As someone with a deep love and nostalgia for the PS1, when I decided I wanted to dip my toes into more horror games I simply couldn't skip this one. After having played it I think... it's okay. Better than decent, but I don't really know how else to word it when I don't mean exactly 'good' either.

The visuals and sounds — the presentation overall is very impressive and despite what some may say, I felt the limited tank controls make perfect sense for a game like this. But that's all I think I can really, really praise... I very much understand this is the first entry in the whole franchise, but besides some of the environment (the school and mall especially, for me) I didn't feel that scared by much in the game, probably because I'd avoid combat at all costs and you can outrun most enemies chasing you fairly easily, with the exception of Rompers but as soon as I heard those I'd do my best to turn 180º or shoot them with the shotgun or rifle given I wouldn't use them outside of boss fights.

The story is disturbing but maybe I've just experienced enough horror outside videogames to not find it necessarily creepy. Poor Alessa though, she deserved so much better... Lisa too, after beating the game I looked up if there was any way to save her and got really sad to discover there isn't any...

I appreciate this game a lot, but I expected a little more given all I've heard throughout the years. I don't regret playing it, and I already know SH3 is closely tied to this one so I'm glad I got it done.