Resident Evil's Constant Evolution Keeps Survival Horror Relevant

Resident Evil's ability to adapt and evolve has allowed it to remain relevant in the survival-horror genre. While some may argue that deviating from its roots was a misstep, the series' flexibility has allowed for innovation and influence in other games. However, recent remakes have brought back the beloved aspects of the original games while also modernizing the gameplay with a consistent third-person approach. One aspect that has remained a staple in Resident Evil games is the ambush encounters, which have played a vital role in many titles and continue to add to the series' renewed vigor.

Enemy ambushes are a common occurrence in many games, but Resident Evil takes it to a whole new level by framing them in an unforgettable manner. Drawing inspiration from Resident Evil 4, the ambush in the opening minutes of the game is one of its most iconic moments. As players enter the village, they are immediately met with the hostile Ganado residents and are forced to survive an endless horde of them.

What sets Resident Evil’s ambushes apart is the clever use of barricading mechanics that allow players to stall the enemies and gain some breathing room. For instance, in the village, Leon is able to push furniture in front of a door to block the Ganados from pursuing him immediately. With multiple areas to navigate and enemies lurking at every turn, the ambush sequence is a thrilling experience that sets the tone for the rest of the game.

Resident Evil 5 starts with a complex ambush sequence where Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar defend themselves against Kijuju's infected locals and have opportunities to barricade themselves. In Resident Evil 3's remake, Carlos has his own version of an ambush sequence in the hospital. He barricades Jill and Tyrell to keep them safe and defends them against zombies pouring through each window.

Resident Evil Village brings back the idea of ambushes in its first-person perspective, which is similar to the original barricading mechanic. Players can now shove furniture in front of doorways to protect themselves. It only makes sense for the Resident Evil 4 remake to present its own ambush encounters, completing the circle.

The ambush where Leon Kennedy and Luis Serra barricade themselves in a cramped villa is particularly tense. Ambushes like this create dramatic tension in survival-horror, which is a trend in Resident Evil that isn't going away anytime soon. This is good news for fans who are worried about Resident Evil abandoning its horror roots again. With Chris as Resident Evil 9's potential protagonist, it's easy to assume that the mainline continuity is taking a sharp turn back to action-oriented gameplay.

However, Resident Evil's recent installments have showcased a remarkable commitment to horror tropes that have significantly impacted the genre. It will be fascinating to observe the extent to which Resident Evil 4's remake will be incorporated into future games, and hopefully, the same approach will be applied to any upcoming releases, be it Resident Evil 9 or a remake of Resident Evil 5.