I tend to look at the Resident Evil franchise as an old, worn-out amusement park. There are some rides that are just growing a little long in the tooth while some new attractions, such as the spectacular Resident Evil 4, still garner my attention and remind me why I was there in the first place. Resident Evil Outbreak, to me, was like an old haunted house ride. Sure, it had its scares at first, but as you continue on, it becomes predictable and somewhat bland, even with your friends along for the ride. The idea of online was a great one, don't get me wrong, but the execution was so flawed in terms of communication tools and the action just became bland and forgetful. It might have been a blast back on the PlayStation, but now...something just seems amiss.

So with that, I guess Capcom was trying to do one of two things with the sequel, Resident Evil Outbreak File #2. One, they were trying to rectify the mistakes of the first game and provide what they really had in mind with their online idea, or two, they wanted to give gamers a little more of what the first one was about. As much as I hate to say it, the game falls more into the second reason for me. It's got a couple of touches that make it a better game than the first Outbreak, but the whole thing for me left me wanting to go back to my GameCube and battle the giant zombified fish in the lake.

The story's about the same, once again set in the doomed town of Raccoon City as they're starting to feel the effects of the Umbrella Corporation's dastardly experiments. You choose from eight different townsfolk, each with their own strengths and weaknesses that could come in handy during the battle, along with a couple of computer controlled cohorts who are on your "team". As you proceed, you'll find new items, run into other players (either online or offline), and, of course, battle forces of evil that range from your typical zombie characters to some outstandingly sickening freaks of nature, some of which look creepy enough to justify the rest of the game's boredom.

The first Outbreak didn't control that well for me, and seemed to lean a bit too much on the old formulatic gameplay that the series was known for. Same goes for File #2, although I will give Capcom a slight thumbs up for allowing gamers to finally let loose with their weapons while continuing in a walking pattern. It somewhat takes away from the frustration that is otherwise just the same old thing- find items, go to this room, wait a few seconds for loading, explore room, shoot things, go to next room. It might have been fun upon introduction with the first Resident Evil and even a sequel or two later (most notably Code Veronica), but it just seems vapid in File #2.

The graphics look a bit better in terms of some cleaned-up environmental detail and some character animations, but it still uses the same kind of engine as the first, and it really lacks in imagination, aside from some creature designs. It just seems that the nooks and crannies of the worn-out Raccoon City buildings don't have the intensity they once did back when the town was originally infected, and thus it's like visiting a dusty museum. Sure, there's a neat thing here and there, but you've seen this stuff before.

As for sound, Capcom again bows to the traditional Resident Evil formula instead of jazzing things up as they did with RE4. The dialogue is unmeaningful and laughable, and the voice acting behind it makes it even more cheesy. Maybe it's meant to be this way but there is a way to convey it where it remains true to the tone and yet has some force behind it that doesn't make you snicker, but rather gives a chill up your spine- sort of like the foreign taunts your enemies shouted at you over on the GameCube's opus. The music's about the same, not much changed, and the sound effects are typical, nothing new.

With online play, Capcom had a grand opportunity to make things right this time around with File #2. The first game lacked any general communication, giving you only a handful of commands instead of using a headset to keep in touch. So here was a chance for redemption and...it got missed. AGAIN. Like the first game, File #2 is limited in its communication online with others, leaving you sometimes trying to signal for help instead of notifying others right away. It gets really frustrating when you're surrounded and can't exactly get the message out.

Even offline, the game's got its problems. You try to communicate with members of your own AI-controlled partners and they take their time in getting over to lend you a hand, checking out items and casually walking along. Yeah, see if I help you bastards out when it's time to return the favor. The single player game is kinda worth foraying through once if only to find a couple of bonus modes within the game and check out a couple of humorous hidden costumes. But that's if you have the patience to get through the game itself, and that's a strong task to ask of anyone.

I can't recommend Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 for several reasons. First, Resident Evil 4 is a better attraction. Second, its online mode that it boasts so heavily about is so flimsy that I'm surprised I stayed connected. And third, nothing has really changed. I can understand if some people like the general gameplay the way it is, but I expect something to validate my purchase to remind me that the series has evolved. RE4 has done that, File #2 doesn't even come close. I say close this ride down before someone considers opening up a new file...either that or maybe freshen it up so it can attract again.