Resident Evil: Deadly Silence

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence
Also known as: Biohazard: Deadly Silence (JP) Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Platform: Nintendo DS Released in JP: January 19, 2006 Released in US: February 7, 2006 Released in EU: March 31, 2006 Released in AU: March 30, 2006 This game has regional differences.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence is a portable version of the original Resident Evil released 10 years after it, though unlike the canned Game Boy Color version, this one actually resembles the PlayStation game. It includes the original campaign, plus an exclusive ReBirth mode that adds several touch screen-oriented puzzles and first-person knifing sequences, because they gotta put that second screen to use somehow, as well as a multiplayer mini game.

To do: Unused objects, such as knife and fuel for the flamethrower.

General Differences

To do: Visual comparison with the original PS1 version for 3D models, 2D backgrounds, FMVs. Compare voice acting.

This version has a great deal of differences compared to the original PlayStation version. The following is true in both Classic Mode and Rebirth Mode.

• The player can perform a quick 180° turn by pressing the run button simultaneously with the Down button. This feature was taken directly from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis but it is worth noting that both the August 4, 1995 and Octoboer 4, 1995 prototype versions of the original game had a different take on this feature, which did not make their way to the final PlayStation version.
• Tactical reloading: the player can reload at any time by pressing the Reload button while aiming. In the original game it is only possible to reload via the inventory screen or when the gun is empty.
• The knife doesn't use a slot in the inventory. It can be switched to and used at any time by holding the L button. This feature was taken directly from Resident Evil 4. As a consequence, there is no knife to be picked-up in the Black Tiger room and Rebecca is able to use the knife also.
• The 3D models for all characters and enemies are brand new, and look considerably more modern than in the original PlayStation version, and also more muscular. They all have re-done and/or new animations, some of which infer on gameplay: for example aiming is faster, Hunters get up more quickly by performing a small jump back on their feet, zombies take longer to puke, playable characters have new idle animations, etc.
• Most enemies have different AI, for example zombies can be harder to dodge but Hunters are easier to dispose of, Black Tiger doesn't automatically retaliate after being shot, etc.
• While gameplay is on the bottom screen, the upper screen shows the map at all times. The background colour of the upper screen also differs depending on the amount of health the protagonist has, thus indicating to the player the state of health of the character without having to open the inventory screen. The weapon currently equipped can also be seen on the bottom right of the upper screen, indicating to the player the amount of ammunition left without having to open the inventory.
• The inventory menu has been completely re-done. There is no confirmation text when combining herbs. The inventory is automatically exited after discarding a key. All the weapons have new 2D inventory icons, as well as some of the items, most notably the two cranks which are identifiable more easily. The radio was also given an inventory icon which can be seen when it is used, on the upper screen.
• The Handgun and Magnum inventory models are new, they are based on their designs from the GameCube remake.
• The player can skip door animations. This version and the PC versions are the only versions which allow it.
• The player can skip most cutscenes. It is the only version which allows it. This feature makes it considerably easier to beat the game in under 3 hours and earn the infinite Rocket Launcher.
• All the 2D background images are compressed and look technically more low-res than in any other version. The resolution on Nintendo DS is 256*192, versus 320*240 in the original PlayStation version.
• FMVs are also compressed.
• Kicked zombie heads bounce a few more times before disappearing.
• All pick-up items, including files and maps shine and are visible.
• In the Laboratory: the B3 main corridor, the autopsy room, the morgue and the third engine room all use the backgrounds and camera angles of the Arrange/Advanced mode of the Director's Cut version. However, in Classic Mode enemy placement remains the same as in the original PlayStation version.
• As with all Resident Evil games, the Japanese Deadly Silence features English voices with Japanese subtitles. In contrast to the PlayStation original, the English version of Deadly Silence also features subtitles during spoken dialogue as well, with no option to turn them off.
• New and redone voice acting for Richard.
• The Resident Evil title call voice which plays when starting and loading a game from the main menu is new.
• The demos which play when letting the title screen idle are new. One of them showcases a first person knife combat event.
• Upon completion of the game, rewards appear on the bottom screen while the stats screen is on the upper screen. The reward screens for the Rocket Launcher and the Special Key use the inventory screen rather than the dedicated backgrounds and animations they have in the original version.
• New credits. The clips showcasing events of the game are gone, in favour of a more traditional credits scrolling which take advantage of the two screens.
• The overworld map has been slightly touched-up.

Classic Mode Differences

The following are differences between the original version and the Classic Mode of Deadly Silence, on top of the ones noted above.

• As noted above all pick-up items shine and are visible, thus items and files which are hidden in the original are not anymore. For instance the Dormitory Key in the basement arms room is now visible but also the Security System file, or the Ink Ribbons for Jill located in the Black Tiger boss room and in the Laboratory B4 office.
• New enemy placement for the two Hunters in the Mansion 2F West corridor with the staircase.
• The touch screen is used even in Classic Mode when using the numpad in the Dormitory and the keyboard in the Laboratory. The numpad and the keyboard have a new design.
• Unlike in the original PlayStation version, but like in the Director's Cut version, the combination for the numpad is given at the pool table.

Exclusive Content

ReBirth Mode

Similarly to the Arrange Mode of Resident Evil: Director's Cut, ReBirth Mode offers an altered gameplay experience.

• The placement of many key items and supply items differ.
• Enemy placement differs.
• The original puzzles are replaced by new ones which take advantage of the touch screen and microphone functionalities of the Nintendo DS. These new puzzles are arguably a lot easier to solve than the original ones. It is the only mode in any version of the game with different puzzles.
• There are first person gameplay sections: when entering specific rooms, a random encounter may trigger. The player must fight enemies only armed with the knife. It is not possible to flee from these encounters and they may reward the player with supplies, two design decisions which deviate from the Survival Horror mechanics of the original game in which it is possible to flee from most encounters, certain boss fights included, and in which enemies do not drop supplies. These first person sections use dedicated camera angles, new 2D backgrounds unseen in any other version.

Eric's Letter

To do: Upload screenshot of Eric's Letter.

A new file can be found in ReBirth mode: Eric's Letter. It hints at the changed location of Doom Book 1 in this mode. It is worth noting that this file uses a background which exists in the original game's game data, although it is unused in any other version.

Multi-Card Play

To do: Screenshots.

A bonus mini-game similar to the Battle Mode of the Saturn version of the game.

• It is multiplayer only and requires both players to own the game. There is no online multiplayer.
• The other player's 3D model does not appear on the screen, in its place there is a star.
• The following characters are playable, some of them need to be unlocked: Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Barry Burton, Rebecca Chambers, Forest Speyer, Kenneth J. Sullivan, Albert Wesker, Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken. It is the only mode in any version of the game in which most of these characters are playable.

Regional Differences

As expected from the series, the game is known as Biohazard: Deadly Silence in Japan. Also, Multi-Card Play is known as Wireless Play in Japan.

America	Japan

Though not pictured here, the US version defaults the control type to Type B, while the Japanese version defaults to type A.