Avalanche Reviews: The Wild World of MODERN Resident Evil Clones

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman


Once again I am back with a collection of indie-developed survival horror games, or what I like to call Resident Evil clones. Today we've got tons of PS1 era horror and a whole bunch of unique approaches to the horror genre, including a title developed by the Game Grumps. This one's gonna be a blast!

00:00 Intro
01:27 Late Homework
11:43 E-begging
13:08 The Killing Antidote
24:19 House of Necrosis
33:54 Sanguine
42:59 Flesh Made Fear
53:26 Blood Typers
57:57 Homebody
01:12:07 Cult of Blood
01:19:04 The Third Pig
01:22:24 End

Introduction to Survival Horror Games

- The video begins with the narrator, Jared, discussing the common experience of seeking out survival horror games after finishing titles like Resident Evil 2.
- He expresses frustration over the abundance of low-quality horror games available on platforms like Steam, which often consist of asset flips and uninspired clones.
- Jared introduces his mission to highlight unique and obscure survival horror games, affectionately referring to them as Resident Evil clones.
- He emphasizes the high-quality visuals and gameplay mechanics that appeal to fans of classic 32-bit aesthetics.

Late Homework Game Overview

- Jared transitions into discussing a specific game called Late Homework, developed by Soda Raptor, which he discovered while searching for titles to include in his list.
- He describes the game as an unexpectedly memorable experience, noting its release in October of the previous year.
- The narrative follows the protagonist, Hano, who struggles with school and faces a creepy atmosphere while trying to retrieve forgotten homework amidst a series of disappearances at her school.
- Jared avoids revealing too much of the story to maintain the intrigue, highlighting the tension created by a terrifying creature stalking the school halls.

Gameplay Mechanics of Late Homework

- The gameplay begins immediately as players control Hano, who must solve puzzles and hunt for keys to progress through the game.
- Jared notes the game's reliance on classic survival horror elements such as fixed camera angles, tank controls, and environmental puzzles, while also lacking combat mechanics.
- He highlights the absence of inventory management and resource limitations, which he feels is a departure from traditional survival horror expectations.
- Despite this, Jared appreciates the game's design, which features intricate puzzles and a compelling atmosphere that keeps players engaged.

Atmosphere and Visual Aesthetics

- Jared praises the game's atmosphere, describing it as a blend of dark environments, colored lighting, and immersive sound design that enhances the horror experience.
- He draws comparisons to the visual aesthetics of PS1 games, emphasizing the effective use of dithering and low-poly designs that resonate with fans of retro gaming.
- The sound design, including ambient noises and music, contributes significantly to the overall mood, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout gameplay.

Critique of Late Homework

- Jared discusses minor issues he encountered while playing, such as technical difficulties with vsync and cursor visibility during controller use.
- He acknowledges these flaws do not significantly detract from the overall experience, which he found to be incredibly enjoyable.
- He ultimately recommends Late Homework as a standout title in the survival horror genre, noting its charming design and engaging gameplay.

Killing Antidote Game Overview

- Jared transitions to discussing another game titled Killing Antidote, which he approached with cautious optimism after trying its demo.
- He describes the game as having a straightforward narrative involving an outbreak linked to a pharmaceutical company, but he finds the story lacking depth.
- The gameplay mechanics involve responsive controls and a mix of exploration and combat, reminiscent of Resident Evil 2's remake.
- Jared finds the combat enjoyable, particularly the melee mechanics, but notes that the exploration aspects can feel lacking or repetitive.

Combat Mechanics in Killing Antidote

- Combat in Killing Antidote is characterized by engaging mechanics where players can utilize melee weapons effectively against zombies.
- Jared highlights the excitement of facing multiple enemies at once, creating a chaotic yet enjoyable experience.
- He mentions that while the shooting mechanics are fun, they lack the depth and satisfaction found in other titles, such as the Resident Evil remake.

Exploration and Puzzles in Killing Antidote

- Jared critiques the exploration elements, noting that the game's environments can become confusing and lead to frustration during key hunting.
- He expresses disappointment over the lack of a map, which complicates navigation through the game's various floors and rooms.
- Despite these issues, he appreciates the potential for improvement as the game is still in early access.

House of Necrosis Game Overview

- Jared introduces House of Necrosis, a unique blend of survival horror and mystery dungeon mechanics, developed by Warus.
- He expresses excitement over the concept of combining these genres, noting that the game features procedural generation and a turn-based system.
- The story revolves around a special forces team sent to investigate strange occurrences in a mansion, where players must navigate dungeons filled with dangers.

Gameplay Mechanics of House of Necrosis

- The gameplay emphasizes exploration, puzzle-solving, and the need to adapt to the unpredictable nature of each dungeon.
- Jared appreciates the focus on shooting mechanics, which adds a unique twist to the traditional mystery dungeon format.
- He notes that while combat is enjoyable, the game still retains classic survival horror elements, creating a compelling experience.

Sanguin Game Overview

- Jared discusses Sanguin, a classic survival horror game with a planned release in late 2025, highlighting its demo as an early glimpse into its potential.
- He describes the demo as an alpha version, showcasing foundational gameplay mechanics but lacking polish in certain areas.
- The narrative revolves around a mysterious outbreak linked to a pharmaceutical company, setting the stage for horror elements.

Gameplay Mechanics of Sanguin

- Jared notes that the demo features tank controls and classic survival horror mechanics, including backtracking and puzzle-solving.
- He appreciates the variety of environments and the compelling atmosphere, which enhances the horror experience.
- Despite some issues with progression and event flags, Jared sees potential for Sanguin to become a solid addition to the survival horror genre.

Flesh Made Fear Game Overview

- Jared introduces Flesh Made Fear, noting its polished presentation and engaging backstory involving a doctor experimenting on people.
- He describes the gameplay as a mix of survival horror elements with a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving.
- The demo showcases a well-crafted atmosphere, combining horror tropes with engaging mechanics that keep players invested.

Cult of Blood Game Overview

- Jared discusses Cult of Blood, highlighting its unique premise involving vampires and a protagonist navigating a dangerous environment.
- He expresses initial skepticism about the story but finds the gameplay mechanics intriguing and engaging.
- The combat system combines traditional survival horror elements with a new and exciting approach, enhancing the overall experience.

The Third Pig Game Overview

- Jared concludes with The Third Pig, a free game based on the classic fairy tale, which he finds promising despite its short length.
- The gameplay involves navigating a house while avoiding a persistent threat, showcasing the potential for horror elements in a familiar narrative.
- He appreciates the game's aesthetic choices and the implementation of survival horror mechanics, indicating a bright future for the developer.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

- Jared wraps up the video by reflecting on the variety of indie survival horror titles discussed, expressing hope that viewers will explore these games.
- He emphasizes the importance of supporting indie developers and the unique experiences they bring to the genre.
- Jared expresses enthusiasm for future projects and encourages viewers to stay tuned for more content on indie survival horror games.
 
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Daymare 1994: Sandcastle is a legitimately good RE clone.

It is a night and day difference to Daymare 1998. That game is rough as hell.

Good to know, played the first Daymare, it was an absolutely terrible game for the little I played.
 
The Killing Antidote is decently fun. Definitely feels like the early access game it is though. Works pretty well when the focus is on exploring and surviving, not as much when it goes shooty bang bang. Sexy customization options is nice. I'm interested in where it goes but wouldn't be surprised if it's never completed.

Flesh Made Fear demo was mostly fantastic. Really captures the PS1 Resident Evil vibe. Dev was very responsive to feedback and implemented a couple of changes to things that people didn't like (d-pad support for movement). Very much looking forward to this one. They're running a kickstarter that hit its goal and then some but doesn't look like it'll hit the stretch goals to bring it to consoles.

Dunno about the rest.
 
The Killing Antidote is decently fun. Definitely feels like the early access game it is though. Works pretty well when the focus is on exploring and surviving, not as much when it goes shooty bang bang. Sexy customization options is nice. I'm interested in where it goes but wouldn't be surprised if it's never completed.

Flesh Made Fear demo was mostly fantastic. Really captures the PS1 Resident Evil vibe. Dev was very responsive to feedback and implemented a couple of changes to things that people didn't like (d-pad support for movement). Very much looking forward to this one. They're running a kickstarter that hit its goal and then some but doesn't look like it'll hit the stretch goals to bring it to consoles.

Dunno about the rest.
Yeah I'm just waiting for the Killing Antidote to be out of early access before getting it or at least more complete. Flesh made fear looked good too now that I watched that part of the vid.
 
Watching the video and that typing game and Homebody both look really good.

edit: Homebody is on GoG, nice.
 
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Daymare 1994: Sandcastle is a legitimately good RE clone.

It is a night and day difference to Daymare 1998. That game is rough as hell.

Can't say I agree. I only played the demo of Sandcastle but it was honestly a painful experience compared to 1998. The new combat mechanics sap all the fun and just turn it into a frustrating experience.
 
Can't say I agree. I only played the demo of Sandcastle but it was honestly a painful experience compared to 1998. The new combat mechanics sap all the fun and just turn it into a frustrating experience.
If you prefer the mechanics of Daymare 1998 over Daymare 1994, I got a game for you that you might enjoy.

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This is a Japanese only game iirc.

You'd either need to import the physical copy from Play-Asia or change your Switch region to Japan and download off of the Japanese eshop.


Daymare isn't a Japanese only game, I've rented the first one in the US myself. Didn't bother looking at the sequel cause of the extremely poor first one, but this topic is giving me more incentive to check it out.
 


The #residentevil fanbase has to be one of the most dedicated in the world. When Capcom decides it's not going to serve them any PS1 era #survivalhorror content, they just make it themselves. Today, we're looking at a series of awesome Biohazard mods, fangames, and prototypes.....and things are going to get a little weird.

00:00 Intro
01:47 RE2 Remake Fixed Camera Mod
11:55 RE1 First Person Fan Game
16:43 RE2 First Person Fan Game
23:11 RE2 Kendo's Cut Uncut
28:58 RE1 Gameboy Color Conversion
35:16 Crisis Evil Beat Em Up
47:27 Resident Evil Survive Beat Em Up
55:34 Resident Evil 3.5 Code Madman
01:01:36 Resident Evil Cross Fire Fan Game
01:10:22 Resident Evil Point and Click Fan Game
01:14:33 Resident Evil Return to Sheena Island
01:20:48 End

Introduction to Resident Evil Mods

- The video opens with a discussion about the recent resurgence of survival horror games, particularly focusing on the Resident Evil franchise.
- The speaker reflects on their previous skepticism regarding the potential for new survival horror titles and acknowledges being proven wrong as numerous indie projects have emerged.
- The discussion transitions to the concept of fan-made mods and games, highlighting how dedicated fans have created unique content due to a lack of official releases.
- The speaker promises to showcase some of the most innovative and unique Resident Evil-related projects available, setting the stage for a deep dive into this creative community.

Resident Evil 2 Remake Fixed Camera Mod

- The speaker introduces a mod by Modern Alpha's Omega for the Resident Evil 2 remake that implements traditional fixed camera angles and tank controls, aiming to recreate the classic survival horror experience.
- The mod replaces the default over-the-shoulder perspective with fixed camera viewpoints, enhancing the nostalgic feel of the gameplay.
- Installation of the mod is discussed, with the speaker noting that it requires additional components like Script Core and the RE framework, but ultimately finds the process straightforward.
- Gameplay mechanics are examined, revealing that the fixed camera angles work effectively, although some issues with camera transitions and movement controls are noted.
- The mod successfully integrates combat mechanics, allowing for auto-targeting of enemies while retaining the essence of the original game's shooting dynamics.
- Despite the mod's successes, the speaker expresses concerns about the tank controls feeling less organic and the challenges of navigating the environment with the new camera angles.
- Ultimately, the speaker concludes that while the mod is an impressive attempt to merge classic gameplay with modern graphics, it may not fully replace the original experience for newcomers.

Biohazard Project - First Person Resident Evil Remake

- The Biohazard Project is a fan-made first-person remake of Resident Evil 1, developed by Pedro Autonomo, which initially garnered significant attention online.
- The game begins with an intro sequence from the perspective of the Bravo team, offering a fresh take on familiar scenes from the original game.
- As players navigate the Spencer Mansion, the remake allows for exploration in a fully 3D environment, providing a nostalgic yet new perspective for fans of the series.
- The gameplay includes combat mechanics, but the speaker notes that the shooting feels less satisfying compared to other titles in the franchise.
- The mod is praised for capturing the essence of Resident Evil, although technical issues such as crashes upon item collection hinder the overall experience.
- Despite these setbacks, the potential of the project is acknowledged, showcasing the dedication of the developer and the creativity behind fan remakes.

Biohazard 2 - First Person Fan Game

- The Biohazard 2 fan game builds upon the success of the first project, offering a more polished experience that mirrors the original Resident Evil 2's story and environments.
- The introduction cinematic is recreated in full 3D, enhancing the immersion of the gameplay experience.
- Players can explore Raccoon City and encounter familiar locations, with gameplay mechanics adapted to suit a first-person perspective while maintaining the survival horror elements.
- The controls are refined, allowing for a more fluid movement system compared to the previous project, and the combat feels satisfying with quicker shooting mechanics.
- The speaker highlights the importance of resource management, noting that players must still conserve ammunition while navigating through the game's challenges.
- Overall, the fan game is deemed a must-try for anyone familiar with the original Resident Evil 2, providing a fresh yet nostalgic experience.

Crisis Evil Series Overview

- Crisis Evil is a series of fan-made beat 'em up games set in the Resident Evil universe, developed using the Beats of Rage engine.
- The second installment is highlighted for its impressive visuals, utilizing 2D rendered sprites from the original Resident Evil 3D assets, creating a unique aesthetic.
- Players can choose between Leon and Claire, with gameplay reflecting the progression and events of the original Resident Evil 2.
- Combat mechanics include various attack options and mobility features, allowing for dynamic gameplay that encourages strategic engagement with enemies.
- The speaker appreciates the game's dedication to the source material, noting how it incorporates familiar elements from the Resident Evil series while offering a brawler experience.
- Despite some initial frustrations with controls and enemy mechanics, the speaker ultimately finds the game engaging and fun, especially in single-player mode.

Resident Evil Survive - A Beat 'Em Up Experience

- Resident Evil Survive is another fan-made beat 'em up game that builds upon the mechanics of the Crisis Evil series, enhancing the gameplay with more refined combat systems.
- The game features an interactive tutorial, allowing players to familiarize themselves with the various attack options and mechanics before diving into the main game.
- Combat is fast-paced and rewarding, encouraging players to engage aggressively with enemies while managing resources effectively.
- The speaker praises the game for its fluid mechanics and character variety, allowing players to experience a range of playstyles throughout the game.
- Despite its strengths, the game is noted for its short length and some pacing issues, particularly in level design and enemy encounters.
- Overall, Resident Evil Survive is recommended for its engaging gameplay and nostalgic references to the original series.

Resident Evil Crossfire - A New Fan Game

- Resident Evil Crossfire, developed in 2016, is a fan game that offers a fresh narrative set in the Resident Evil universe, focusing on the aftermath of the Raccoon City incident.
- The game features classic Resident Evil gameplay elements, including inventory management, item boxes, and puzzles, while introducing a new character named Paul.
- The environment is designed to evoke the classic survival horror feel, with both outdoor and indoor settings filled with familiar enemies such as zombies and Lickers.
- While the game captures the essence of the series, the speaker notes issues with control responsiveness and character movement, leading to some frustrating gameplay moments.
- Despite these shortcomings, the game is recognized for its authentic survival horror experience and engaging puzzles that challenge players' problem-solving skills.
- The speaker encourages players to check out Crossfire for its unique take on the Resident Evil formula and the dedication of its developer.

Resident Evil Point-and-Click Game

- The video discusses a point-and-click adaptation of Resident Evil, developed by MPH64, which offers a unique twist on the traditional gameplay mechanics.
- Players control Leon using a mouse interface to navigate the environment, with keyboard modifiers for running and aiming.
- While the concept shows potential, the execution is criticized for being unfinished and buggy, with issues in interaction and aiming mechanics.
- The speaker highlights the challenges of implementing a point-and-click system in a survival horror context, noting that improvements could enhance the overall experience.
- Despite its flaws, the game is acknowledged for its ambitious ideas and the potential for future development in this genre fusion.

Return to Sheena Island - A New Take on Resident Evil

- Return to Sheena Island is another project by MPH64, showcasing their ambition to create a new Resident Evil experience using Unity.
- The game features Ada Wong and Ark Thompson, with gameplay that incorporates classic Resident Evil mechanics such as puzzles, exploration, and inventory management.
- The visual presentation is praised for its sharp graphics and atmospheric design, effectively capturing the essence of the franchise.
- While the game is still in development and has some bugs, the speaker finds it to be a solid representation of what a modern Resident Evil title could look like.
- The puzzles and exploration elements are noted for their engagement and adherence to the series' style, making it an enjoyable experience overall.
- The speaker expresses hope for further development from the creators, given the potential demonstrated in this project.

Conclusion and Support

- The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to support the channel and the projects discussed, emphasizing the importance of community in the gaming world.
- The speaker reflects on their journey through the Resident Evil fan game landscape, expressing appreciation for the creativity and passion of the developers.
- The final message encourages viewers to explore these fan-made projects, as they offer unique experiences and insights into the beloved franchise.
 
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