Countdown Vampires
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| Countdown Vampires | |
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| Developer(s) | K2 LLC |
| Publisher(s) | Bandai |
| Platform(s) | Sony PlayStation |
| Release date | JPN December 22, 1999 USA August 21, 2000 |
| Genre(s) | Survival horror |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Mature |
Countdown Vampires is a survival horror game for the PlayStation.
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[edit] Gameplay
The gameplay is highly similar to the earlier games in the Resident Evil series, to the extent of being labelled a "clone" [1]; although there are some additions like a dart gun as a secondary weapon, used to sedate most enemies (mainly, zombie-like "vampires") and then sprinkle "white water" in them to restore their humanity, instead of simply killing all enemies that approach the player (which can also be done). This encourages the player to use a wide variety of fighting techniques, that if he/she wants to "save" the enemies. As the game advances, more and more creatures appear (whose origins are not that well explained until late in the game), such as Giant Vampire Bats, Werewolf-like creatures, giant humanoid Mantis-like insects, Giant Frog Mutants (which are quite similar to the hunters of Resident Evil), and Purple Blob-things. The dart gun won't work in these ones.
It is possible to reload all guns and to switch beetween the dart gun and a lethal weapon without having to use the menu screen. There's an "e-mail" system in the item storage boxes which is mainly used to further explain and expand the backstory. It's also notable that there are minigames available in the first part of the game (set in a casino), like roulette and slot machines; the money won in these games can be used to buy food and drinks, the in-game recovery items. If the game is cleared with a S Ranking a special story mode is unlocked which shows an altered version of the original story, adding also much more characters besides the ones present in the first playthrough. This also gives the option to gather the 5 "Lucky coins"; if this is done a minigame called "Prince of Darkness" is unlocked. In said mimigame the player controls a vampire version of Keith which slays humans within a 20 minutes time limit. Game characters appear here as enemies, such as Mira, Sheck, and The Man in Black.
[edit] Plot
Sea Rim City Police Homicide Detective Keith J. Snyder had a problem which involved his previous partner, Wesley Simmons, so he was assigned, as a disciplinary measure, to be a bodyguard for several VIPs who were assisting to the inauguration of a new horror-themed casino, the Desert Moon. The problems began when a fire broke out and a mysterious black liquid started to pour out of the fire sprinklers, turning the vast majority of the people into vampires, which proceeded to devour the remaining survivors. Now Keith must find his way out of the casino and also try save the most people he can.
[edit] Characters
- Keith J. Snyder: The game's protagonist, he's a police detective which was hired as a VIP bodyguard and found himself trapped beetween the chaos at the casino.
- Misato Hayakawa: A waitress of the Desert Moon, Misato is a Japanese girl which is more important than she initially appears. She's attracted to Keith.
- The Man in Black: A mysterious shotgun-wielding person which appears form time to time. Its identity is revealed in the special story.
- Alicia S. Tiller: Chairman of a company related to the Desert Moon and also a scientist. Her role is further explored in the special story.
- Gells: A shadowy figure which is somewhat mysteriously related to Misato.
[edit] Special story exclusive characters
- Mira Swish: A detective from Plata Losa Police, also hired as a VIP bodyguard like Keith. She constantly looks for her lost sister Claudia, and seems obsessed with Gells and The Man in Black.
- Sheck Gardner: A Plata Losa SWAT team member which appeared as backup for both Keith and Mira.
- Jules Doors: Another SWAT, Jules seems to be friendly and helpful at first, but he later changes his intentions dramatically.
- Frederico Castero: Though he doesn't actually appear, he's the one who provides Keith with a lot of information via e-mail.
