It is the first game in the Parasite Eve series. In the North American market it was packaged with 'Squaresoft on PlayStation 1998 Collector's CD Vol.1' a collection of demos of future Squaresoft games.
Parasite Eve uses a world map (the city of Manhattan) for movement, with a random encounter system for battles. Combat is a mixture of turn-based and real-time, with the former consisting of a Active Time Bar (ATB) that must be fill before and action can be taken, and the latter allowing the characters and enemies to move freely in the meantime. The protagonist has multiple options of attacking, defending, and escaping as well. Upgrading weapons and armor is performed by 'tuning up' with tools, which alters the item's attributes and effects, as well as finding more powerful weapons and armor as the game progresses.
As an RPG, Parasite Eve utilizes experience-based levels with character attributes increasing along with level. The player also receives Bonus Points which can be allotted to various functions, allowing for further player-determined character growth.
