Resident Evil: Zero

Publisher: (Capcom)

Most people who have heard of the Resident Evil games know that they're usually about shooting zombies in the face, solving puzzles and having yesterday's lunch scared out of you. The series that has been created around them has spawned several fantastic sequels - and one god-awful movie. Zero is the first prequel in the series.
The first thing you notice is just how well the Gamecube does atmosphere. From the dark, brutal weather effects to the way a crystal clear gunshot perforates the mass of walking, rotting and moaning corpses, the quality throughout is undeniable. It draws the player into its world then shocks the living daylights out of him. Might not be the best buy for little Johnny on his birthday though.
The major innovation in the game is the use of two characters simultaneously. Claire is a tough rookie cop, while Billy is an escaped murderer. You'll be able to switch between each and issue the other simple instructions (most puzzles require both characters to work together). It's a tricky but tremendously satisfying addition. But why buy this if you've already got the other big Resident Evil title? True, the graphics aren't a massive leap forward, but there are certainly enough elements in here to keep you intrigued and challenged. In fact, it's worth buying just to lord it over people who can't play the prequel. Still, they've always got the film.