Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The X-Files: Resist or Serve adopts a survival-horror framework very reminiscent of the classic Resident Evil titles, employing fixed camera angles that shift as you cross invisible trigger zones. This design choice amplifies tension, forcing players to learn environments by heart and anticipate threats around every corner. The limited control scheme—locking onto enemies before firing and standing still while you shoot—adds weight to each encounter, turning even lowly mutants into credible threats when you’re low on ammo.

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Players can tackle each of the three “episodes” as either Fox Mulder or Dana Scully. Mulder’s sections emphasize combat and exploration, giving him access to firearms and a broader range of defensive options. Scully’s episodes, by contrast, focus on forensic analysis—think autopsies, evidence gathering, and logic-based puzzles. This division keeps the pacing fresh, as you’ll switch between visceral firefights and cerebral investigations, mirroring the dynamic between action and deduction that made the TV series so compelling.

Inventory management is another core pillar of gameplay. With limited slots and weight restrictions, you’ll constantly juggle health items, ammunition, and key artifacts. This tension forces tough decisions—should you carry another mag for your revolver, or hoard medical supplies for the next boss encounter? The choice becomes even more critical when you consider the branching paths in each act, where certain items are available only if you explore side rooms or solve environmental riddles.

Bonus content unlocks upon completion of each episode, including behind-the-scenes videos of voice recording sessions and a gallery of concept art. These extras are a nice reward for completionists and X-Files die-hards, adding a layer of replay value for those who want to soak up every scrap of franchise lore.

Graphics

Resist or Serve delivers visuals that, while not pushing the PlayStation 2 to its absolute limits, faithfully evoke the eerie, shadow-drenched atmosphere of the TV show. Character models bear a strong resemblance to David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson—complete with distinctive hairstyles and facial expressions—though close-up animations occasionally slip into the uncanny valley. Still, the lip-synching during radio-style dialogues is surprisingly competent.

Environmental design stands out most in the game’s varied locales: the mist-shrouded streets of a Rocky Mountain town, the sterile corridors of a clandestine research facility, and even a frozen Siberian wilderness. Weather effects, like falling snow and drifting fog, are used sparingly but to great effect, heightening the sense of isolation when the lights go out. Pre-rendered cutscenes seamlessly transition into in-engine gameplay, reinforced by the series’ iconic theme music and ambient soundscapes.

Lighting plays a pivotal role in both storytelling and gameplay. Flickering fluorescent tubes, handheld flashlights, and static torches cast long, jittery shadows, creating a tense visual tapestry where something lurks just beyond the beam. Particle effects—dust motes in abandoned labs, embers in a burning corridor—add extra polish, even if textures sometimes look flat up close.

Where the game slightly falters is in enemy variety. Aside from the standard mutant goons and a few larger “boss” creatures, you’ll see the same models recycled across multiple episodes. While clever lighting and placement keep encounters feeling new, some players may notice a bit of déjà-vu by the final act.

Story

Resist or Serve offers three standalone episodes that slot neatly into the show’s seventh season, presenting original cases that could easily have aired on Fox. The first case investigates a series of gruesome murders blamed on alleged witchcraft, setting the stage for Mulder’s trademark blend of skepticism and open-minded curiosity. As evidence mounts, the narrative threads pull toward clandestine government experiments and unsettling paranormal phenomena.

Each episode unfolds in two acts, shifting locations from remote mountain towns to the bureaucratic hallways of FBI headquarters, and finally to a frosty outpost in Siberia. This globe-trotting structure reinforces the scope of the conspiracy and keeps pacing brisk. You’ll unlock dossier files, read transcribed memos, and overhear whispered radio chatter, all of which enrich the main plot without bogging it down in paperwork.

The authentic voice acting by Duchovny and Anderson is perhaps the game’s strongest narrative asset. Their banter replicates the original rhythm and humor of the series—Mulder’s sardonic quips, Scully’s measured skepticism—making it easy to forget you’re playing a third-person shooter rather than watching an episode. Coupled with Bernard Herrmann–inspired scores and the signature closing theme, the storytelling feels remarkably faithful to its source material.

Plot twists are modest but effective, echoing the subtle reveals that characterized the best X-Files episodes. You won’t encounter reality-bending revelations on the scale of “Flukeman” or “Clyde Bruckman,” but the modest conspiracies unraveled here hold up well and feed into the larger mythology that fans love.

Overall Experience

The X-Files: Resist or Serve is at its best when it leans into its television roots—strong writing, authentic performances, and an atmosphere dripping with distrust and mystery. For series devotees, it scratches that itch of seeing Mulder and Scully on a new, interactive case, complete with the familiar sights and sounds of the original show. The bonus features, including concept art and behind-the-mic videos, further deepen the appeal for franchise loyalists.

As a third-person survival-horror title, the game does an admirable job of replicating the tension and resource management staples of the genre. However, newcomers expecting a fast-paced shooter may grow impatient with the methodical combat and frequent back-tracking. The controls can feel dated, and unforgiving fixed cameras sometimes hinder more than help during frantic moments.

Despite minor technical hiccups, Resist or Serve provides a solid twenty-plus hours of gameplay across both Mulder and Scully campaigns. The distinct playstyles, coupled with multiple difficulty settings, encourage replay, and each episode stands on its own merit—perfect for one-off sessions or a marathon weekend binge.

In the end, The X-Files: Resist or Serve is not only a well-crafted nod to one of television’s most beloved series but also a worthy entry in the PS2 horror library. If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to join Mulder and Scully on a chilling new case, this game comes remarkably close to delivering that fan-service fantasy.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10