Resident Evil

About

Resident Evil is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by CAPCOM Co., Ltd. and was released on January 20, 2015. It received positive reviews from players.

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Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 192 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

Classic survival horror game with iconic atmosphere, level design, and puzzles that still hold up after 30 years.
The game includes the full uncut FMV sequences and original uncensored content, maintaining its nostalgic and historic value.
Control options allow switching between tank controls and analog controls; the Steam version enables skipping door animations which improves pacing.

The Steam version has problematic DRM that negatively affects performance, adds unnecessary restrictions, and causes launcher issues, especially on Steam Deck and Linux.
Poor native support for Steam Deck and Linux requires complicated manual tweaks like registry edits and special Proton configurations to launch and play properly.
The release lacks modern quality-of-life features such as achievements, cloud saves, full screen/windowed mode adjustments, and better controller support in some menus.

music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
Users note that the music in the vanilla Resident Evil 1 has a muffled, static quality reminiscent of an old record player, which can affect the audio experience during dialogue. However, improvements such as those in Classic Rebirth and other quality fixes are expected to enhance the soundtrack's clarity on newer versions.
- “Note that this is vanilla RE1; no battle mode or arranged mode/dualshock soundtrack!”
- “Often when music and dialogue were happening, there was a muffled static sound like it was playing from an old record player.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The optimization is inconsistent, with some titles like RE1 running smoothly without crashes, while others suffer from performance drops, increased file sizes, and controller support issues. Additionally, several games lack proper compatibility with devices like the Steam Deck, hindering the overall user experience.
- “It tanks performance, makes the game larger and messes with support for certain controllers.”
- “GOG is an amazing platform and I've bought many classics there, but I have a big Steam library and most of my gaming is done there, so buying them again was a no-brainer. While I had no performance issues and enjoyed my time with RE1 so far, the other stuff is both irritating and completely useless.”
- “It tanks performance, makes the game larger, and messes with support for certain controllers.”
- “It shouldn't be stuttering at all anyway since this is, again, a PS1 title.”
- “Not noticed any crashes yet so can't comment on performance, but it's just one of those lift and shift money grab titles... I just wish it worked on Steam Deck which is the main reason I wanted it.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Resident Evil's atmosphere is praised for its tense, uneasy, and surreal tone, enhanced by superb level design that delivers genuine creepiness despite cheesy voice acting. This compelling ambiance has helped the game remain a standout in survival horror even decades after its release.
- “While 1992's Alone in the Dark from Infogrames was absolutely a key influence in Resident Evil's design, Resident Evil brought survival horror to a mainstream audience through its tense, uneasy, and surreal atmosphere tied to sublime level design and intentionally obtuse control scheme.”
- “Even with the cheesy voice acting, the atmosphere is still genuinely creepy.”
- “A gem that, thanks to its incredible atmosphere and level design, still holds up today, 30 years later.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics are clean but somewhat dated, featuring minor issues and lacking support for windowed mode, Steam overlay, and achievements. Despite these limitations, the visuals are impressive, though they may be demanding on some PCs.
- “Visuals, while dated, are pretty clean.”
- “It's a great game, although my PC has a hard time handling such stunning and powerful graphics.”
- “Windowed mode is broken, no Steam overlay, no achievements, minor graphical issues, and more.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game runs well overall but may require some troubleshooting to achieve stable performance on Linux systems. Once set up, it launches and runs smoothly without major issues.
- “No issues, launches and runs great.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users appreciate having the original Resident Evil editions available on Steam, providing easy access to experience the story where it all began. Fans also highlight related content like the fan film "Resurrection: A Biohazard Story," which features original actors and enriches the narrative experience.
- “Finally, it is great to have the original Resident Evil editions on the Steam store, giving everyone more options than ever before to revisit, or experience for the first time, the story where it all began.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is lighthearted and nostalgic, with some players enjoying classic references and playful moments like the "Jill sandwich" joke. Overall, it adds a fun and memorable touch to the experience.
- “Hehe Jill sandwich, hehe so funny.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express a strong emotional attachment to the game, highlighting the nostalgic and impactful experience of revisiting iconic settings like Spencer Mansion. The ability to relive these moments on new platforms, such as Steam, enhances the emotional connection for longtime fans.
- “No other game has the emotional attachment for me that Resident Evil does... and now it's time to relive the horrors of Spencer Mansion all over again, but finally on Steam!”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is praised for its enduring appeal, particularly in comparison with the original titles 2, 3, and RE1R, offering a solid foundation through its characters and core mechanics.
- “Still worth playing alongside the original 2 and 3 (especially 3!) and RE1R simply by its existence, along with the characters and gameplay basis.”