Overview
The first zombie turns its head. Resident Evil didn’t invent survival horror, but it defined it—fixed cameras creating dread, limited ammunition forcing resource management, and the Spencer Mansion’s locked doors hiding terrors. Shinji Mikami’s direction established conventions that horror games would follow for decades.
Fast facts
- Developer: Capcom.
- Director: Shinji Mikami.
- Setting: Spencer Mansion.
- Genre coined: Survival horror.
Survival horror elements
| Element |
Implementation |
| Limited ammo |
Resource scarcity |
| Save system |
Ink ribbons |
| Health management |
Herbs, sprays |
| Inventory limits |
Item boxes |
Camera system
| Technique |
Effect |
| Fixed angles |
Director control |
| Pre-rendered backgrounds |
Visual quality |
| Tank controls |
Movement consistency |
| Off-screen threats |
Audio tension |
Spencer Mansion
| Design |
Purpose |
| Interconnected |
Backtracking |
| Locked doors |
Key hunting |
| Puzzles |
Environmental |
| Safe rooms |
Save points |
Characters
| Character |
Role |
| Chris Redfield |
STARS member |
| Jill Valentine |
STARS member |
| Barry Burton |
Support |
| Albert Wesker |
Captain |
Enemy design
| Type |
Threat |
| Zombies |
Slow, persistent |
| Hunters |
Fast, deadly |
| Cerberus |
Dog attacks |
| Tyrant |
Boss |
Series growth
| Title |
Year |
| Resident Evil |
1996 |
| Resident Evil 2 |
1998 |
| Resident Evil 3 |
1999 |
| Code: Veronica |
2000 |
See also