The Resident Evil Podcast

Episode 28 - Biohazard STARS

A letter of complaint sent to Resident Evil Podcast Towers forces a change in format as the satirical Batman hosts a one-off feature length quiz edition of the podcast in a panel show we're calling 'Biohazard STARS'. Rival team Captains Neptune and George Trevor align with STARS_TyranT and Mr. Spencer respectively as they go head to head for the biohazard crown. Their Resident Evil knowledge is tested to the limit as they compete in a number of rounds featuring taxing questions ranging from the development process of B.O.W.s to just how many different versions of Resident Evil 4 exist today. After over three years of heckling, is this Neptune's chance to redeem himself?

Episode 27 - Resident Evil Revelations 2 Episodic Breakdown

In an experimental episode, we cover the release schedule of Resident Evil Revelations 2 in the way Capcom intended by assembling once a week to review and analyse each episode as they came out, providing the unique opportunity to comment and speculate without knowing what is coming up next. Here Neptune hands the hosting reins over to a slightly uncomfortable Batman due to his refusal to purchase digital only media and is staying spoiler free until the disc release is available. Originally recorded in four separate segments over the course of a month, George Trevor is present for the discussion of Chapter 1: The Penal Colony and then its over to Rombie, STARS_TyranT and TheBatman to cover the remainder of the game in an intimate and informative chat. Predictions are made, motives are challenged and opinion is split in this honest and frank review of Capcom's latest addition to the Resident Evil lore. 

Episode 26 - Resident Evil 5: Lost In Nightmares

This episode features an in-depth look at what is possibly the greatest piece of downloadable content ever made as we welcome George Trevor back into the fold and finally submit to his non-stop requests to have an entire episode dedicated to Lost In Nightmares. We kick off with news discussion, commenting on general release reaction and sales of the Remake HD before previewing the final release trailer for Revelations 2 which all but confirmed the return of the Uroboros Virus. Then the main discussion is an in-depth look at the first story DLC package for Resident Evil 5 originally released back in 2010. With speculation growing as to the identity of the villain in the upcoming Revelations 2, we discuss at length the story implications of Lost In Nightmares and the impact of the Wesker Children and Alex. Oswell Spencer's motives are analysed and we chart how the story files presented in LIN link all the way back to Wesker's Report II and beyond. The team also talk about the general game play style and how the over-the-shoulder camera can be effective in a slower-paced horror setting, concluding that Lost In Nightmares is perhaps the greatest 'slice' of Resident Evil we've had for years.

Episode 25 - Resident Evil Remake HD Remaster

Season 3 kicks off with the team reunited after a year's absence and we welcome long-time community member Rombie of 'Resident Evil Fan: A New Blood' fame as the latest addition to the panel line-up. Here we discuss all the relevant news whilst we've been away including the announcement of Biohazard: Heavenly Island. Rombie also reveals exclusive details from a behind-closed-doors Capcom event showcasing a preview build of Resident Evil Revelations 2 in which he got to sample Claire's campaign, Raid Mode and chat with the producers of the game. The main discussion then focuses on a technical review of the brand new HD remaster of the 2002 Game Cube remake of the original Resident Evil. We examine the up-scaled visuals and revamped lighting engine as well as the remastered sound and the new 16:9 camera and modern control schemes, giving honest opinion on what areas worked and what didn't. Finally this edition closes with the welcome return of Neptune's Biohazard quiz.

Episode 24 - Resident Evil Miscellaneous

In what was originally going to be the finale for The Resident Evil Podcast, the team sit down for a round table discussion dedicated to topics chosen by community members. These included Wesker's Report 2, the rejected George Romero movie script, U.S. Government involvement in Raccoon City and the chronology of events at the Arklay Mansion following the t-Virus spill on May 11th. The next segment features a lengthy interview with our special guest D.C. Douglas who recounts candidly how he got the part of Wesker and originally had to voice match both Richard Waugh and Peter Jessop before being able to put his own stamp on the character. As a special treat, DC also performs an in-character reading of Wesker's Extra Report; a document shedding further light into the events of 'Umbrella's End'  that signalled the final downfall of the insidious pharmaceutical giant. STARS_TyranT then takes over to provide a chronological retelling of Resident Evil releases over the last generation, starting with the announcement of Resident Evil 5 and the 'running zombies' trailer all the way back in 2005 to Resident Evil Revelations HD being released to consoles in May 2013. Neptune hosts the 'Podcast Awards' and then it's the dramatic finale Season 2 finale of Neptune's Biohazard Quiz. Following this it's a tearful goodbye and then we all ride off into the sunset never to return... (But it's amazing what the impact of Capcom announcing a HD remastering of Resident Evil Remake can do to entice one back to the fold...)

Episode 23 - Resident Evil: Degeneration

Here the team take a retrospective look back at the first CG movie that was Resident Evil: Degeneration; the story that really opened the door to the global bioterrorism angle the series still finds itself firmly entwined with today. The film was directed by Makoto Kamiya all the way back in 2008 (or 2011 if you're Neptune), from a script by Shotaro Suga; the man who really held the creative keys to the franchise for some time with further writing credits to come in the form of Darkside Chronicles, Damnation and as a co-writer of Resident Evil 6. Here the podcast crew hold a lengthy debate on the film, discussing plot, characters, setting and motivation, debating whether it adds a substantial world-building slice to the overall mythology cake or whether it is just a forgettable standalone story. Welsh also pops by to discuss and reveal various unknown aspects cut out of the original Resident Evil on the Sony Playstation and the quiz heats up as we move ever closer to the climax of season 2.

Episode 22 - Resident Evil Outbreak: File 2

As Remake 2 creeps ever closer, time to take another trip back to Raccoon City with our review of Outbreak File 2. Originally recorded way back in 2013, we look back at the news of the time, including a Shinji Mikami interview where he comments on the change of direction for the franchise related to sales of the original remake. Other news includes the possible reveal of Resident Evil 7 through the resume of a costume designer and we also look back at our recent trip to Bristol and getting caught up in a biohazard infecting the whole town. Then there is an important reveal that our chief translator for ongoing projects seems to be a random woman working in Tesco...

For the main discussion the team look back at File 2 of the Outbreak series. Released to much criticism following the massive success of Resident Evil 4, this title was soon confined to memory and bargain bins across the globe. But was it simply a failed online experiment or actually a hidden gem that was released way ahead of its time?

Special guest is the Selfish Gene.

Enjoy.

Episode 20 - Resident Evil Zero

Another golden oldie now as we slowly but surely work through the back catalogue of old episodes. This one covers the original release of Resident Evil Zero on the Nintendo Game Cube and was originally recorded in August 2013. The news at the time was pretty slow with Capcom seeking feedback on the polarising Resident Evil 6 and the release of Naughty Dog's 'The Last of Us' being more in line with what fans expect from a survival horror title. 

For the main discussion Batman largely stands alone in his defence of Zero with the majority opinion being that it failed to capture the magic of Remake and the implementation of too many gimmicks such as the partner zapping and lack of item boxes soured the experience somewhat. As always we discuss what was good, what was bad, and analyse the characters, environments, enemies, and the story. So if you're into giant insects, leeches, magic elevators and comic book NPC powers, this one is for you. Special community guest is Yoke.

Episode 19 - Resident Evil Revelations: HD Unveiled Edition

In this HD remastered (and full price) edition of our original Revelations podcast, the team sit down to re-evaluate the game following its recent transition to current gen consoles, opening it up to a much wider audience. We assess how well the visual up-scale works and if there is enough difference here to warrant a potential second purchase. We also review how well or how badly the game has aged since it's initial release and whether our original opinions have changed since we first played on the 3DS. We also feature a sub-discussion on the recently concluded Biohazard Marhawa Desire and attempt to summarise the story and ask whether it stands up as a prequel to Resident Evil 6. The archaic Mr. Spencer also provides his professional opinion on the forced censorship of Japanese pornography; a slight deviation from the main topics at hand, but a necessary one. 

Episode 18 - Resident Evil Outbreak

Another one from the archives now as we go back to one of the old classics. Here the team return to J's Bar in Raccoon City where it all began as we assess the first Outbreak game. All the scenarios are looked at as well as the characters the enemies and of course the online element. Was the game a missed opportunity or underrated and vastly ahead of its time? Originally recorded June 2013.