I don't recall any preview of Resident Evil: Outbreak mentioning the awful load times. But then, that's the sad point of previews, to talk the game up no matter what actually ships. The inevitable review will sort all the ugly bits out later.
Back in the early days of the PS2 Network Adapter, Resident Evil Online/Network/Outbreak/Loading was the Big One. For me anyway, because I don't have much interest in Final Fantasy 11. This was the forthcoming game that would bust the internet-enabled PS2 wide open. Exploring Raccoon City with other live players, blasting zombies and seeking the key-coded way out. Droolworthy.
I haven't played it online yet, because I figured I'd get my sea legs in the offline mode first. Problem: I can't even get out of the first level because the game locks up on me somewhere in the "Outside of Apple Inn" area. Now, I have a Day One PS2, probably one of only five in America still in operating condition... so at first I blamed my aging hardware for the lockups. I did some troubleshooting; played the game on Kevin's newer PS2 (the network bundle kit version)... it locked up at the same place. I even exchanged the game for a second copy. Locked up again. I just finished Fatal Frame 2, and I'm deep in Lupin the Third, and both of those games have been fine. So I don't know what to blame now.
Let me tell you a little something about Resident Evil: Outbreak. It runs in scenarios, not in one solid adventure like the previous games. While in a scenario, there are very few save points... in fact, saving really isn't traditional saving, it kicks you out of the game so you can resume it later. I have the impression that you're supposed to gun through the entire scenario in one sitting, which would make sense for an online game with players scattered across the country. All four times I've tried the first level, I haven't saved... so I can't blame my lockups on a crappy save file. For further insult, you can't play any other scenarios until you've beaten the first one.
I'm reluctant to give up and sell back the game entirely. It looks really great, has a couple of the best opening CGs I've seen to date. And the concept is solid, especially the bit where you yourself become a zombie after dying.
But holy shit, the loading. Remember the classic RE door animations? Those are gone, but not replaced. Outbreak just throws up a black screen with some locater text at the bottom. And they're long. If you're trying to dash down a hallway with doors on both ends, you'll spend more time on the in- and out-loading screens than in the hallway itself.
