Nowadays, blowing zombies up is as commonplace as a 2D fighter that houses a character that can throw a fireball. From the "House Of The Dead" series to "Silent Hill", everyone has ripped off  Capcom's masterpiece. The story starts off in a city us hardcore gamers  will all know, Raccoon City. On a hill in an out-of-the-way area lies a  mansion that holds a deadly secret. Down in Raccoon City, the community has  had violent attacks by zombies that are bumpig off the townspeople. The  R.P.D. send out their S.T.A.R.S. unit to find out what's up with this  mansion and it's 'monsters'. Both the Alpha and Omega teams shall never be  the same....... What you encounter through this tale of death is nothing  short of terror perfetion. From your first encounter with dogs, to your  first boss, to your return to the mansion only to find your zombie pals  have been replaced with gremlins from hell called hunters; this is  horror-gaming nirvana. Your characters are Jill Valentine and Chris  Redfield. You get to pick which character you lead (or lead you) down your  path of hell. Jill is the easier one to use, while Chris is the harder one.  For example, Jill starts off with a pistol, while Chris starts off with the  forever dreaded knife. Basically their stories are the same with some  different twists thrown in here and there. For example, Jill's sidekick is  Barry, while Chris gets Rebecca. Throughout your journey, you pick up on  clues as to what's going on. Such as diary entries. You come across the  mansion twice, a backhouse, a garden, an underground passage way, and an  underground laboratory throughout your story. All the while you hear the  name of a corporation (one that will haunt you throughout the series) known  as Umbrella. The game isn't hard, but it isn't easy either. Worrying about  ammo and herbs is always the number one priority. Playing through the game  to see what's ahead (you know, horse around), then go out for real and work  your way through the story is the biggest tip I can give. And always save  (just don't over do the ink ribbons, there's only so many). The graphics  were breathtaking then and still hold up today. The control is difficult  for some to get used to, but I never had a problem with it. The sound is  also amazing, but quite important. Usually when I play games, I put on my  headphones (Nine Inch Nails for me) and play away. Unfortunately, I can't  do this. You need the sound to hear what's going on, whether it's zombies  that are lurking around a corner you can't see, or something following you,  you have to listen. This adds to the gaming element immensely. It'll often  scare you, but that's the point, adding a new gaming dimension. One of  fear. My only problem with the game, is the story of who originally owned  the mansion. ... Ultimately, Capcom scratched all that.  And it detracts from it all as the story behind the mansion has too many  holes. In the end though, this was a classic video game. Not the best  Resident Evil, but mandatory if you intend to play them all as the story is  missing a lot if you pick up on the series when it's already told so much.  It's graphic, it's bloody, it's epic, it's scary and it's an experience you  won't soon forget. Just don't play with the lights off, you'll never sleep  again.