Resident Evil: Survivor

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Aug 30, 2000
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 99
  3. Negative: 24 out of 99
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  1. Spiral_Storm
    Jan 4, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is the only title of the Resident Evil Series which I have been able to play through all the way to the end...Warning! This review contains a few spoilers. Therefore, do not continue to read unless you have either...1: Played the game before. Or...2: Do not mind finding out potential details which may alter your gaming experience if you have not played Resident Evil Survivor before.

    The pros...
    1: Great storyline!
    2: Good selection of weapons.
    3: The ability to choose your path (Which also affects the endgame result).
    4: Awesome characters!
    5: Very good game-play and controls; a great example of a good first person survival-horror shooter!

    The cons...
    1: A couple of the songs are not good for the game (For example the song which plays when you're in battling zombies in the cinema.
    2: Some of the voice acting is mediocre and a little cliche...The scene where the main character hears a recording of the mother of the antagonist.

    The rundown...You see a helicopter crashing to the ground and bursting into flames after seeing a vindictive blonde man telling the pilot of the copter quote: 'You're not going to get away!'. The pilot, a young man with brown hair tumbles out of the helicopter. He stands up and glances around...He has no idea where he is or who he is or how he got here. The only thing he knows is this...He has a gun and a will to survive. And so the game starts.

    You play as Mister Ark Thompson, a man working undercover for Leon S. Kennedy who had been sent to Sheena Island to investigate harrowing events involving one Vincent Goldman. Unfortunately, just moments before the first cut-scene, Vincent finds out who Ark is and a chase ensues, resulting in both men falling down unconscious and Ark having a case of amnesia.

    The game-play is very good, as mentioned above, as is the storyline. However, all throughout the game, you are playing in first-person perspective, which differs from other titles of the Resident Evil Series. I grew up with first-person shooters like Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, Hexen, and later, Duke Nukem 3D. I did not have any experience with a third-person shooter until I discovered Sony Playstation and one of it's best games, Tomb Raider II.

    And in my opinion, combining a survival-horror game with a first-person perspective not only makes a game a lot more interesting, but it also brings an additional challenge to the game...Seeing everything through the eyes of your character, which may essentially make it seem as though you are experiencing everything he is...The pain, the confusion, and later, the astonishment.

    I don't understand why so many people are against Resident Evil Survivor. Do they somehow feel a first person shooter should not be made into a survival horror game? Do they feel the graphics are bad or perhaps the short length of time before the game is completed? Granted, I know the graphics are not state of the art (And for a game of the very early 2000's what can you expect?) and I realize the game can be finished very quickly, but if you are like me, then you will want to complete the game to 100%. And being such a person means finding all of the weapons, all of the documents, and visiting every area of the game at least once during a play-through.

    The bottom line...I feel this game is highly underestimated and highly over-criticized and I feel it perhaps deserves another chance. I know the graphics are dated by now, but in my opinion, this is one game which will remain in my collection forever if possible. I feel it is a classic among first-person shooters and even among survival-horror games. In fact, I remember the first time I completed it...My 'score' was not perfect, but I was worried about having to fight Hypnos Tyrant while the survivors were in their helicopter and he came back for another helping of cold, hard, revenge!

    And so as their chopper flies off into the distance beyond the endless ocean and the horizon as the Sun rises, who knows what becomes of Lott Klein, his younger sister Lily, and of course, Ark Thompson?    … Expand
  2. MohammadM
    Jan 15, 2010
    9
    This RE version is full of mystic and mysterious soundtrack that is so penetrating to my soul. I enjoyed playing it and living it. I also like the graphics and its gloomy nature, more adding to the true feel of RE. Thanks.
  3. KeenanS
    Jun 7, 2009
    7
    This game isn't perfect and could use a bit of fine-tuning, but I actually enjoyed Survivor. It was an FPS that actually functioned properly on the PSone and was mostly fun to play. Sure the graphics and story are bad, and moving your character is slow, but this game is still quite fun to play and offers a decent time. There's plenty of weapons, lots of enemies to shoot, and This game isn't perfect and could use a bit of fine-tuning, but I actually enjoyed Survivor. It was an FPS that actually functioned properly on the PSone and was mostly fun to play. Sure the graphics and story are bad, and moving your character is slow, but this game is still quite fun to play and offers a decent time. There's plenty of weapons, lots of enemies to shoot, and some interesting bosses. Don't write it off just because of the bad reviews from critics, this game is decent.… Expand
  4. Gatitokats
    Jul 3, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. For me it is one of the best resident evil for PlayStation, it was the first to have this first person mode, I played it when I was little and it certainly caused me a lot of fear, the campaign was simple but fun, and these days they are games that you finish in a couple of hours… Expand
  5. ccrogers15
    Jan 27, 2012
    10
    No, its not the best game, no, its not a horror game. But, it is a fun game. Its also pretty hard. Dont listen to critics. The only reason they wont review it good, is because of one of these:
    1. They are jealous that they cant have it on there craptendo and its PS1 exclusive.
    2. They find it too hard and are losers.
  6. PIRANHAG.
    Jul 6, 2003
    0
    Wht the f*** is this??? this is not a resident evil game!!!! it´s not a survival horror game!!! it doesnt have a good storyline! Please, who is reading this don´t bought this f****** game!!
  7. ziko_xman
    Dec 15, 2016
    10
    maybe it's not the best in the series but if you look for a challenge this one well be good for you , because you just can't save this game .
    if you die you must play again from the beginning
    I enjoyed playing it
  8. hassc
    Sep 21, 2020
    0
    The worst game u could ever play. Dunno who wanna get this game, I finished it but I wish I didn't .... ahhhh the story ommmmmg u can only say wtf
  9. sprintinmario
    Feb 8, 2014
    7
    So where to begin with this game. Well the idea a first person resident evil game that is pretty damn cool in it of it self. Yes the graphics aren't very good even for PlayStation 1 standards but your in first person so they have to use 3d-backrounds instead of pre-rendered ones. I'm just gonna say the story was absolute balls. The soundtrack was actually fantastic and really soulSo where to begin with this game. Well the idea a first person resident evil game that is pretty damn cool in it of it self. Yes the graphics aren't very good even for PlayStation 1 standards but your in first person so they have to use 3d-backrounds instead of pre-rendered ones. I'm just gonna say the story was absolute balls. The soundtrack was actually fantastic and really soul piercing at times. I also like the assortment of guns at your disposal. But i need to say the inventory sucked its not really challenging if you can carry your entire arsenal with you wherever you go. Also the final boss sucked worse then Resident evil 4's final boss. Also for best scare factor turn sound to stereo and plug in headphones enjoy. :)… Expand
  10. GreenSkullRider
    Feb 26, 2017
    8
    Otro juego que la prensa especializada aplasto, como deberian arrepentirse el dia de hoy de haber hecho eso. este juego es un Resident Evil de los clasicos en Primera persona (Si Resident Evil 7 no fue el primero). un juego que peca de un par de detalles, como la municion infinita de la pistola basica, historia algo corta con la salvedad que es rejugable por los caminos que tomamos queOtro juego que la prensa especializada aplasto, como deberian arrepentirse el dia de hoy de haber hecho eso. este juego es un Resident Evil de los clasicos en Primera persona (Si Resident Evil 7 no fue el primero). un juego que peca de un par de detalles, como la municion infinita de la pistola basica, historia algo corta con la salvedad que es rejugable por los caminos que tomamos que cambian las cosas. buen puñado de enemigos y puzles clasicos. y lo mejor. este juego es "canonico" dentro de la saga. asi que la historia que aprendas aca al igual que el Dead aim importan para comprender todo lo que sucedio con umbrella. un muy buen juego.… Expand
  11. LoletinAlexis
    May 16, 2021
    4
    Resident Evil: Survivor was the closure of the saga's passage through the original PlayStation... And it was a rather disappointing closure.

    *STORY*: The player takes control of an amnesiac protagonist, who desperately fights against the odds to stay alive and discover his identity. The idea looks interesting (and the lore it contains proves that it is), but it's simply executed in a    Resident Evil: Survivor was the closure of the saga's passage through the original PlayStation... And it was a rather disappointing closure.

    *STORY*: The player takes control of an amnesiac protagonist, who desperately fights against the odds to stay alive and discover his identity.

    The idea looks interesting (and the lore it contains proves that it is), but it's simply executed in a way that is woefully bad.

    **2/5 stars**

    *GAMEPLAY: Tedious and boring over time. It plays better with a controller than a gun, that says it all.

    *GRAPHICS*: For the year of release it was already far behind most titles.

    *SOUND*: Sound extracted from previous Resident Evil and a dubbing of laughter in certain occasions.

    *INNOVATION*: Resident Evil: Survivor is a good idea (a shooter on rails without rails ¿?) poorly executed.    … Expand
  12. mr-NachoMen
    Dec 26, 2018
    5
    This is the first time that Resident Evil goes onto first person perspective... well as an arcade, just before RE dead aim, The Umbrella Chronicles and the most recent entry Resident Evil 7. This game proves that if the formula is well executed it can work... but this game is not that case.
    The plot is very simple "a guy who can remember his name and during the progress of the game he    This is the first time that Resident Evil goes onto first person perspective... well as an arcade, just before RE dead aim, The Umbrella Chronicles and the most recent entry Resident Evil 7. This game proves that if the formula is well executed it can work... but this game is not that case.
    The plot is very simple "a guy who can remember his name and during the progress of the game he recovers his memory" and that's all.
    The voice acting is pretty bad... even worst than the original Resident Evil, with extremely cheesy dialog that is painfully to hear.
    As i said, it is a FPS kinda game, the aiming is terrible. The first aid kids and green herbs in general are kinda scarce, so save it because this game has no save game. which is stupid because in the main menu there's an option called "Load Game" but the concept is nonexistent, which is terrible if you die there's an screen that count down the attempts you have left (the max is 9) if their wasted is game over and start from the beginning.
    Ammo and health can run out quickly so save it and try to avoid some battles with hunters, lickers and tyrants (some battles with the tyrant are necessary to progress and some others can be avoided) this monsters are way to constant that's why ammo and health can run quickly (i literal defeated the end tyrant his 2 mutated versions with no green herbs and in caution state because i waste them in other battles)... i forgot to mention just the special weapon ammo run out... you have an handgun with unlimited ammo but is weak with the big creatures.
    And the soundtrack does not feel like from a RE title and is in constant loop.
    Is not a good game... and thankfully got improved over the years the fps formula in the series.    … Expand
  13. Dperks
    May 15, 2021
    5
    Okay so right off the bat this game on a technical level is just awful. The graphics even for it's time were not very good and the story some how has just as bad of a script and voice acting as the original resident evil. The controls are what really stick out to me for just how awful they are though. They basically just translated the tank controls of the other PS1 RE games and made itOkay so right off the bat this game on a technical level is just awful. The graphics even for it's time were not very good and the story some how has just as bad of a script and voice acting as the original resident evil. The controls are what really stick out to me for just how awful they are though. They basically just translated the tank controls of the other PS1 RE games and made it first person. This makes it so that while you can use analog sticks in game the right stick wont aim your weapon but instead bring up the pause menu which is just baffling to me. And by the way the item menu takes forever to bring up and navigate unlike even the first game which was quick and simple to use. Another control relate issue I found was the fact that there was at least four buttons not being utilized for anything and two that do the same thing yet there is no reload button in the game and instead your guns are reloaded when going through doors or by traversing the item menu which again it's like why. Now I know this was meant to be a light gun game which wouldn't help to much because you cant use those on modern TVs anyway but here in the states we had no option for this so this is just how it was expected to be played here. One actual complement I could give the game is that I really enjoyed some of the music tracks although some others are used so frequently that I found them annoying which is impressive for a game that will run you 3 to 4 hours max to beat. And one track in particular near the end is possibly one of the worst pieces of music in the series.

    Okay so I know I just dumped a whole paragraph about some of the things that are terrible in the game but here's the thing I kind of love the game. And I'm not sure why maybe because of the hilariously terrible dialogue or the because of the commando enemies you fight in the game who have long gorilla arms and make goddamn jaguar noises when you kill them for no reason. But something about this game is just charming to me, like there's just enough of the bits I like in the old resident evil games for me to not hate this one. Now that's not to say it's good though because well it's not and I would not recommend this to a majority of people. But if your like me and you are a sucker for Resident Evil games and can apricate a good dumpster fire of a game then maybe you can have a somewhat good time with this one.

    Or you could also make your fiends have to experience this game which has also proven to be fun. Also now this game will forever be the first Resident Evil game my friend has beaten so for him the series can pretty much only go up from there.    … Expand
  14. BeboFett
    Dec 18, 2018
    5
    This title doesn't convey what you are looking for; Enjoy an FPS. The story was good but the development of the plot was completely wasted. Enemies, sound, graphics recycled from previous games (and even look worse). It has the scene of a Resident Evil, however, CAPCOM trying to make an arcade game but with an incorrect format and mechanics.
  15. KAI801P
    Mar 31, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is good, it shows a new camera system and some new enemies, the game is replayable because it has 3 routes that makes you try to pass it through these routes to see what happens, also the good thing is that there is no save point but that until you finish the game, this makes it more interesting, the only bad thing is its graphics, since we went from more polished graphics in resident evil 3 nemesis, to very deteriorated graphics and also the voices or dialogues of the characters are bad. Only I see that as bad... For my part, I recommend playing it… Expand
  16. VLG
    Aug 23, 2023
    6
    It was fine. The atmosphere is there, its easy (which i love) and short (which is also a positive thing, given that at this point in time i hadnt finished any RE because of their difficulty and lenght). It has a terrible reputation nowadays, but i think its because people compare it to the more serious releases of the franchise.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best PS1 Game of 2000
20
#20 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2000
15
#15 Most Shared PS1 Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
39

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 6 out of 10
  1. CNET Gamecenter
    40
    This lame first-person shooter with no visual or visceral delights is an insult to the brand name that is Resident Evil.
  2. PSX Nation
    76
    There are enough satisfying nuggets of 'survival horror turned "Virtua Cop" clone w/limited movement' goodness to make this odd curiosity worth playing for most, and maybe even worth owning by the "RE" fanatics.
    Read full review
  3. Spank!
    70
    Resident Evil fanatics will probably hate it and call it a travesty, but remove the Resident Evil tag and it's a damn good zombie shooter with a revolutionary control system.
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