Classic Resident Evil is AWESOME! (imo)

[inpurpleshadows]

Over the past few months, I've been visiting the Resident Evil franchise for the first time in, well, ever. After checking out Silent Hill and other survival horror titles, I thought it'd be a great idea to play the games that popularized the entire genre in gaming. Probably the first major thing I did in 2025 was boot up DuckStatio- I mean, blow the dust off my PS1, put in a totally legitimate disc of the original Resident Evil, and start playing one of the most influential games of all time. To address the wobbly elephant in the room, RE1 and classic RE as a whole has aged. There's the laughably terrible voice acting, punishingly brutal difficulty, and tank controls, which people either love, tolerate, or downright hate. However, I'm currently 18, so I want to take advantage of my innocence and gush about media I love before the eventual post-quarter life crisis into cynicism.

The classic Resident Evil trilogy is undoubtedly cheesy, so much so, that it's achieved memetic status among the gaming community. But honestly, I actually really like that aspect about the franchise. The live-action intro in RE1 just screams 80s B-grade action flick and I am all here for it. In addition, the sub-par voice acting adds a ton of charm and unintentionally makes the games more memorable. The only real complaint I have about this particular element is how it clashes with the, you know, 'horror', but it's still entertaining. The presentation in general is just very appealing to me. I've already stated this, but despite my age, I love retro games, especially their aesthetics. For PS1 games, the classic RE trilogy's visuals look fantastic, both on an artistic and technical standpoint. Character models have a high-poly count, the pre-rendered backgrounds look downright gorgeous at times, and several setpieces really catch my attention.

There's also the music which goes for a lonely, atmospheric, almost desolate tone which I will never not love when games do. Hell, I would argue the audio in general holds up, even nowadays. The moans and footsteps of zombies and other monsters, the environmental ambiance, Nemesis repeatedly saying "STARSSSS"; even the jumpscares are effective in their delivery.

Now, I've raved about RE's presentation, but gameplay is the most important aspect of a video game, so how does it fare? Quite well, actually, which helps since RE basically codified survival horror. It's hard for me to describe classic RE's gameplay formula, but it kind of serves as a combination of the puzzle-solving, story-heavy adventure games of the 90s and action-oriented shooters. Though, RE isn't a game where you simply shoot your way through swarms of zombies. There's actual strategy involved as you have to manage your resources carefully and decide on which weapons to use on which enemies, if at all. It does take some time to get used to, especially if you're used to modern RE; I know I sure did. But once you really immerse yourself in the gameplay, everything just works. The limited resources and small inventory space really allowed me to plan ahead. Now, I can easily breeze through RE2 without much difficulty. There's just something inherently rewarding about RE's gameplay, where even something as simple as, say, placing a specific item in the right spot can be satisfying.

And that doesn't even cover the insane amount of replay value the RE trilogy contains (by late 90s standards). RE1 and RE2 have separate campaigns for each playable character, and while they're mostly the same, there are a few key differences. RE2 shows this to its fullest potential and I can't think of another RE game that came close to surpassing it. RE2 actually has four campaigns, two for Leon and two for Claire. Once you finish the A-story of one character, you get to access the B-story for the other. Not only that, but certain decisions you made in A will impact certain events in B, such as enemies being more hazardous or what weapons you're able to grab in a storage room. This was genuinely revolutionary stuff and way ahead of its time. That doesn't even cover the extra side game-modes from battle to randomizer to getting to play as a literal ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ piece of tofu. And no, I'm not kidding about that last one.

The reason why I made this post in the first place is mostly due to the overwhelming negativity on the internet. There's just so much arrogance, vitriol and general toxicity to the point where literally any discussion will get corrupted into a vortex of constant misery. As childish and unrealistic as this sounds, I believe that making just one post, whether that'd be publishing a picture of a pet, making a YT video or, in my case, spreading propaganda to get people obsessed with a gaming series, can make a difference. Anything would be better than parroting politics all the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ time. Anyways, if you want me to make more of these "gushing about media I love" topics, I'd like to do so, I had a ton of fun writing this. And if you want to learn more about the RE series, I'd recommend checking out Avalanche Reviews' retrospective on the franchise. I don't agree with everything he says, but that's the beauty of opinions. You don't always have to share the same views as someone else to gain a greater understanding of something.

[smokerob79]

Originally posted by Joe Cool:

I still maintain that the original Resident Evil 3 Nemesis was the best in the series.

Something critical was lost when they switched to the 3rd person over the shoulder camera view.

Resident Evil 4 doesn't feel like a Resident Evil game at all to me.

you mean you liked the most hated thing in the whole series......

[Vox]

Some at Capcom actually allowed this to happen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJYvCHm3Ov4

The original https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sITJuWV3HXg

[inpurpleshadows]

Originally posted by Vox:

Some at Capcom actually allowed this to happen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJYvCHm3Ov4

The original https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sITJuWV3HXg

I'm still in disbelief as to how 'that' ended up in the DualShock version. That trainwreck of a theme was written, composed, performed, coded in the game, and throughout all that time, nobody at the studio said "hey, this sucks ass".

[Xero_Daxter]

Unpopular opinion but I really enjoyed Resident Evil 5.

[inpurpleshadows]

Originally posted by Xero_Daxter:

Unpopular opinion but I really enjoyed Resident Evil 5.

Haven't played it myself, but it does look fun. From what I've heard, RE5 is pretty similar to RE4, going for an over-the-shoulder perspective and has gameplay more akin to an action game. Despite me preferring classic, traditional 'survival horror' when it comes to Resident Evil, I loved RE4 and would like to see what came afterwards.

[Sidakte]

did play the original ones up to Nemesis (which is awesome), haven't played the remasters yet but for me Resident Evil ended on Nemesis personally, no grudge no hate towards people who enjoy it post-Nemesis. they really took a big part of my early days on Playstation and still love them.

[Electric Cupcake]

Originally posted by Xero_Daxter:

Unpopular opinion but I really enjoyed Resident Evil 5.

Yeah, 5 is great, and a crucial milestone in the lore. I think it was the last game I actually preordered. I remember some columns remarking on the potential for controversy with the black zombies in Africa, but I don't remember any actual outrage.

The partner AI isn't difficult to work with. That reputation is as undeserved as the escorting Ashley segments.

[swillfly]

. . eyes . . bleeding . . must not read . .

[Xero_Daxter]

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

Originally posted by Xero_Daxter:

Unpopular opinion but I really enjoyed Resident Evil 5.

Yeah, 5 is great, and a crucial milestone in the lore. I think it was the last game I actually preordered. I remember some columns remarking on the potential for controversy with the black zombies in Africa, but I don't remember any actual outrage.

The partner AI isn't difficult to work with. That reputation is as undeserved as the escorting Ashley segments.

The outrage was short lived. People just want something to complain about. Resident Evil takes place in Africa so what else do you expect? And you even have a partner who is African. Actually… multiple partners like Sheva and Josh.

[inpurpleshadows]

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

Originally posted by Xero_Daxter:

Unpopular opinion but I really enjoyed Resident Evil 5.

Yeah, 5 is great, and a crucial milestone in the lore. I think it was the last game I actually preordered. I remember some columns remarking on the potential for controversy with the black zombies in Africa, but I don't remember any actual outrage.

The partner AI isn't difficult to work with. That reputation is as undeserved as the escorting Ashley segments.

You know, once I'm done with the classic Resident Evil games and RE4, I might check out the fifth one. I already have all the mainline RE games available on Steam within my library.

[Electric Cupcake]

Originally posted by inpurpleshadows:

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

Yeah, 5 is great, and a crucial milestone in the lore. I think it was the last game I actually preordered. I remember some columns remarking on the potential for controversy with the black zombies in Africa, but I don't remember any actual outrage.

The partner AI isn't difficult to work with. That reputation is as undeserved as the escorting Ashley segments.

You know, once I'm done with the classic Resident Evil games and RE4, I might check out the fifth one. I already have all the mainline RE games available on Steam within my library.

Don't skip Code Veronica in between 3 and 4.

[UndeadKingUK]

I've heard nothing but horrible things about the Resident Evil Movies.
I've listened to one of the songs from the first film. Really love this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sci6NyALwNo
BTW, this song was also used for a trailer for Puppet Master: The Legacy (2003).

[UndeadKingUK]

Originally posted by UndeadKingUK:

I've heard nothing but horrible things about the Resident Evil Movies.
I've listened to one of the songs from the first film. Really love this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sci6NyALwNo
BTW, this song was also used for a trailer for Puppet Master: The Legacy (2003).

If you don't believe me, just look at it and tell me that is not Cleansing by Marilyn Manson.
(Go to 0:20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmpjwaFUIhw

[inpurpleshadows]

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

Originally posted by inpurpleshadows:

You know, once I'm done with the classic Resident Evil games and RE4, I might check out the fifth one. I already have all the mainline RE games available on Steam within my library.

Don't skip Code Veronica in between 3 and 4.

No need to remind me. I've already planned the week ahead of me.

[Paratech2008]

I want Resident Evil 4 classic on GOG.

I'm planning on playing the first one "soon".