The Resident Evil game series is unique in that it has several protagonists and antagonists that turn up frequently for stories dedicated to them. There have even been main characters that haven’t met each other, such as Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield with Jill Valentine.
Still, the characters’ appearances more than let players know who they are during their battles with zombies. The best way to analyze what makes these people tick is through their quotes, as these carry a part of the personalities. They may have been uttered during specific contexts, but the quotes manage to uncover the layers behind everyone’s characterizations.
Leon Scott Kennedy: "We Got Ourselves In This, We Can Get Out."
Leon has been through it all and has faced all kinds of villains and bosses in Resident Evil. What’s interesting about him is that he retains his sense of right and wrong without compromising on his level of conviction.
Leon went through hell in Resident Evil 4 but fans noted how he was positive throughout the ordeal. This quote sums Leon up because he acknowledges that the characters are responsible for their own actions. Leon willingly went to the island to rescue Ashley and he knew he had only himself to rely on in order to survive.
Claire Redfield: “Look, You Have Two Choices Here: Kill Or Be Killed. Your Call!”
Claire isn’t as tough as her brother when it comes to combat, but she does reconcile dangerous situations in her mind better. Claire adapted well in Raccoon City when everything collapsed, which is when she had this quote to say that empowered her to fight and survive.
Claire was again one of the smarter characters in Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness when she investigated Wilson’s conspiracy. Although she would much rather not fight, Claire understands that there are times where the options are to either survive or die and she has the courage to choose the former.
Jill Valentine: "It's True That Once The Wheels Of Justice Begin To Turn, Nothing Can Stop Them. Nothing."
Jill is a survivor through and through who believes that there is a reason for everything. She was one of the main combatants in Raccoon City and believed Umbrella got what was coming to them. Jill endured a number of hardships but continued to place faith in justice.
For Jill, justice doesn’t pertain to the law, as she has more belief in the karma aspect of things. She isn’t the kind of person who just looks to survive - she fights to get the people responsible to face their actions. It was largely why she had the strength to overcome her mind control in Resident Evil 5 to stop Wesker once and for all.
Albert Wesker: "I'm Not Destroying The World. I'm Saving It."
Wesker never saw himself as the bad guy because he considered his immoral activities to be justified. He saw mass extinction necessary for his goals of forced evolution, for which he had this quote to say. Wesker ultimately died while continuing to believe he was doing the right thing.
There was a sense of honor about the absolute belief he had in himself, as Wesker didn’t become subservient to anyone else. While he was no doubt the villain, Wesker’s conviction carries a level of charisma that other Resident Evil antagonists haven’t been able to match.
Ada Wong: "The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same."
Ada Wong is the ultimate femme fatale in the Resident Evil series who pops up to shake things up. Ada and Leon have a connection that has gone on for a long time through every conflict they’ve been a part of. This makes her quote fitting to her characterization, as things always remain mysterious where she’s concerned.
Ada has turned up in places like Raccoon City and the village of Los Illuminados, among other zombified locales, and has retained her role of manipulating the characters. The backdrops may change, but Ada can be counted on as an ambiguous personality whose loyalties are never clear.
Rebecca Chambers: "Hope We Made The World A Little Safer."
Rebecca has shown up a few times in the series, with her most recent adventure with Chris and Leon set two decades after her first. She’s changed from an emotional teenager with a need to prove herself into a mature scientist whose presence made Leon and Chris coexist.
Rebecca’s goal has been to eliminate all viruses that threaten humanity and she’s come close to dying as a result. Despite that, Rebecca hasn’t lost her inherent need to do good and she used this quote to tell Chris and Leon that they made a difference even if there were still threats out there.
Ethan Winters: "I Wish We Could Stay Like This Forever."
Even though he’s never seen in full, Ethan is considered one of the best characters in Resident Evil 7 and Village. Ethan’s main characterization was his devotion toward his family, for whom he endured hellish encounters with monsters and zombies.
He said this quote when he saw a picture of himself with his wife and child, reminiscing over good times and hoping it could have lasted forever. It showed that Ethan would do anything for his family, that they were his reason for living. In the end, he did give his life to ensure that his daughter would live on.
Chris Redfield: "I'm Not Going To Stop Until I'm Dead."
Chris is the kind of person who wears his heart on his sleeve. Prone to emotional outbursts, Chris made the claim that he wouldn’t stop pursuing Wesker until he was dead, as he’d had enough of their antagonism that had lasted for years.
Chris tends to go into extremes based on how his emotions are; he can get too optimistic or fall into a pit of despair. Chris went so far as to have a death wish in Resident Evil 6 when he couldn’t save his team, but he’s equally willing to give his life for the greater good.