Article By Ben Salter
A game series guide takes a look back at the history of the classics gaming series which have built the gaming industry into what it is today. While some series may not directly relate back to the site console many of these series have made their mark on the industry and contributed to the quality of titles now and into the future. For this reason the article will be placed across all MyMedia gaming sites as news where it does not directly link back to the console and an article where it does. Resident Evil or Biohazard as it’s known in Japan is a series of survival horror games that have also been adapted into comics, novels, films and action figures. The series is developed by Capcom and was created by Shinji Mikami. Since it’s debut on the original PlayStation Resident Evil has sold over 34.5 million games as of February 29, 2008, proving itself to be one of Capcom’s most successful franchises and one of the most popular in the survival horror genre.
General History
Resident Evil was born in 1996 on Sony's PlayStation where it met critical acclaim and hasn't looked back since. The game went on to spawn two sequels on the PlayStation before moving to the Dreamcast, Gamecube and eventually PlayStation 2 in the next generation. Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles marks the first installment in the current generation, which is to be followed up by the highly anticipated Resident Evil 5 in 2009. Beyond games the series has been adapted into a trilogy of films, Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) and Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) to varying levels of success. Resident Evil Novels, comics and merchandise are popular among fans of the series.
Gameplay
Strong Horror, puzzle solving, intense action and girly screams best describe the industry's most popular survival horror series. The gameplay consists of fighting off zombies and range on non-human characters (although they are closer to human in Resident Evil 4) to survive with a limited range of weapons and ammunition. The player must explore the world, initially Raccoon City, solving puzzles while fending off the savage beasts. Health is rejuvenated through first aid sprays and herbs found along your journey. The game can be saved when the character comes across a type writer, which needed an ink ribbon in the earlier games, however this feature was removed in later games as the inability to save without ink became extremely frustrating.
Prior to Resident Evil 4 the game took place in the third person before moving into an over the shoulder camera angle. While the earlier games focused on exploring and conserving ammo the more recent releases have had a heavier emphases on action. Which ever Resident Evil game you are playing one thing is for sure, on a late stormy night it will scare the pants off you!
Originally released on the PlayStation in 1996, Resident Evil made it’s way to the PC and Sega Saturn before being remade for the Gamecube and Nintendo DS. At the time of release Resident Evil was considered to be one of if not the best 3D adventure games ever made. The ability to create real tension and genuinely scare the player had rarely been seen in the videogame world. It was the first game to be dubbed ‘Survival Horror’ leading many developers to consider it one of the most important games in modern times. Unlike future releases the debut title began with a live action sequence similar to that found in a B-grade horror film. The main goal of the player was to survive using any means necessary against slow moving but man-eating zombies.
In Raccoon City a Midwestern US town, strange reports have come in from locals about missing people and unusual sightings of inhuman monsters. The remains of a mangled woman, who appeared to be attacked by a wolf type creature, are recovered from the river. Police barricade the entrance to the mountain road, and Raccoon City's STARS are informed of the situation. The STARS Bravo Team go to investigate but their helicopter fails and all communication is lost with the team. Alpha Team goes in to investigate the inhabited forest area, locate and rescue Bravo Team and resolve the situation. However, when the team lands, it is suddenly attacked by a pack of wild dogs. The terrified helicopter pilot flees for his life leaving behind the members of Alpha Team who are chased to a nearby mansion where the real nightmare that is Resident Evil begins.
Originally released in 1998 for the PlayStation Resident Evil 2 follows the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor. Development began in 1996 for a planned release in March of 1997 however as the date neared the title was delayed due to the developers being unhappy with the final product and development began from scratch. This canned version of the game has been renamed "Resident Evil 1.5 by Capcom. In Japan the game was renamed "Biohazard 2" and was made easier for the different audience. Zombie locations were changed and the player had increased firepower while visually the game was made less violently graphic. Several months after the initial release the "Duel Shock" version made it's way onto store shelves allowing for full use of the PlayStation's new Duel Shock controller. The game also included a new minigame as well as a Rookie difficulty and a "USA Mode" for the Japanese release, allowing them to play Resident Evil 2 as it was intended.
In the last game to be released on the PlayStation you are sent back in time 24 hours before the events of Resident Evil 2. The second half of the game sees you jump forward 2 days later. The events of the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City are concluded along with the fate of the city. The Nemesis is an experiment by Umbrella to hunt down and kill the remaining STARS members. Unlike other enemies he can run, use weapons, and dodge attacks, as well as pursue the player between different areas. Resident Evil 3 introduced the dodge move and the 180 spin to save valuable time. Ammunition could be created through combining gunpower with remaining ammo. During cut scenes players were often forced to select a route with a limited time to decide, not choosing would result in the automatic selection of a third option each with a different result.
Players were forced to play as Jill Valentine who was desperately trying to escape the zombie infested Raccoon City, and for the first time did not have the choice of a secondary character. After hearing of the unsuccessful attempts to stop the spread of the T-Virus the US Government ordered the city to be destroyed. Jill has 15 minutes to escape before the missile hits. While not as successful as it's predecessor Resident Evil 3 continued the positive review trends and has sold approximately 3.5 million copies worldwide.
The fourth game in the series was also the first not to debut on the PlayStation when it was released on the Dreamcast in 2000. Code: Veronica was the first game in the series to use true 3D backgrounds rather than pre-rendered ones. A majority of the gameplay remained the same, with subtle changes including the ability to duel wield handguns. Code: Veronica is considered by many to be the true sequel to RE2 as Nemesis was originally planned to be a side story. Code: Veronica X was released in 2001 and featured new cut scenes and minor improvements in graphics, however the core gameplay remained unchanged.
The game takes place on Rockfort Island three months after the previous installment. Claire Redfield eventually escaped prison on the T-Virus infected Island before being transported to another Umbrella facility. The forth game rated highly among critics, however the Gamecube version received scores as low as 1/5 for being a very poor port.
The fifth title, Resident Evil Zero goes back to the origins of RE and is the last title in the main series to use the traditional Resident Evil style of gameplay. You play as both Rebecca Chambers of STARS Bravo team and Billy Coen, an escaped ex-military convict simultaneously, switching between characters in a first for the series. They can travel together or split up and search different areas.
The game is a prequel to the first Resident Evil game and goes back to 1998 when the STARS team is sent to investigate a murder. Rebecca stumbles across a stopped train, which after further inspection is discovered to be zombie infested. The Rookie STARS member begins to wonder what she has gotten herself into when the train speeds out of control and she is forced to team up with former Marine Billy Coen on his way to be executed. The game first appeared at the Tokyo Game Show in 2000 and was intended for the Nintendo 64 as it was believed that a cartridge based console would handle the partner swaps better than a disc operating system. However with the change of generations it was moved to the GameCube with significantly improved graphics. The game was ported to the Wii in 2008, unfortunately at this point in time the Wii release is exclusive to Japan.
Resident Evil 4 revolutionised the series in a way nobody thought possible. Taking on a new look over the shoulder camera the game focused on action including fast-paced gunplay, quick controls, and massive crowds of enemies in equally large areas. Gone were the days of slow exploring and ammo conserving, Resident Evil 4 meant business. The new camera system allowed for near perfect control of Leon S. Kennedy which was complemented perfectly by context based controls. Depending on the situation players were able to interact with the environment by kicking down a ladder or jumping form a out of control boulder during a cut scene. Possibly the biggest change was the move away from zombies in favour of parasite controlled humans known as "Los Ganados", not only are they human in appearance they are smart. Leon S. Kennedy is sent into a village in Europe to rescue Ashley Graham, the President's daughter, who has been kidnapped by what is only described as a strange cult. After rescuing Ashley the Los Ganados are ordered to recover her using any means necessary. As it becomes apparent that they are infected by the parasite Ashely is kidnapped again. Leon must defeat the leader of the cult Saddler and escape the island.
Announced back in 2001 RE4 underwent development involving several proposed versions before it was released in 2005. The first build began intended for the PlayStation 2 in 1998. However the game had drastically moved away from the Resident Evil and survival horror genres, rather than risk a new direction the prototype was evolved into Devil May Cry. The Gamecube version was first revealed in the "fog version" showing Leon infiltrating Umbrella’s headquarters in Europe. This version was quietly canceled and Capcom showed off the "Hooked Man Version" at E3 2003. This build saw Leon navigating through a mansion but was canceled for being too paranormal for the Resident Evil plot. The next version reportablely went back to traditionally using zombies as the main enemy, although this was scrapped before anything was released to the public. Resident Evil 4 was finally released for the Gamecube exculsively for several months in 2005 before it was ported to the PlayStation 2, PC and the Wii. To date the Gamecube version of Resident Evil 4 has sold over 1.6 million copies while the Wii and PS2 versions have sold over 1 and 2 million copies respectively.
The seventh installment in the main series, moved in a new direction as it became an on-rails shooter for the Wii. The player moved along a predetermined path and occasionally had the decision of which direction to take, effecting the outcome of the story. The Wii remote is used as a light gun to shoot on screen enemies and the motion controls can be used to perform melee attacks. The game can be combined with the Wii Zapper Accessory. Originally it was planned to play in a similar fashion to RE4 however the game's producer Masachika Kawata stated the change was made because "Wii users like easiness", and a Resident Evil 4 type game would be too hard. Looking back it's interesting that he made these claims as the while both games were successful the Wii version of Resident Evil 4 was ultimately the better and more popular title.
The forthcoming Resident Evil game and eighth in the main series was announced back in 2005. The game will play in a similar fashion to Resident Evil 4 and is currently slated for a March 13 2009 release. The environment will play a significant role as moving between light and darkness will cause the game's protagonist to have to adjust to different brightness, showing off the power of the latest generation of graphics. New enemies will be introduced with a new and varying array of weapons. RE5 will be complete with both an online and offline co-op, meaning this time you don't have to sit in deadly silence listening to yourself whimper, someone else will be doing the same thing with you.
The Resident Evil: Survivor series consists of three light gun titles. The games are a combination of a first-person-shooter and a first person light gun arcade game. Dead Aim is the only of the titles to predominately be presented in the third person, however it switches into first person when firing a weapon. On a whole the series has not be received anywhere near as positively as the main series, but has be praised as decent arcade shooter
Games Resident Evil: Outbreak, Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2
Games: Resident Evil Gaiden, Resident Evil: The Missions, Resident Evil Confidential Report, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, Resident Evil: Genesis
The Nintendo DS received a remake of the original Resident Evil, Deadly Silence, in 2006. The highly anticipated the game failed to live up to the hype, attributed to poor control schemes making it difficult to play. Resident Evil: Gaiden for the Gameboy Color (pictured) in 2001 was the first and only game in the series to move into an overhead view. When encountering a zombie with no chance of escape the game moved into a first-person view. Three games specifically for mobile phones have been developed to date and take a more puzzle orientated approach due to the limited technology and screen size.
If I can't see them, they can't see me
Prior to Resident Evil 4 the game took place in the third person before moving into an over the shoulder camera angle. While the earlier games focused on exploring and conserving ammo the more recent releases have had a heavier emphases on action. Which ever Resident Evil game you are playing one thing is for sure, on a late stormy night it will scare the pants off you!
Games
Main Series
Resident Evil
Release: 1996
Platforms: PlayStation, PC,
Sega Saturn, GameCube,
Nintendo DS, Mobile
In Raccoon City a Midwestern US town, strange reports have come in from locals about missing people and unusual sightings of inhuman monsters. The remains of a mangled woman, who appeared to be attacked by a wolf type creature, are recovered from the river. Police barricade the entrance to the mountain road, and Raccoon City's STARS are informed of the situation. The STARS Bravo Team go to investigate but their helicopter fails and all communication is lost with the team. Alpha Team goes in to investigate the inhabited forest area, locate and rescue Bravo Team and resolve the situation. However, when the team lands, it is suddenly attacked by a pack of wild dogs. The terrified helicopter pilot flees for his life leaving behind the members of Alpha Team who are chased to a nearby mansion where the real nightmare that is Resident Evil begins.
Resident Evil became a best seller in the US but met mixed reviews with some publications praising it while others where very quick to point out it’s flaws, generally in regards to the PC version. The original version sold over 2,750,000 copies. The GameCube remake sold another 1,250,000 and was reviewed very highly due to being one of the most atmospheric and all-around scariest games ever made.
Resident Evil 2
Release: 1998
Platforms: PlayStation, PC,
Nintendo 64, Dream Cast,
GameCube
Resident Evil 2 is set on September 29, 1998. A biological weapon named the T-Virus has been released into the sewers while Raccoon City has been overrun by zombies. Leon S. Kennedy, a police officer on his first day, and Claire Redfield, a college student looking for her brother, Chris find themselves on their way to the chaotic Raccoon City to face whatever it is that is inside. Resident Evil 2 received positive reviews and was a commercial success, selling almost 5 million copies on the PlayStation alone.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Release: 1999
Platforms: PlayStation, PC,
Dream Cast, GameCube
Players were forced to play as Jill Valentine who was desperately trying to escape the zombie infested Raccoon City, and for the first time did not have the choice of a secondary character. After hearing of the unsuccessful attempts to stop the spread of the T-Virus the US Government ordered the city to be destroyed. Jill has 15 minutes to escape before the missile hits. While not as successful as it's predecessor Resident Evil 3 continued the positive review trends and has sold approximately 3.5 million copies worldwide.
Resident Evil Code: Veronica
Release: 2000
Platforms: Dreamcast,
PlayStation 2, GameCube
The game takes place on Rockfort Island three months after the previous installment. Claire Redfield eventually escaped prison on the T-Virus infected Island before being transported to another Umbrella facility. The forth game rated highly among critics, however the Gamecube version received scores as low as 1/5 for being a very poor port.
Resident Evil Zero
Release: 2002
Platforms: GameCube, Wii
The game is a prequel to the first Resident Evil game and goes back to 1998 when the STARS team is sent to investigate a murder. Rebecca stumbles across a stopped train, which after further inspection is discovered to be zombie infested. The Rookie STARS member begins to wonder what she has gotten herself into when the train speeds out of control and she is forced to team up with former Marine Billy Coen on his way to be executed. The game first appeared at the Tokyo Game Show in 2000 and was intended for the Nintendo 64 as it was believed that a cartridge based console would handle the partner swaps better than a disc operating system. However with the change of generations it was moved to the GameCube with significantly improved graphics. The game was ported to the Wii in 2008, unfortunately at this point in time the Wii release is exclusive to Japan.
Resident Evil 4
Release: 2005
Platforms: GameCube, PC,
Wii, PlayStation 2,
Mobile (Japan only)
Mum...is that you???
Announced back in 2001 RE4 underwent development involving several proposed versions before it was released in 2005. The first build began intended for the PlayStation 2 in 1998. However the game had drastically moved away from the Resident Evil and survival horror genres, rather than risk a new direction the prototype was evolved into Devil May Cry. The Gamecube version was first revealed in the "fog version" showing Leon infiltrating Umbrella’s headquarters in Europe. This version was quietly canceled and Capcom showed off the "Hooked Man Version" at E3 2003. This build saw Leon navigating through a mansion but was canceled for being too paranormal for the Resident Evil plot. The next version reportablely went back to traditionally using zombies as the main enemy, although this was scrapped before anything was released to the public. Resident Evil 4 was finally released for the Gamecube exculsively for several months in 2005 before it was ported to the PlayStation 2, PC and the Wii. To date the Gamecube version of Resident Evil 4 has sold over 1.6 million copies while the Wii and PS2 versions have sold over 1 and 2 million copies respectively.
Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
Release: 2007
Platforms: Nintendo Wii
Resident Evil 5
Release: 2009
Platforms:PlayStation 3,
Xbox 360
You go this way, I go that way
You play as Chris Redfield, 10 years after the events of the original installment, the story will retell the events in the years between the two games. Chris is now a member of Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance and is sent to investigate an incident in the desert. As the game is yet to be released little more is known about the story, except that it is set in Africa and a female character will be present. A trailer released at E3 2007 sparked controversy as the Caucasian Chris was seen decapitating an African hostile. However a second trailer showed off a more culturally diverse range of enemies, and the female character assisting Chris was revealed to be of African heritage.
Spin Off Games
Survivor Series
Games Resident Evil: Survivor, Resident Evil: Survivor 2 Code: Veronica, Resident Evil: Dead Aim
Platforms:PlayStation, Arcade, PlayStation 2, PC China Only
The Resident Evil: Survivor series consists of three light gun titles. The games are a combination of a first-person-shooter and a first person light gun arcade game. Dead Aim is the only of the titles to predominately be presented in the third person, however it switches into first person when firing a weapon. On a whole the series has not be received anywhere near as positively as the main series, but has be praised as decent arcade shooter
Outbreak Series
Platforms: PlayStation 2
Resident Evil: Outbreak was the first in the franchise to feature online play, however in typical fashion this was omitted for the Australian and European releases. The US servers were shut down at the end of 2007. The player choses one of eight characters to play as and a difficulty level to match their ability, which will effect what enemies and items are encountered throughout the main quest. While the second game rated higher than the first, overall the Outbreak games were seen as a disappointment.
Portable Games
Platforms: Gameboy Color, Mobile Phone, Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS received a remake of the original Resident Evil, Deadly Silence, in 2006. The highly anticipated the game failed to live up to the hype, attributed to poor control schemes making it difficult to play. Resident Evil: Gaiden for the Gameboy Color (pictured) in 2001 was the first and only game in the series to move into an overhead view. When encountering a zombie with no chance of escape the game moved into a first-person view. Three games specifically for mobile phones have been developed to date and take a more puzzle orientated approach due to the limited technology and screen size.
Points of Interest
- Resident Evil was being developed for the Gameboy Color by HotGen before it was canceled by Capcom due to the hardware not doing any favours to the game.
- Was Resident Evil the real first Survival Horror game, or was it the game it took it’s inspiration from Alone in the Dark or even the NES title Sweet Home?
- In 2008 Resident Evil 2 is being rumoured to be remade on the Wii, much like Resident Evil for the Gamecube. It is said to feature the same viewpoint as RE4 and new story elements.
- Umbrella Chronicles was going to play like RE4 but was changed as "Wii users like easiness"
- The Wii could not even handle Resident Evil 5's title screen according to it's producer.
- The original Resident Evil 4 build was converted into Devil May Cry for the PS2.
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