Resident Evil not only helped define the term Survival Horror, it also played a major role in establishing it. Shinji Mikami and the team at Capcom released the first game on March 22, 1996 for the PlayStation. The game was a huge success and redefined the entire genre. You can find out all about it in our Pixel Sundays article.

Overview

• The Beginnings – Zombies, Mansions, and Umbrella
• The Action Phase – Co-op, Bombast & Mixed Feelings
• New Identity – First-Person Horror
• The Remakes – When Classics Return Modernized and Improved
• Resident Evil Requiem – The Future of the Series (2026)
• Conclusion – A Legend Reborn

Resident Evil redefined the genre by introducing mechanics such as limited ammo, scarce resources, and atmospheric sound design. Over time, the series became synonymous with zombie nightmares and puzzle-filled rooms, featuring iconic characters like Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, and Claire Redfield.

The Beginnings – Zombies, Mansions, and Umbrella

It all began with Resident Evil, released on March 22, 1996 for the PlayStation. It was the first horror game to combine survival elements with horror, thus creating the survival horror genre. Featuring fixed camera angles and the so-called tank control system – which reduced movement freedom and slowed the player down – this design created a claustrophobic, tense atmosphere.

Core elements of the game included a limited inventory, puzzles, and the hunt for scarce resources. The story starts in the remote Spencer Mansion, where BOWs like Zombies, Lickers, and others await you. All of them are controlled by the infamous Umbrella Corporation.

In 1998, Resident Evil 2 introduced us to Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, exploring a plague-stricken Raccoon City. The move to a more urban setting heightened the sense of hopelessness.

Then came Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in 1999. This time, Jill Valentine is hunted by Nemesis – a bioweapon assassin. The game also introduced a 180-degree turn for dodging. These entries still featured inventory management, limited ammo, jump scares, and fixed camera angles.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica was released in 2000 for the Dreamcast and later on PS2 and GameCube. It further explored the Umbrella Corporation’s story. Players follow Claire and Chris Redfield to a prison island and eventually Antarctica.

Code: Veronica brought technical advancements. Instead of static backgrounds, there were fully polygonal 3D environments, while the camera still used semi-fixed angles. The story provided new insights into Umbrella’s motives, especially in the updated version CODE: Veronica X.

Let’s talk a bit about the gameplay of the early entries. These games focused less on fast action and more on slow-paced exploration, resource management, and the feeling of vulnerable isolation. The tank controls and fixed camera shots allowed for stressful jump scare moments.

The Action Phase – Co-op, Bombast & Mixed Feelings

In 2005, the franchise underwent a major shift. With the release of Resident Evil 4, the camera moved to an over-the-shoulder perspective. This allowed for precise aiming and a movable camera, enabling even more intense action – a milestone in the third-person shooter genre. Directed by Shinji Mikami, this new camera system was intended to be a “natural evolution,” but it proved revolutionary.

The Los Ganados are virus-infected villagers armed with conventional weapons, replacing the traditional zombies. This brought entirely new tactical combat scenarios.

Resident Evil 5 followed in 2009 and introduced a full two-player co-op mode featuring Chris & Sheva as protagonists. The game delivered explosive set pieces and a much more refined shooter design. It also featured extensive checkpoints and a persistent inventory system.

Even though the game had some controversies, like its trailer, it became the best-selling entry in the series with over 14 million copies sold by December 2024.

After that, Resident Evil 6 was released in 2012. This game features four campaigns (Leon, Chris, Jake, Ada), offering even more action. With QTEs, massive explosions and cinematic drama. But the game drifts further away from traditional survival horror, which made it less popular among fans.

The New Identity – First-Person Horror

With Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, a major shift happened in 2017. The game was a first-person experience. This radical change was part of a plan to put horror back at the center of the gameplay. The game takes place in Louisiana, primarily in the Baker estate, which evokes a Southern Gothic atmosphere. Compared to its predecessor, it’s much scarier.

The Baker family consists of Jack, Marguerite, Lucas, and the tormented grandmother. They control the bioweapon girl Eveline. Fans appreciated the return to a strong horror focus, with that familiar constant feeling of vulnerability. The game even includes a VR mode for an even more intense horror experience.

The game received a direct sequel in 2021 with Resident Evil Village. It continued the first-person format and introduced more Gothic horror aesthetics with folklore-inspired creatures like werewolves and vampires.

The setting shifts between a snow-covered village, a gloomy castle, and various sect-like locations. It’s a well-balanced mix of horror and action, similar to Resident Evil 4 but in first-person. The focus returns to resource management and suspense, though there are also more action-heavy segments like fights with Lycans and bosses such as Lady Dimitrescu.

In both games, you play as civilian father Ethan Winters. Unlike other characters, he’s completely unprepared and noticeably more vulnerable. Ethan also shows more human reactions than anyone else. In Resident Evil 7 he’s searching for Mia, and in Village, for his daughter Rosemary.

Both games received Gold Editions with additional content. RE7 got the “Not a Hero” DLC focusing on Chris Redfield. Village added the Winters Expansion (Shadows of Rose), a new epilogue from Rosemary’s perspective plus a third-person mode for the base game.

The Remakes – When Classics Return Modernized and Better

Now let’s talk about all the remakes released for the Resident Evil games. The original titles are nearly 30 years old now, but Capcom wanted to make them playable for modern audiences and has thus released multiple remakes of the classic games over time.

They actually started small with a REmake in 2002. This game is a remake of the first title for the GameCube (later also Wii & HD remaster). This version features enhanced graphics, new puzzles, redesigned areas, and an even denser atmosphere.

Then in 2019 came the Resident Evil 2 Remake, which is a completely reimagined game using the powerful RE Engine. The game boasts photorealistic visuals and a modern third-person perspective. Yet it retains its tense atmosphere. Features like the Tyrant (Mr. X) and adaptive difficulty design brought fresh and lasting horror. So this is not just an HD update, but a complete reimagining of the old classic without losing its charm.

But the era of remakes didn’t end there. It continued with the Resident Evil 3 Remake. This was also a reimagining with modern graphics, faster load times, and smoother gameplay. However, the game world was reduced and the campaign became even more linear. While fans and critics appreciated the improved tech, the lack of exploration depth and the original’s atmosphere was disappointing.

The most recent remake is the Resident Evil 4 Remake from 2023. The game runs on a newly developed RE Engine with modernized controls (e.g. blocking with the knife) and a revamped story. The game was very well received and called “a masterpiece in action-horror.” It was also commercially successful, selling over 9 million copies.

Resident Evil Requiem – The Future of the Series (2026)

But the Resident Evil franchise is far from over. In the future, more remakes are expected, but there are also plans for entirely new games. The next entry in the series will be Resident Evil Requiem. This game will release on February 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. It’s also set to launch on the next console generation.

The game is set in the Wrenwood or Runwood Hotel near the infamous, post-nuclear Raccoon City – close to the explosion crater. You play as FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, presumably the daughter of Alyssa from RE Outbreak. You explore the cursed hotel, driven by visions and traumatic memories of her mother’s death.

The game will feature a first- and third-person mode. You can easily switch perspectives in the pause menu and play however you prefer. Grace is not a battle-hardened hero; she is vulnerable and struggles with her own weapon, caught in flashbacks and nightmarish sequences. The trailer showcases a monstrous “witch” as a new enemy.

Conclusion – Resident Evil, a Franchise Full of Possibilities

Resident Evil is not just one of the most iconic horror game series of all time, but also one that has constantly evolved and adapted. From classic survival horror with tank controls, to explosive action campaigns, to immersive first-person horror – few franchises have reinvented themselves so often while still preserving their DNA.

With bold reimaginings like Resident Evil 7, acclaimed remakes, and the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom has proven that the brand can work both nostalgically and progressively. Whether it’s slow-burn psychological horror or bombastic boss fights: Resident Evil remains a flagship of the genre – and a reminder that horror never truly dies.

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