Resident Evil

In 2002, the 1996 game Resident Evil was remade for the Nintendo GameCube as part of an exclusivity agreement between Capcom and Nintendo that spanned three new games (including Resident Evil Zero and Resident Evil 4, as well as ports of the previous sequels). It was also released in the Pure Evil 2-Pack along with Resident Evil Zero.

This version was simply titled Resident Evil, but it was often known under the informal titles of Resident Evil: Remake or Resident Evil: Rebirth (abbreviated REmake and REbirth, respectively) to disambiguate it from the original title. In Japan, the remake's title is spelled in lower-case letters (biohazard) in its logo along with the other GameCube installments, in contrast to the previous games' logos, which spelled the title in upper-case letters (BIOHAZARD).

The game is notable for its stunning, exceptional graphics. It received positive reviews from video games critics, with many praising the much needed overhaul and increased scare factor.

Plot
The game begins on July 24, 1998 after Alpha team locates Bravo team's helicopter, but there are no signs of survivors; only a severed hand is found. While searching the area for further clues, Alpha team is attacked by ferocious dogs, one of which kills one of the team's members, Joseph Frost. Alpha's helicopter pilot, Brad Vickers, panics and takes off alone. Pursued by the dogs who killed their colleague, Alpha team is forced to seek refuge within a nearby mansion. It is believed to be abandoned.

Changes from Original


The remake features all-new graphics and sound and also incorporates gameplay elements from the earlier installments (such as the use of body language and the 180 degree turn). While the overall plot remained mostly unchanged (with the exception of adding the George Trevor diaries), several new areas and rooms were added to the game, including a graveyard and a cabin in the woods. The original live-action FMV segments are replaced by CG versions, and the voice acting was completely re-recorded with new actors. Chris and Jill are still the only two selectable characters. However, if Chris gets poisoned by yawn, you have to play as Rebecca Chambers to get serum for Chris; there are also some other occasions when you have to play as Rebecca. Most of the puzzles have been changed, and the player's character is now also equipped with a defensive weapon that can be used while being grabbed by the enemy. It is necessary in this game to decapitate or burn zombies to prevent them from regenerating later in the game as the fast and deadly "Crimson Heads." The four crests from the original (sun, moon, wind, and star) used to unlock the door to the courtyard are still present, but instead are used to obtain the colt python (magnum) in the graveyard.

The game also features many additional modes, secrets, and various endings over the original, as well as restoring the George Trevor sub-plot from the pre-release versions of the original game, while adding his daughter Lisa into the game as a transformed monster (and source of the G-virus). Other additions bring Umbrella researcher William Birkin and Alexia Ashford into the overall plot to make links between the games more clear and numerous.

Shinji Mikami said that the remake is 70% different from the original.

Trivia

 * Along with Resident Evil Zero, the game came out for the Nintendo Wii on June 23, 2009 as part of the Resident Evil Archives. As with Resident Evil 4 Wii edition game, the game was outfitted with Wii pointer controls.
 * On the back cover, the S.T.A.R.S. team is incorrectly referred to as the Special Tactics And Rescue Squad, while in the manual and game, they are referred to by their real name, Special Tactics And Rescue Service.
 * REmake is the only fixed-camera (and tank controlled) Resident Evil game not to feature a photo of the player character on the inventory screen.
 * When the player is inside the mansion, there is a thunderstorm outside, but it dissappears completely when the player goes outdoors.