REO includes a single player offline mode and a four-player online mode. Single player mode lets players experience the game without logging onto a broadband connection, while the network mode lets players cooperate with real players online. Outbreak includes five scenarios that take place in the timeline between Resident Evil 1-3.

Logging on to enjoy REO online is simple. Players need to create an account then choose Scenario Mode or Free Play. Scenario Mode will automatically place you in a game and scenario, while Free Play lets you choose a scenario and teammates through a lobby chat area and rooms. Game hosts can only choose scenarios that he/she have beaten either on or offline. When everyone is ready the game host will start the game and the scenario will begin. All characters will be treated to CG movies interspersed in the scenario. The movies help to further the story and keep the same cinematic feel as previous RE titles. In each scenario players will collect points that can be used to purchase extra features, like CG movies or costumes.

There are eight characters to choose in Outbreak. Each character is an average citizen of Raccoon City, which means a lack of super fast reaction times or agility. The characters range from Kevin the average cop, Cindy the waitress, George the doctor, and David the plumber. The characters each have a specialty that relates to their occupation. For example, Kevin is good at fire arms and starts out with a gun, Cindy has an herb case to store and heal others, while David can use his toolbox to assemble new weapons or slash folks with his pocket knife.

The average Joe characters draw a more dire sense of helplessness against an army of zombies. Outbreak lets players use "classic" RE controls or new analog control, but because the characters are everyday citizens, their movements, reaction, and pace are much more true to how the average person would manage in a tense environment. Many times players will use average items as weapons, like pipes, floor brushes, or pesticide spray to keep enemies at a distance. Each character has a bare attack move that ranges from a kick to a swift dodge. Dexterity movements like jumps or climbs are slower and unbalanced to make the zombies more of a threat.

When players are attacked, a meter will pop up to display a virus infection rate in the body. When the percentage reaches 100 the player will turn into a zombie a die a few minutes later. To prevent this there are a few items like anti virus pills to stop the infection rate.

To survive in any online game, communication is key. Unfortunately, REO does not make use of the PS2 headset to chat with others. Instead it relies on 8 key phrases that players must use to let other players know how they feel. Each direction on the right analog speaks a different phrase such as, "Help!", "Come on!", "Go!, "Thanks!", "Yes.", "No." or "Wait.". This understandably makes things difficult when 4 people are saying the same things 10 times over and most times not making any damn sense. When used to communicate to others it can and does work, but never that well. To let players chat while everyone is in the same room would be the most realistic. Hearing people in the distance would also let others know of another players proximity. When players are in one location they can hand over items, request items, or help others in danger.

The best way to get through a scenario is to stick closely together. However even this is a struggle since you can't communicate what you plan to do or where you plan to go. Take one minute to check out a room while others surge ahead and there's a good chance you may never see your pals again. Since there's a lack of communication, most players will consider you dead and never look back. Elevator level selection will almost always cause your team to unintentionally separate. Players will have no idea what level other players chose to head to in the elevator shaft, causing everyone to disband. A text prompt that let players know where other players went would remedy the problem in a second.

The minimal communication was most likely an intentional effort on the producer's part to keep players on edge, and that it does. In all previous Resident Evil games the lead character was always kept alone. In Outbreak, players have a barrier of comfort when traveling in a group. But when teammates start to disappear one by one, the solitary discomfort sinks in and lets players question what exactly happened to their posse. There's also an urgency to find someone in your team to continue the scenario. It's a unique brand of fear that separates Outbreak from all other RE games.

Load times are pretty harsh in Outbreak. To enter one room takes close to 10 seconds and takes away from the urgency in the game. Players who own the HDD will fare better, but are required to join games only with other HDD owners. Part of what will make scenarios take around an hour to complete are hinged on load times alone.

REO has some of the best graphics the series has seen. It's not on par with the RE remakes, but the title features full 3D backgrounds that are textured in lush detail. The characters are also well defined, as are their undead counterparts. The product values are top notch, with beautiful CG cinemas laid out through each scenario, and a haunting introduction piece.

Resident Evil Outbreak is a fun if marred title that will keep players glued until the next batch of scenarios. The games' poor communication system and load times keep it from being a more workable online experience. But its unnerving combination of comradery and isolation is sociable, scary fun.