Outbreak is not a linear story where one event naturally follows another.

In fact, the scenarios aren't really linked together at all and each storyline is sketchy at best.

Fans may feel a little let down by Capcom as this doesn't seem to do justice to what is otherwise a phenomenal series.

Gone are the loading door screens but in their place are the slowest loading times to appear in a game for a long time! Graphically Outbreak is okay but, compared to its predecessors on the GameCube, it is nothing special. Heads can't even be dismembered!

Admittedly the classic enemies all make an appearance, from the zombies to the hunters to the spiders.

There are also various cross-references to other Residential Evils that will no doubt please fans, such as the appearance of the Plant 42 and V Jolt poison.

Unfortunately, though, Resident Evil Outbreak is too short, graphically nothing special and overall a disappointment.

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £39.99

PLAYERS: 1

AGE RATING: 16+

GENRE: Survival horror

FORMAT: PS2

GRAPHICS: 14/20

SOUND: 16/20

GAMEPLAY: 17/25

LIFESPAN: 15/25

ORIGINALITY: 5/10

OVERALL: 67%

TOP 10

1 Burnout 3: Takedown

2 Conflict: Vietnam

3 Shellshock: Nam '67

4 Second Sight

5 Spider-man 2

6 Driv3r

7 Shrek 2

8 Doom 3

9 Headhunter: Redemption

10 Athens 2004

UPCOMING

Action Man Robot Atak; Animal Crossing; Call of Duty: United Offensive; Colin McRae Rally 2005; Crescent Suzuki Racing: Superbikes and Super Side Cars; EyeToy Chat; NHL 2005; Pilot Down