Tweet
Was Resident Evil misclassified? Returning to the game that popularised the genre term 'survival horror' 19 years after its original release invites the question. Sure, Spencer Mansion's warren of corridors and alcoves is riddled with tenacious horrors. There are hardy zombies that won't stay down unless you drench the corpse in gasoline and take a flame to its rags. There are rabid Doberman that round corners at full pelt. There are mad bees and hellish crows not to mention terror snakes and spiders seemingly imported straight from Greek myth.
Yes, the game makes good on its horror promise. Meanwhile, ensuring the survival of your protagonist - you choose between local special force operatives Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine at the start - is an ever-present theme (albeit no more than in any other video game). But 'survival horror' is not the game's principle theme. Rather, most of your stay here is spent solving puzzles. Resident Evil has the appearance of a lost George A. Romero classic, but the function is pure Myst.
Read more…
More...