MobyGames Classic: Resident Evil

MobyGames.com Classic returns with Resident Evil, the 1996 survival-horror game by Capcom that helped define the genre.

Shack Staff

March 21, 2012 3:30 PM

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Resident Evil caused quite a stir in the gaming community when it was released in 1996, delivering a tense combination of exploration, action, and scares. It served up many of the core attributes that still serve as the foundation of many of today's more modern and refined horror-driven games, and created a rich world of conspiracies and corrupt corporations and a cast of memorable characters that made their way into numerous sequels on multiple platforms. The original tale was later given an updated treatment for the GameCube, and the franchise continues to see new entries by developer Capcom.

Today we add 1996's classic survival-horror game, Resident Evil, to our growing list of video game classics, presented by MobyGames.com.

MobyGames reviewer cimerians praises Resident Evil for trumping another survival-horror pioneer. "This game is very similar to another title that I like very much, Alone in the Dark," cimerians writes. "Resident Evil took the game mechanics of Alone in the Dark and made something special."

Another MobyGames reviewer by the name of Kadeem Gomez recalls one early scene from the game that left an indelible impress on him (as well as many other gamers). "It has great cutscenes, including my favorite moment in the beginning of the game, when you play Jill Valentine trying to investigate through a haunted police station until all of a sudden, a vicious type of zombie dog came though the window and I was totally freaked out," he writes.

MobyGames reviewer Sycada also loved the title for a number of reasons. "Resident Evil was probably the first game that I found to be truly terrifying," Sycada explains. "The visuals displayed beautifully rendered rooms and corridors with realtime 3d monsters that make your skin crawl. Music is, for the most part, wonderfully orchestrated haunting melodies and sharp, shock-inducing starts that make you jump out of your seat."

Tell Us Your Stories! We want to hear about your experiences with Resident Evil. Tell us your stories. Why did you love it? What drove you crazy? Remember it fondly with us in the comments below. We'll select some of your thoughts and memories and add it to a Weekend Update to this feature.

Resident Evil on MobyGames.com

A team of S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Squad) members are called to investigate a series of murders near Raccoon City. While searching the woods near the city, the team is attacked by bloodthirsty dogs and they have to retreat to a nearby mansion.

The player chooses between Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield and starts to explore the mansion. It soon becomes very clear that it isn't just any mansion, but a hellish place where the undead walk the corridors and other horrors are lurking in the darkness, waiting to eat some heads. While solving puzzles, collecting keys, and shooting monsters, the player has to unravel the mystery behind this mansion and, if possible, get out alive.

Exclusive to the SEGA Saturn version is a Battle Mode bonus mode, where, with limited ammo and under the threat of limited time, the player must survive a series of rooms filled with monsters.

MobyGames Classic is our chance to look back at the games that helped shape the video game industry with the help of our sister site MobyGames.com. It combines a short history lesson on the title and anecdotes from the Shacknews community.

Shack Staff

Shack Staff stories are a collective effort with multiple staff members contributing. Many of our lists often involve entires from several editors, and our weekly Shack Chat is something we all contribute to as a group.