Resident Evil: Gun Survivor - How I Rediscovered the Game with a GunCon
When we talk about the iconic entries in the Resident Evil series, the first three games are true classics. They set the standard for the survival horror genre, blending a tense atmosphere, well-developed stories, and unforgettable characters. However, in 2000, Capcom decided to stray from the usual path and released Resident Evil: Gun Survivor. To be honest, when I first played it, it felt like a “younger sibling” that tried hard to live up to its older relatives but still fell far behind. Yet years later, armed with a GunCon, I decided to give the game another shot, and it truly surprised me.
The Game’s Story
After the success of the first three Resident Evil games, Capcom wanted to try something new. That’s how the Gun Survivor project was born, blending survival horror elements with a light-gun shooter. The idea was that players would use the GunCon - the PlayStation’s light gun - to aim directly at the screen and fight off hordes of zombies.
It sounded fresh in theory, but in practice, things didn’t go as smoothly. The Japanese version fully supported the GunCon, allowing it to play like an arcade rail shooter. However, in the European and North American versions, support for the GunCon was removed. Instead, players could only use a gamepad. Why Capcom made this decision remains a mystery. Perhaps it was due to licensing issues, or maybe they simply decided Western gamers could make do without it.
This decision stripped the game of its key feature for a huge portion of its audience. What was left? A clunky shooter with awkward controls and a strange story that couldn’t compare to the atmosphere of the original trilogy.
Why the Game Falls Short of the Original Trilogy
When I first played Gun Survivor with a gamepad, it was far from an exciting experience:
- Atmosphere: Where the first three games made every step filled with fear, this one felt linear and mechanical. The dread was replaced by an annoying monotony.
- Story: Amnesiac protagonist? Secret lab experiments? Zombies? Haven’t we heard this all before? Compared to the dramatic stories of Jill, Leon, or Chris, the plot of Gun Survivor felt hollow and derivative.
- Gameplay: Playing with a gamepad was a chore. The clunky aiming and slow character movements killed any sense of flow or excitement.
If the original trilogy was a masterfully orchestrated symphony, Gun Survivor felt like the rough draft of a beginner composer. But with a GunCon, everything changes.
How the GunCon Changed My Experience
When I added a GunCon to my collection, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to reevaluate this game. But my excitement quickly turned to frustration: the European version of Gun Survivor doesn’t support the GunCon! I stared at the screen in disbelief - “Are you serious?”
After diving into the internet, I discovered that GunCon support was only available in the Japanese version. Why did Capcom do this? Perhaps they thought Western players had it too easy and decided to make us suffer a bit more. Challenge accepted! I tracked down a Japanese disc, hooked up the GunCon, and… this is where the magic began.
A Fresh Perspective on the Game
Playing with a GunCon is a completely different experience. You literally become part of the game. Aiming directly at the screen and pulling the trigger turns every zombie encounter into a mini-adventure. Suddenly, the enemies weren’t irritating - they became an integral part of the gameplay.
- Controls: With the GunCon, everything feels intuitive. Aiming is smooth and natural, and the gameplay becomes much more dynamic. You’re no longer fighting the controls - you’re fully immersed in the game.
- Immersion: The GunCon makes you feel like you’re inside the game. When zombies jump out from around corners, you react instinctively, rather than slowly turning with analog sticks.
- The Downsides Remain: Yes, the game is still linear, the story is still clichéd, and the visuals are still basic. But when you’re holding a GunCon, these flaws are much easier to overlook.
Final Thoughts
Resident Evil: Gun Survivor isn’t a perfect game, and even with a GunCon, it can’t compete with the first three installments. It’s more of an experiment that remains overshadowed by its legendary predecessors. But after playing it with the GunCon, I realized that this experiment succeeded in its own way.
If you’re a fan of the Resident Evil series, appreciate retro experiments, and have the chance to play this game with a GunCon- do it. Years later, what once seemed mediocre suddenly becomes a fun and engaging experience. While GunCon support in Western versions wouldn’t have saved the game’s reputation, today it’s a great reason to rediscover it.
