Capcom. (1996). Resident Evil [Video game]. Capcom.

Resident Evil (1996) is a survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. The game is set in a mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon City, where members of the special police task force S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Service) investigate strange occurrences. Players choose between two characters, Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, each offering unique storylines and gameplay differences. The story follows their attempts to uncover the truth behind the mansion, which is infested with zombies, mutated animals, and other bio-organic weapons resulting from the experiments of the pharmaceutical company Umbrella Corporation.

The gameplay of Resident Evil emphasizes exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat in a claustrophobic and tense environment. Players navigate the mansion’s interconnected rooms and hallways, collecting items and solving puzzles to progress. Limited inventory space requires players to make strategic decisions about which items to carry, such as weapons, ammunition, health items, or puzzle pieces. Combat involves managing scarce resources, as ammunition and healing items are finite. Enemies include zombies, mutant creatures, and boss characters, each posing unique challenges.

A hallmark of the game is its fixed camera angles, which add to the tension by limiting the player’s view of the environment. These angles, combined with the eerie soundtrack and sound design, create a foreboding atmosphere. The game also introduced "tank controls," which were a subject of criticism and praise for their contribution to the survival horror experience.

Resident Evil received critical acclaim for its groundbreaking gameplay and atmosphere, establishing many conventions of the survival horror genre. It spawned a franchise that includes sequels, spin-offs, remakes, films, and other media, cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of video game history.