Parasite Eve
In short: Parasite Eve is an RPG game released in 1998 by Square, available on PS1. Our score: 8.5/10 (highly recommended).
An acclaimed RPG by Square.
{"title":"Parasite Eve","developer":"Square","year":1998,"category":"RPG","description":"Parasite Eve, released in 1998 by Square, plunges players into a unique blend of survival horror and action RPG mechanics, set against the backdrop of a surprisingly grounded yet terrifying urban environment. The story follows Aya Brea, a New York City police officer who finds herself at the epicenter of a bizarre biological event unfolding during a gala at the Museum of Natural History. Within moments, everyone at the gala, except for Aya, spontaneously combusts. This horrific event is just the beginning, as Aya soon discovers she possesses an immunity and a strange connection to the cause: Mitochondria Eve. Eve is a parasitic entity that is evolving rapidly, seeking to overwrite all human DNA with her own superior genetic code, effectively purging humanity and ushering in a new era of existence. Aya, burdened with the responsibility of stopping Eve and uncovering the truth behind her own unique nature, navigates the city as it succuits to creeping dread and the escalating mutations of Eve's parasitic influence. The gameplay distinguishes itself from traditional RPGs with its real-time combat system. While there are RPG elements like leveling up, gaining new abilities (known as Parasites), and equipping different weapons and armor, the battles are not turn-based. Instead, players control Aya directly, moving her around the battlefield, dodging attacks, and targeting enemies within a spe…
Game details
- Developer: Square
- Publisher: Square
- Release year: 1998
- Platforms: PS1
- Category: RPG
Our review
Parasite Eve, released in 1998 for the PlayStation, is a unique and captivating RPG from Square. Blending elements of survival horror with traditional RPG mechanics, it offered a fresh experience that stood out in a crowded genre. The story, a dark and mature narrative inspired by a Japanese novel, follows NYPD officer Aya Brea as she battles mitochondrial creatures taking over humanity. The cinematic presentation was groundbreaking for its time, with stunning pre-rendered backgrounds and impressive cutscenes. Gameplay features a hybrid real-time and turn-based combat system, allowing for tactical positioning while still engaging in menu-driven attacks and magic (or rather, "Mitochondrial Energy"). While the controls can feel a bit clunky by today's standards, and the graphics, while impressive for the PS1, show their age, the compelling narrative, memorable characters, and atmospheric world design more than make up for these minor shortcomings. Parasite Eve is a cult classic that rem…
Pros
- Unique blend of RPG and survival horror
- Compelling and mature story
- Groundbreaking cinematic presentation for its time
- Memorable characters and atmospheric world
- Hybrid combat system offers tactical depth
Cons
- Controls can feel clunky by modern standards
- Graphics show their age
- Some backtracking
FAQ
- What is Parasite Eve?
- Parasite Eve is an action RPG with survival horror elements developed by Square (now Square Enix) and released for the PlayStation in 1998. It's known for its unique blend of cinematic storytelling, real-time combat, and a compelling sci-fi horror narrative.
- Who is the main character in Parasite Eve?
- The main protagonist is Aya Brea, a rookie NYPD officer who discovers she has a mysterious connection to a phenomenon known as Mitochondrial Eve, leading her to fight mutated creatures and uncover a dark conspiracy.
- What kind of combat system does Parasite Eve use?
- Parasite Eve features a unique hybrid combat system. While encounters happen in real-time, you can pause the action to select attacks and abilities using an Active Time Bar (ATB), similar to classic Final Fantasy games, but with the ability to move Aya freely around the environment.
- Is Parasite Eve connected to other games?
- Parasite Eve is the first game in a series, followed by Parasite Eve II (released on PlayStation) and The 3rd Birthday (released on PSP). While they share the same protagonist and underlying lore, each game offers a distinct gameplay experience.
- What platforms is Parasite Eve available on?
- Parasite Eve was originally released for the PlayStation (PS1). It has since been made available as a downloadable PSOne Classic on the PlayStation Store for PS3, PSP, and PS Vita.
More about this game
Similar games
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Disco Elysium
- Mass Effect 2
- Persona 5 Royal
- Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Last updated: 06/10/2026