PSM3's Resident Evil Week: The 10 most memorable moments in Resident Evil history
12th Mar 2009 | 09:43
Trying to pick 10 stand-out moments from a series that is basically all stand-out moments isn't easy, but we've scoured the depths of YouTube to bring you what we think are the ten moments that define Resident Evil. But have we missed any of your favourites? Let us know in the comments below.
1. Resident Evil 2
Leon's first encounter with the Licker
Up until now your only enemy has been the shambling undead, then suddenly this fiend rears its ugly, salivating head. The moment hasn't lost any of its impact or perfect tension-building. The eerie silence pierced only by the sound of dripping blood then that cut-scene merging seamlessly into the gameplay; it's everything we love about Resident Evil condensed into fifty seconds.
2. Resident Evil
Zombie introduction
This guy's the Resident Evil series' first ever zombie, and what a fitting introduction. The quality of the CG may be laughable by today's standards, but that lingering shot over his shoulders is still awesomely creepy. Then the head drops to the carpet and you just know the shit's about to hit the fan. Here's hoping you chose to play as Jill, otherwise you'll have to deal with him using Chris' combat knife. Yikes.
3. Resident Evil 3
The Nemesis kills Brad Vickers
Brad 'Chicken Heart' Vickers is the S.T.A.R.S. helicopter pilot who leaves Alpha Team stranded in the woods at the beginning of the first Resi. He comes back at the end and saves them, but his cowardice is punished big-style in Resident Evil 3 when the Nemesis skewers him with a pointy tentacle. A classic unexpected shock moment. Poor Brad.
4. Resident Evil
The live action intro sequence
Despite the student film production values and questionable acting, seeing real people and live-action FMV on our PlayStations in 1996 felt like the future. Now it's merely a source of comedy. We like how the flimsy budget means they have to artfully avoid showing any of the zombie dogs; just an occasional stock shot of their snarling mouths. It's pretty well cast though, especially Wesker. Where are these guys now? Perhaps Justin Lee Collins can do one of his 'Bring Back...' shows on it.
5. Resident Evil 4
The Regenerators
If there's anything scarier than a monster that never dies, it's one that has spikes that burst out of its body like a puffer fish whenever you get near it. But the worst thing about the Regenerators is how much they seem to enjoy scaring you. They lurch towards Leon slowly, seemingly unconcerned by his presence, with a giant, terrifying grin on their face. Shudder. The real genius here, however, is how you kill them. You have to use a thermal imagining rifle scope to target and shoot the Las Plagas parasites hidden within its jelly-like body.
6. Resident Evil Code: Veronica
Steve's father
Steve is historically one of Resident Evil's most hateful characters, but this moment reveals that behind his brash exterior lies a fragile soul tortured by his father's involvement with UMBRELLA. His dear old dad becomes a zombie for his sins and Steve is forced to kill him with a pair of uzis to save Claire. Touching madness. "FAAATTTTHEEEEERRRR!" *buddabuddabuddabudda*
7. Resident Evil 2
Leon's ending
Both Leon and Claire's endings are similar, and both end with a frantic train escape from the underground lab, but it's Leon's closing line that makes his the best: "It's up to US to take out UMBRELLA!" [heavy rock music plays, credits roll]. It gives us goosebumps even now. It's also nice that after 12 hours of perpetual gloom and darkness, the game ends outdoors with sunshine and a blue sky.
8. Resident Evil 4
Mike's sacrifice
One of the most powerful scenes in Resi 4 comes towards the end of the game when 'Mike', a faceless helicopter pilot, saves Leon from a swarm of rocket-toting Ganados. The hero swoops in, knocks over a petroleum tower and ignites it, burning the zombie swines to a crisp. But just as he saves Leon for a second time, a survivor lets rip with an RPG and Mike goes down in flames; moments after Leon promising that they should go for a beer together. Sniff.
9. Resident Evil Outbreak
The infection spreads
This classy CG intro shows the moment the T-virus spread from the perspective of a rat, kickstarting the entire Resident Evil series. We see William Birkin being cornered in his lab, turning into the Tyrant and making rat food out of the UMBRELLA special forces unit sent to kill him. And we all know what happens when rats contract deadly diseases and run rampant through a city's sewer system. That's right: ZOMBIES. Lots of zombies.
10. Resident Evil
Fighting the Tyrant
Freedom is so close. Brad's hovering overhead in his helicopter, but he can't land because there's the small matter of a GIANT MUTATED MONSTER running loose on the landing pad. And to make matters worse, the mansion is going to explode in less than 2 minutes. Cue one of the most tense and furious boss battles in the entire series. Pray you've got some first aid sprays because one swipe of the Tyrant's massive claw and you'll be down to 'danger'. His pixelated demise at the hands of a rocket launcher-equipped Jill Valentine is a real air punching moment. Man, we love Resi.
Sound fair? Have we missed any of Resi's stand out moments? (Clue: Yes). Let us know what you think below.
Thanks
PSM3
p.s. PODCAST UPDATE! The bumper two and a half hour PSM3 Podcast#16 will be ready on Monday. Sorry for the delay, but it's a real whopper - and hopefully worth the wait.