New Outbreak, same old problems

User Rating: 7.5 | Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 PS2
Some greatly appreciated improvements are being able to instruct AI in single person mode to use items in their inventory. Being able to select one's partner in each scenario is useful, but not all characters like each other. There is a new like system. If they like you, they cooperate more. Pretty basic and easy to understand.
The feature that I like the most is the ability to actually move while you shoot and attack. This makes it easier to dodge and avoid being hit when trying to attack up close. The control scheme for it takes a bit getting use to, involving you to use both the right and left shoulder buttons, but it works. Why they didn't have this in previous Resident Evil games before...nevermind.
Fans will Like the new stage inside the RPD police department, and also being able to transfer data between games for costumes is nice.
However, as with the last Outbreak, there are issues. Capcom made it clear that they weren't planning on using any voice chat for the online mode. While I personally have no problem with this, it can get very annoying trying to talk to people with only the preset options in situations that require coordination between people.
Remember the load times for the first game? Well, they too are back. Though the time it takes to load between room to room seems to have decreased in length from the first game.
AI for NPC's in offline mode can get annoying. Sometimes it seems to work, and others, it's dumber than a box of rocks.
No adjustable camera still. And from just playing the first stage, some angles can get awkward and difficult to work with.
Fans will scoop this up and ignore its faults, if you're not sure then try before you buy if possible. With various characters and many things to unlock, it has great replay value. And it will take multiple walkthroughs to complete everything. While File 2 has improvements, here's hoping that if a 3rd one is released, they can truly make it better.