The Resident Evil (Biohazard in Japan) franchise celebrates a monumental 29 years today, marking nearly three decades of terrifying gamers worldwide.

Originally released in Japan 29 years ago today, the first Resident Evil game ignited a survival horror phenomenon.

To commemorate the occasion, various Resident Evil titles are currently on sale across multiple platforms, including Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

According to notable Resident Evil leaker Dusk Golem, the next mainline entry, Resident Evil 9, is poised for a significant overhaul.  The changes are expected to be as impactful as the shifts brought about by Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7, potentially sparking considerable discussion among fans.

Resident Evil 4 revolutionized the series by shifting from fixed camera angles to a dynamic over-the-shoulder third-person perspective. This allowed for more precise aiming and fluid movement, significantly enhancing player immersion.  This perspective later became a standard for many action games, including Dead Space and Gears of War.

Departing from the 'tank' controls of its predecessors, Resident Evil 4 introduced more agile movement, enabling players to walk and shoot (though not simultaneously).  This change significantly increased the game's pace. The focus shifted from pure survival horror towards a more action-adventure experience, incorporating elements like quick-time events (QTEs) and elaborate boss battles.

Resident Evil 7 embraced the contemporary horror game trend, drawing inspiration from titles like P.T. and Outlast, by adopting a first-person perspective.

In contrast to the explosive action and large-scale combat of Resident Evil 5 and 6, Resident Evil 7 returned to the series' roots with an emphasis on resource management, puzzle-solving, and exploration. Players were forced to conserve limited ammunition and items while facing intensely oppressive enemies, such as the Baker family and the Molded.

The game's setting, a dilapidated Southern plantation, created a claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere, harkening back to the sense of isolation and vulnerability found in the earlier Resident Evil games.