PARASITE EVE

Parasite Eve is a game released for the Playstation in the late 90s. It follows the story of Aya Brea, a cop on the NYPD who is thrown into a mess of mysterious circumstances. On Christmas Eve 1997, Aya Brea and her date go to the opera to see an...opera. Everything hunky dory until the lead role of the play starts singing her beautiful heart out. The song would be great, if it werent for the fact that everybody else in the theatre spontaneously combusts into flames.

This was not on the pamphlet

Aya, unharmed, goes to investigate the mysterious singer. The singer is surprised that the cop hasnt succumbed to a horrible death and reveals her "true identity" as mitochondria eve. Get ready, cus im about to lay down a bunch of science shit on your ass.

Inside each and every one of our cells exist an energy source know as mitochondria.. Mitochondria have their own genetic code (DNA) and even produce their own sperm. Why? It is once thought that mitochondria were a completely separate organism floating in the primordial soup and then combined with the cell as the two mutually benefit each other.

You have people living inside you...

According to this game (and the novel this game is actually based on/a sequel to), as humans have evolved so too have mitochondria, becoming conscious and forming their own independent identity. The mitochondria communicate with each other through some sort of telepathic manner and have reached the point where they are ready to take over the human race. The mitochondria within the cells of the target human's body released all available energy at once, creating a reaction akin to spontaneous combustion.

And it also turn animals into scary monster demon things too apparently

The origin of all mitochondria is know as Mitochondria Eve, hence the name of the antagonist. Due to selfish gene theory, Aya's mitochondria is resistant to the effects of Eve and goes through the game kicking mitochondria monster ass in an effort to stop eve. 

The gameplay is very fun and by far my favorite aspect of this game. Its a combination of real-time and  turn based. When your active time bar fills up you can shoot your gun a set number of times, use healing items, or use crazy superpowers you'd see in any other JRPG - Haste, heal, slow, etc. (She can do this because the mitochondria in her body are working with her and making her stronger, allowing her to also manipulate the mitochondria in others)

This game is a classic, definitely one of my favorites. Great story, great combat system, great game.

5/5