Resident Evil

Resident Evil is a 1996 survival-horror game developed and published by Capcom for the PlayStation system. The game is the first in the long-running Resident Evil series, which has spawned over 10 sequels and spin-offs. Though not the first survival-horror game created (Alone in the Dark was released in 1992), Resident Evil is considered the catalyst for the widespread popularization of the genre.

On March 1, 2009, to help commemorate the upcoming release of Resident Evil 5, GamesSpy launched a fan website, Planet Resident Evil. The site is for fans of the entire series.GameSpy: [http://www.gamespy.com/articles/958/958243p1.html?RSSwhen2009-03-01_014000&RSSid=958243 Planet Resident Evil Launches (March 1, 2009)

The game takes place in the fictional midwestern town of Raccoon City, a town ravaged by a string of mysterious and brutal murders. The S.T.A.R.S (Special Tactics and Rescue Service, a division of the Raccoon City Police Dept.) Bravo Team is sent into the Raccoon Forest in the nearby Arklay Mountain area via helicopter to investigate. After an emergency tranmission, the Bravo team loses contact with the Alpha team. What was once an investigation turns out to be a search and rescue. The Alphas discover the Bravo Team's downed helicopter, and signs of a hostile struggle. To their surprise, the Bravos are no where to be found. The Alpha team is then attacked by rabid dogs, killing their comrade Joseph Frost. Fleeing for their lives, the remaining officers: Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Barry Burton and Albert Wesker take shelter in the nearby Spencer mansion. The quiet mansion is large and seems to look like any other ordinary mansion, but little do they know that it is the grounds for the pharmeceutical conglomerate Umbrella. Umbrella has been conducting illegal biological expirements on the premesis resulting in deadly virus leak and hidious mutations. Who knows what sort of abominations the team will encounter. "If the suspence doesnt kill you, something else will" www.residentevil.com

Resident Evil is essentially a third-person 3D action-adventure game, but because of the setting and gameplay specifics, it is referred to as a survival-horror game. You progress through the game by traveling from room to room in the giant mansion, solving puzzles, killing zombies, acquiring items like keys, more powerful weapons, and working towards a final escape from the horror.

• GameSpot: Resident Evil Review