In this offering from Square, they have tried to meld elements from their tride-and-true RPG elements with a Resident Evil-ish type engine. The game itself is based upon a Japanes novel, Parasite Ivu, though the storyline of the game has been melded with Square's own design to make it more westernized. You are Aya Brea, are rookie cop (why dont we ever get disgruntled veterans) working for the NYPD. One night, as you and your date arrive at the opera, you have a premonition. One which comes true in a most horrifying manner. Soon after the start of the play, the actress on-stage begins her solo...and everyone in the Carnegie Hall begins spontaneously combusting. After the mass-flameout, only two solitary figures remain. You guessed it, the aformentioned Aya, and the surreal diva who calls herself Eve. So begins your adventure...

GRAPHICS: Pretty stunning, with some of the best CG on the Playstation to date. Graphics whores rejoice!

SOUND: Soundtrack is the usual good stuff from the masters. The sound-effects are a tale of two tracks, however. Why footsteps echo against the floor so realistically but the gunshots are so weak is beyond me.

CONTROL: The new battle system is innovative, combining real-time movement with turn-based combat. Though the fact Aya moves so SLOWLY makes it almost impossible to dodge many attacks.

GAMEPLAY: I am reminded of the words of Tyrell in the Blade Runner: "The candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long." Such is the case with Parasite Eve. A game with beautiful graphics, great soundtrack, innovative battle system, and an above-average storyline is over in a mere 10 hours. A game which broke the standard RPG mold in so many areas, being set in the modern era for one, is over just too quickly. Look, I love good visuals, but a little less CG could have freed up alot more space, for alot more quest.

GRAPHICS: 9 SOUND: 9 CONTROL: 8 GAMEPLAY: 5 OVERALL: 7

A game worth your time, however little you need to finish it.

-Ragnarok the Red