S.D. Perry's Resident Evil series

[ScaryFreak1827]

Anybody read books 0-6 of author S.D. Perry's Resident Evil series? If you've played/enjoyed the games then you'll probably love these books because they go into even greater detail than the game's story. Characters, like Jill, Chris, Barry, Claire, Leon, etc. are fleshed out more, there's more gore/scares and lots of Umbrella's secrets/POV. Books 0, 1, 3, 5, 6 follow Resident Evil Zero, 1, 2, 3 and Veronica almost entirely while the others fill in the gaps and give you info that was in none of the games (with new characters.) I definetly recommend these to RE fans or simply horror fans (you don't need to have played the games to enjoy them).

[syxxpac]

I own 'em all and have read each of them dozens of times. Really good stuff, a lot of fun to kick back with every once in a while. However, their negative aspects have become a little more pronounced to me over the years since I've developed a more critical eye (I hate it so...), ie. the randomness of puzzles and some boss fights that are in the games don't translate well at all to an effective horror tale that would've been served better from an even more realistic, grim approach, despite the source's core fantasy, such as the giant snake in the attic in Umbrella Conspiracy. In the game, you could have that encounter and go "Yeeeeah, that's about right", then in the book it kinda becomes awkward and a little goofy. The differences between the two mediums are apparent in what works and what doesn't.

Still, they were great enough for me to find a workable trilogy of films buried within if one stripped away the unnecessary puzzles and the random boss battles, and I wrote three scripts in a comfy little Raccoon City trilogy that proves a viable film series can be made from adapting the series as is, regardless of whether my scripts suck or not. Just get a better writer, but the STORIES, and the characters, and the mythology, and everything, undoubtedly work, even if I, as one writer, suck at adapting. So fuck you very much, Paul Anderson, and have a nice day, sir. I've proven my point, and if Extinction is the best you can do to prove me wrong... then I'm content where I'm at.

...

Uh oh, is that X-Nightcrawler I hear breathing his combative rage in the background? Come forth, young guerrero, for we shall fight the final ideological battle in this forsaken land.

http://www.texasembassy.com/images/tumbleweed.gif

[X-Nightcrawler]

*removes Darth Vader helmet*
Stupid breather thing gave me away from what could've been quite a dramatic entrance! A pox on this breather thing! I shall fight you indeed in this forsaken land, alas without this flamboyant and impractical yet badass protective gear!

*ahem*

I've really enjoyed what I've read . . .

*people gasp*
*everyone stops where they stand*
*the earth roars as a paradox consumes it*

. . . for what they are.

*everyone catches their breath again*

I'm a rather big fan of the game series, its plots, mythologies (at least the one that's considered 'canon') and characters. Now, I've only read "Nemesis" and "Zero Hour" (based on one of my favorite and one of my least favorite entries in the series, respectively) and they were exactly what my archrival (I'm not going to say "nemesis" because that'd make it too easy on him to make a pun and/or feeble joke! Ah-ha! I protect every angle and cover every easy entry!) describes. They're easy to read and nice ways to waste some time and learn some more on the plots of the games, as well as expand on the characters of the series, which do need much expansion. Even Leon, my hero. He's so dreamy. *swoons*

But if you're looking for a horror thriller, it's not the way to go. The characters' logic are flawed and some incidents (like boss fights) are forced, uneeded and extremely silly, the prose is too simplistic and the overlaying themes are way too obvious. There are also several retcons (granted they were hardly Perry's fault) and what you might consider plotholes. Of course they're far from being great works of literature, but definitely fun.

They're fan service, basically. If you're a fan, you should have fun.
That's why I was actually planning to buy a couple of these tomorrow ("Caliban Cove" and "City of the Dead" because they have my hero and role model, I even have a bracelet that says "What would Leon do?") and eventually give them a whirl. They actually only take a couple of hours to read, and you can just swallow them up in one sitting.

They're for the fans.
Kinda like the RE movies, which are so awesome.

Hopefully my kame-hame-ha of a response hasn't disappointed you as much as totally dismembered you verbally!

[syxxpac]

Truly compelling argument. I wholeheartedly concur, and I bow to your intellectual grace without incident.















Ha! Ha! Ha! You thought it would be that easy? Foolish mortal, I shall display my symbolically phallic superiority with chosen quotes to respond to, with my own fair and balanced and quite manly commentary. Behold!

as well as expand on the characters of the series, which do need much expansion. Even Leon, my hero. He's so dreamy. *swoons*

I'll agree and disagree. Agree with the notion that expansion of them was welcome and definitely a good thing, while I disagree that they didn't have much to begin with. The characters were basically the same as they were in the game, same archetypes, same emotional journies, etc., the difference in that Perry gave them much, MUCH better and realistic dialogue and we didn't have to watch those distracting, robotic hand gestures for "emphasis". Plus, in the game, the experience is largely the player's and not the character's in the story, so taking away the interactive element helped make it a better, more focused story, too, and let you concentrate on THAT instead of whether you're gonna get killed around the next corner.

Now, are these what I would call deep, flawed, superbly realized characters? Well, not if we're stacking it up to a "serious" movie, but in the annals of its genre, with Romero's Dead Films, The Crazies, Aliens, etc. etc., it hits every mark it has to, and the potential is there in a movie adaptation for characters to be explored that DO seem real and interesting without having to flash a nipple, beav, or gorgeous Ukrainian eyes... which were... niiiice... very... beautiful... *shakes head* NO, Pac, NO, focus... focus... wheeeew. FOCUS...

Anyway, I think Perry actually did the best job with one of her original creations. Go figure. If David Trapp, that British S.T.A.R.S. dude introduced in Caliban Cove, isn't a brilliantly realized character, then I will quit life.

That's why I was actually planning to buy a couple of these tomorrow ("Caliban Cove" and "City of the Dead" because they have my hero and role model, I even have a bracelet that says "What would Leon do?") and eventually give them a whirl. They actually only take a couple of hours to read, and you can just swallow them up in one sitting.


Excellent. And also keep in mind that Trapp is awesome when you read Caliban Cove. He's my hero. Truly.

They're for the fans.
Kinda like the RE movies, which are so awesome.

... ...

The RE movies were for the fans? I was under the impression they were to serve Anderson's inflated ego about his creative ability, which in turn just proved how much of an incompetent cocker he was. He's like George Bush in a way, commits to a path that has nothing to do with whatever was actually proposed that made sense and totally fucked it up and is too proud to even admit he MIGHT have been a little... DUMB, as far as fanservice goes.

[X-Nightcrawler]

Truly compelling argument. I wholeheartedly concur, and I bow to your intellectual grace without incident.
That is all I wanted to hear, now bow down to my-


Ha! Ha! Ha! You thought it would be that easy? Foolish mortal, I shall display my symbolically phallic superiority with chosen quotes to respond to, with my own fair and balanced and quite manly commentary. Behold!
Egads! You have tricked me. Most excellent wit, I must admit. My retort shall be as merciless and unstoppable as the very waves of the ocean!


I'll agree and disagree. Agree with the notion that expansion of them was welcome and definitely a good thing, while I disagree that they didn't have much to begin with. The characters were basically the same as they were in the game, same archetypes, same emotional journies, etc., the difference in that Perry gave them much, MUCH better and realistic dialogue and we didn't have to watch those distracting, robotic hand gestures for "emphasis". Plus, in the game, the experience is largely the player's and not the character's in the story, so taking away the interactive element helped make it a better, more focused story, too, and let you concentrate on THAT instead of whether you're gonna get killed around the next corner. Well seems like we at least agree on the more important point- the books expand on the characters of the game.

I personally didn't think there was any real arc in any of the games, at least not explicit. Most of the changes they go through are minor and shallow. Leon goes from a 'wussy' rookie to a more determined hero through Resident Evil 2. But this happens out of the blue and without any sense of real pace, for instance. But, if it helps, at least the characters are better drawn and FAR more recognizable than any other cast of characters in a genre game (. . . excluding the obvious, which has the deepest characterizations I've seen in videogames that don't run for over 30 hours), so in that sense, I kinda agree. It's good to have better determination.

And yes, there's a more focus on the story and less focus on interactivity. Again, obviously. Most of these things are implicit when talking about novelizations of a videogame. This particular one is better because, well, the characters rock. Not because of depht, but because they rock.


Now, are these what I would call deep, flawed, superbly realized characters? Well, not if we're stacking it up to a "serious" movie, but in the annals of its genre, with Romero's Dead Films, The Crazies, Aliens, etc. etc., it hits every mark it has to, and the potential is there in a movie adaptation for characters to be explored that DO seem real and interesting without having to flash a nipple, beav, or gorgeous Ukrainian eyes... which were... niiiice... very... beautiful... *shakes head* NO, Pac, NO, focus... focus... wheeeew. FOCUS...I agree, that's why I said I enjoyed them for what they are. I wouldn't dare compare Barry Burton to Ben Hanscom because that'd be ridiculous, and I wouldn't compare James Sutherland to Ben Denenbough either.

But no one should ever, ever (not even you!), say there's no need to flash nipple, veav or gorgeous Ukranian eyes!


Anyway, I think Perry actually did the best job with one of her original creations. Go figure. If David Trapp, that British S.T.A.R.S. dude introduced in Caliban Cove, isn't a brilliantly realized character, then I will quit life.That'd make a lot more sense, since she doesn't have to follow a story that was meant to be interactive to begin with. And that's why I'm interested in "Calivan Cove".


The RE movies were for the fans? I was under the impression they were to serve Anderson's inflated ego about his creative ability, which in turn just proved how much of an incompetent cocker he was. He's like George Bush in a way, commits to a path that has nothing to do with whatever was actually proposed that made sense and totally fucked it up and is too proud to even admit he MIGHT have been a little... DUMB, as far as fanservice goes.Excellent! You fail to grasp my sarcasm, forever sealing your perceptions to the dephts of weakness!

[syxxpac]

Well seems like we at least agree on the more important point- the books expand on the characters of the game.

Indeed. So far so good...

I personally didn't think there was any real arc in any of the games, at least not explicit. Most of the changes they go through are minor and shallow. Leon goes from a 'wussy' rookie to a more determined hero through Resident Evil 2. But this happens out of the blue and without any sense of real pace, for instance. But, if it helps, at least the characters are better drawn and FAR more recognizable than any other cast of characters in a genre game (. . . excluding the obvious, which has the deepest characterizations I've seen in videogames that don't run for over 30 hours), so in that sense, I kinda agree. It's good to have better determination.

Silent Hill notwithstanding (nice try, chico, nice try indeed), the arc is there, but definitely downplayed because of the interactive element I mentioned, which takes the focus off characterization the way a movie or book doesn't have to cater. Also, the stories do take place over the course of one night (usually), and if you've seen any number of such genre movies, like Night Of The Living Dead or even Dog Soldiers, it's tough to form an arc the way you can by spacing the story over many days/months/years, etc., not that it's an excuse, per se.

Plus, and even I can admit this quite freely, Capcom really are amateur writers, or their translators who do the English versions are. The cheesy dialogue (though they've improved with each new game) and lack of pace or focus, as you alluded to, really hurt the story's chance at gaining any depth. I tried to cut all the unnecessary crap out and pull that potential forth with my scripts, which you've read, so I'll leave it to you to decide if I'm onto something with my endless assertion. My argument here pretty much lies with those scripts.

I agree, that's why I said I enjoyed them for what they are. I wouldn't dare compare Barry Burton to Ben Hanscom because that'd be ridiculous, and I wouldn't compare James Sutherland to Ben Denenbough either.

I am shocked and APPALLED. "Ben Denenbough"? It's Bill Denbrough, Mr. Crawler, Bill Denbrough. As a devoted IT freak, I say good DAY, sir.

But no one should ever, ever (not even you!), say there's no need to flash nipple, veav or gorgeous Ukranian eyes!

You're absolutely right. In fact, it's one of the things that make the RE movies less of a bitter pill to take, and I can't really blame Anderson so much as Capcom for whoring out Jill in RE3 and encouraging such a move on the filmmakers' part.

Then again, everything started going downhill with RE3, so I guess it was to be expected.

That'd make a lot more sense, since she doesn't have to follow a story that was meant to be interactive to begin with. And that's why I'm interested in "Calivan Cove".

Keep in mind, while the character is quite awesome himself, if you think the idea of zombies being made into gun-toting, mindless sentries is a bad idea... er, best stay away. I thought it was fine, it was explained in a logical way, and it wasn't distracting.

By all means, check it out.

Excellent! You fail to grasp my sarcasm, forever sealing your perceptions to the dephts of weakness!

Oh, but I did not fail, sir. I just thought of that strikingly fitting analogy and decided to use my anger to run with it full-bore.

Then again, maybe I'm unfairly misunderestimating Paul "Dubya Ess" Anderson.

[Tagia_Romero]

But no one should ever, ever (not even you!), say there's no need to flash nipple, veav or gorgeous Ukranian eyes!

You're absolutely right. In fact, it's one of the things that make the RE movies less of a bitter pill to take

http://www.killsometime.com/Pictures/images/kid-with-inflatable-doll.jpg

Have one of these boys, it'll make you feel better. :D

[X-Nightcrawler]

http://upload.moldova.org/movie/actors/m/milla_jovovich/thumbnails/tn2_milla_jovovich_2.jpg
I'd rather have one of these, if I may. :D

[Tagia_Romero]

http://upload.moldova.org/movie/actors/m/milla_jovovich/thumbnails/tn2_milla_jovovich_2.jpg
I'd rather have one of these, if I may. :D

I'd rather have an infinite amount of these since you have failed to please me in the past. :D:p

http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/istar/825/fehr.reclined.jpg

[martyds761]

I'd rather have an infinite amount of these since you have failed to please me in the past. :D:p

http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/istar/825/fehr.reclined.jpg
Ouch.....

[Tagia_Romero]

Ouch.....

He started it. :p

Seriously, it's a joke, dude. :D X can have all the Millas he wants. :p

[X-Nightcrawler]

Ouch.....

She's being such a liar! I've never failed to please a woman (which is more than we can say about SOMEONE who might read this)!

Especially not to Oded Fehr! :D

[Tagia_Romero]

She's being such a liar! I've never failed to please a woman (which is more than we can say about SOMEONE who might read this)!

Especially not to Oded Fehr! :D

Oh, so NOW you want me! Confounded lycanthropic lord!

[Fettdog]

I've got all of the RE books and have enjoyed each of them. There's nothing overly challenging or particularly original in them, but for a quick genre read they're great. :)

[g1ng3rsnap9ed]

I read the adaptions of RE 0,2,and code Veronica.Which this was a few years ago,but I did enjoy them.