Here at G3, it is an almost unanimous truth that when a creepy mansion is coupled with the unspeakable horrors of the undead, it only means one thing: a horrifyingly fun-filled evening. Yes, I’m talking about Resident Evil, the title that made gamers all over the world remember the looming threat of zombies is still a powerful one. Originally released on the Sony PlayStation and later ported to the Nintendo Gamecube, players assume either the role of femme fatale Jill Valentine or the broad-shouldered Chris Redfield. Resident Evil was monumentally frightening because of the scare tactics used as well as minimal amount of ammunition with which to fight. Additionally, the original live action cutscenes were downright startling. With that in mind, we at G3 believe that Resident Evil is a game that could scare the pants off of you.
Here's a nice hint: aim for the head!
When thinking about survival horror games, usually the main characters are average people placed in a scary situation -but that is not the case in Resident Evil. One of the scariest factors in Resident Evil was the fact that even the toughest characters, which were all Raccoon City Police Department Special Tactics and Rescue Service members (STARS for short), could all be killed by a zombie bite, mauled by a dog or eaten by a giant snake. Yes, Resident Evil made gamers think twice about dashing into a room like a lame 80s action star, and instead consider strategy. If one fails to save a team member, the final cut scene will be different and the outcome of the game won’t be as satisfying. Moreover, it also happens to be a downright bummer to watch some of the STARS members die because of carelessness of the gamer.
While a giant mansion does seem like a great stronghold, that doesn't make it any less scary.
Next, gamers were tasked with the sinister locales of Resident Evil, which was set in the most devious, trap-filled mansion this side of the Arklay Mountains. The mansion, while also playing host to zombie humans, dogs, crows and other monsters, also appears to be a home fit for someone like Frankenstein’s Monster or Dracula due to its long dark hallways, bizarre underground research facility, and gruesome death traps. The obvious choice for scariest moment in Resident Evil is the “zombie dogs in the hallway” moment. While not being an imaginative title for the scene, it does sum it up clearly; Chris or Jill is ambushed by a pair of zombie dogs (which is scarier than regular zombies since these undead canines can sprint flat-out) while confined in a hallway. The big reveal happens when the two mutts smash through the windows of the hallway, making the cramped corridor feel more akin to a coffin. The way this scene was constructed was one of the most startling scenes in gaming history as well as being one of the most memorable -while producing a distinct fear of dogs. Once someone witnesses the zombie dogs of Resident Evil, it makes other all other “scary dog” experiences seem less like Cujo and more like Beverly Hills Chihuahua.
If that didn't make you jump out of your seat, you might be a zombie too.
And finally, the lack of ammunition in Resident Evil is nerve-wracking to say the least. In some zombie movies, ammunition can range from plentiful to scarce, but in Resident Evil, every bullet counts. If the gamer foolishly uses all their pistol ammo to take a simple zombie, they might find that those rounds could have gone to better use on a giant spider or shark. However, the limited ammunition also creates an edgy atmosphere as well as strong motivation for the gamer to get creative when dispatching the walking dead.
Resident Evil isn’t the first game to feature zombies, an intimidating mansion, or tense situations, but it does it well and in a frighteningly-good fashion. It was able to creatively mix a scary atmosphere, interesting story, and remarkable action to produce one of the scariest and most memorable survival horror games ever.
