Resident Evil, a cornerstone of the survival horror genre, has captivated gamers with its tense atmosphere, memorable characters, and chilling undead foes. While many fans are familiar with the mainline games and their acclaimed remakes, there exists a lesser-known entry that takes the series in a distinct direction: Resident Evil Confidential Report Files 1-4. Released exclusively on Java-enabled mobile phones, this title diverges from the traditional survival horror formula, offering a turn-based tactical strategy experience. Let’s unravel the mysteries hidden within this obscure but intriguing game.

A Unique Tactical Take on Resident Evil

Unlike the action-oriented gameplay Resident Evil is known for, Confidential Report adopts a simple turn-based system where players and enemies alternate movements and attacks on an isometric grid. This strategic approach adds a layer of tactical planning uncommon in the franchise. Players can choose between two characters, each providing a different perspective and playstyle.

Tyler Hamilton: A rookie cop on his first day of duty, waking up after an explosion at the facility he guards. His storyline involves navigating the quarantined city’s facility, dormitories, a museum, and other locations while searching for survivors and clues.
Naomi McClain: An FBI agent sent to investigate the secret experiments, she faces not only zombies but also hostile human soldiers, likely members of the Umbrella Security Service (USS), tasked with eliminating survivors.

Although the exact location is left ambiguous, clues like Tyler’s outfit hint at Raccoon City, familiar territory for Resident Evil fans. The narrative unfolds over four days, with Tyler and Naomi’s paths crossing amidst the chaos.

Exploring Four Distinct Files

Over the course of four files, players traverse varied environments, each visually distinctive—from clinically sterile facilities to eerie dormitories and museums—enhanced by atmospheric MIDI music and unique battle themes. While there are no sound effects, the music dynamically shifts to indicate when enemies have detected the player, maintaining tension throughout.

Enemies mainly consist of zombies and various Bio-Organic Weapons (BOWs) drawn from earlier Resident Evil titles (0-3), with each file introducing new foes. Tyler confronts bosses primarily linked to Resident Evil 0, while Naomi faces off against Nemesis throughout her scenarios, a surprising but thrilling inclusion. Combat strategy is influenced by positioning, enemy facing direction, and distance, adding depth to seemingly straightforward gameplay.

Strengths of Resident Evil Confidential Report

Visual Variety: Each location is distinct and evocative, helping to maintain player interest across multiple files.
Atmospheric Music: MIDI tracks effectively build tension, with different pieces signaling exploration and combat scenarios.
Diverse Enemy Encounters: Both character campaigns bring unique challenges, including classic bosses and different enemy types.
Tactical Depth: The turn-based system requires strategic movement and weapon management, with shotguns offering the ability to strike multiple foes when properly positioned.

Areas Where the Game Stumbles

Resident Evil Confidential Report isn’t without flaws, many of which stem from hardware limitations and design choices of its era:

Clunky Turn-Based Mechanics: The gameplay can drag when surrounded by multiple enemies, as each movement, weapon switch, and reload consumes a turn, potentially slowing down the action.
Vague Level Design: Certain objectives, particularly in File 4, lack clarity, leading to confusion and wasted ammunition in pursuit of elusive goals.
Save System Limitations: Initial files force complete restarts upon death, and progress cannot be carried over between characters, requiring resets and diminishing continuity.
Lack of Audio Effects: The absence of sound effects means immersion relies heavily on music and visuals, which may affect player engagement.

Final Thoughts: A Worthwhile Curiosity

While Resident Evil Confidential Report won’t rival the mainline series in depth or narrative impact, it offers a fascinating glimpse into how survival horror can adapt to different formats and gameplay styles. Its stripped-down story and minimalist design serve its purpose as a strategic tactical experience, delivering several hours of zombie-slaying fun on a mobile platform of the early 2000s.

For fans eager to explore all corners of the Resident Evil universe, this title represents an intriguing, if niche, piece of the franchise’s history. Its unique gameplay, combined with familiar enemies and settings, provides a fresh, albeit imperfect, perspective on surviving the undead outbreak.

Rating: A Licker sprite out of 10. —

Resident Evil Confidential Report Files 1-4 may not be a cornerstone of the series, but it’s a noteworthy experiment that expands the Resident Evil mythos in unexpected ways.