Parasite Eve is a sequel to the Japanese novel Parasite Eve by Hideaki Sena rather than a direct adaptation.

Released in Japan on March 1998, and in North America on September 1998. It sold over 1.9 million copies worldwide.

It was Square’s first M rated game and was clearly targeted at an adult audience from the beginning.

Development cost over ten million dollars, making it one of the most expensive games Square created in the 1990s.

Many staff members also worked on Final Fantasy VII, sharing tools and CGI technology.

It was internally called “the cinematic RPG” because of its movie like presentation and high quality FMVs.

The game uses a real time battle system with active time bars, blending RPG mechanics with survival horror.

Aya can move freely in combat, something extremely uncommon for RPGs at the time.

The game features one of the earliest detailed three dimensional New York City maps on consoles.