PROMO: Resident Evil: A Retrospective

A brief history of one of the most famous game franchises ever.

None

Released in 1996, the original Resident Evil quickly established its iconic status. It introduced the first of a wide range of recurring characters including Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, who are part of the elite S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Service) Alpha Team. The game begins as Alpha Team heads to the edges of Raccoon City to investigate the mysterious disappearance of several other team members. Players soon find themselves trapped in an abandoned mansion, battling it out with hordes of zombies. We learn that these creatures are the product of some seriously screwed up experiments by the diabolical Umbrella Corporation, whose reckless bioengineering and extreme brutality are the prime source of evil for the entire franchise.

The game is credited as being the pioneer of the survival horror game genre, and was revolutionary for its use of multiple different endings. Since the first game, there have been over twenty different incarnations. The series has employed liberal and imaginative use of timelines, with games ranging from sequels to prequels to remakes.

The latest chapter, Resident Evil: Revelations, is a return to form for the franchise. Taking place between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, it calls to mind the classic style of the original that made the series so beloved. For more info on Resident Evil: Revelations, click here.

Latest in Pop Culture