So... How is this good? Help?

[Hamburghini 400 GT]

I'm playing this on console (saying this on Steam because I'm too lazy to make an account for some other forum) and I can't really understand how this game is still worshipped so much. I can see how it must have been good back then, but now... The camera angle system itself isn't so bad once I got used to it, but a lot of the angles suck so bad I can't see what I'm doing. The controls suck. Knife combat sucks so bad that I can't get past the first zombie. I get him onto the stairs (I figured out that he couldn't grab me there, I'm not stupid) and do an upward knife attack on his face repeatedly, but it doesn't do any noticable damage. I'm playing on the easiest difficulty, too. I really want to play this through even if I don't enjoy it just so I can experience such a classic game (for better or worse), so are there any tips on killing things with a knife besides "get them on the stairs and hit them in the face over and over", because that doesn't work very well.

I'm not trying to say this is a bad game either, I'm just saying that it kind of sucks from a non-nostalgic point of view to a modern gamer. It's REALLY hard to get into. I envy those of you who got to play it back in it's prime and are actually able to enjoy it. I also evny new players who are able to find a way to have fun in it. Any advice on how to get the most out of this would be nice, because I'm not giving up on it. Hopefully I can eventually come to appreciate it.

[Hamburghini 400 GT]

Originally posted by holychair:

- The knife is only for pros. Don't use the knife unless you have to.
- Ammo is scarce (though not on very easy) and most zombies can just be avoided.
- Especially the first one. Do what any sane person would do if they'd encounter a zombie for the first time: Just run from it, back to the dining room.
- Don't fill up your inventory with stuff until you found a saferoom with an itembox.

I don't want to share too many tips, though, because the fun is in finding out stuff. You'll get used to the controls and camera angles, it just takes a bit. If you got problems with the tank controls, use the alternate controls.

Ok thanks, I figured that I was required to fight it because they gave it its own cut scene and it seemed scripted.

[bob 'the took' Brandybuck]

Depends on how old you are, whether you got to experience RE 1-3 back in the 90s. Games have come a long way and if you didn't get to play the originals back then I wouldn't expect you to understand the appeal of this game. It's like someone trying to explain to me why space invaders is the best game ever, I can't begin to appreciate how good that good was when it came out because I wasn't around.

[Hamburghini 400 GT]

Originally posted by bob:

Depends on how old you are, whether you got to experience RE 1-3 back in the 90s. Games have come a long way and if you didn't get to play the originals back then I wouldn't expect you to understand the appeal of this game. It's like someone trying to explain to me why space invaders is the best game ever, I can't begin to appreciate how good that good was when it came out because I wasn't around.

I just barely missed this era, started on PS2. It's weird that early 90s and late 80s sidecrollers and shooters clicked instantly with me but early 3d console games (with the exception of racing games and the two N64 Zeldas) always take me longer. It's Probably something to do with the controllers not being advanced enough the really work well for controlling things in 3 dimensions. On console it's really akward, since the game doesn't use half the buttons. I can say I'm slowly getting used to the camera and controls now, at least enough to navigate the game without getting stuck on walls. Now the main thing holding me back is finding ink rolls and saving my ammo... I'll get it eventually, just have to slowly figure everything out and force my perfectionist self to accept dying more than I usually do in other games.

[Hamburghini 400 GT]

And not being used to the mechanics is also because I'm completely new to the series. Whenever I start a new series, I always play in order of release, so I can play and appreciate what they are without basing my perceptions of what they should be on the newer ones. It's rough, sometimes I eventually break down and skip ahead *Cough Cough, skipped to Morrowind, Cough* but I feel like playing games in the order that they are meant to be played in is the way to go.

[bob 'the took' Brandybuck]

That explains a bit then, 3D games were in their very infancy in the 90s and so the mechanics won't translate well to gamers of later generations. What you have to realise though is that this game is meant to be frustrating, make you used your head etc. It's not a run and gun shooter where you plow your way through hords of zombies. One simple choice you make early on can have great consequences later on. Since you are new to this I'd expect you to die quite a few times so don't worry. If I were you I'd try to use ammo only when necessary, if you plan on killing a zombie make sure it's a head shot or that you burn it, don't save too often. You only really need the knife at one specific point later in the game, if you try to use it for zombies you'll most likely end up getting bit so I wouldn't bother. You can also try using the modern controls where you can turn around quickly instead of the classic tank controls.

[Mixed Herbs]

bait(?)

[talgaby]

I have seen many people on Twitch try this one, people who never played RE or were among those who though the series started with RE4. Most of them got the hang of it and started to like the game quite much. It has an incredible atmosphere.

[[TGSA] oujisan2236]

Originally posted by Fb||Hobohunter104:

The camera angle system itself isn't so bad once I got used to it, but a lot of the angles suck so bad I can't see what I'm doing.

That was the point of the game

since the first one (not the remake) to scare you when a zombie is around the corner or a monster (specificly Hunters).

But otherwise its not everyones cup of tea

I will admit it looks like Capcom will never go back to that way again much like Alone in the Dark either. but i loved it and if they make a decent game with that again id love it but the norm for Horror seems first person now which yes done right like anything can be scary if not more scary than those angels

[talgaby]

Originally posted by oujisan2236:

I will admit it looks like Capcom will never go back to that way again much like Alone in the Dark either.

They still had a better route at least. I'd gladly take RE7 or, heck, even RE6 over AitD: Illumination. (Which, come to think of it, is a lot like Umbrella Chronicles…)

[kill kevin]

I can't enjoy it at all, LOVED resident evil 4 and 7. but this is boring.

[Dakuwan]

Facepalm...

[Rotten Ruthus]

It's definitely an acquired taste. Point-and-click adventure game with resource management, clunky combat, and an R-rated Scooby Doo caper story.

But yeah, you're encouraged to avoid fighting--expending resources--whenever you can, and the knife in particular is basically only there so that it's not TECHNICALLY possible to make the game unwinnable by spending all the ammo, even though it essentially totally is if you're not a pro. "Knife only" Resident Evil runs are still sort of considered a big deal.

That first zombie encounter, by way of example, is indeed scripted as hell--but you're expected to run back to your teammates for help, not to take it on.

[CLL]

I get the feeling you arent using tank controls

[Bearji 🌱]

Originally posted by Fb||Hobohunter104:

Ok thanks, I figured that I was required to fight it because they gave it its own cut scene and it seemed scripted.

Very few enemies in the game require you to fight them. This includes bosses. Take the time to learn the game. It's not a game you get good at by brute forcing your way through it, but by learning how to game it.

You don't need to save often because once you know what to do, it's simple to do it. Use a save as an opportunity to explore. You can save, figure out what to do next, experiment with routes to decide which enemies you want to kill so you don't need to deal with them later (remember, the only way to really kill a zombie is to destroy the head or burn it!), then load your save and do what you need to using very few resources.

My suggestion would be to play the game first as Jill on Easy (Hiking difficulty) then as Chris on Normal (Mountain Climbing Difficulty). Jill has a larger inventory so you don't need to be as picky about what items you pick up (although you still don't want to carry a Key Item you won't need for ages.

So learn the layout of the mansion. Learn the locations of items you need and ones you won't need until later. Clean up paths you intend to heavily traffic if there is a zombie that you don't want to have to deal with every time you go through it (ones in tight hallways, for example, versus ones that you can easily go around).

What is good about RE1 is that it is a VERY finely tuned experience. Each camera angle is chosen for a particular effect. If an enemy is off screen, it is because they wanted it there. Once you learn the Mansion, you'll know it is there and you'll know how to deal with it, or whether or not you should.

tl;dr : The game has quirks. They may seem like archaic game design but it's actually quite clever.

[Reverend Recoil]

TRIGGER WARNING: I'm going to ruthlessly criticize you.

Originally posted by Fb||Hobohunter104:

I'm playing this on console

Do you even PCMR, bro?

Originally posted by Fb||Hobohunter104:

I can't really understand how this game is still worshipped so much. I can see how it must have been good back then, but now... The camera angle system itself isn't so bad once I got used to it, but a lot of the angles suck so bad I can't see what I'm doing.

Get used to it, it wasn’t designed to be easy. The camera angles were decided on during the concept of the original due to hardware limitations. After that it kinda stuck for the next 5 games, and became iconic in regards to the origins of the survival horror genre. I wouldn’t say this game is “worshipped”, but it is heavily recognized as being the primer for a genre, the style of which is now lost to mainstream AAA games. Games today are designed to be extremely easy in order to appeal to a wider audience, thus boosting sales. This wasn’t really the case for games such as RE in the mid-late 90’s, and the player adapted to the challenge, not the other way around. That, and they were pretty good at selling themselves.

Originally posted by Fb||Hobohunter104:

The controls suck. Knife combat sucks so bad that I can't get past the first zombie. I get him onto the stairs (I figured out that he couldn't grab me there, I'm not stupid) and do an upward knife attack on his face repeatedly, but it doesn't do any noticable damage. I'm playing on the easiest difficulty, too. I really want to play this through even if I don't enjoy it just so I can experience such a classic game (for better or worse), so are there any tips on killing things with a knife besides "get them on the stairs and hit them in the face over and over", because that doesn't work very well.

If all you have is a knife, do the smart thing and run away. Knife survival in this game is tricky at best, so I wouldn’t recommend knifeplay as a decent strategy for someone new to it. In fact, most people ditch the knife first in order to acquire an additional item space. You’re doing everything wrong if you need to fall back on the knife at any point later in the game.

Originally posted by Fb||Hobohunter104:

I'm not trying to say this is a bad game either

Good, because you’d be wrong.

Originally posted by Fb||Hobohunter104:

I'm just saying that it kind of sucks from a non-nostalgic point of view to a modern gamer. It's REALLY hard to get into. I envy those of you who got to play it back in it's prime and are actually able to enjoy it. I also evny new players who are able to find a way to have fun in it. Any advice on how to get the most out of this would be nice, because I'm not giving up on it. Hopefully I can eventually come to appreciate it.

I admire your willpower to stick it out and embrace the suck. If you genuinely want to get the most out of this game, and it seems like you do, then you’re going to have to adapt a bit.

First and foremost, you’re going to have to get used to the camera angles, as I stated earlier. Every time you open a door to a new area, brace yourself for just about anything. Equip your most powerful weapon, have health items (Herbs, Aid Spray) ready to go. You’re pretty much going to have to be ready for the ♥♥♥♥ to go down. The camera angles will not help you with this, and will actually work against you most of the time. It’s a challenge.

Secondly, apply the proper amount of firepower to the enemy. Don’t go wasting the big guns on zombies or crows, and don’t go shooting pistols on things that are huge and fast. This is common sense, but I’m telling you anyway because ammo can be scarce if you don’t know how to hold onto it.

Thirdly, run. Run a lot, and learn how to run past enemies. Run past dogs if you’re out in the open, blow’em away if you can funnel them into a corridor. Run past zombies if they’re not directly blocking your path. Run away from crows, it’s pointless to sit around shooting them. Run from snakes. Run from Lisa. Take the path of least resistance and run every time. Lure slow enemies to one side of the screen and run past them. Get good at this.

Lastly, Use your map. I’ve played this game so many times that I should be ashamed. So I don’t need the map, but there’s no shame in using it during your first playthrough. You’ll find them in obvious places around the game, and it’s practically like using cheat codes whenever you look at it. It will show you where you are located, along with what areas are blocked/locked. It will also show you what areas you have already searched and have no need to return to, along with showing you what areas you need to search further in order to progress. It’s great for planning your route, along with considering whatever nasty things you might have had to flee beforehand (take the path of least resistance, remember). Use it.

Take this along with Bearji's advice and you'll be better for it.
Good luck and don't give up and cry like a little girl. Every time you feel like curling up into a ball, just hit yourself with the controller. Get mad. Tell yourself that you're going to beat the game instead of letting it beat you. If you get really frustrated, just go lift some weights, drive on over to the shooting range and buy clown targets, or get laid. Go back to the game after you're swoll AF, pipes are flushed, and all that aggression is out.