Resident Evil fans have picked out and shared the most disturbing content they've encountered in the survival horror franchise's in-game files. Resident Evil has remained consistently popular since the first game's release in 1996, with players still enjoying the initial installments as well as newer ones like Resident Evil Village and the various remakes. RE is undeniably filled with scary content, and there are a few moments that definitely stand out.
As fans wait for 2023's Resident Evil remake of RE4, TheGr3aTAydini took to Reddit to ask about the scariest files players have found within the franchise - and some could have been easily missed by more casual players. User seriouslyuncouth noted a file in the Resident Evil Remake that speaks of an NPC's hanging. After reading the note, the body falls off a noose as a zombie and attacks. User GodofGanja5 mentioned The Keeper's Diary in Resident Evil 1, which ends in the words "Itchy. Tasty." after the Umbrella author becomes a violent product of the T-Virus. Although not a file, meg5493 states the ending credits of RE4 really affected them, featuring images of happy villagers that the player killed throughout the story as zombies.
Resident Evil's Files Contain The Series' Most Subtle Horror
Some RE titles were mentioned frequently, with Resident Evil 1 and its remake in particular containing quite a few shocking and disturbing moments according to fans. While many horror aspects of Resident Evil are very startling and loud, the written in-game files are much more subtle, making them even scarier. All the secrets behind the Umbrella Corporation and its experiments can be found in the files and their surrounding environments, but not everyone who plays Resident Evil knows to look for them or that they even exist.
Resident Evil is known by many as the mother franchise of the survival horror genre and is responsible for inspiring many of the aspects seen in modern horror titles. 2023 is a major year for survival horror with RE4's remake, the Dead Space remake, Alan Wake 2, and multiple Silent Hill projects being released. While it is exciting for fans of the genre, a few worry that so many titles in one year will contribute to the oversaturation of survival horror, and others are just as skeptical of the remakes. That said, there may still be a resurgence of survival horror fans next year.
Horror titles have been hyped on and off since the late '90s, with the Resident Evil franchise maintaining its popularity through all of its terrifying installments and extensive lore. Through remakes and original titles alike, fans have persevered through their fear and dug through secrets involving The Umbrella Corporation and the brutal T-virus infections. From outright disturbing moments to beloved characters like Resident Evil Village's oft-cosplayed Lady Dimitrescu, Resident Evil has plenty to offer and will likely continue to expand for some time.
Source: TheGr3aTAydini/Reddit, seriouslyuncouth/Reddit, GodofGanja5/Reddit, meg5493/Reddit