There was a day when the term 'survival horror' meant something. It wasn't just a tagline for a new Capcom shooter, it was a warning - a statement to prepare yourself for a real heart-pumping scare-fest.
There used to be a master of such a genre, a series that wrote the manual for survival horror and made sure that when it came to scares, there was only one name whispered on everyone's lips; Resident Evil.
So what's happened to the former genre king? Well, it's surviving, but ironically that's not good enough for the series that used to thrive on its controller-chilling formula.
It was something that had never truly been seen before in gaming, and one of the first games that promised a genuine horror experience; like the first time the Tyrant smashed through the wall and you almost dropped your controller, when the hideous Licker dropped down from the ceiling, tongue lashing, and THAT dog-through-the-window scene.
Plenty of games have delivered a more unsettling experience since, but it's difficult to remember many genuinely spooky moments from recent Resident Evils. The series seems to have left its roots behind for action thrills.
So given the extent of hints and rumours over Resident Evil 6 over the past few days, I'm hoping Capcom has the same idea as me.
I'm certainly not alone in my distaste for the last proper series offering, Resident Evil 5, which while on paper was a very solid game, diluted the concept of what a 'horror' title should be with waves of enemies, abundance of ammo, and a gimmicky partner mechanic.
Even Resident Evil 4, as brilliant as it is, felt more 'intense' than 'scary'.
In recent Resi instalments, where were the drop-your-controller shocks like the first Crimson Head zombie encounter in the GameCube remake of RE1? Every time I see a new enemy, I don't want to find myself admiring how pretty its infected tentacles look, but sweating with suspense because there's something moving in the shadows and I've only got two pistol rounds left.
Capcom; bring back the horror. It's about time Resident Evil returned to its roots.
Comments
27 comments so far...
Stryker89 on 19 Jan '12 said:
I've played Resident Evil 4 many, many times. However it's been a while since my last play-through, and I'm struggling to remember what barn scene you're on about. Can someone shed some light on this?
Sammy_bham on 19 Jan '12 said:
100% agree
resi 5 was just rubbish.
its was a poorly made "co-op" game which suffered because of the co-op. and it was just an action game, survival horror never came into it.
bring back hordes of zombies.
Izo on 19 Jan '12 said:
The boss fight with Chief Mendez, as for the topic I don't entirely agree with their view tbh the shock tactics of the orignal were wearing thin and became more and more limited and one of the scariest parts of playing old RE games were the controls and set up. RE4 is survival horror just a different kind of horror inducing a tense atmosphere of capable creatures out to kill you (much like movies with signature killlers like Leather Face and such) then the slow moving Zombies who just scared you for a second by jumping through a window before dying to a few shots.
Compare the set piece of a load of Ganados cornering you in a house while you have only a hadngun and some ammo left then hearing the chainsaw start up to dealing with a group of Zombies the former is quite a dire situation, RE4 also had some of the more notorious higher level enemies such as the Regenerator mutants who imo are probably the scariest creatures in the series especially with the first one you meet and it's apparent invincibility.
Revelations seems to have actually built on what RE4 brought as opposed to try and poorly mimic like what RE5 did.
iucidium on 19 Jan '12 said:
4 hours and counting
nohopeleft.com
iucidium on 19 Jan '12 said:
scariest game i am playing thus far - Dark Souls. you know you can still come back but it still s**ts you up.
bardock350 on 19 Jan '12 said:
agree with the article, resi 6 should be set in castle
potnoodle1 on 19 Jan '12 said:
Couldn't agree with the article more. Resi 5 was a bore fest of a game which was a chore to wade through. I won't be touching the disc again and I'm wary about purchasing another resi title in the future. Endless waves of cannon fodder zombies doesn't create suspense in my opinion; for that you need atmosphere, something which Resident Evil appear to have lost.
deanoz2 on 19 Jan '12 said:
As a big Resi fan i think the reviewer is spot on..........i remember well playing the original Resi back in 1996 and crapping myself at the moments quoted....made me chuckle reading them as its good that Capcom hit the spot.
The dark oppressive atmosphere and setting with outstanding horror soundtrack and genuine heart in the mouth moments sum up the (ok, its now dated) original.
Where Capcom need to look is at Dead Space (1 in particular), it took the shock moments mixed them up with a great story, amazing lighting FX, sound design and good old fashioned John Carpenter (something runs past open door, shadows moving in the distance) scares.
That mixed with good controls (you can reload AND move!!!) made it a winner.
This is where Resi 6 needs to go, head back into the dark settings of the original, get the zombies in there, get the controls right and get that feeling of dread back into it, or the series will be lost in the past.
Felly117 on 19 Jan '12 said:
Resident 6 should be like Lost in Nightmares on Profesional mode.
Stryker89 on 19 Jan '12 said:
Huh... Well I didn't find the Chief Mendez encounter particularly scary, but there you go. However, I may have soiled myself during the Verdugo fight.
I do agree with the article... However, they simply can't go back to the pre-rendered environments and static camera angles. It was fun back then but we're way beyond that, and games like Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space show survival horror can have massive potential in this day and age.
I think it's such a shame that Resident Evil 5 turned out to be so rubbish- it's got a neat little storyline and it's always good to see Wesker. The gameplay was appalling though and I almost gave up when they forced the cover system upon me later in the game.
Kinslowdian on 19 Jan '12 said:
The Game Cube mention brings back the fun of forgetting to burn the Zombies you kill in remake of the first game. One I remember turned into a blood zombie and could see it in one of the mirrors facing the wall jittering, used to hold my breath as I quickly moved to the doors in the hallway. Might have to drag it out and get it running on the wii.
Fr33Kye on 19 Jan '12 said:
Uhmmm i'm an outsider looking in but if a franchise needs a return to form, isn't that a sign that it has nowhere to go but back, and therefore has no real reason to continue?
ginsin on 19 Jan '12 said:
Dead Space showed you can make a modern, survival-horror/action game work. Just rip the controls from Dead Space, put a Resident Evil/Japanese twist on it and off you go.
Izo on 19 Jan '12 said:
This is sort of what revelations already does on the 3DS it shows the path the series will go for 6 and is the game RE5 should of been.
@Stryker89
I kind agree the's no way the series can go back to the old style has anyone actually gone back to the old games they feel heavily dated now the dead space route is what you have to build on for atmosphere.
TheLastDodo on 19 Jan '12 said:
That sounds suspiciously like Shadows of the Damned................which you can buy now at all good internet retailers coincidentally.
ginsin on 19 Jan '12 said:
Shadows of the Damned was the last game I completed. I enjoyed it, but it isn't in the same league as the RE (RE4 to be specific) and Dead Space games. In fairness it's a different kind of game, what with it being more of a comic book style, action based game.
cam123 on 19 Jan '12 said:
"but sweating with suspense because there's something moving in the shadows and I've only got two pistol rounds left."
Dude... You either love watching the protagonist continuously die or enjoy failure. But yes, I agree - give me REAL survival horror Capcom or don't bother.
k-mysta on 19 Jan '12 said:
4 should be the template. I loved all Resis but i don't see how many more times a dog can jump through a window before that becomes stale and then people start complaining about that. Anyway, bring it on 10 pm
ptechg on 19 Jan '12 said:
I couldn't agree more. Resident Evil really does have roots in survival horror and this is where the strength of the franchise should lie. This formula has been gradually moved away from over time in favour of action with some slight horror elements. Win your core audience back please and bring the scare back to Resi!
xxx128 on 20 Jan '12 said:
The series is dead. Same as silent hill. This latest title seems to be another dull mass market action game geared towards the western audiences. RIP survival horror 1996-2012.
MrPirtniw on 20 Jan '12 said:
I have and I disagree. I played through Code Veronica for the first time since I had my Dreamcast and it wees all over the like of Resi 4 and 5 (sales be damned!) - especially in terms of atmosphere. I much, much prefer the static camera style as you can't see whats round the next corner- though the tank controls could use some work, granted. Saying that, Resi 4 amd 5 felt slow and cumbersome too.
They should take a leaf from Amnesia the dark descent and make the players more vulnerable by forcing them to really search to solve puzzles and find ammo (I know amnesia doesn't have any weapons in it, but a new Resi would have to). Make it first person rather than 3rd- it limits your vision and makes things more intense.
I'll be getting the next Dead Space and Resi games pre-owned from here on out. Perhaps a braver company will take a gamble and make a real horror game... But then go bust as it won't involve doing backflips and shooting giant tentacles in glowy bits.
As for the article, didn't Capcom completely rip off the original Alone in the Dark game when the made Resi?
Imaduck on 20 Jan '12 said:
They can't "go back" so to speak. There's no point trying to make games they've already made if you get me. I do agree though that when moving forward they should focus again on horror and get that bit right if nothing else. They seem to disagree however.
MrPirtniw on 20 Jan '12 said:
I hear you, man- but think about how stylish and cinematic they could make the 3rd person camera if they used some clever cinematography. A lot of what made the original games feel so tense was the way the fixed' camera made you feel like you were being watched...
liveswired on 20 Jan '12 said:
Resident Evil Remake was the one game that scared the s**t out of me......it still does even when I flick on the gamecube on an old 14inch tv! Zombies rattling at doors, smashing through doors.........graphics that still look stunning too.
Imaduck on 21 Jan '12 said:
I absolutely agree MrPirtniw
Joe90_Remy700 on 21 Jan '12 said:
resi 5 was the biggest waste of money. dead space on the other hand... i nearly cried playing that! nearly..
Joe6801 on 24 Jan '12 said:
If RE is supposed to be COD-esque, IM OUT! I wont be picking up RE6 even if its in the bargain bin. I spoke with my money last time with MVC3 and will do same if you do not keep RE the way it is supposed to be. Capcom, Why do you think COD is a billion dollar making game? Id like to answer to you that, it because they have not changed there “formula”. Its basically the same damn game with a new single player (which I prefer than playing online, ugh online). Ive played COD for action and RE for horror. Two different genres, two different games. Keep that in mind. If you want us to play an action game, give us another Bionic Commando.
http://joetech68.blogspot.com/2012/01/r ... ction.html