Change is a constant in life. Whether it’s in our lives, or in our games. Resident Evil is one of my favorite games, and that’s a series that has been going strong since the 1990s. It had 8 total entries in its mainline titles and more spin-offs than I can remember. Capcom, its developer has been in charge of creating many iconic gaming titles, but Resident Evil is known for being one of their mainstays.
This is for many reasons. The charming yet unsettling atmosphere. The goofy yet cheesy characters. The tight, addictive gameplay. All of those elements, just to name a few, played a part. But Resident Evil is no one trick pony. It has been through a decent amount of major changes throughout its tenure as a game franchise. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Tank Controls and Fixed Cameras
Ever since the first Resident Evil, the games have had a very unique and specific gameplay design. In all of the games in the original trilogy for the PlayStation 1, the games had fixed cameras and tank controls. A fixed camera means the camera in these games was meticulously placed to let the player only see what the developers wanted them to see. You couldn’t move the camera either.
Tank controls are admittedly stiff. You can only move your character straight, so you cannot strafe. Also, they are very hard to get used to, truthfully. Turning takes a long time, and they feel clunky at first, but these games are built around stiff controls, so it is no problem. These original games are still wonderful and really charming to this day.
Third-Person Shooting and Action
Resident Evil 4 changed everything. This game was a landmark game not just for the generation, but for the industry as a whole. This game introduced a third-person camera, with over-the-shoulder shooting. There were still tank controls, but they honestly weren’t that bad. They work quite well in a third-person setting. The overall controls and feel of this game are very smooth and satisfying. This is obvious due to how incredibly well this game sold, and how often it is ported to modern consoles.
For Resident Evil 5 and 6, they pretty much tried to do what 4 did. They aimed for more over-the-shoulder shooting, with an emphasis on action, and less horror. These games are more like shooters, whereas the original trilogy is pure survival horror games. They’re a blast to play, don’t get me wrong, but fans did not enjoy where the series went. Capcom was at a crossroads here. They ended up taking the series in a new direction.
First-Person Horror and Remakes for Resident Evil
For Resident Evil 7 and 8, Capcom made them first-person games. 7 was a fan favorite, due to how it went back to the game’s survival horror roots. 8 was enjoyed by fans and had more action than 7. Capcom also went buck-wild with remakes. They remade Resident Evil 2,3, and 4 all within the span of less than five years. And as I mentioned, these games did really well critically and financially, to the point where Resident Evil as a series has never been more popular in its entirety.
These remakes, with some new games, made the series more popular and successful than ever. These remakes all had the third-person shooting style that fans loved. In a very recent Capcom poll, fans voted Resident Evil 4 Remake their third most favorite Capcom game. It’s obvious Resident Evil is a much-beloved series by the fans, and the games have changed a lot throughout their releases. They still keep their charm and heart, and that speaks to how successful they’ve been lately.
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