Biohazard (バイオハザード, also known as Resident Evil in the West, is a one of a kind survival horror title created by Shinji Mikami, formerly of Capcom, Inc. It is widely agreed upon that the series created the survival horror genre, spawning countless imitations and lending inspiration to many other game series. The series became known for its atmosphere, puzzles, action and purposefully bad B movie voice acting. Originally released on the Sony PlayStation in March of 1996, the series is still going strong 15 years later with planned releases BIOHAZARD Revelations and BIOHAZARD Mercenaries 3D on the horizon. On the wake of it's 15th anniversary, let's take a stroll down memory lane and look at what has transpired in one of the most successful franchises in video gaming history.
BIOHAZARD - The original BIOHAZARD, released in 1996, began what has since become Capcom's most successful franchise. Players take control of Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine as they explore a seemingly abandoned mansion filled with zombies and other creatures. BIOHAZARD featured highly innovative action adventure gameplay and advanced graphics for its time, as well as memorable moments in its story, reinforced by the game's laughably unrealistic voice acting.
BIOHAZARD 2 - Two months after the Mansion Incident, Raccoon City is overrun with zombies. Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield arrive into town at the same time, meet up and cooperate, and explore the Raccoon City Police Department. Along with the mysterious Ada Wong and young Sherry Birkin, Leon and Claire face off against the G-Virus, an improved version of the Tyrant and other creatures. BIOHAZARD 2 features the Zapping System, where Leon and Claire's stories interact at various points in the same and can influence each other. Even the order in which they are chosen changes the game path considerably.
BIOHAZARD 3: LAST ESCAPE - Also taking place in Raccoon City, Jill Valentine attempts to make her escape from the zombie-infested city in cooperation with UBCS member Carlos Oliveira. Umbrella has dispatched a Tyrant known as Nemesis, an aggressive creature highly resistant to weapons, to dispose of Jill. An action-oriented entry in the traditional series, BIOHAZARD 3: LAST ESCAPE features live events, multiple game paths, dodging and introduced the 180-degree turn.
BIOHAZARD CODE: VERONICA - While searching for her brother, Claire Redfield is captured by Umbrella and taken to Rockfort Island. Shortly after arriving, the island is attacked and the T-Virus is leaked. Claire works with another prisoner, Steve Burnside, in getting off the island as Alfred Ashford, a man tied to the origins of Umbrella, attempts to toy with their lives. The setting eventually moves onto an Umbrella base in Antarctica. Later, Chris Redfield arrives onto the island to save Claire, and encounters Albert Wesker again and faces off against Alexia Ashford. CODE: VERONICA is the longest entry in the traditional series and features a modified version of the Zapping System.
biohazard - The original game in the series was remade within 6 years of the release of the original, featuring completely redone visuals, altered and improved gameplay elements, and added story information. This game introduced defensive items, and special extra gameplay modes like Real Survival and Invisible Enemy Mode.
biohazard 0 - biohazard 0 stars S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team member Rebecca Chambers and ex-Marine and convicted prisoner Billy Coen. Taking place one night in Raccoon Forest before the original Mansion Incident, biohazard 0 exposes the history of Umbrella, the cause of the original biohazard outbreak, the origins of the T-Virus and the fate of one of the original founders of Umbrella, James Marcus. This was the first game in the series to feature two protagonists during gameplay at the same time and no item boxes.