The Resident Evil Podcast

Episode 93: Happy Birthday Resident Evil Outbreak - Outbreak & Hellfire

On REP's 12th anniversary, we begin to celebrate 20 years of the Resident Evil Outbreak sub series that was first released in December 2003 in Japan. The game, which started off life advertised as Network Biohazard or Resident Evil Online quickly stoked the imagination of RE fans across the world, especially those that had bet on the franchise remaining on Sony's console post PSX. 

There was a lot of hope and expectation that Resident Evil going online would revolutionise the series. What transpired was not quite what was promised in the early trailers with many lamenting the lack of internet infrastructure for the PS2.

Fast-forward 20 years and both Outbreak File 1 and 2 have a dedicated fandom, with clever minds keeping PC servers alive so these games can be played as they were always intended.

In the first of our year-long celebration, we will be applying our usual Happy Birthday playthrough standard to the Outbreak and Hellfire scenarios. The first of course acts as an extended tutorial, but throws players in at the deep end. Hellfire meanwhile chronologically at least takes place at the same time, but players face the dreaded Lickers in the Apple Inn.

The team have therefore either fired up their PS2s (waited an eternity whilst it loads) or headed online to bring you our experiences of these chapters. Expect some contrasting views with a detailed look at the tank controls, graphics and mechanics and the hidden lore.

Episode 92: Resident Evil: The Bioterrorism Era

Welcome to our end of year podcast where we see out 2023 with a deep dive into one of the more controversial eras of the series chronology. RE5 went out of its way to end several long-running, major plot points and left something of a blank slate for the storyline moving forward after killing off its main villain. Since then we've had a ton of media, not just new games, but also manga books and CGI movies, to progress the storyline from 2009-2015 in what we are calling the 'bioterrorism era'. We look at the various incidents and plot aspects that occurred during this period, analyzing what works and what doesn't. Just what is the difference between Blue Umbrella and Neo-Umbrella, what are the dangers and advantages of retroactive storytelling, and does Resident Evil now have a villain problem? Umbrella and Wesker are gone and yet the series seemingly struggles to leave them behind. 

In the news, STARS_TyranT offers his early impressions of Remake 4 VR. Please enjoy.

Episode 91: REmake REflections

With the undoubted success of all of Capcom's REmakes, especially the recent Resident Evil 4, the time has now come for the team to reflect upon the impact these games have had both for Biohazard and for the wider industry.

In the spotlight for this podcast are not only the RE Engine remakes, but also the original and arguably still the bar to beat - 2002 REmake. The aim here is to discuss in some detail how these remakes came to be and the legacy they now leave, whilst highlighting the bits they did better that their original counterpart.

In hindsight does REmake 2 stick out with its more re-imagined approach to the lore compared to the other titles, did REmake 3 leave too much on the cutting room floor and is REmake 4 the final straw or are more remakes inevitable?

Helping us breakdown and reflect on these questions are you guys -through a series of polls conducted by STARS TyranT on Twitter/X. The results are....surprising to say the least but offer a fascinating insight into how parts of the community are feeling.

Finally we end with a remake themed quiz where the questions only have 2 answers. What could possibly go wrong?

Please enjoy our final say on the REmakes (at least until Code: Veronica is announced!)

Episode 90: Resident Evil 4 (Remake) Separate Ways Review

Perhaps one of the most anticipated DLC's in quite some time, Separate Ways is out now and the REP Team are bringing you their review of Ada's quest in Southern Europe. The original side quest for the base game certainly added some much needed context to the Plaga and specifically Wesker's involvement - can the revised version pull the same trick whilst applying the bells and whistles of the RE Engine? With emotions running high at REP over Remake 4 itself, will Neptune have a more enjoyable time? Will TheBatMan continue to applaud the changes from Capcom? Has Rombie burnt himself out on the game attempting his Platinum run and will this be the straw that breaks STARS TyranT's back? So strap yourselves in, activate your IRIS and get ready for the last tango in Spain for Luis. Our Separate Ways review starts now!

 

Episode 89: Resident Evil Death Island Review

In the latest in what is now a long line of CGI productions, Death Island was perhaps the most anticipated with the return of not only fan favourite Jill Valentine, but the coming together of all four of the series' main protagonists for the very first time.

On paper therefore, Death Island ticks a lot of boxes, but how was this film received by the team - can it break free from the usual constraints of these films to tell an important but also enjoyable tale - and can it be done when so many of the on-screen characters are wearing very thick plot armour?

Join STARS TyranT, Rombie, Neptune and returning special guest CVXFreak as we lift the lid on The Rock, we mean Death Island!

 

 

Episode 88: Resident Evil Dead Aim Retrospective

Join REP as we celebrate 20 years of Resident Evil: Dead Aim! Yes, Gun Survivor 4 is now 2 decades old and the team come together to take a retrospective look at this pioneering and divisive title. 

Long time listeners will know that we are quite fond of this quirky spin off, arriving at a time when the future of the series was looking bleak on PlayStation with the major titles finding a new home on Nintendo's purple cube. After a few false starts under the Survivor banner, could Capcom strike gold with new characters and a notable time jump into 2002.

In this hybrid retrospective/happy birthday podcast we dive deep into the lore surrounding the locations, characters the B.O.Ws and the rather somewhat convoluted chronology events leading to Morpheus's plan to target the world's cities with the T-Virus.

20 years old where does this game sit in the wider canon? Is it as important as some of the team like to make out? And just why is this not available on digital download!

Please enjoy!

Episode 87: Resident Evil 4 (Remake) Part 3: The Lore Discussion

Welcome to the third and final part of our Remake 4 coverage. We've reviewed it, the community have had their say, now it is time to do a deep dive into the various lore changes and additions this remake has brought about. We discuss in depth the changes to the Plaga, the various creatures, and the enhanced personalities and motivations of the characters. Do the changes to Operation Javier really matter, or can the new simply be stitched on top of the old? We also welcome Albert Wesker into the RE Engine era and speculate what the inevitable Separate Ways will have in store. Finally, does canon really matter anymore? Should it ever have mattered? Please enjoy.

Episode 86.5: Resident Evil 4 (Remake) Part 2: Community Feedback

Part 2 of our coverage of Resident Evil 4 Remake continues with our community feedback special.

As is tradition with our new release coverage,  in this podcast we hear from our wonderful listeners with their views and opinions on this latest release.  The call out this time saw a wonderful response with a varied collection of experiences and reviews. 

Join Neptune, theBatman, STARS TyranT, Rombie and George Trevor as we hand the reigns over to you guys! 

Meanwhile in the news, we reflect on newest trailer releases of Resident Evil Death Island and the upcoming RE movie documentary. Enjoy!

Episode 86: Resident Evil 4 (Remake) Review

Resident Evil 4 Remake has now seen its official release and our panel have played it extensively. Join Neptune, Batman, STARS_TyranT, Rombie and George Trevor for a very lengthy discussion as we dissect and analyse the whole game from top to bottom. Everything is covered from the re-imagined and remixed locations, the modern take on the characters and B.O.W.s, the soundtrack, and of course the new lore implications. Can George Trevor finally be converted to the modern games? Will this finally be the title that wins over STARS_TyranT to the remakes? And does this title change enough to help Neptune overcome his indifference towards the original game? Join us and find out....

Episode 85: Resident Evil 4 (Remake) Final Preview

With less than two weeks to go before the highly anticipated release, the REP team sit down to analyse the 'Chainsaw Demo' and discuss their hopes and fears for the final finished product. In the midst of avoiding flying hatchets, burning police officers, and frenzied chainsaws, we discuss what works, what doesn't and speculate on what the full game has in store. But overall the team seem united in their opinion that Remake 4 will be a phenomenal success and potentially become one of the best-selling titles of all time for Capcom. But this poses its own dilemma... Should Capcom press ahead into the unknown with Resident Evil 9 and beyond or is it safer and more financially sound to continue the Remake train with 5, 6 and Code Veronica?

In the news, the announcement of Death Island is discussed with the return of Jill and STARS_TyranT offers his thoughts on Resident Evil Village VR. Please enjoy.