Resident Evil
1996 · Action-Adventure · PlayStation
Overview
Resident Evil defined the survival horror genre. S.T.A.R.S. operatives trapped in a zombie-filled mansion solved puzzles, managed scarce ammunition, and filled ink ribbons into typewriters to save progress. Fixed camera angles from pre-rendered backgrounds were art-directed for tension. The game sold 2 million copies and spawned one of Capcom's most durable franchises.
Deep Dive
Resident Evil was directed by Shinji Mikami at Capcom. The game was inspired by Capcom's Famicom game Sweet Home and by the film Night of the Living Dead. The tank controls — moving the character relative to their facing direction rather than relative to the camera — were a function of the fixed camera system. The inventory management, limited saves, and scarce ammunition were all designed to produce anxiety rather than comfort.
Developer Story
Resident Evil was directed by Shinji Mikami at Capcom in approximately two years. The game began development as a remake of Sweet Home but evolved significantly. The game launched in Japan in March 1996.
Did You Know?
- Resident Evil's original title in Japan was Biohazard — the name was changed for Western markets because a band called Biohazard objected to the trademark.
- The opening live-action video, shot with an amateur cast, became notorious for its stilted acting — part of the game's cult charm.
- The typewriter save system — requiring ink ribbons as a consumable resource — was designed to make saving feel like a meaningful decision rather than a free action.
Sources & further reading
- Resident Evil — Wikipedia
