Resident Evil Prototypes

 

The critical acclaimed Resident Evil 2 and 4 have always been successful in many ways, such as forwarding the series, granting huge sales and boosting the popularity. Did you know that before they were released, that there were various prototype versions shown?

Resident Evil 1.5 is the previous version of 2, before Capcom decided that they were not satisfied with it, and then took a bold move of creating the project entirely new again from scratch. Post release, 2 became pretty much universally loved by the time it released in 1998.

1.5 however took away some features that never were seen again in the final version. Things such as two absent enemies in the form of a human/spider hybrid and aggressive baboons, or an entirely different female main character called Elza Walker, and a wide range of weapons was also available.

Footage of the prototype can be found on the internet, and recently, I even was able to download some kind of version of 1.5, although it seems that there were more versions of it. As I wanted to play through, or test through using both protagonists, I quickly became stuck in both of their storylines, but it was interesting nonetheless to be able to experience only a tiny portion of them.

A similar scenario happened with the various versions of prototypes for what would become the most revolutionary project yet; Resident Evil 4. The Stylish, Castle, Hallucination and Zombie versions of 3.5 would surface over the course of the years until 2005.

But it was the Hallucination version being the most memorable because of the vast different tone it was having, such as supernatural events taking place in the form of possessed dolls, Leon being infected by a virus constantly, and the infamous Hook Man enemy.

Many resources and materials would be scrapped for the final version, but on the other hand, many other features seen in the versions would be transferred over, such as the over the shoulder perspective, the struggle mechanic and Leon's health indicator.

In some ways, it's dissapointing to see these prototypes never becoming entirely transferred to the final builds. In other ways, it's also interesting enough in this way to be able in the first place to read up about these early builds.

For dedicated Resident Evil fans, it only adds more substance to the overall identity of the beloved horror franchise. They could basically be called "what if" scenarios of the game designers themselves from a past perspective.

As we take a quick look at the future, Resident Evil Revelations 2 is coming up, and Resident Evil 7 seems inevitable despite what has been said negatively about the latest previous sequels. Perhaps Capcom will once again show more prototype versions in the future alongside these new upcoming releases?