Resident Eeeeeviiiiiiil! (Resident Evil (PS))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Resident Evil (PS)
Date:	23/06/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unique, inventive Survival Horror...

Disadvantages: Artificially inflated difficulty...

As we look upon the recently-released Resident Evil 5, one considers the origins of the great series, beginning with Capcom's audacious inception of the series in 1996 with Resident Evil. Given the choice of playing as either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, players, as part of special team S.T.A.R.S., had to weave their way through a dangerous mansion, full of unknown dangers scattered throughout like a Haunted House from Hell.

Hence the term "survival horror" was born: players had to evade undead creatures, biologically engineered nasties, and many more grotesqueries. What differentiates Resident Evil from the horror titles that preceded it is the challenge of survival: few horror titles before had presented enemies this tough with resources this few. The game promotes strategic evasion of enemies where possible: be it dodging, or careful use of a knife to disable the monster, giving you precious time to flee. Thus, the game is immensely influential in its originality, has spawned many imitators, and remains Capcom's most critically acclaimed series.

The game's charm has, perhaps through some form of nostalgia, grown since its release, with gamers finding its B-movie charm something of a qualified delight - the black-and-white opening cut-scene, the action-movie roll call, the rickety dialogue - it is an unashamed transmutation of the elements you're likely to see in a George Romero horror film.

What also makes Resident Evil an enduring classic is its sense of challenge - it is widely regarded that games are becoming easier and easier in recent years, yet Resident Evil, with its few save points and requirement for strategic saving, as well as vicious foes such as The Hunter (who can rip your head off in one hit), mean you must have your wits about you. Of course, for less patient gamers, this can be IMMENSELY frustrating, particularly if you've been playing for over an hour without locating a typewriter to save, and are then perfunctorily offed by one of the undead. For sure, this is the most difficult of the five main titles.

It is also important to be strategic when choosing which character to play as - Jill is the usual choice for Resident Evil virgins, because she is able to carry more items than Chris, and whilst it is only two item slots, those two slots can make a WORLD of difference. In one of the more maligned aspects of the game, you must find a magic trunk to dump items in if you wish to switch items up - it is an artificial way of inflating the game's difficulty, and one of my least favourite aspects of the game, which was remedied in later titles to an extent, thankfully.

Visually, the game was truly a masterwork of its time - the pre-rendered backgrounds were extremely impressive, and whilst the game may not look much now, contextually, it is impressive, even if some of the character designs do look a bit ropey during some camera angle changes. The soundtrack is also absolutely haunting, and reinforces the game's B-movie origins through and through, whilst remaining appropriately tense as you traipse around the mansion.

Resident Evil is the premier Survival Horror title and is as enduring a classic as the PS1 ever had - it boasts a thoroughly engaging plot, likeable characters, and best of all, is a supremely challenging title like we rarely have today. It arguably makes a few concessions with some fairly hokey controls, and the camera angle changes can be a little disorientating, but when the rest of the game is so meticulously crafted, one can let this slide. One of the greatest games not only on the PS1, but of all time.

Summary: A superb and unique game that remains an undeniable classic