The Horror Classic That Started It All: Resident Evil (1996)
Introduction
Resident Evil is a classic horror video game series that has been around since 1996. It is one of the most successful and influential horror franchises in the history of gaming. The original Resident Evil was released on the PlayStation in 1996 and was a huge success, selling over 2.75 million copies worldwide. It spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, and has become a cultural phenomenon. The game has been praised for its atmosphere, story, and gameplay, and has been credited with popularizing the survival horror genre. In this article, we will take a look at the history of Resident Evil, its gameplay, its influence on the gaming industry, and its legacy.
History of Resident Evil
Resident Evil was developed by Capcom and released in 1996 for the PlayStation. It was directed by Shinji Mikami and produced by Tokuro Fujiwara. The game was inspired by the horror films of the 1980s, such as The Evil Dead and Dawn of the Dead. The game was a huge success, selling over 2.75 million copies worldwide. It spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, and has become a cultural phenomenon.
The original Resident Evil was followed by Resident Evil 2 in 1998, which was even more successful than the first game. It sold over 4.96 million copies worldwide and was praised for its improved graphics, sound, and gameplay. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was released in 1999 and was the first game in the series to feature a playable female protagonist. It was also the first game to feature a Nemesis enemy, which would become a staple of the series.
Resident Evil: Gameplay
Resident Evil is a survival horror game that focuses on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. The player takes control of a character and must explore a series of environments while solving puzzles and fighting enemies. The game is divided into two parts: exploration and combat. During exploration, the player must search for items, solve puzzles, and explore the environment. During combat, the player must fight enemies using a variety of weapons.
The game features a variety of enemies, including zombies, monsters, and mutants. The player must use a variety of weapons to defeat these enemies, including handguns, shotguns, and explosives. The player can also use items such as herbs and first aid sprays to heal themselves. The game also features a variety of puzzles, which the player must solve in order to progress.
Resident Evil: Influence on the Gaming Industry
Resident Evil has had a huge influence on the gaming industry. It popularized the survival horror genre and spawned numerous imitators. It also popularized the use of fixed camera angles, which were used in many other horror games. The game also popularized the use of pre-rendered backgrounds, which were used in many other games.
The game also popularized the use of cutscenes, which were used to tell the story and advance the plot. The game also popularized the use of tank controls, which were used in many other games. The game also popularized the use of item boxes, which were used to store items and weapons.
Resident Evil: Legacy
Resident Evil has become a cultural phenomenon. It has spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, and has been praised for its atmosphere, story, and gameplay. The game has been credited with popularizing the survival horror genre and has been cited as an influence on many other horror games.
The game has also been adapted into a series of films, which have been successful at the box office. The game has also been adapted into novels, comics, and other media. The game has also been featured in numerous other games, such as the Super Smash Bros. series.
Conclusion
Resident Evil is a classic horror video game series that has been around since 1996. It is one of the most successful and influential horror franchises in the history of gaming. The original Resident Evil was released on the PlayStation in 1996 and was a huge success, selling over 2.75 million copies worldwide. It spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, and has become a cultural phenomenon. The game has been praised for its atmosphere, story, and gameplay, and has been credited with popularizing the survival horror genre. It has also had a huge influence on the gaming industry and has spawned numerous imitators. The game has become a cultural phenomenon and has been adapted into films, novels, comics, and other media. Resident Evil is a classic horror game that has left a lasting legacy on the gaming industry.