Why is Resident Evil so popular even after 25 years?
As a survival horror fan, I consider Resident Evil one of gaming‘s most iconic franchises for kickstarting and mastering the genre. Even 25 years after the first game, Resident Evil remains massively popular thanks to pioneering survival horror back in 1996, retaining elements that withstand time while innovating, and challenging gameplay encouraging multiple playthroughs across numerous titles.
Establishing survival horror conventions in 1996
When Resident Evil debuted in 1996, it established conventions for the nascent survival horror genre that later games followed. With limited ammo and healing forcing careful resource management, players braved zombies and puzzles while uncovering secrets of Spencer Mansion and nearby Raccoon City. This set the formula of emphasizing tense exploration over sheer action that became survival horror standards.
Sales statistics attest to the first game‘s influence:
| Game | Copies Sold |
|---|---|
| Resident Evil (1996) | 2.75m |
Terrifying monsters and beloved characters
Key to immersing players in a nightmarish game world are the grotesque monster designs that shock gamers as they explore locations. Zombies shamble with outstretched arms, Lickers crawl menacingly on walls and ceilings, while Nemesis persists in hunting players. These monsters endure as some of gaming‘s most recognizable.
And trying to escape the horrors are great protagonists like S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine and rookie Leon Kennedy that fans grew attached to. Their bravery and stoicism amidst fear struck a chord with gamers. Even villains like Albert Wesker who betrays his allies have complex motivations behind their actions.
Innovating gameplay with new titles over 25 years
While retaining core horror concepts, Resident Evil has also evolved its gameplay over numerous sequels to great critical and fan acclaim. Resident Evil 4 shifted to dynamic shooting using over-the-shoulder camera angles that many third-person games adopted. Newer entries like Resident Evil VII (2017) introduced first-person view alongside new protagonist Ethan Winters for an intense, personal horror experience.
Review aggregators indicate newer games achieving similar or better critic and fan ratings:
| Game | Metacritic | Opencritic |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil 2 (1998) | 89% | 92% |
| Resident Evil 2 (2019) | 93% | 95% |
| Resident Evil 4 (2005) | 96% | 97% |
Challenging gameplay and replays across difficulties
Navigating limited resources while overcoming horrors and puzzles provide intense challenges. Ammo and healing items are intentionally limited, forcing players to carefully manage inventories. Surviving with decent rank already provides an accomplishment, with higher difficulties offering tougher subsequent playthroughs for those seeking greater challenges.
And the multiple protagonists, alternate story routes from player choices, post-game modes all enable repeated playthroughs where fans can try different strategies. The satisfying and layered gameplay keeps players returning to newer and older titles alike.
Remakes and new releases maintain relevance
Alongside introducing new protagonists and gameplay innovations with recent sequels like Resident Evil Village (2021), Capcom has also released stellar remakes of beloved earlier titles. 2020‘s Resident Evil 3 remake utilized improved graphics and modern gameplay systems while keeping to the original‘s story. These remakes allow new gamers to experience past titles with better accessibility.
As a Resident Evil fan, I eagerly anticipate upcoming titles building on these incredible foundations, like the 2023 Resident Evil 4 remake. By retaining iconic elements from early survival horror concepts and innovating modern third-person shooter mechanics, Resident Evil continues mastering a genre it helped establish 25+ years ago!
