Square Enix boasts a rich archive of games that span several decades. Generally speaking, the company has been making strides in bringing some of its classic titles to contemporary platforms. The remastered versions of Final Fantasy have become more accessible than ever, while Dragon Quest is at least beginning to receive HD-2D remakes, along with a few older ports. Nevertheless, the selection of games outside of these two series could use significant improvement. Regrettably, one of Square Enix’s finest titles from the PlayStation 1 era remains hard to find.
Back in 1998, before merging with Enix, Square launched the game “Parasite Eve” on the original PlayStation.
Why Parasite Eve Stood Out
The game titled Parasite Eve, undeniably distinctive, was largely unfamiliar to American players, including myself, at its release. However, it’s actually the sequel to a Japanese horror novel with the same name. Fortunately, the game didn’t necessitate prior knowledge of this fact. The unique protagonist, Aya Brea, graced the game, with her story deviating from the typical RPG hero. On a festive Christmas Eve, Aya, a police officer in New York City, found herself on a date at Carnegie Hall. To her astonishment and terror, as the performance commenced, most people around her suddenly burst into flames. The sole survivors were Aya, her date, and one of the performers. As Aya flees, the singer Melissa Pearce metamorphoses into a chilling entity known as Eve.
In Parasite Eve, the atmosphere and gameplay are more reminiscent of a survival horror title than the usual Square productions might suggest. Aya’s weaponry leans towards what one would expect from Resident Evil, focusing primarily on rifles and pistols. Yet, amidst these significant genre departures, Parasite Eve retained enough role-playing game (RPG) elements to appeal to RPG enthusiasts. The game incorporated random encounters and an Active Time Bar that restricted Aya’s moves until it was fully charged. Unlike many 90s Square games, Aya could navigate freely within a specified area, enabling players to dodge enemy attacks. Certain aspects of the storytelling about Eve’s origins echoed Square’s narrative style during that period.
How Square Enix Can Take a Page from Capcom
The success of Parasite Eve sparked two subsequent installments: Parasite Eve II on PlayStation and The 3rd Birthday on PSP. While the former received generally positive feedback, the latter’s reception was rather divided. Since 2011, the series seems to have taken a hiatus. The most disappointing part is that these games are no longer compatible with contemporary platforms, making it necessary for enthusiasts to seek out vintage copies and run them on older hardware. This predicament is common among many classic games, but it’s particularly vexing when the game in question was well-received.
It’s clear that there are several compelling arguments for why a new installment or a remake of “Parasite Eve” is warranted. Firstly, the horror genre has significantly evolved since the game’s initial release, roughly 30 years ago. Today, we witness a genre resurgence not just in films but also in video games, and regrettably, “Parasite Eve” did not experience the same level of success as other popular horror series such as “Resident Evil” and “Silent Hill.”
A remake akin to Capcom’s highly acclaimed 2019 “Resident Evil 2” reboot has long been coveted by fans of “Parasite Eve.” Although some might advocate for an entirely new game, a well-executed remake could serve as an excellent introduction to the series for novice players and pique their curiosity about this much-discussed franchise.
During the time of the original PlayStation, developers really showed their creative side with numerous timeless classics being released on the platform. These games continue to captivate new audiences through sequels, re-releases, and remasters. Unfortunately, this isn’t currently the case for the game Parasite Eve, but perhaps that will change in the future. It appears Square Enix is primarily concentrating on Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest at present, but it seems unlikely we won’t see protagonist Aya Brea reappear in gaming someday. In fact, there have been whispers of a remaster circulating for several years now. Until the day that becomes reality, fans of Parasite Eve will just have to be patient and eagerly await the series’ return.
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2025-08-25 22:18