I realise I’ve left the key I need in the Item Box on the other side of the Spencer Mansion. I have no choice but to trek back through the dimly lit hallways, past the undead monsters waiting for me, and hope a Hunter doesn’t take my head clean off before I get there.
This is Resident Evil 1, and this is the purest form of survival horror I’ve ever played.
Originally released in 1996, Resident Evil pioneered the survival horror genre and quickly became a best-selling PlayStation title. In 2002, the game was remade for the GameCube with an updated look, new enemies, new areas, and more surprises. Finally, in 2016, this version was ported over to the PlayStation 4. It’s fundamentally the same game, but with some quality-of-life improvements and enhanced lighting.
This was the version I experienced, and I have to say, I am blown away.
Stepping Into the Spencer Mansion
I don’t know what more I can add to the discourse surrounding this game that hasn’t already been said. It’s simply a great game that still holds up incredibly well.
Almost immediately, the game stuns with its visuals. The art direction, the lighting, and the stunning pre-rendered backgrounds make simply walking around a terrifying treat. Getting this level of graphical fidelity out of a GameCube is genuinely insane and a testament to the team at Capcom.
Spencer Mansion has always been hailed as the holy grail of Resident Evil locations, and I completely understand why. It feels incredibly eerie, like there’s a dark secret hiding in every room. The atmosphere is incredible – a strange mix of cozy and creepy. More creepy than cozy, though.
I’m not lying when I say this game had me on edge the entire time. Unless I was in a save room, I never felt safe. You don’t know true horror until you run out of ammo and a Crimson Head starts charging towards you. Knowing you’re low on health and haven’t saved in a good 30 minutes, that’s when you feel fear.
If there’s one aspect of the horror genre that needs to be near perfect, it’s sound design, and Resident Evil absolutely nails it. Zombies groaning, doors creaking open, thunder crashing outside. Even the silence feels terrifyingly loud.
Old-School Design That Still Hits
The game is also far more challenging than I expected. Managing your inventory, navigating the maze-like corridors, and avoiding those damn Hunters all add to the tension. The puzzles were also really enjoyable.
If there’s one criticism I have with the newer games in the franchise, it’s that they’ve definitely eased up on the puzzles. Maybe difficulty isn’t the right word. What I mean is puzzles that actually require a bit of thinking and engagement with the environment.
While I initially found myself frustrated with the amount of backtracking, I quickly realised I wasn’t actually annoyed. I was just scared. The persistent danger and the risk of getting caught and mauled to death loomed over me whenever I had to run back through an area.
It’s this intentional game design that drives the “survival horror.” The game absolutely nails the pacing and tension.
The story itself isn’t anything crazy, especially compared to later entries in the series. However, uncovering the secrets of Spencer Mansion was genuinely interesting and added to the overall atmosphere. The voice acting and writing are very much of their time, which provides a few laughs, but it’s also strangely charming.
Seeing where Resident Evil started was a genuinely memorable experience, and I’d argue it’s the most immersive entry in the franchise. There’s something about Spencer Mansion that just latches onto you. It’s hard to explain, but anyone who’s played it knows exactly what I mean.
I might have been late to the party, but I’m glad I made it.
For anyone turned off by the fixed camera angles or the seemingly clunky controls, give it a chance. This is a fantastic game that truly still holds up, and I think it always will.
With Resident Evil Requiem having just released, it was really interesting to go back to the roots and see just how far this iconic series has come.
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