Introduction
Resident Evil, also known as Biohazard in Japan, is a survival horror video game developed and published by Capcom. It was first released for the PlayStation console in 1996 and has since become one of the most influential and iconic video game franchises of all time, spawning numerous sequels, spin-offs, films, books, and merchandise.
The game takes place in a fictional location called Raccoon City, where a mysterious virus outbreak has turned the residents into zombies and other mutated monsters. The player takes on the role of one of two playable characters, either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, who are members of a special police force called S.T.A.R.S. tasked with investigating the outbreak and uncovering the truth behind it.
In this
article, we will take a closer look at the original Resident Evil game and
examine its impact on the video game industry and popular culture.
Development and Release
Resident Evil was created by a team of developers at Capcom led by Shinji Mikami, who had previously worked on the company's successful Street Fighter and Mega Man franchises. The idea for the game was inspired by horror films and novels, particularly George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead and Stephen King's The Shining.
The development of Resident Evil began in 1993 and took nearly three years to complete. The team faced numerous challenges during the development process, including technical limitations of the PlayStation hardware and the difficulty of creating realistic 3D environments and characters.
The game was originally intended to be a first-person shooter, but the team eventually decided to switch to a third-person perspective to allow for more exploration and puzzle-solving elements. They also incorporated elements of classic survival horror games, such as limited resources, tense atmosphere, and a focus on strategic gameplay.
Resident
Evil was first released in Japan on March 22, 1996, for the PlayStation
console. It was later released in North America on March 30, 1996, and in
Europe on August 1, 1996.
Gameplay
Resident Evil is a survival horror game that combines elements of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving. The player takes on the role of either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, who must explore the various locations of Raccoon City to uncover the truth behind the virus outbreak.
The game is divided into several chapters, each of which takes place in a different location, such as a mansion, laboratory, or police station. Each chapter is filled with puzzles, traps, and enemies that the player must overcome to progress.
The game's controls and camera system were initially criticized for being clunky and difficult to use. The player moves the character with the directional pad and controls their actions with a combination of buttons, such as aiming and shooting weapons, interacting with objects, and opening doors. The camera is fixed and changes angles as the player moves through the environment, sometimes leading to awkward or disorienting perspectives.
Despite
these criticisms, Resident Evil's gameplay is renowned for its tense
atmosphere, challenging puzzles, and strategic combat. The player must manage
their resources carefully, as ammunition and healing items are limited, and
enemies are difficult to defeat. The game also features multiple endings and
hidden secrets that encourage replayability.
Story and Characters
Resident Evil's story revolves around a series of mysterious events in Raccoon City that are caused by a virus called the T-virus, created by the Umbrella Corporation, a powerful pharmaceutical company. The virus turns humans and animals into grotesque monsters, and the player must uncover the truth behind the outbreak and stop it from spreading.
The player
can choose to play as either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, both members of
the Special Tactics and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.), a police force specializing
in emergency situations. The two characters have different
