Thirty years ago, a game named Resident Evil ushered in the survival horror genre – a blend of nerve-shredding tension, elaborate puzzles, and intricate inventory management.
The series became Japanese developer Capcom’s best-selling franchise ever, prompting books, films and TV programmes, as well as more games.
So how does the latest edition, Resident Evil Requiem – released to excited fans worldwide on Friday – keep the scares feeling surprising three decades on?
Koshi Nakanishi, who directed the new release, told the BBC the balancing act between “familiarity and freshness” had been a “huge challenge”.
But he added he hoped the new title managed to “redefine survival horror in interesting new ways”, while still “respecting the DNA of the series”.
Over the years, the franchise has see-sawed between focusing on terror and high-octane action, with mixed results.
After hearing the latest game would try to combine the two, some fans were left fearing it would feel too “jarring”, external.
However, producer Masato Kumazawa told the BBC the team has always been clear on Requiem’s and Resident Evil’s signature mood – fear.
“Fear is such a human emotion,” he said.
“And through entertainment, we find ways to use fear as a thrill, but in a positive way.”
“So I think that even with 30 years on the game’s legacy, people still want to go through those thrills over and over again, because that’s really what makes us human.”