We love a good ripping yarn. Riding boots, afternoon tea, cor-blimey workmen being offed by the undead, Egyptian curses, and bustle-wearing, shotgun-toting ladies with an attitude. It's like Hammer Horror never went away.

Curse is the nearest thing we're going to get to Resident Evil on Xbox. There's Silent Hill 2 of course, but that's a strong enough brand to stand on its own merits. Curse, however, is Resident Evil. Mansion? Check. Puzzle solving? Check? Weird plague turning everyone into drooling brain munchers? Check. Every familiar aspect, from the distinctly Resi control system to the inventory, has been sandblasted, stuck in a sarcophagus, and given a plummy accent. It's a wonder the word 'litigation' didn't come up during development.

The plot revolves around a dangerous artefact called the Eye Of Isis (G-virus) which is unleashed on the unsuspecting public (Raccoon City), turning everyone into zombies. Two heroes Darien Dane (Leon Kennedy) and Victoria Sutton (Claire Redfield) must then try to bring it under control and recover the Eye before any more damage is done. Sound familiar? The four levels are vast, sprawling areas that, for a lack of carefully thought-out design, are labyrinthine at times. The museum at the beginning of the game is so lacking in detail you may well find yourself backtracking and taking shortcuts to nowhere. It can be excruciating, especially when the map neither hints at nor illustrates any landmarks. Still, learn to traverse the hurdles and the straights can be fun.

The superb music adds a palpable tension, and there are some genuine shocks (look out for the iron maiden with the unpredictable hinges). The voice acting is good, and the lighting is great, but there is something markedly soulless about the game. There's no real sense of dread or panic evoked while playing, the crux of what makes a good survival horror game. The pacing is also too slow, and tends to fizzle rather than spark. Even the first guardian you encounter is a bit weak. A Tyrant or Nemesis is far more intimidating than a stuffed bear, believe us.

Despite this, Curse gives its all, and has been made with passion if not originality. If you're hankering after Resi for Xbox, then this might be an acceptable alternative if you can forgive the blatancy with which it rips off Capcom's franchise. Peter Cushing would only fidget in his grave, not do a full 180 degrees.

1. Immersive storyline
2. Nice use of light and sound
3. The only real Resi-style game for Xbox

1. It's a rip-off
2. Can be too slow
3. Not scary enough

Power
Nice lighting, great sound, and some genuinely creepy shadowing use the Xbox magic wonderfully.

Style
Old houses, walking dead, and ancient curses almost carry it off, but Capcom was there first.

Immersion
The story has enough weight to carry the burden of comparison, so you'll be sucked in.

Lifespan
A week, tops. Once you find your way around then there should be no stopping you.

Summary
Fun, in a camp, old-fashioned way, but not sophisticated or clever enough to even touch the Resident Evil franchise.