Parasite Eve

Parasite Eve uses a hybrid real-time/ATB system where Aya Brea can move freely around the battlefield while waiting for her action gauge to fill, unlike the purely menu-driven turn-based combat of Square's Final Fantasy titles. Once the gauge is full, you can attack, use items, or cast parasite energy abilities. The system drew natural comparisons to Capcom's Resident Evil, though Parasite Eve retains deeper RPG leveling and weapon customization mechanics.

The game is actually a sequel to Sena's 1995 novel, taking place after the novel's events. In the game, Aya Brea confronts a new mitochondrial threat in New York City during Christmas 1997, while the novel centered on the original Eve incident in Japan. Square obtained the license and built an original storyline that expanded the novel's sci-fi premise into an RPG framework.

Parasite Eve was originally released for the PlayStation in 1998 and is available as a PSOne Classic on the PlayStation Store for PS3, PSP, and PS Vita. It is not available on Nintendo or Xbox platforms, and there is no modern PC release. You can also play the disc version on PS2 and PS3 via backwards compatibility.

Square released Parasite Eve II in 1999 for the PlayStation, which shifted toward Resident Evil-style survival horror with tank controls and less emphasis on RPG leveling. The third entry, The 3rd Birthday, arrived on the PSP in 2010, developed by Square Enix. The 3rd Birthday notably did not carry the Parasite Eve name due to licensing issues with the Sena novel.