Resident Evil at 30: Those Damn Dogs

A moment that defined an entire generation: You’re walking through the hallway of a shady mansion, minding your own business, and then — BOOM! Those damn zombie dogs come crashing through the windows!

Granted, looking back at it now — whether on the original PS1 or YouTube — the scene feels just about as clunky as the game’s dialogue. And let’s be honest: "You were almost a Jill sandwich" is really just the tip of the iceberg. Still, back then, I nearly peed my pants — in both instances!

Today marks 30 years since Resident Evil first launched in Japan, known there as Biohazard, of course. Who would have thought back then that this single game would define the survival horror genre and launch a massive franchise spanning countless movies and series?

To me, the most impressive thing isn't the long list of more or less successful adaptations, but the fact that the games are still relevant and have constantly reinvented themselves. Just think about…

• … the shift in perspective and the stronger focus on action in Resident Evil 4
• … the return to pure terror with yet another new perspective in Part 7
• … the incredibly well-done remakes that bring the classics into the modern era.

And now, Capcom has even managed to give us an early Game of the Year contender with the latest installment in the series, Resident Evil: Requiem. Mad respect!