Resident Evil

Resident Evil (known as バイオハザード, BioHazard in Japan), developed by Capcom, is the name of a successful franchise of horror-adventure video games that is credited with popularizing the "survival horror" game genre, in which the goal is to avoid being killed by monsters, undead and assorted evil creatures bent on attacking you. Although Alone in the Dark is often cited as the first game in the genre, Resident Evil was the first game series to use the term "survival horror."

Story

File:Resident Evil (remake).jpg

Chris and Jill. Scene from Resident Evil (remake)

The success of this franchise has spawned several computer games, a comic book series, novelizations, two Hollywood action films and toy action figures. While the games mostly adhere to a consistent storyline there are enough deviations from the game plot within the films and novels to be considered alternate storlines.

The first game (Resident Evil, 1996) takes place in the fictitious Raccoon City, a typical midwestern American urban setting controlled economically by the Umbrella Corporation - a conglomerate that produces a wide array of consumer products. Raccoon City's elite S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Squad) are dispatched to investigate strange and gruesome murders outside the city in the surrounding Arklay Mountain and Raccoon Forest area.

The Bravo team disappears, and the Alpha team is sent to recover them and continue the investigation. They discover evidence that Umbrella is conducting illegal and unethical research into biological warfare.

Each title sheds more light on Umbrella's operations and background, how far-reaching they are, and what lengths they will go to in order to keep their operations a secret. More recent titles touch on the government's attempts to take down Umbrella.

Games

The Resident Evil series is controversial both for its violence and bloodshed as well as for Capcom's dealings with Nintendo to make the Resident Evil series exclusive to the GameCube at least for the core story based titles. Resident Evil Dead Aim and the two Resident Evil: Outbreak games are available for the PlayStation 2.

Resident Evil is based on a game known as "Sweet Home" (which in turn, was based on a Japanese horror film). Sweet Home was released only in Japan by Capcom, sometime in the late 1980s for the Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System). Resident Evil borrowed many elements from Sweet Home including the mansion setting, the puzzles, and even the "door" loading screen. This was confirmed by Shinji Mikami, producer and director for some of the titles, during an interview.

Most of the games in the series are played from a third-person perspective, viewing the characters from a generally overhead camera angle as they move through pre-rendered environments. These static backgrounds have been a bone of contention for many fans of the series, although Code: Veronica X uses a more dynamic camera system, featuring a fully animated environment (akin to Silent Hill).

Many of the games allow you to chose from one of two main characters which will affect which parts of the story are revealed with additional secrets, weapons and endings unlocked after completing the game by both characters.

The following titles have been published or announced and are listed in game time-line order where applicable.

Resident Evil 0 (Nintendo GameCube: 2002)

Before the Mansion. Before the disaster. Evil is Born.

Set in 1998, just one day before the events of the original Resident Evil. S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team is sent in to investigate a series of grisly murders in the Arklay Mountains region. On the way to the scene, Bravo's helicopter crashes. Although everyone survives, what they discover next is a gruesome site. An overturned military transport truck, riddled with corpses. Rookie member Rebecca Chambers is beginning to wonder what she got herself into. Join Bravo team's field medic, Rebecca Chambers and ex-marine, Billy Coen as they face off against flesh eating undead, rabid dogs, and a mysterious man that might be responsible for the disaster. Discover the evil nightmare that is growing all around them. It's only the beginning.

Instead of choosing a character at the start of the game and playing through this game lets you switch between Rebecca and Billy at will which is central to solving some of the puzzles.

The other members of Bravo team present are Alpha leader Albert Wesker and Umbrella executive, Dr. William Birkin.

Resident Evil (PlayStation, Sega Saturn, PC: 1996)

The original game opens on the evening of 24 July 1998 after contact is lost with the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team. Alpha team is sent out to rescue Bravo team and to continue the investigation into the number of grisly murders near the vicinity of Raccoon Forest. After finding the downed Bravo chopper Alpha are attacked and find themselves running for the protection of a what was believed to be an abandoned mansion.

The game gives you control of either weapons specialist Chris Redfield or ex-thief Jill Valentine as they look for another way out and try to locate the Bravo team. Unfortunately for them, the Spencer Mansion is an intentional elaborate maze of rooms, locks, puzzles and surprises.

The game also features other S.T.A.R.S. members, including Alpha team leader Albert Wesker, former SWAT Barry Burton and trainee biochemist Rebecca Chambers.

Resident Evil: Director's Cut (PlayStation: 1997)

Re-release of the original Resident Evil with a new mode featuring various small additions to game-play.

Resident Evil: Director's Cut Dual Shock (PlayStation: 1998)

Further refinement of the Director's Cut with a remixed soundtrack and support for Sony's Dual Shock controller.

Resident Evil (Remake) (GameCube: 2002)

"Turn out the lights. Lock the doors... Live the Nightmare."

The Resident Evil franchise comes to the GameCube with this remake of the original. Featuring all new graphics and sound the plot and map remain mostly unchanged with Chris and Jill still being the two main selectable characters; however, almost all the puzzles have been changed. It is also now necessary to decapitate or burn Zombies to prevent them from regenerating again.

S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team is missing. The Raccoon City Police Department suspects the team has been involved in some trouble. Now it will send the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha team to investigate and collect information. On the way to the scene, Alpha team's helicopter has engine failure and crashes into Raccoon Forest. But that isn't the end of their ordeal. They soon encounter vicious dogs and then have to retreat to a nearby mansion where all isn't what it seems. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

The game features many additional modes, secrets and various endings over the original as well as revealing the fate of the mansion's architect George Trevor and his daughter Lisa Trevor. It reveals the names of Umbrella executive William Birkin and Alexia Ashford, which contributes to the unravelling plot.

Resident Evil 1.5 (Unreleased)

Resident Evil 1.5 was Capcom's first attempt at developing a sequel to the original Resident Evil. The main action in the game was to take place in a building resembling a modern office environment and feature a different cast of characters. However, as the game took shape, it was decided that the product wasn't scary enough and was scrapped before completion. Restarting from scratch, the development team regrouped and went on to make the true Resident Evil 2.

Resident Evil 2 (PlayStation, PC, Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64: 1997, GameCube: 2003)

If the Suspense Doesn't Kill You, Something Else Will.

First there was the disaster at the mansion lab. Umbrella Corp. developed the T-virus, a muta-genic toxin for use in biological weapons. After breaking loose, living things mutated into all sorts of decaying creatures. The case was eventually closed, but Umbrella's experiments were far from over. Now it's the worst possible nightmare: a new virus runs rampant. All of Raccoon City is infested. Blood-thirsty zombies, hideous mutations now overwhelm the community. When Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie RPD police officer, and Claire Redfield, a college student, arrive in town their nightmare is just beginning... You now control their destiny. Can you survive the horror?

Supporting cast on this outing includes Dr. William Birkin (the scientist responsible for spreading the virus)); police chief Brian Irons (the inside operative for Umbrella); a Chinese woman named Ada Wong (a foreign spy who works for the "Agency"); lost child Sherry Birkin; and Sherry's searching mother, Annette Birkin.

After the T-virus had been released, a new virus was created and injected into William Birkin - the G-virus, and threatens to overrun Raccoon City.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (BioHazard 3: Last Escape) (PlayStation, PC, Dreamcast: 1999, GameCube: 2003)

"Its' In Your Blood..."

Marking a departure from earlier games you are forced to play as Alpha team's Jill Valentine. The location and time frame are the same as that in Resident Evil 2 and while the game runs in parallel there is no obvious cross-over with the storyline and gameplay running shorter than many other instalments in the series.

A month and a half have passed since the mansion lab incident. But the secrets come back to haunt you. Join Jill Valentine in her attempt to escape a nightmarish city in ruins. Trapped. Help her flee from hordes of flesh eating zombies, hideous mutants and a relentless new nemesis. You'll soon discover that you must rely on cunning and brute force to stay alive. It's even more horrifying that you ever imagined...

Resident Evil 3 also introduces a new super enemy to the series: "Nemesis", a new super tyrant that hunts down members of the elite Racoon Police departement S.T.A.R.S. It should also be noted that Resident Evil 3 also is the first game in the series to talk about investigation into the evil corporation Umbrella.

Resident Evil: Code Veronica (Dreamcast: 2000)

This title's first part follows Claire Redfield as she continues her search from Resident Evil 2 for her brother, Chris. The game is set mostly on an island off the coast of South America within the confines of an Umbrella-run prison camp where Claire has been sent after her arrest at Umbrella's Paris facility. This game is the first in the series to use 3D backgrounds instead of the traditional pre-rendered ones.

The second part of the story sees the return of Chris Redfield, who has come to the island to rescue his sister. The plot reveals that Umbrella is not the only company performing such hideous experiments into biological warfare.

Other characters present for the story include former Alpha leader, Albert Wesker; Umbrella founder Edward Ashford's grandchildren, Alfred and Alexia Ashford; and fellow captive, Steve Burnside.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica X (PlayStation 2: 2001, GameCube: 2003)

"Everything You Feared... And More"

After narrowly surviving the horrific onslaught in Raccoon City, Claire Redfield now seeks clues in search of her missing brother, Chris. Flesh-eating zombies, horrific beasts and even stranger mutations haunt her every move! Just how far does this twisted conspiracy extend? What is Umbrella Corporation really up to? And, who is behind this bio-tech terror? To her horror, she discovers Umbrella Corporation's insidious activities are not isolated to the remote, mid-western city. No. Something much larger is going on here.

In Resident Evil Code: Veronica X, Claire will meet up with fellow prisoner, Steve Burnside as they fight through the undead and uncover a new plot lead by Alexia and Alfred Ashford.

Almost identical to the previous Dreamcast version but with some additional scenes and secrets.

Resident Evil: Survivor / BioHazard: Gun Survivor (PlayStation, Arcade: 2000)

Set in the isolated city of Sheena Island around November 1998, this game is a major departure from the series deviating from the third-person perspective to first-person shooters. You take control of a man named Ark Thompson, who is suffering from amnesia trying to discover who he is while also trying to stay alive.

Resident Evil Survivor 2: Code Veronica (PlayStation 2, Arcade: 2001-2003)

Claire Redfield's dream of an alternative Code Veronica scenario developed in conjunction with Namco. Has no bearing on plot.

Resident Evil Gaiden (Game Boy Color: 2001-2002)

S.T.A.R.S. Alpha team member Barry Burton is ordered to check out a cruise ship that has been infected and to rescue RPD's Leon S. Kennedy.

Resident Evil Dead Aim / BioHazard Gun Survivor 4: Heroes Never Die (PlayStation 2: 2003)

This game starts onboard the Umbrealla owned ocean liner, "Spencer Rain", which has been infected with an experimental T-Virus that was stolen from Umbrella's Paris labs by former employee Morpheus Duvall. You take control of Bruce McGivern of the Anti-Umbrella Pursuit Investigation Team, a U.S. government task force with the sole purpose of taking down Umbrella.

The story also features Fong Ling, an agent for the Chinese government with the second half of the game taking place on another island research lab.

Resident Evil Outbreak (PlayStation 2: 2003-2004)

"This Time, It's Personal"

Witness the first revolutionary Resident Evil gameplay, online with muti-player scenarios and next level design in this totally new, dramatic, cooperative gameplay experience. Die and join the zombie ranks-first ever in the series. The story take place during Resident Evil 2 & 3.

Take on the role of one of the eight distruaught survivors of an outbreak caused by a secret biological weapon. They must make it out of the zombie-infested before it's too late.

"Around Every Corner. Behind Every Door. Deep in Every Shadow. Terror Waits."

Resident Evil 4 (GameCube, PlayStation 2: 2005)

"Evil Evolves"

Set in 2004, some six years after the events in Resident Evil 2, Umbrella has finally been destroyed by the U.S. Government. You take the control of U.S. agent and previous Raccoon City Police rookie, Leon S. Kennedy as he is sent on a mission to Europe to rescue the president's abducted daughter. During his adventure, he will meet the thought to be dead, Ada Wong, from Resident Evil 2

This installment is a more radical departure from the formula of the series than any other, in that it contains no zombies. The enemies in the game are instead called "Ganado" (spanish for livestock), and appear much more intelligent and faster than in previous games, often using teamwork to attack the player. Resident Evil 4 also contains changes to the inventory, camera and movement control systems of earlier games.

The GameCube version was released January 11, 2005. The projected PlayStation 2 release date is October 11, 2005.

Movies

There are two movies, both written by Paul W.S. Anderson who also directed the first film. He has also been involved with other game-to-movie productions including the writing and directing of the first Mortal Kombat movie, and the directing and co-writing of Alien vs. Predator (movie).

A previous attempt to bring Resident Evil to the big screen was scripted by zombie meister George A. Romero but was subsequently cancelled.

Resident Evil (2002)

A secret experiment. A deadly virus. A fatal mistake.

Also known as Resident Evil 1, Resident Evil: Ground Zero and Resident Evil: Genesis (after the novelization).

Takes place a few days before the original game. Umbrella have sent a special ops unit to their biological warfare lab hidden beneath a mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon city to find out why contact has been lost. Now, they must stay from the flesh-eating undead, killer dogs and a supercomputer's deadly defenses before an unleashed virus consumes the entire human race.

The film ends with Alice waking up in Raccoon City, now a city of the dead connecting in with the start of the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis games.

Starring Milla Jovovich as Alice and Michelle Rodriguez as Rain Ocampo.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

My name is Alice and I remember everything.

Also known as Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil: Nemesis.

Taking off right where the first movie left off, Alice meets up with Jill Valentine, Carlos Olivera and a few desperate survivors to try to escape the zombie infested town of Raccoon City before Umbrella's new experiment "Nemesis" is unleashed.

The movie reworks Resident Evil 3: Nemesis into the movie-series timeline.

Directed by Alexander Witt and released in September 2004. Also available as the novel Resident Evil: Apocalypse by Keith R.A. DeCandido, 2004, ISBN 0-743-49349-4.

Regenerate

Regenerate is a skin care product (and registered trademark) of the Umbrella Corporation (motto: Our business is life itself), utilizing the T-Virus to reanimate dead cells and make you more youthful looking. Some side effects may occur.

The Regenerate "commercial" was a teaser trailer for the second Resident Evil film, and can be seen in the movie on a TV screen in the female scientist's house. It is reminiscent of the Oil of Olay product Regenerist advertisements.

The Regenerate teaser trailer is available here:

• REAL (Sony Pictures)
• ASX (Sony Pictures)

Books

Resident Evil: Zero Hour

This book chronicles the events of the game Resident Evil 0.

Resident Evil: Zero Hour (book 0 in the series) by S.D. Perry, 2004, ISBN 0671785117.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy

This book chronicles the events of the original game Resident Evil.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy (book 1 in the series) by S.D. Perry, 1998, ISBN 0-671-02439-6.

Resident Evil: Caliban Cove

An original novel set on the fictional island of Caliban Cove where Rebecca Chambers attempts to stop the spreading of the T-Virus. New S.T.A.R.S members are introduced including: David, John, Steve and Karen of a Maine branch of S.T.A.R.S.

Resident Evil: Caliban Cove (book 2 in the series) by S.D. Perry, 1998, ISBN 0-671-02440X.

Resident Evil: City of the Dead

This book chronicles the events of the second game, Resident Evil 2.

Resident Evil: City of the Dead (book 3 in the series) by S.D. Perry, 1999, ISBN 0-671-02441-8.

Resident Evil: Underworld

An original novel that sees Claire Redfield, Rebecca Chambers and Leon Kennedy attempt to take down Umbrella Corporation before their biological weapons are released. Maine S.T.A.R.S members David and John return from Caliban Cove.

Resident Evil: Underworld (book 4 in the series) by S.D. Perry, 1999, ISBN 0-671-024426.

Resident Evil: Nemesis

This book chronicles the events of the third game, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.

Resident Evil: Nemesis (book 5 in the series) by S.D. Perry, 2000, ISBN 0-671-178496-X.

Resident Evil: Code Veronica

This book chronicles the events of the fourth game, Resident Evil: Code Veronica (which should have been called RE4).

Resident Evil: Code Veronica (book 6 in the series) by S.D. Perry, 2001, ISBN 0-671-78498-6.

Resident Evil: Genesis

This is a novelization of the first Resident Evil movie. The events of Genesis would predate Resident Evil 0 if the two timelines were melded.

Resident Evil: Genesis by Keith R.A. DeCandido, 2001, ISBN 0-743-49291-9.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse

This is a novelization of the second movie, Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The events of Apocalypse are a retelling of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in the movie timeline.

Resident Evil: Apocalypse by Keith R.A. DeCandido, 2004, ISBN 0-743-49349-4.

Comics

Resident Evil: Code Veronica

Resident Evil: Code Veronica by Lee Chung Hing, published by DC Comics,

• Book One (Graphic Novel), 2002, ISBN 1563898993
• Book Two (Graphic Novel), 2003, ISBN 1563899191
• Book Three (Graphic Novel), 2003, ISBN 1563899205
• Book Four (Graphic Novel), 2003, ISBN 1563899213

Other appearances

Marvel vs. Capcom 2

A popular arcade game that was ported to several home consoles, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 featured an extensive roster of characters from both Marvel Comics and Capcom, including Resident Evil's Jill Valentine and a tyrant as her hyper combo.

Under the Skin

One level of Capcom's PlayStation 2 game Under the Skin takes place in a comical representation of Raccoon City, and features Jill Valentine and Nemesis.

External links

• The official Resident Evil website
• Official website for the Resident Evil series from Capcom Japan
• Sony Pictures site, for the DVD version of the film
• Highly detailed plot analysis covering the games