The remake of a classic
Resident Evil is my favorite game of all time. It has influenced purchases for newer gaming systems, I’ve sought out every game in the franchise in order to play them all. But through all the years, nothing has ever replaced the original as my favorite in the franchise. Resident Evil 2 may be the best in the franchise, but it remains my favorite for its simplicity, and the remake I consider a part of this legacy. In fact, I remember when the remake was announced I was rather upset it was not coming out for the PlayStation 2. It took me a few years later, but I sought out to buy a GameCube simply to play this game.
To say the least, I love this game, I love the original game as well, but this is the definitive version of the original Resident Evil. It drips with atmosphere and detail, it adds story beats to the series that deepen the connections and lore. It took a game that I adored, and turned everything up to the max settings. But it also made these little changes that subvert your expectations, Resident Evil’s subtly lets you know it won’t let you through without a fight.
Recalling the memories of long ago
As someone who knew the original game inside and out, this was a welcome change. It was a fresh experience, but with all the nods to the parts we loved from the original Resident Evil. With a few comic remarks to contrast some of the corniest dialog in gaming history, this game keeps the intent of the original dialog. It does so however without making the game lose its humor, and it no longer feels like the B-Movie the original Resident Evil was.
My first experience playing the game was while I was in high school, and I was waiting at a friend’s house to go to a track meet. He told me he had this game that was tough as nails and wanted to see if we could beat it that night. When I realized what it was I was giddy, and as he played I kind of started to back seat drive as he hit road bump after road bump in the game. Given the intense nature of the game he relinquished the controls over to me after a little while, and I was determined to get through as much as possible that night. We had gotten roughly two thirds of the way through before sleep became required. I’m pretty sure my friend never finished the game, but years later I would see it through on my own.
One of my biggest loves of Resident Evil is the story. It is nothing ground breaking, but its simplicity is wonderful, and the way the backstory of the mystery is revealed is in my opinion perfection. There are notes scattered around the mansion you are inside. Some are rather plain, talking about everyday life in the mansion for the inhabitants; others are even about the study of herbs in the surrounding forest, which act as a subtle tutorial on healing items. But the juicy notes delve into the accident in the mansion, and are of a more personal tone.
One of my biggest loves of Resident Evil is the story. It is nothing ground breaking, but its simplicity is wonderful, and the way the backstory of the mystery is revealed is in my opinion perfection. There are notes scattered around the mansion you are inside. Some are rather plain, talking about everyday life in the mansion for the inhabitants; others are even about the study of herbs in the surrounding forest, which act as a subtle tutorial on healing items. But the juicy notes delve into the accident in the mansion, and are of a more personal tone.
“Other letters are from the researchers themselves, writing to loved ones who will never receive these letters that you find.” |
Itchy. Tasty.
I won’t get too specific into the details, as I feel they are better read in their original context. Almost all are of a tragic tone, or of confusion and paranoia. You come across a letter of a guard who hears of the accident in the lab. As the days pass on in the diary he finds his body coming undone, his mind slowly losing itself; all the time he is wondering what is happening to himself. Eventually he succumbs to the virus like the other residents of the mansion. It is called The Keeper’s Diary, and if you don’t have access to the game, you can read it in full quite easily, it’s the most iconic diary entry in the entire Resident Evil franchise. Other letters are from the researchers themselves, writing to loved ones who will never receive these letters that you find. You read them, and you see these people know what they have done to themselves, and what will become of them. You see their last articulate thoughts as you explore a mansion that housed their secrets, secrets that ultimately are covered up and hidden from the world. They are tragic letters, soulful, and they are one of the finest aspects of the game.
Happy birthday Resident Evil
Resident Evil is one of those games that whenever I play it, it has my due attention. I will not play it if there is a possibility for distraction; I invest myself 100% in the story, the mystery and the horror. I’m all smiles and all goosebumps at the same time. It’s a magical feeling, like reading a powerful novel, or watching a favorite movie. With the recent announcement of Resident Evil 2, I find myself on the brink of that elation again, and I can’t wait to explore the depths of one of my favorites again, because if it’s anything like the first Resident Evil remake (lovingly referred to as REmake by the fan base), it’ll be legendary.
Happy twentieth birthday Resident Evil, and here is to twenty more.
Happy twentieth birthday Resident Evil, and here is to twenty more.