XOOX | XX7X (4)

Controls: You've got a few control schemes here (Type A through F). The main things to remember are: L1 to reload, R1 for auto-aim, R2 for manual aim, and the START button to skip cutscenes or check your status. The D-Pad and Left Analog Stick move you, while the Right Analog Stick and R3 are for communicating with your partners (HELP!, Go!, Thanks!, Come on!, Wait!). TRIANGLE brings up your map. The action button (X, CIRCLE, or SQUARE depending on your control type) is also used for attacking when aiming. Don't forget that R1 or R2 combined with the Cancel button performs your character's special ability – super useful!

Game Difficulty: You'll choose your difficulty before starting. Easy gives you tons of ammo and weak enemies. Normal is a bit more balanced. Hard and Very Hard will test your resource management skills, with scarce ammo and tough enemies. Lone Wolf lets you go solo, and Infinity Mode gives you infinite ammo and unbreakable melee weapons – great for practice or just messing around.

Electrocardiogram (Health Status): Keep an eye on your health! FINE is green and full health. CAUTION (Yellow) means you've taken a little damage. CAUTION (Orange) means you're low on health and can't run as fast. DANGER (Red) is critical – you'll be crawling and your virus meter will drop fast. POISON and BLEEDING are separate status effects that slow you down or cause damage over time, so you'll need specific items to counter them.

Health-Replenishing Items: You'll find GREEN HERBS to heal a little. BLUE HERBS cure poison. RED HERBS do nothing alone, but combined with others, they're powerful. A RED + GREEN HERB heals about 75% of your health. A RED + BLUE HERB acts as an ANTIVIRUS. A GREEN + BLUE HERB heals a bit and cures poison. Combining all three (RED + GREEN + BLUE) is your ultimate healing item – full health, cures poison, and acts as an ANTIVIRUS. A FIRST AID SPRAY always heals you to full, but be careful: if you're crawling in DANGER, using these items will still let you stand up, but the healing properties might be less effective. It's often better to have a partner help you up in a pinch.

Medicine (Crafting): George can whip up some handy medical supplies. RECOVERY MEDICINE is like a GREEN HERB, and you can make it by mixing a BLUE HERB with his MEDICAL SET, or by mixing a RECOVERY MEDICINE BASE. RECOVERY MEDICINE (L) is much more potent, like 4 GREEN HERBs, and can be crafted by George using a RED HERB and BLUE HERB, or two RECOVERY MEDICINE BASEs. A HEMOSTAT stops bleeding and can be made by George with a RED HERB.