TheResident Evilseries is all the rage nowadays since Capcom’s showcase event that unveiled a ton of new information on the upcomingResident Evil 8. WithResident Evil 8hype at an all-time high and its vampire lady meme perhaps making even more people aware of the game, some may be interested in jumping into theResident Evilfranchise. And what better way to jump into theResident Evilfranchise than with the first game in the series.
However, there are numerous versions of the originalResident Evilgame that have released over the years, not to mention remakes, remastered ports, and much more. For someone who may be new to theResident Evilfranchise, it can be a bit confusing and they may not know where to start.
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Here are all the versions of the originalResident Evilgame, and which one players should check out first.
Resident Evil and the Director’s Cut
The originalResident Evilin 1996 is a survival-horror classic, establishing many of the tropes used in other games in the genre. While many would argue that the original version ofResident Evilstill holds up to this day, numerous versions of it have been released over time. So those willing to seek out these old games and the hardware necessary to play them will still have to narrow down which version they want to play.
Besides the originalResident Evil, there’s also theDirector’s Cut, which launched in 1997 as Capcom’s way of tiding fans over while they waited forResident Evil 2. TheDirector’s Cutincluded aResident Evil 2demoas well as a Director’s Cut version of the game that changes enemy and item placement. Players can still play the originalResident Evilin theDirector’s Cut, and they can also check out the Beginner mode as well if they are having trouble with the game. Considering this, anyone interested in the originalResident Evilwill definitely want to spring for theDirector’s Cutover the actual original release.
However, there’s anadditionalversion of theDirector’s Cutthat is really the best way to experience the originalResident Evil. ThisDual Shock Ver.is the version ofResident Evilthat players can download from the PlayStation Network as aPS1 Classic, and so it’s one of the most easily accessible out of the bunch.
Other versions of the originalResident Evilgame exist as well, including a Sega Saturn port that adds some more content, in addition to a PC version. However, the extra content is not worthwhile enough to attempt to find a Sega Saturn to play it on, so the best bet is to stick withResident Evil: Director’s Cut Dual Shock Ver., either with the physical disc or through thePlayStation Storeon PSP, PS3, or PS Vita.
Resident Evil REmake and the HD Remaster
Remakes have long been part of theResident Evilfranchise’s DNA, with Capcom releasing one merely six years into the franchise’s existence. Originally released as a GameCube exclusive, theResident EvilREmake(as it’s affectionally referred to as friends) is a completely remade version of the original game, with new areas, enemy types, puzzles, and vastly improved graphics. It’s not literally the same game as the PS1 original, though, it’s widely considered to be a superior, scarier, more content-rich experience.
A version of theResident EvilREmake was released for the Nintendo Wii as well with an updated control scheme, but the best version of the game is the HD remaster that’s available on modern consoles.Resident Evil HD Remasteris the same experience that fans of the GameCube original will remember, but with even better graphics and a revamped control scheme that makes it infinitely more playable. Purists can still go for the old-school tank controls if they want, though.
Resident Evil: Deadly Silence
Another notable version of the firstResident Evilgame isResident Evil: Deadly Silenceon the Nintendo DS. While technically a re-done version of the PS1 game,Resident Evil: Deadly Silenceplays differently enough and adds enough new content that it really deserves to be considered on its own merits.
Resident Evil: Deadly Silenceincludes the originalResident Evilexperience from 1996, but with touch screen controls, as well as a Rebirth Mode that adds DS-specific touch screen and ups the enemy count.Resident Evil: Deadly Silencemakes great use of theNintendo DS system’s unique capabilities. It also takes advantage of the DS console’s superior hardware when compared to the 90s systems, allowing players to skip door opening cut-scenes, allowing for a more user-friendly experience.
Resident Evil: Deadly Silenceeven supports multiplayer game modes, with support for both competitive and cooperative play. While some may write off the touch screen controls as a gimmick, there’s no denying the value thatResident Evil: Deadly Silencebrings to the table otherwise.
Which One Should You Play?
The version of the originalResident Evilthat fans should play is probably theResident EvilREmake, and more specifically, the HD remaster of it. This provides players with the most user-friendlyResident Evilexperience, with the best graphics, improved controls, and the ability to play it without digging old consoles out of the closet. It also expands on the franchise’s canon in meaningful ways, like with the inclusion of the terrifyingLisa Trevor character.
That being said, it’s hard to go wrong with the originalResident Evilgame, and those who are really into the series may want to try out all of them. They all bring something new to the table, and it can be fun to experience the differences between the games.
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