Biohazard Gaiden (Japan) (GBC)

Biohazard Gaiden offers a unique survival horror experience on the Game Boy Color, blending top-down exploration with an innovative first-person combat system.

For much of the game, players control characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Barry Burton, navigating a mysterious ship from a top-down perspective. The primary objectives involve exploring areas, finding items, solving environmental puzzles, and managing a limited inventory. Players will need to collect keys, unlock doors, and uncover the truth behind the biological threat plaguing the vessel.

The most distinct feature of Biohazard Gaiden is its combat system. Upon encountering an enemy, the game transitions to a first-person view. Instead of free aiming, players will see a moving bar traversing a target zone on the screen. To land an effective attack, players must press the action button precisely when the bar is within the target area. Missing or pressing outside the zone will result in reduced damage or a missed attack. Different enemies have unique weak points and attack patterns, requiring precise timing. This system introduces an element of tension and skill, departing significantly from the traditional action-oriented gameplay of the series.

The game often requires players to switch between Leon and Barry, as they may split up to tackle different objectives or access locked areas. Managing health with herbs and ammunition is crucial for survival. Despite being a handheld title with 8-bit graphics, Biohazard Gaiden successfully attempts to convey a tense and eerie atmosphere characteristic of the survival horror genre.