Limited resources, confined spaces, eerie atmosphere, and terrifying creatures lurking in the dark. These are some common elements in all Resident Evil games, a franchise that began back in 1996 with the very first game. It started as a niche survival horror experiment on the original PlayStation and has now become a landmark that keeps reinventing itself while staying familiar enough for fans to feel at home. Every few years, Capcom manages to find a new way to bring the series back into the limelight. This can be through a fresh story, jaw-dropping remake or mysterious characters. And now, with Resident Evil Requiem due to release soon, the franchise is once again making headlines. So why is the Resident Evil franchise such a massive hit? Read on and find out.
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The legacy of Resident Evil
Resident Evil shaped an entire generation’s understanding of horror in games. The original PS1 trilogy established the blueprint for survival horror and Resident Evil 4 reinvented action games forever. Coming to Resident Evil 7, it resurrected first person horror when the franchise needed it most. And the modern remakes proved that Capcom can reinterpret its classics with the same confidence as any top-tier studio.
Each era of Resident Evil has pushed the medium forward in some way. It is rare for a series to have three or four defining moments across decades and Resident Evil has had much more than that. That is what makes its longevity so remarkable. It evolves, yes, but it also sets trends that the rest of the industry follows.
Memorable characters keep the franchise alive
Each Resident Evil game brought with it a new story. Some of the games continue a single storyline while others are independent. But there’s something that Resident Evil fans love as much as they love the intriguing plots- characters.
Jill Valentine is the definition of resilience while Claire Redfield shows it is possible to be kind in a world full of horror. Ada Wong is the epitome of mystery and vigour and Chris Redfield became the franchise’s anchor, evolving from everyman soldier to battle-hardened veteran. And of course there is, Leon S. Kennedy- the rookie cop who is selfless, righteous, and incredibly courageous.
Even villains like Wesker, Mr. X and Lady Dimitrescu became cultural moments of their own. Resident Evil works because its heroes and monsters feel iconic in completely different ways. Their stories overlap, diverge and sometimes collide. And together they create the emotional backbone that keeps the series alive after nearly thirty years.
Leon’s return and the element of nostalgia
Resident Evil is one of those rare franchises that people grew up with. Players who were children when they first stepped into the Spencer Mansion or wandered the foggy streets of Raccoon City are now adults with jobs, families and entire lives that have moved on. So, the moment Capcom drops a new trailer or confirms the return of a familiar face, the excitement is instant. It feels like being transported back to those late night gaming sessions where every creak, shadow and door animation felt thrilling.
And this is exactly what happened when news of Leon S. Kennedy being a playable character in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem surfaced.
In the brief moments that we saw him in the trailer, Leon looks older and behaves like someone who has lived through things that would break most people. Seeing him again triggers the memories of where we first met him, but it also acknowledges that both he and the audience have changed. That emotional layering is another huge reason the franchise continues to resonate.
The nostalgia factor is powerful also because Resident Evil has never abandoned its roots. Even though the visuals evolved and the gameplay shifted over time, the core identity remained the same. The sound of a typewriter save point, the tension of limited ammo, the thrill of unlocking a shortcut, the satisfaction of solving a puzzle and of course the reunion with beloved characters. All of these are subtle callbacks that make long-time fans feel seen. Resident Evil doesn’t just rely on nostalgia, it respects it, which is why generations of players still show up the moment Capcom hints at the next chapter.
A cultural icon that refuses to fade
Resident Evil is one of the few franchises that exists far beyond gaming. It has inspired movies, animated series, comics, cosplay communities, ARGs and millions of horror creators online. The term survival horror became mainstream because of this series. Moments like the dog window jump in RE1 or the chainsaw villager in RE4 have become permanent pop culture fixtures.
Even players who never touched the games know the Umbrella logo or recognise characters like Jill Valentine and Wesker. That cultural footprint matters, because it means every new entry carries history.
A franchise that adapts and continues attracting new players
Resident Evil’s staying power is often compared to franchises like Final Fantasy or The Legend of Zelda. Each new entry reinvents the formula, but the heart of the experience stays intact. With Resident Evil, that heart has always been fear. Not jump scare fear, but the slow creeping dread that comes from hearing something move behind a door. Over time, Capcom has found smart ways to keep that feeling alive. Better sound design. More dynamic enemy behavior. Lighting that turns every corner into a question. And of course, evolving characters who carry emotional history into every scene.
The remakes also played a major role in attracting a new audience. Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 were not just nostalgic reworks. They were complete reinterpretations that proved the franchise could stand shoulder to shoulder with modern AAA titles. Younger players who were not even born when the originals came out suddenly found themselves invested in Leon, Claire, Ada and Jill. That cross generational appeal is something very few game series manage to achieve naturally.
Requiem is poised to continue that cycle. It introduces a new protagonist, revisits familiar locations, expands the lore and still keeps the tension grounded. By releasing on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X and PC, it also ensures that almost everyone has a way to jump in. A franchise that started in one living room in 1996 now spans multiple decades, multiple consoles and multiple storytelling eras. And that’s the magic of it.
Also read: Leon S. Kennedy will be a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem and he has a new weapon
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Divyanshi Sharma
Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile
