The Scariest Moment From Every Resident Evil Game
#13: Dog Attack
The Scariest Moment in the Entire Resident Evil Franchise
"Resident Evil" (1996) This may not seem like much nowadays, but this moment scared the pants off of countless Resident Evil first timers. Many didn’t even know it was possible to be truly afraid of a video game at the time, there wasn’t anything like it. Sure maybe you’d have played a game with dracula or skeletons. But the RE of ‘96 defined gaming’s term of “survival horror”. This onslaught to the senses is the definition of zero to one hundred. Picture this, you’re roughly half an hour deep into this mansion of slow grey shambling monsters. You hear near complete silence, as much of the puzzle sections naturally are without sound, and suddenly an abrupt chaotic orchestra erupts with killer dogs repeatedly throwing themselves through glass windows to chase you down. Clever girl.
#12: Loading Screen Scare
"Resident Evil 2" (1998) In case you haven’t been privy to the early games of the series, loading screens used to consist only of a virtual door or staircase that would animate, to signal your character’s move into the next room. In a series first, and currently the only loading screen jumpscare in the series that I’m aware of, poor Claire is unexpectedly rushed by a pair of zombies met with insane music known on the OST as “Screaming Target”. Following loading screens could never be trusted again.
#11: Nemesis Breaks In
"Resident Evil 3: Nemesis" (1999) If Nemesis wasn’t frightful enough just based on visual design alone, his ability to Spider-Man himself into any scene gives terrifying mobility to this massive hunk of meat. Upon your first encounter, Jill can choose to run or fight, but not before he impales local bubble vest wearer Brad, of course.Regardless of your decision, the threat to your character outside of the police station has been established. No plans on leaving this safe zone. Good thing he couldn’t possibly fit through a doo- (Nemesis enters through a window) oh nevermind! OH! A rocket launcher!?! ToO?
#10: Alexia Type 2
"Resident Evil - Code: Veronica" (2000) For the record, the developers consider Code V to be a direct sequel, so we’re counting it! This title went for a subtle gothic horror tone, and you'll not find many over the top scares. That said, a highly intelligent clone, Alexia, morphs into some highly unpleasant forms, by forcing her body to evolve and fuse with the quote “mutant breeder pod larvae”. Uggghh, nasty. During the lead up to the final boss fight her skin becomes grey and begins to bubble, finally taking the form of a bulbous pincered humanoid dragonfly. Most beasts in Resident Evil don’t begin life beautiful, so Alexia has been a uniquely unfortunate example.
#9: Leech People
"Resident Evil Zero" (2002) Without contest, all you need to hear is the horrible “squirming” sound of mutant leeches vacating a human body to want to leave this mortal realm. The leeches will not only crawl all over your character in some stages of the game, but can even take humanoid form to become a nearly indestructible foe. It doesn't help that along with their resistance to bullets, their limbs will stretch to reach you, accompanied by a full orchestra complete with violin and choir trying to give you a heart attack!
(Joke) #8: Itchy. Tasty.
"Resident Evil (Remake)" (2002) This footage may be too disturbing for some viewers. Known only as the “keeper’s diary”, this book contains the most horrific dialogue in gaming history. As an Umbrella researcher, documents his hunger... for dog chow. AH! Just kidding folks...
#8 (for real): Crimson Heads Rise
"Resident Evil (Remake)" (2002) So you’re up against a house full of zombies, fine. Make ‘em red, alright. Make them uncomfortably fast, wait… Health and damage boost too of course, up to a maximum of 2,600, more than double that of Jill. WHoo boy. Even those who are experts at tank controls by this point may still fall prey to this new remake-specific enemy of Spencer Mansion. Worst of all is the fear that settles in as any zombie can become a crimson head if not disposed of properly (burning).
#7: Regenerator Lab
"Resident Evil 4" (2005) The fourth numbered game in the franchise is no stranger to scares. The greatest of which belongs to these 7 foot SCP lookalikes, and their older sister, the iron maiden. The first of these terrors you encounter is left out juuust long enough that players might think it’s another set piece. A few minutes of note reading later, and the heavy breathing Slenderman with jaws is lumbering towards you. As you may have guessed based on the name, they won't die easily, and can grow back missing body parts. Both variants can kill our hero Leon, in all sorts of nasty ways, so it’s reasonable to assume this enemy was invented to scare away any child who dares test its “M” rating.
#6: Irving's Full Potential
"Resident Evil 5" (2009) Although I do hate to give it to Mr ”extreme makeover" here... This title steps away from the horror formula and leans towards strict action adventure, beyond your standard zombie hoard or licker fight. This boss's fear factor stems from the classic fear of... deep water. You don't exactly get to see the full size of it, or exactly where it will erupt from the water during the battle. If this were in an earlier game, I could see it being played for scares, especially if it got you killed and drowned for not looking in the right direction in time. Irving’s mutated form takes elements from a giant squid, an alligator and a snake. Although... Giving the player two gatling guns really takes away from any feeling of helplessness. Truthfully, depending on who’s playing, any standard zombie could be your scariest moment from RE5.
#5: Bioterror in Little China
"Resident Evil 6" (2012) Following suit from the prior entry, the enemy designs here are much more akin to what you'd see in an arcade shooter. Big, over the top beasts and bugs, folks. However, giant snake, Iluzija, pulls a bit of a Predator on players, picking off your squadron one by one while using an active-camo. If you're afraid of snakes in general, this boss will be hard to get through, as you’re constantly haunted by hissing that echoes throughout the tight corridors of the map. This game’s bosses ran the risk of being silly over scary, such as the Carla Spores, who became a living building. As, being hunted by a hungry viper probably would've been scarier if it were just visible at all times.
#4: Marguerite Just Won't Die
"Resident Evil 7: Biohazard" (2017) If the bugs swarming her body weren't bad enough already, the mother of the Bakers uses every trick in the book to terrify Ethan Winters. Her limbs stretch to inhuman proportions, she’ll break through windows, crawl on the walls like an insect, lay spiders and flies, and just be a generally horrible sight. The fight with Mia in RE7 may be more traditional horror, but the battle in the greenhouse will make even the strongest willed of players scream "Just DIE already!"
#3: Mr. X Is A Stalker
Top 20 Scariest Resident Evil Monsters
"Resident Evil 2 Remake" (2019) We did an entire video right here on MojoPlays on how this black clad beast brings out the scariest moments of the RE franchise. Due to the improved design of this remake, and ability to appear at any moment, this tyrant makes for the perfect slasher villain - besides the fact that he’ll brutally pummel you to death with his fists instead. Players are forced into a deadly game of hide and seek. Fun fact: Mr.X is always loaded in… Always.
#2: Hunter Gamma Sewers
Top 20 Monster Hunter Monsters
"Resident Evil 3 Remake" (2020) As Jill gets a visual upgrade, so do the creatures that lurk beneath the streets. What were once funny frog men have evolved into repulsive walking slugs from your nightmares. The gammas this time around are one of the few surprising insta-killing enemies of RE-3-make. Seeing this amphibian slither out of the drain in the sewers of Racoon City planted the idea that no future drain pipe was safe. Fighting more than one of these monstrosities head on is tricky as they can swiftly gulp you up, so I hope you were paying attention to the reason they were thrown away to begin with. Now. It’s all come down to this. Future parents beware you’re in for a scare!
#1:The Baby is Hungry
The 9 Scariest Moments In Resident Evil Village
"Resident Evil Village" (2021) So… how many of us were really ready for the torment that awaited innocent new players in the dollmaker's basement? The entire Castle Demetrescu portion, while beautifully designed, was straight up a good time in regards to being hunted. Cut to a lovely Romanian workshop and- (Baby’s head pokes out) JEEEEZUM LOUISE. A giant bloody fetus that devours you if you lose its game of Hide & Seek. Hate that! You get the choice of hiding under the bed or in the closet, while it moans various phrases such as “Da-Da-Da-DA”. It’s everyone’s childhood nightmare of the monster in the dark meets every could-be parent’s fever dream.